When it comes to gaming, I'm personally quite grateful for the advent of casual and story mode. In years past, I'd hand off the controller to whoever happened to be sitting nearby—in my youth, my elder brother, and now, my gamer fiancé—in pure frustration. My lackluster sense of hand-eye coordination deterred me from playing a lot of games, even when I was really interested in the narrative. Thankfully, starting out on the easiest mode (which is generally more focused on exploring the story and world than on combat challenges) allowed for a whole host of new adventures, whether leading Commander Shep across the galaxy, traversing the Midwest alongside Joel and Ellie, or dodging Imperial Inquisitors as Jedi Cal Kestis.
There's good reason the number of gaming hobbyists only grows year over year. Video games are constantly reaching new heights in terms of graphics, narrative design, and world-building. Many capture that same magic of a really great book, all with the added element of putting you in control of what the characters do and where they go next. They're a natural fit for anyone who loves storytelling, especially as the rise of cozy gaming and that all-important difficulty adjustor makes these narratives more accessible than ever.
Whether you're fascinated by the stories held within some of the most lauded franchises or you're a pro searching for what to listen to while gaming, you're in luck. This collection of listens based on video games celebrates the stories, characters, and settings of popular series, expanding on in-game universes and building upon established lore.
An action-packed anthology that got its start back in 2004, Far Cry is a long-running favorite of first-person shooter fans. This audio prequel to Far Cry 6 sees Giancarlo Esposito reprising his role as game antagonist Antón Castillo, trailing his rise from political prisoner to El Presidente.
Though it's technically the fifth main installment in the franchise, 2018's God of War (and this corresponding novelization) saw Kratos up against a new pantheon of gods. After defeating the gods of Olympus, Kratos and his son Atreus must survive the cold landscape of Norse mythology.
Just ask any gamer—BioWare's Mass Effect trilogy is a triumph of narrative design and character creation. Go deeper on the history of the Systems Alliance, war hero and captain of the SSV Normandy David Anderson, and Saren's descent and eventual alliance with Sovereign.
Curious about Master Chief's origin story? Look no further. This expanded universe glimpse into sci-fi juggernaut Halo follows Dr. Halsey's child experimentation program that transformed a six-year-old boy into Spartan John-117, humanity's last hope against the Covenant.
This standalone Audible Original set in the Assassin's Creed universe follows smart scammer Aliyah Kahn, who, out-hustled and out-of-luck, must train as an assassin to repay her debt. Revisit the war between Assassin and Templar in this full-cast gem featuring Riz Ahmed and Anthony Head.
One of the most beloved RPGs of all time, Knights of the Old Republic is set to get a remake in the next few years. While you wait, listen in to this Legends story centered on the game's inimitable Darth Revan. With fan-favorite narrator Marc Thompson at the helm, this is one you can't miss.
MMORPG World of Warcraft is adored by legions of fans worldwide. The Warcraft fantasy universe is as epic as it is enormous, with a host of expansions, adaptations, and even a collectible card game to its name. It goes without saying that there's also a swath of books based on the franchise, including this early installment.
The open worlds of Bethesda's Elder Scrolls series (which includes hits like Skyrim and Oblivion) are well explored by fans. Still, with such a wealth of lore, we're fortunate the universe is further chronicled in listens including The Infernal City, set in Tamriel 40 years after the Oblivion Crisis, as Umbriel looms overhead.
Melding sci-fi and steampunk with a heavy retro-futuristic edge, the Bioshock series takes place in a vividly imagined world. This listen is set prior to the events of the eponymous first game, released in 2007. It details the creation of the subaquatic city of Rapture by founder and industry titan Andrew Ryan.
Though beloved by many youngsters, Minecraft isn't, strictly speaking, a kid's game—players of all ages can appreciate the flexibility and creative opportunity afforded by its sandbox style. So it figures that the game's first official companion novel is perfect for grown-up and little listeners alike. Oh, and did we mention it was written by Max Brooks and narrated by Jack Black?
As the popularity of League keeps growing (thanks especially to the breakout Netflix adaptation Arcane), more folks than ever are trying to stay up-to-date with major events, important histories, and latest mythos. This companion guide—a must for any player looking to up their game—offers a deep dive on the realms of Runeterra, its culture, wildlife, politics, tech, and more.
The first novel to be set in Thedas, Dragon Age: The Stolen Throne is effectively a prequel to 2009's Dragon Age: Origins, taking place about three decades before the events of that game. If you want to learn more about the backstory of characters like Loghain Mac Tir or Ferelden's fight for independence, this listen offers a wealth of world-building and in-universe history.
Sci-fi third-person shooter Gears of War inspired a series of tie-in audiobooks. The first installment centers on a duo familiar to fans—Marcus Fenix and Dom Santiago—and the events of their stand at Aspho Fields, a battle that changed the fate of the Pendulum Wars. Nan McNamara, the voice of Gears' Anya Stroud, narrates.
Dark fantasy meets dungeon-crawler in Diablo, a hack-and-slash haunted by demonic and angelic beings. In this listen, the High Heavens and Burning Hells have begun to clash in the mortal realm. So, when a human mercenary finds the cursed armor of Bartuc, he becomes a target for demons who seek its power.
The sequel to Insomniac's 2018 stunner Spider-Man, Spider-Man: Miles Morales focuses on Peter Parker's protégé. In this prequel to the game, Miles must contend with grief, a major move, the pressures of teen life, and the call to heroism, all while navigating the expectations of others and the temptation of power.
Following a tragic spree of murders at Freddy Fazbear's Pizza, the animatronic animals who once served as birthday party entertainment develop both a mind of their own and a taste for violence. If you, like me, are a bit of a scaredy cat when it comes to playing through horror games, this listen, set in the nightmarish world of the smash-hit survival game, is the perfect entry point.
Man the cannons or the crow's nest and set sail with this listen based on Sea of Thieves, the shared-world, first-person pirate adventure for PC and Xbox. With a narrative split between the Golden Age of Piracy and modern day, this treasure quest charts the journeys of two seafarers separated by ages but alike in their pursuit of the illusive Athena's Fortune.
There are few game-to-book adaptations as widely recognizable as Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell series. The franchise began with 2002's stealth game Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell and has since expanded to include seven games and a growing number of tie-in novels. This installment trails usual hero Sam Fisher as he attempts to escape from hostile territory.
Warhammer 40,000 is a study in how fandom evolves from medium to medium, as what began as a tabletop miniature wargame grew into a canon of video game spin-offs and a forthcoming streaming adaptation. This short story collection follows the Chaos Space Marines as they seek power and wreak havoc.
A tie-in to the 2014 open-ended space simulator Elite: Dangerous, the anthology Tales from the Frontier features 15 short stories on the many missions of those traveling the Milky Way. Fleshed out with music, sound design, and a team of narrators, this listen pairs perfectly with an evening spent logged on.
Polish sci-fi writer Rafal Kosik takes on the wild world of Cyberpunk 2077 in this bold saga set to release in August 2023. The vibrant, electrifying Night City is dangerous, a metropolis marred by organized crime. And after a motley crew of thieves rob a Militech convoy, they can't imagine the ensuing fallout.
