Top adventure games based on books

Written by Ivo Teel — March 6, 2024 at 13:58

Crafting an entire backstory and lore out of thin air is quite the gamble for gaming studios, leading many publishers to build around established characters and universes to minimize risk. While gamified adaptations of blockbuster movie franchises are going strong, storytellers also draw inspiration from literary classics, especially so in an adventure genre that relies primarily on impactful narration and memorable protagonists. So, from detective stories to subversions of well-known tales, let’s check out adventure titles worth picking up for avid readers and gamers alike. 

Cinders

Cinderella is one of the most popular fairytales in history. While the standard version of this timeless story was penned by the modern fairytale’s godfather, 17th-century French writer Charles Perrault, earlier interpretations have been documented in China and Egypt. Hollywood revived this classic story with no fewer than twelve movie adaptations, from Disney’s animated picture to a recent Amazon flick. Gaming creators also put their spin on this rags-to-riches fantasy with titles like Cinders. Perhaps not so much an adventure game as a visual novel, this mature reimagining is a lot more ambiguous than the original. 

Much like the original tale, the game portrays its titular character as a young woman mistreated by her oppressive stepmother and stepsisters. Yet, there is more to this familiar story, as the game delves into the motivations and frailties of its four main characters. Touching upon profound themes like sisterhood and freedom, Cinders portrays each protagonist in a nuanced light. Cinderella herself isn’t perfection incarnate, as she makes morally grey choices if the player pushes her in that direction. With over 300 choices, this interactive fiction has no shortage of alternate endings to discover upon each run.  

Sherlock Holmes: Crimes & Punishments

Generations after they were first published, the crime-solving adventures penned by Arthur Conan Doyle continue to captivate both readers and gamers. Often cited as one of the best detective stories in gaming, Sherlock Holmes: Crimes & Punishments presents six gripping cases for players to crack, wielding the unparalleled investigative prowess of the Sleuth of Baker Street. From finding missing persons to unraveling convoluted murders, the Great Detective has a lot on his plate. His deductions and decisions are more far-reaching than meets the eye, and some may have unexpected consequences. 

If you love a good Holmes mystery, story-driven titles like The Great Ace Attorney Chronicles and Sherlock Holmes Chapter One might also be worth investigating. Even the iGaming sector has looked into Sherlock Holmes for inspiration with machine slots like Holmes & Moriarty and Piggy Holmes. Many more free online slots are a click away. Top platforms boast thousands of options players can discover without spending a dime. Gamers can load such games in their web browser or enjoy them on the go on their mobile device of choice. Quick guides help them filter slots by themes, software providers, and bonuses to enjoy their online experience to the fullest. 

I Have No Mouth, and I Must Scream

Developed in collaboration with the author of the eponymous short story, sci-fi visionary Harlan Ellison, this point-and-click game takes players to a dystopian world where an AI mastermind has wiped out all of humanity. In its sadism, this sentient supercomputer named AM has kept five people alive, whom he has been torturing relentlessly for 109 years. His devious plan consists of placing each survivor in a made-up adventure based on their inner demons and hidden past. 

With each scenario, players are confronted with a morality system that enables them to make hard choices at the expense of others or solve puzzles honorably. Taking the high road isn’t always a recipe for success in this disturbing adventure, whose moral bankruptcy extracts a heavy toll throughout the journey. I Have No Mouth, and I Must Scream never shies away from its provocative and emotionally-charged themes, which explains its age restriction in certain countries. Though not for the faint-hearted, this retro gem remains a piece of gaming history worth tackling, if only for its audacity alone. Besides, bookworms may find the original novel in its entirety in the game’s files. 

Movie tie-in video games are in fashion, but creative takes on literary works are also flourishing in the gaming sphere. Not all book-to-screen adaptations are adventure-oriented. In fact, the best entries based on books range from Lovecraftian tales to post-apocalyptic shooter games. Still, the adventure genre is a perfect vessel for turning written stories into compelling interactive odysseys that keep players guessing at every turn.