I’ve played a lot of video games based on books—The Witcher, Metro 2033, Bioshock (loosely inspired by Atlas Shrugged), even Dark Souls (which takes a lot from Berserk, though not technically a book).
And while some of them were incredible, there are so many great books out there that would make even better games if the right developer got their hands on them.
So, let’s talk about the books that absolutely deserve video game adaptations—who should make them, what genre they’d work best in, and why they’d be amazing.
1. The Stormlight Archive (Brandon Sanderson) – The Ultimate Open-World RPG
Developer: CD Projekt Red or Larian Studios
Brandon Sanderson’s Stormlight Archive is one of the most detailed, lore-rich fantasy series ever written, and it’s begging to be turned into an open-world RPG on the scale of The Witcher 3 or Baldur’s Gate 3.
- Imagine playing as a Windrunner, flying through the skies, using Stormlight-fueled powers in real-time combat.
- The world of Roshar is massive, with unique biomes, kingdoms, and political conflicts that would make for incredible side quests and faction choices.
- Sanderson’s magic system is already designed like a game mechanic, with rules, limits, and progression—perfect for an RPG skill tree.
If Larian Studios (Baldur’s Gate 3) or CD Projekt Red (The Witcher 3) took on this project, we’d have one of the best fantasy RPGs ever made.
2. The Broken Earth Trilogy (N.K. Jemisin) – A Survival RPG Unlike Anything Else
Developer: Guerrilla Games (Horizon) or Arkane Studios (Dishonored, Prey)
N.K. Jemisin’s Broken Earth series isn’t just a great fantasy story—it’s one of the most unique worldbuilding achievements in modern fiction. The setting is brutal, post-apocalyptic, and deeply immersive, making it perfect for a survival RPG.
- You play as an Orogene, someone with the power to manipulate seismic energy—but also someone hunted by society.
- The world is constantly shifting, with earthquakes, eruptions, and environmental disasters shaping the landscape.
- Choices matter—do you try to survive alone, or form alliances in a world that hates and fears you?
If Guerrilla Games (the studio behind Horizon Zero Dawn) took this on, we’d get a visually stunning, survival-driven experience with deep lore and player choice.
3. The Kingkiller Chronicle (Patrick Rothfuss) – A Narrative-Driven RPG Like No Other
Developer: Obsidian Entertainment (The Outer Worlds, Fallout: New Vegas)
The Name of the Wind and The Wise Man’s Fear would make a perfect RPG, but not one focused on combat—it would need to be a deep, immersive, choice-driven story, where your words matter just as much as your actions.
- You play as Kvothe, progressing from a street urchin to a legendary figure, shaping your own myth.
- The magic system (sympathy) is all about understanding the physics of the world—meaning magic would require intelligence and experimentation, not just mana bars.
- Music and reputation would be key—this wouldn’t just be about fighting enemies, but playing the political and social game of the world.
Obsidian already proved they can handle narrative-driven RPGs (New Vegas, Pentiment), and with their writing chops, The Kingkiller Chronicle could be one of the most unique RPGs ever made.
4. The Divine Cities Trilogy (Robert Jackson Bennett) – A Stealth & Strategy RPG
Developer: Arkane Studios (Dishonored, Deathloop)
Robert Jackson Bennett’s Divine Cities series blends political intrigue, ancient god-ruled civilizations, and espionage, making it a perfect fit for a stealth-action game.
- The world is recovering from a war that literally killed the gods, but their remnants still haunt the landscape in terrifying ways.
- You play as a spy, diplomat, or investigator, uncovering conspiracies while dealing with the remnants of divine power.
- The combat would be about stealth, strategy, and using the leftover divine artifacts to manipulate the world in subtle ways.
Arkane already made Dishonored, which shares a lot of themes with The Divine Cities—power, gods, and political intrigue. If they took on this project, it would be a masterclass in worldbuilding and immersive gameplay.
5. Hyperion (Dan Simmons) – A Cosmic Horror RPG in Space
Developer: BioWare (Mass Effect Trilogy era) or Bethesda (Starfield, Fallout)
Dan Simmons’ Hyperion is one of the greatest sci-fi stories of all time, blending space opera, horror, and time-traveling mysteries into something that feels like a perfect RPG waiting to happen.
- A Mass Effect-style spacefaring RPG, where you explore different planets, each with radically different cultures and mysteries.
- The Shrike, one of the most terrifying sci-fi creatures ever created, stalks the world, making survival a constant threat.
- Time loops, paradoxes, and nonlinear storytelling would create a mind-bending experience unlike any other sci-fi game.
If BioWare was still at its peak, this could be the next great space RPG. Unfortunately, modern BioWare… well, let’s just say I don’t fully trust them anymore.
6. The Lies of Locke Lamora (Scott Lynch) – The Perfect Thief RPG
Developer: Ubisoft (Assassin’s Creed) or IO Interactive (Hitman)
The Gentleman Bastards series is basically a fantasy heist game waiting to happen. Think Assassin’s Creed meets Dishonored, but with a heavier focus on deception, disguises, and social manipulation.
- You play as Locke Lamora, a master thief pulling off impossible heists in a fantasy world inspired by Renaissance Venice.
- The game would be about planning elaborate heists, changing disguises, and using social engineering just as much as stealth.
- Combat wouldn’t be the focus—it would be about outwitting enemies rather than fighting them head-on.
If IO Interactive (Hitman series) handled this, it could be one of the best stealth RPGs of all time.
Final Thoughts: Why Aren’t These Games Being Made Already?
Books and video games share a lot in common—they’re both about worlds you can get lost in, characters you care about, and stories that stick with you long after you’re done.
But too often, game adaptations go for safe, familiar franchises instead of taking risks on more unique, deeply written worlds.
If even one of these books got the right developer, we could be looking at some of the best RPGs ever made.
And if gaming companies are serious about creating the next great open-world RPG… maybe they should stop making the same medieval fantasy games over and over again and start looking at books that are actually pushing the genre forward.
Now, someone get Larian Studios on the phone—we need The Stormlight Archive RPG immediately.