4 Fantasy Franchise I Can’t Believe Haven’t Become Video Games Yet (One Is So Obvious)

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As a gamer, I’ve noticed something interesting: while we get tons of totally new game ideas, some of the best games actually come from adapting stories we already love. Take The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt or Hogwarts Legacy, for example. They really took the worlds and characters from the books and turned them into huge successes! But even with those wins, it’s surprising how many awesome fantasy series haven’t gotten video game adaptations. And it’s not like these are super obscure books – some incredibly popular franchises are still just sitting there on the page, and honestly, there’s one in particular that should have had a game years ago.

Turning books into games is a fantastic idea, largely because much of the foundational work is already completed for developers. Certain stories feel perfectly suited for the gaming world. They feature memorable characters, complex magical rules, and rich environments that would be amazing to explore in a video game. Here are four fantasy series that we think would make excellent games.

4) The Lies of Locke Lamora – The Perfect Heist RPG

The Lies of Locke Lamora by Scott Lynch is a fantastic fantasy series that deserves more recognition. It’s on par with Andrzej Sapkowski’s Witcher books and George R.R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire. Think of it as Ocean’s Eleven, but set in a fantasy world: the story centers on Locke, a skilled thief and con artist, and his crew, known as the Gentleman Bastards. The complex plots, backstabbing, and conflicts between different groups in various cities would make an excellent video game, and the different locations in each book could easily be adapted into sequels.

Picture a game that combines the vertical gameplay of Dishonored with the freedom of Hitman’s missions. Players would have lots of choices in how they complete objectives – they could influence people with charisma and trickery, move silently across rooftops and through waterways, or adapt to unexpected problems. Unlike Jean, Locke isn’t a skilled fighter, so the game wouldn’t focus heavily on combat. This opens up possibilities similar to Shadow Tactics: Blades of the Shogun, letting you strategically control the Gentleman Bastards in a stealth-focused, isometric action game.

A major draw would be the variety of cities. Camorr boasts exciting canals, bridges, dark alleys, and stately towers. This is quite different from the island city of Tal Verrar and the politically charged atmosphere of Karthain. These distinct locations could allow for the introduction of fresh gameplay mechanics and storylines. Even if the games don’t directly adapt the book’s plots, Locke and Jean are compelling characters, and a developer could easily use their abilities in a new story.

3) The Belgariad – A Classic Hero’s Journey

David Eddings’ Belgariad is a quintessential fantasy story: Garion, an ordinary farm boy destined for greatness through prophecy, and his enigmatic guardian, Lady Polgara, team up with the powerful sorcerer Belgarath and others on an epic journey across many lands. The theft of the Orb of Aldur sparks an ancient conflict between the gods, particularly the evil Torak, and the Rivan King. Though the story uses common fantasy elements, Eddings tells it with heart, humor, and a group of characters that feel like a close-knit family – making it perfect material for a video game.

The Belgariad series would be an excellent fit for a role-playing game in the style of Dragon Age: Origins. A party-based adventure, where players follow Garion and his friends as they seek the Orb and confront Torak, would be particularly successful. Managing the relationships between characters like the playful Silk, the powerful Barak, the spirited Ce’Nedra, and the noble Mandorallen would create a compelling dialogue system with choices that matter. The game could offer players more freedom than the original books while still staying true to the overall story in an adapted format.

The story’s enchantment isn’t solely due to its characters; the world itself is equally captivating. From the peaceful farms of Sendaria to the deserts of Maragor and the grand palaces of Riva, each kingdom has its own unique atmosphere and promises vast, explorable landscapes. The core idea – the constant struggle between fate and choice – organically guides the player’s journey as they accompany Garion and Belgarath along a path predicted by a crazed prophet.

2) Mistborn – A Magic System Perfectly Suited For Video Games

Brandon Sanderson is a leading author in contemporary fantasy, and many consider his Mistborn series to be his greatest achievement. The core of the series is a remarkably original magic system called Allomancy. In Allomancy, people gain different abilities by swallowing various metals. For example, pewter increases physical strength, tin sharpens the senses, and iron and steel allow users to manipulate metal. These are just a few examples of Sanderson’s imaginative world-building. It’s surprising that no video game has ever been created based on this fascinating universe.

Allomancy has the potential to be a really unique approach to action RPGs. It could work similarly to potions in The Witcher 3, granting players various powers depending on the situation. If you blend that with the fast-paced, visually impressive combat of Devil May Cry, you could create amazing, cinematic action sequences. This style would perfectly complement the story of Mistborn, which is full of themes like a bleak, oppressive world, fighting back against authority, and complex political schemes. Add a rewarding character progression system, and you’d have a truly exciting video game based on Sanderson’s novels.

A Mistborn game, called Mistborn: Birthright, was nearly made, but unfortunately the project was canceled. While Brandon Sanderson’s books have been turned into a tabletop roleplaying game and a card game, there haven’t been any new discussions about a video game. Given how popular he’s become, it wouldn’t be shocking if a game studio decided to develop one, but we’ll need to be patient. The idea for a game exists, someone just needs to bring it to life.

1) The Legend of Drizzt – The Forgotten Realms’ Untapped Goldmine

The Legend of Drizzt series by R.A. Salvatore is a prime candidate for a video game adaptation, and the Dungeons & Dragons: Dark Alliance game doesn’t quite fit the bill. With 30 novels already written, there’s a huge wealth of stories to draw from for a Drizzt Do’Urden game. Characters who often accompany Drizzt, like Bruenor Battlehammer, Catti-Brie, Wulgar, and Regis, could add significant emotional impact and storytelling to the adventures of Dungeons & Dragons’ most famous hero.

When thinking about a video game style, Baldur’s Gate 3 and The Witcher 3 are strong contenders. Drizzt’s abilities as a ranger, combined with his signature scimitars, would allow for quick and engaging third-person combat. A fight against Entreri, one of Drizzt’s most formidable enemies, would be especially enjoyable in this format. This style would also open up numerous possibilities for side quests and smaller, self-contained stories that contribute to a larger overall narrative.

If they ever made a game based on R.A. Salvatore’s books, something like Baldur’s Gate 3 would be *perfect*. The characters just fit that kind of party-based RPG so well. I’ve been thinking, it could start in Icewind Dale, showing off that cool, rarely-seen area and the beginning of Drizzt’s time on the surface, or even jump into his story later on. The best part? You could control the whole group *and* Drizzt’s panther, Guenhwyvar! That would open up some really interesting role-playing options and awesome tactical gameplay.

It’s surprising that there isn’t a dedicated game starring Drizzt Do’Urden. While he’s made appearances in other games and media, he hasn’t yet had the chance to truly shine. A video game would be a perfect way to explore the internal conflict of a character known for both his fighting ability and his strong empathy, especially in a world that doesn’t trust him. Furthermore, it could elevate Drizzt from a beloved book character to a worldwide phenomenon, similar to how The Witcher 3 did for Geralt of Rivia.

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2025-10-04 19:20