It’s no secret that video games can be considered pixel-illustrated books that we get to control and live vicariously through via screen. What better way to celebrate all of our favorite games than pairing them up with the perfect book to go along? Whether you want to grind for that rare, elusive achievement, get lost in a deeply emotional story, or cozy up in your pixelated cottage with your in-game cat, these game and book recommendations are the perfect excuse to game all day, guilt-free.
If You Liked Her Fearful Symmetry by Audrey Niffenegger…
Her Fearful Symmetry follows identical twin sisters, Julia and Valentina, as they inherit their aunt’s apartment in London as part of her will. The twins soon get thrown into the lives of their mysterious neighbors and their aunt’s past lover. As their aunt’s ghost lingers in the apartment, a tale unfolds full of familial secrets, the supernatural, and the very thin line between life and death.
Try Playing Beyond Two Souls
Since birth, Jodie Holmes has had a psychic connection with a mysterious entity she’s named Aiden. With Aiden, she’s able to communicate telepathically, manipulate objects, and even possess people’s minds. Under the care of two doctors, Jodie learns to manage their connection and eventually moves on to work with the CIA and confront the implications of opening a bridge between the living and the spiritual Infraworld. If you enjoy games that are emotionally driven and a cinematic story experience, Beyond Two Souls offers an immersive journey into themes like identity and death that will leave you surprised as to how close it is to Her Fearful Symmetry.
If You Liked Legends & Lattes by Travis Baldtree…
The story follows an orc, Viv, when she decides to open a coffee shop in the city of Thune, where no one has any idea what coffee even is. She must face challenges such as rivals and even a local mob. But through it all, she finds new companions and a group of friends that helps turn the stable into a thriving cafe.
Try Playing Coffee Talk
If visual novel-style games are more up your alley, Coffee Talk is perfect for you. Set in an alternate universe, this game places you in the role of a late-night barista at a cafe that’s only open after dark. Your customers are fantasy-inspired characters who come not only for drinks but for conversation, comfort, and advice. As the barista, you’ll be able to listen to their stories, and serve handcrafted drinks that can influence their mood or decisions. You may get some deja vu while playing as it’s almost a perfect twin of Legends & Lattes, making it the perfect game for lovers of the book.
If You Liked The Book Thief by Markus Zusak…
Liesel, a young girl, finds solace in stealing books during WWII in Germany. Narrated by Death, The Book Thief follows Liesel as she navigates the horrors of wartime, including the bond she makes with a Jewish man hiding in her home, and her relationship with her friend Rudy.
Try Playing The Last of Us Part II…
Taking place four years after the original game of the post-apocalyptic world, The Last of Us Part II follows Ellie leaving peacefully in Jackson, Wyoming, until a brutal incident shakes her life and ignites a relentless path of vengeance. Navigating with Ellie through the dilapidated streets of Seattle, the game dives into the price of revenge, grief, empathy, and the emotional toll of violence. With its high stakes and intense story, this game is guaranteed to remind players of the emotional turmoil that The Book Thief put them through.
And Red Dead Redemption II…
Set up as the prequel to the first installment of the series, Red Dead Redemption II has you follow along in a gang as Arthur Morgan, an outlaw navigating societal shifts as the Wild West era crumbles. As the Gang faces pressure from law enforcement, rival groups, and internal discord, Arthur must confront loyalty, redemption, and mortality. It’s the perfect game for those who love resilient characters like Liesel from The Book Thief.
And Heavy Rain
Heavy Rain revolves around the Origami Killer, who leaves an origami figure at each crime scene, players control four protagonists that are drawn into their own unique way into the investigation. Their stories intertwine in a thriller-style plot with moral dilemmas, suspense, and personal trauma. Multiple outcomes are possible depending on your choices, which will leave you revisiting the game over and over to see each possible ending. Once again, a highly emotional game that focuses on the fine line between cruelty and love, empathy, and the power of love — something oddly similar to The Book Thief.
If You Liked A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas…
When Feyre, a human huntress, kills a faerie wolf, she’s punished with permanent relocation to the faerie lands. While there, she finds an evil, ancient force that threatens to destroy the land of Prythian. As her bond with the inhabitants of Prythian grows — particularly with her captor, Tamlin — so does Feyre’s desire to help save the land.
Try Playing Palia…
Players are newly awakened humans in a magical world they once inhabited centuries ago, now home to the Majiri and quirky creatures called Grimalkin. The game is still a work in progress, and you’ll be left on a cliffhanger with the main quests as they get released with updates, but that just leaves you more time to build and decorate the best home on the block. I like to call Palia a mixture of Stardew Valley and Animal Crossing built into one, and the best part of this game is that it’s completely free to play. The storyline is just as good, as you solve riddles and mysteries and find the underlying answer as to why humans are reappearing after thousands of years. Just like in A Court of Thorns and Roses, you can also romance or befriend villagers of your choosing, creating a new life for yourself in this mysterious town.
And Sun Haven…
After you inherit a plot in the magical town of Sun Haven, your goals are to rebuild your farm, make friendships, explore, and put a stop to a dark force threatening the land. This fantasy life sim blends cozy charm with RPG elements, leaving you with plenty of freedom to farm, fight, or simply relax and enjoy the storyline through all of the different characters. This game is perfect for fans of Stardew Valley and magic. Sun Haven lets you cast spells, befriend diverse characters, and explore whimsical regions — all at your own pace. Maas’ ACOTAR is famously romance-driven, and Sun Haven lets you incorporate romance into your game too as you pursue relationships and build bonds alongside your adventures. It’s the perfect all-around game for those who live for both romance and adventure.
And Strange Horticulture
Step into the role of an owner to a mysterious plant shop in the town of Undermere, where you serve customers who have puzzling requests. As the story deepens, you decode clues and unlock tools needed for mystery-solving and exploring the occult underbelly of Undermere. Strange Horticulture is quiet, mysterious, and immersive rather than flashy and graphic, leaving it to be a perfect story you’ll want to finish in one sitting. Not everyone is purely good or purely evil and choices matter in this game, echoing some of that ACOTAR tension that readers love. Set in beautiful yet eerie settings and a dreading sense of the “unknown” lurking around, Strange Horticulture is the perfect game for those who love the adventure in ACOTAR but need to take it on at a slower pace.
If You Liked Mistborn: The Final Empire by Brandon Sanderson…
Mistborn: The Final Empire follows the character of Vin as she discovers her ability to burn metals for enhanced physical and mental abilities. Eventually, she joins a rebellion that’s aimed to overthrow the immortal Lord Ruler, a tyrannical god-king. The story explores a unique magic system, political intrigue, and Vin’s personal journey.
Try playing Elden Ring
Elden Ring is set in the vast, lore-rich Lands Between, where players take on the role of a Tarnished, a forgotten exile summoned back to piece together the shattered Elden Ring and become Elden Lord. The Elden Ring is the fundamental force of peace in the world. After it was split into pieces, war raged, causing a cataclysmic event known as the Shattering. Encounters with enemies remain fresh due to varied arenas and environmental dynamics, even with foes you may have already encountered. Elden Ring is another guaranteed favorite if you like Brandon Sanderson and high-fantasy worlds. With its rich character and world-building, it’s a no-brainer for fans that love to get lost in a good fantasy.
And The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
Set in the province of Skyrim, the game lets you play as the Dragonborn, a hero born with the soul of a dragon. As a civil war ravages the land, dragons — once believed to be extinct — return. The Dragonborn must harness their power while navigating a world full of guilds, factions, and lore to stop the dragons and fulfill their destiny. It’s a world full of stories, with plenty of room to write your own. The quests and players you meet throughout Skyrim will scream a perfect match for those who liked Mistborn, or any of the other books in the series.
Whether you’re reliving old favorites or starting something new, here’s a reminder of how games can bring us together through quests, rivalries, and late-night “just one more level” promises. Extra added bonus: they have the perfect book to go along with it.
Check out these five video games with the best narrative if you’re craving more.
In need of some more book recommendations from our team? Check out the Bookstr Team recommendations bookshelf on Bookshop.
