10 Video Game Franchises I'd Love to See as Long Running Book Series

[@mikesbookreviews]

Hi Bookworms/Gamers! So, I learned today that Gears of War and Mass Effect already have some books made. I had no idea! Never seen them in the wild. Thanks for the heads up!

[@codyowens9137]

The Mass Effect books by Drew Karpyshyn (Darth Bane writer) are excellent!

[@Daryl42]

Karpyshyn wrote the Mass Effect games, too. Although a video game that big has multiple writers, usually.

[@mr.gilsdorf]

Karen Traviss, author of the Star Wars Republic Commando series worked on Gears. She’s very talented; both worth a look.

[@johnnetherton5196]

Mass Effect does have books

[@alexrechkin7]

Horizon Zero Dawn has comics

[@nburton10]

The Mass Effect triology is the best trio of combined story and gameplay ever created.

[@calebrichard4545]

i’ve only played the first game but i agree it was incredible

[@mikesbookreviews]

Correct.

[@Beyond0Eternity]

That would actually be Dark Souls

[@nburton10]

@@Beyond0Eternity FromSoft and their games are my favorite of all time, Sekiro is probably the best combat I have ever played in a game. That said, imo the story and character progression of ME is unmatched.

[@PhoenixBooks27]

Have you read the Mass Effect books by Drew Karpyshyn? This is the guy that was the lead writer of the original game. The books are pretty good from what I remember. He actually also wrote the Darth Bane Trilogy

[@ahlamhossain7906]

I personally wish the Thief series was turned into books. That’s my all time favorite game. There is also the game Dishonored series that had books made surrounding the main story by Adam Christopher and comics by Gordon Rennie. There is also Aquanox. I would love to read an under water world story.

[@nathanwinning8331]

There was this really cool game on the PS2 called Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers. The lore was super cool I'd love to see a book series based off that! 😂 Jokes

[@Tralala001]

One of the best ps2 games right there

[@codyowens9137]

Hey Mike, great vid! A few of these games do have books. Mass Effect has 4 books that take place around the trilogy (first 3 are great, 4th is bad) and 3 books that take place around Andromeda. Bioshock has a prequel novel about Rapture that I’ve heard good things about. Gears of War actually does have books, like 6 or 7 of them. Most take place inbetween games but you get some backstory on other characters. You do get younger Dom & Marcus in the first book. There’s also a few Elder Scrolls books, 2 novels and 2 lore books. There’s a bunch of Zelda manga too but those are just adaptations of the game.

[@No8Named8Shadow]

I’m not sure about making it a long series, but I would love books about the inFamous universe. Other games to books I’d like: - Darksiders - Prince of Persia - Little Big Planet - Th3 Plan

[@michaelkibble740]

I too would love a Legend of Zelda book series

[@Rhendali]

Oh man, you just went up even more points in my book. Xenogears is one of my all time favorite games and to see that you not only know what it is, but think it’s so good, makes me so happy! Such a great game that I’ve been hoping against hope would get a “remake” to flesh it out. I’d be almost as happy with a book series.

[@mikesbookreviews]

I would back a Kickstarter HAPPILY to make this happen

[@Gruso57]

There's a comic series on it now but I would love a book on Bloodeborne. With the hybrid Lovecraft and gothic beasts I think it would make for a really great horror fantasy. I think something like Hellmouth by Giles Kristian but in the Bloodeborne universe.

[@kjryall]

I'd love to read a Metroid book series.

[@mikesbookreviews]

That was one of my toughest cuts.

[@kjwonder6411]

Recently replaying Skyrim and oh man. That game could be an Amazing series

[@hawk66100]

Right?? And if they fleshed it out right each game could be its own trilogy. I absolutely love the lore of Elder Scrolls and would read the shit out of these.

[@codyowens9137]

There’s 2 ES novels and 2 lore books, have no idea if they’re good though

[@khod3337]

It's 100% necessary

[@jwcarlson]

Skyrim as a... book series? It was an over rated slog as a video game, I couldn't imagine a book. Unless you're talking about mods, maybe...

[@codyowens9137]

@@jwcarlson Elder Scrolls books, not Skyrim specifically

[@MrJosh066717]

Dishonored needs a book series

[@Sara866873]

I read Dishonored: The Corroded Man after playing the first game, I think it was a tie-in novel? I remember enjoying it quite a bit but I'd also love to see a whole series!

[@SmokebuoyII]

There's actually a Bioshock prequel novel called Bioshock: Rapture by John Shirley. I remember reading that years ago and it does give details about the creation of Rapture and how things ended up the way they did in the game.

[@hawk66100]

Ghost of Tsushima would be a fantastic novel/s

[@CodyvBooks]

I have always felt this way about Bioshock. Man that would be awesome. Great video Mike!

[@Tralala001]

With the success of the fallout show, I feel Bioshock could make a killer TV series.

[@codyowens9137]

There’s actually a Bioshock prequel book about Rapture

[@brandonsebastian8041]

@@codyowens9137 Top tier book

[@fallout766]

A Fallout book series would be simply brilliant

[@rodneylopez5073]

In the sci-fi category, I would love to see a long form series in the world of Destiny/Destiny 2. The personal stories of each of the main characters (Zavala, Ikora, and Cayde-6) alone would be worth it. Add to it the arrival of the Traveler, the formation of the Guardians to begin with, Siva, the construction of the Warminds, especially Rasputin, the Iron Lords, the first collapse, the origins of the Awoken and their Queen Mara Sov..... There is so much that could be mined for a novel series. There is some in game lore and Bungie has created some volumes of that lore, but there is still enough that is unpublished that would fill 50+ novels, at least.

[@mikesbookreviews]

I'm surprised that hasn't happened yet, to be honest

[@jimmyallen8210]

Would you consider doing this video topic in reverse? Books that would be great games? Some of my picks: The Dark Elf Trilogy, Stormlight Archive, the Dark Tower

[@Kellen81]

I wouldn't mind seeing some Valve games expanded, particularly the Half-life or Portal world with some quirky humor thrown in

[@mikesbookreviews]

Maybe that's how we get Half-Life 3 ha ha

[@samiurai0]

Mass Effect is probably my favorite video game series. It is just so immersive. I looked up some novels that are similar to the game and found The Expanse to have a similar wavelength. Would love more recommendations though!

[@Paul_McSeol]

Some of these do have books. Bioshock: Rapture tells the tale you mentioned of Ryan building the city. There’s a quadrilogy of Mass Effect books about Anderson. And a few others. Mileage may vary though.

[@mikesbookreviews]

So I'm being told. I've never seen any of these.

[@Paul_McSeol]

@@mikesbookreviews the bioshock book is decently solid. And yeah, you’re spot on that most of these series would benefit from a really good book series. Great video!

[@famouslastkill]

I have actually read the Rapture novel as well! Definitely worth the read, but wish they would do more about BioShock tbh.

[@veronicaprice]

I feel like an Elder Scrolls series could be almost endless, but I’d snap it up in a heartbeat. There is so much amazing lore in that game!

[@Talking_Story]

Gears and Mass Effect I know have some books out. Lately I would say Horizon Zero Dawn would be a good universe to mine. I am so down for the Legacy of Kain books.

[@RLX5201]

Horizon is such a perfect setting for books!

[@Fakespy]

Hey Mike, Mass Effect had its own book series. But I’d recommend the Revelation Space series if you’re interested in a Mass Effect-like universe and story since Mass Effect itself was heavily inspired by Revelation Space.

[@duffystrings9680]

Dude, gears of war 1-3 has such good storytelling and was very impactful to me as a young man. Played it win my best friends growing up and slumber parties way past bedtime. No regrets.

[@mikesbookreviews]

Yeah, it was amazing.

[@PlagueWind]

There are a couple Elder Scrolls books out there also. Greg Keyes wrote 2 books that take place 40 years after the Oblivion Crisis and continues the story. The Infernal City and Lord of Souls. Dishonored is a franchise I was hungry to explore the lore of and there are books and graphic novels that explore that world also. Dragon Age also has some pretty good novels that expand on the lore of that franchise.

[@IoWhite]

Planescape Torment, Newerwinter Nights 2: Mask of Betrayer and Xenogears are my top 3 games I would have loved to read as books.

[@mikesbookreviews]

Xenogears would be amazing

[@xtruthx]

You have no idea how incredible it was to see you mention Xenogears... Best story in a video game ever!!

[@edwardtaylor5207]

The world of Heretic/Hexen I always wanted to know more about. Also spent hours reading all the in game books in Morrowind/Oblivion etc

[@_Mike.85]

I love Mass Effect. There are quite a few Mass Effect novels out there that tie in directly with the games themselves, Drew Karpyshyn actually wrote the first 3. They're fun if you're wanting more of that world.

[@The88shrimp]

After seeing the Gollum game there's so much potential for that universe to be adapted into a book series. Maybe a series set in the distant future where a fellowship on a quest are told the story of Gollum and eventually even run into him later down the track.

[@naaresu]

Hey Mike, i dont know if you know about all the Soulsborne games (Dark Souls, Elden Ring), but i feel like they'd make really good books. Thanks for the video, as always!

[@hawk66100]

There actually is a Mass Effect novel called Revelations. It’s a prequel novel that takes place about 20 or so years before ME1. Highly recommend it if you like that universe.

[@rvt_h3d]

theres 4 books in that series

[@katharynbaker5592]

Im a reader married to a gamer, and I love all of these! Also if no one has mentioned it to you yet BioShock has a prequel novel "BioShock: Rapture" by John Shirley. I really enjoyed it, and it is currently free on audible right now.

[@MattsFreeChannel1]

Imagine how good a Metal Gear series would be. The original Metal Gears would be illuminating because of how few people really know those games, me included. You could have each of the five MGS games as covering the very varied themes, like memes with the second and aging with the fourth. So many great side characters, side games, for standalones.

[@wineberryovergold4114]

There' is a Bioshock Novel simply titled Rapture, it was written by John Shirley, it's mainly about the formation of Rapture and how everything fell apart. Check it out!

[@Plainwrek]

Karen Traviss has some decent series adjacent Gears novels while Drew Karpyshyn has some good original series adjacent Mass Effect novels as well (there are also a few that follow Andromeda). I know Greg Keyes has written some Elder Scrolls novels but can’t speak to the content. All in, still plenty more room in these universes for additional stories to be told.

[@BrianBell7]

oooh Bioshock... I didn't even think of that. Love the premise of the video. Fallout, man, so much you could do. I think some games that could make interesting books are Assassin's Creed & Dragon Age. Or for a thriller, Donkey Kong. "The name's Kong. Donkey Kong. I like my princesses shaken, not stirred."

[@brandonsebastian8041]

BioShock: Rapture Novel by John Shirley - Enjoy!

[@jasonjaffeux866]

Fallout is the game I have wanted a book series from the most. It's my all time favorite game and I would read every book that comes out.

[@victariondrownedmemory9886]

This was a fantastic video and right up my alley, i had no idea you were such a gamer eh? thats dope man! im 100% with you on Elder Scrolls and Mass Effect, both fantastic choices!

[@benconlin3557]

Fromsoft’s games like souls and bloodborne have a tonne of lore that could be used to make great books. Also, absolutely love the backstory of Bioshock hinted at in the cassette tapes. Very much a creepy horror vibe and totally agree about the backstory of Rapture

[@dorkphoenixrising]

I really enjoyed the Gears of War books, plus there's a couple of graphic novels too. Same goes for Borderlands (not mentioned in your list) - but great franchise, great books/graphic novels - new one coming out soon (if not already!)

[@mmurphy3608]

Dragon Age would make for a great book series. They did put out some history/lore books that are cool. But novels would be awesome. Metal Gear Solid is another I’d love to have.

[@RiddlesOfSteel]

There is a set of 5 books all written by the same author and a recent short story collection named Tevinter Nights. I haven't read them but I remember during the DA:O era my friend was big on the novels. I'd check them out.

[@cevcivelek]

I've been playing through the old school Doom and Quake games this year, and I kept thinking about how I'd love to read some books like these...sci-fi/military horror, and some body horror mixed in. Any recommendations? Good call on Legacy of Kain series! Hated that ended so abruptly.

[@negator7]

Definitely recommend the God of War novelization for the PS4 game. Adds so much more to the story that makes it even better

[@abnushagnasty805]

Definitely would love to see a Castlevania book series. I think Destiny would also make for a great book series. Haven’t read the series for Mass Effect yet but I think it would also make a great tv show (as long as it’s a showrunner faithful to the lore).

[@gryftkin]

I remember the first time I played BioShock. The whole mystery around what happened. That would make for a good book or two.

[@EldenLord737]

It's crazy how big and deep The elder scrolls lore is , I'd love to see it as a novel .

[@DrDraco]

There are two novels based on Oblivion (or at least released around when that game came out). No idea if they’re any good or not, but wonder why they never continued making them.

[@mikesbookreviews]

Right. What I'm talking about here is a linear series with an established plan, not just one-off/lore stories. Heard they weren't any good.

[@lucasyoung51]

So not a video game question but I’m currently reading faithful and the fallen, and I’m wondering your opinions on who would win in a fight storm or ghost from GOT

[@eshg44]

Mass Effect has so much potential, I read books 1-3 and the comics, but I'd like to read a good, fresh book series

[@PhoenixBooks27]

Mass Effect had a good book series. Written by Drew Karpyshyn who was the lead writer of the original game. He is also the author of the Star Wars Darth Bane Trilogy. I only ever read the first 3 books he wrote, and they were great. I never read the 4th book. I really like Drew Karpyshyn and I really wish they would've done more books in the series though.

[@reedmorebooks]

I'm sure this has been mentioned already, but there ARE 2 Elder Scrolls novels - The Infernal City & Lord of Souls. They were pretty good, explored daedra, and the hist in fun ways the games haven't

[@gamesaregood9904]

Honestly Persona would make a banger series of books. I know there's a manga, but things could be delved into much deeper in a book

[@EntertainmentEncyclopedia]

I’d love to see “Uncharted” and the “Trails” series become novels. I agree with your thinking on Castlevania, Metal Gear, and Horizon, even if that one didn’t quite make your 10.

[@garyhost6678]

What a creative idea for a video.

[@zacherylong2411]

I know this isn’t related to the video but Christopher just announced Empire of Silence is back out in hardcover! Maybe you can do a short on it to help with sales Mike! So Daw can see the demand for the others as well..

[@ShakiLis29]

Never watched a videos like this. “Which game you will like to be a book?” I’m not much of a big time gamer but my bf is! Anyways, I switch reading time to gaming time this month and I am loving Horizon Zero Dawn on PS5 and my bf never finished the game so he started over same time when I started playing at his PC. And yes, I will read this game if is a book 📖!

[@coreydinardo5525]

My top 3: Final Fantasy VIII CHRONO TRIGGER & CHRONO CROSS SUIKODEN III

[@reggieswilliams]

Bethesda did publish a nice 3 volume book set for skyrim. Very nice.

[@calebmauer1751]

I'd like to see Elder Scrolls too, I love the lore in that world, and the in game books are pretty good. Especially if they could set it in Morrowind, that was a cool environment.

[@mmurphy3608]

Horizon Zero Dawn had one of the best stories in recent gaming, IMO. Loved it.

[@texaspipeman8973]

Awesome video! What about Goldeneye though?

[@MiguelFlores-xt8tt]

It would be interesting for you to rank video games based on novels, like the Witcher saga or the Metro games

[@CufflinksAndChuckles]

I kinda want a Malazan-like epic for the Elder Scrolls. There are a couple novels and some lorebooks, but not a whole series.

[@therevanchist1123]

For sci-fi I’d love to see some Novels based around Homeworld (I believe there is a book that carries this name but I don’t believe it’s actually the same subject material). For Horror/Thriller I’d love to see some Half Life novels (I heard one is in the works). What about Metroid Novels, that could be something special imo. I would love to see a Castlevania series of novels as well.

[@AuthorJohnADouglas]

Mass effect is my favorite game of all time and my favorite sci-fi universe of all time.

[@newdawn3301]

Dark souls universe should be on this list. I think a series in the style of malazan would fit this like a glove

[@momo_genX]

Hmmm. Good point, Mike. Zoning out with a video game is sort of similar to zoning out with a book.

[@edhtroyo9432]

The gears of war books by Karen Traviss are really good! 👌

[@pedrobessa1628]

Love your videos, top of your game, one of the greatest in my honest opinion. That being said, if the name of this video was “10 next potential Fallouts” you’d get 100k views and would not be click bait, I’d say that is where booktube fails, too generic video titles.

[@nofunatall4094]

Ive read some of the gears of war books. Mass Effect has books too.

[@TrafalgarL4wyer]

Terrific list, agree with them all!

[@paradigmshift7907]

Mass Effect has so much potential as a franchise outside of gaming. Im astonished it hasnt been exploited yet. Elder Scrolls reminds me of Star Wars in a way. There is almost infinite stories to tell and time periods to choose from

[@mikesbookreviews]

I'm still hopeful Apple TV will adapt it one day. They've done some really good sci-fi.

[@codyowens9137]

@@mikesbookreviews I think Prime got the rights to a Mass Effect show a few years back but no idea if that’s still happening

[@dinocollins720]

Another fantastic video thank you!

[@wayne_404]

There actually is a book series for Gears and comics! Haven’t read them yet, but in the process of tracking them down in decent condition.

[@mikesbookreviews]

I wasn't even aware until today. Whoops.

[@ThisIsJaysWorld]

Im not a huge gamer but I’ve always wanted to spend some time playing Elden Ring. I feel like that would make good novels. I also really enjoyed Dark Souls and would like that one as well

[@mikesbookreviews]

I don't want anything else to distract George from Winds of Winter ha ha

[@michaeltorres2666]

On the flip side of this, I think the Dresden files could be an amazing tell tale game, or open world rpg, that would be awesome.

[@mikesbookreviews]

No doubt

[@TheJoeyKnoxville]

I am always ready to get more Fallout!

[@GiantsHunt]

A Dark Souls novelization would be difficult to pull off. If done well, it would bang

[@pepperz1735]

I would love to know which author you would assign to each series, John Gwynne to Zelda, Ruocchio to Mass Effect etc.

[@mikesbookreviews]

That would be a task

[@bigaldoesbooktube1097]

BioWare have their act together, I’ve read the first books in Mass Effect and Dragon Age and they are really good. I feel everyone else need to catch up.

[@eisenhorn7588]

There are 4 Mass Effect novels. I read the first 3 recently and am about to start the 4th.

[@mjam761]

I'd like to see an Elden Ring boom. It would be super dark.

[@xzannahx9546]

I think about the lack of Fallout novels at least 1 or 2 times a year, it's so upsetting. There are some Elder Scrolls novels, but zero Fallout ones. As pointed out already, there are some Mass Effect books (there's even at least one about ME Andromeda). I don't think you mentioned Dragon Age, I highly recommend the games if you haven't played them, and they also have some books. I wish there were more Cyberpunk 2077 novels.

[@brianl6151]

Book series would be awesome but I think I would love them for tv/movies as well. Metal Gear would be high on that list. I would love an Uncharted book series because anything Uncharted is welcomed over here :) Other series, Red Dead Redemption would be incredible as well.

[@mikesbookreviews]

Uncharted and Tomb Raider were in consideration for sure.

[@splinterborn]

Assassins Creed, Deus Ex, Fallout, Mass Effect and Halo. Best games for books.

[@mdean]

Love your videos Mike.

[@michaeleyler2788]

If they were to adapt Elder Scrolls into a tv show, i’d love to see the beginnings of the empire

[@stevenstewart782]

My life kinda goes in phases Bounces back and forth between being a reader and a gamer I can't seem to do both at the same time. Even though I love both

[@mikesbookreviews]

I have 3 hobbies, but only time for 2. Reading is always going to be locked. But I have to choose between watching TV or gaming.

[@Darrkness]

Sometimes i listen to audiobooks while gaming. Just grinding or casual play. Not during heavy RPGs with lots of text.

[@israaahmed7168]

I want The King of Fighters to have a long running series 👀👀👀

[@HowellingRoots]

Videogamesssss. 1) Bloodborne 2) Dark Souls 3 3) Elden Ring 4) Shadows of Mordor 5) Shadows of War Thats about it. I read way more than i play videogames.....but when something comes out that catches my attention, ill definitely invest in the game. Classics.... 1) Baldurs Gate Dark Alliance 1 & 2 *ps2 version* 2) Doom *ps1 version* 3) Tenchu 4) Devil May Cry 5) Resident Evil 4 6) Silent Hill The Room

[@mikedesousa4040]

Final Fantasy 6 seems perfect for an epic fantasy series in the vein of Wheel of Time. All the different countries, the different factions, motives, the devastating reversal halfway through. The Fleshing out Kefka's growing nihilism, all the characters who are grudgingly working together (Cyan, Celes), the hubris of power when confronted with the madness they created, and on and on, There's plenty of potential. in many ways the game-format limited the story

[@kylerieman221]

I think Uncharted would make a great adventure series in the same vein as James Rollins or Clive Cussler. Jak and Daxter would make a fun manga series. Call of Duty could make a fun Tom Clancy type series.

[@praetorxyn]

Suikoden would make an amazing fantasy series.

[@scotts1912]

+1 for a Mass Effect book series. And it IS a better universe than Star Wars. Speaking of BioWare, the Dragon Age series would also be a great setting for a series of books.

[@FlamesofJagger]

Both Mass Effect and Dragon Age have books that tie into the games. One Dragon Age book is the story of how Alastair's mother is forced to leave the Grey Wardens because the darkspawn taint was removed and she had to go back to mages circles

[@TheCrazyCanuck420]

Xenogears would make for a good sci-fy + fantasy book series. BTW, Xenogears was supposed to be FFVII but it was deemed too dark for the Final Fantasy series.

[@mikesbookreviews]

Yeah, I remember that! Too bad the actual FF8 couldn't compare, IMO

[@nantonenko5810]

Destiny and the Division games would be unreal! I feel like the lore that’s given in game is so good but just needs to be novelized and then more books made maybe similar to how halo has done it

[@mikesbookreviews]

I'm surprised Destiny books haven't been written yet.

[@DefinitelyNotAnUndercoverCop]

You did give the disclaimer but Elder scrolls already has a book series though I think they only made 2 or 3

[@demidrek-heyward]

Sick mug my guy! Go mariners boo ‘Stros!!