This post was originally published on Audible.com.
Growing up, I spent many an hour parked in front of the television, either watching my brother effortlessly progress from level-to-level in Castlevania or Ocarina of Time or fumbling through favorites—like Yoshi Story and Crash Bandicoot—of my own. But as I got older, my lackluster sense of hand-eye coordination deterred me from pursuing the hobby much further, even when I was really interested in a game's narrative or open world possibilities.
That said, the advent of casual and story mode has allowed me a new lease on (digital) life. 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 husband—in pure frustration. 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 traversing the Midwest alongside Joel and Ellie or dodging Imperial Inquisitors as Jedi Cal Kestis.
And it's not just me. 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 all ages. Oh, and did we mention it was written by Max Brooks and narrated by Jack Black?
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.
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.
Hideo Kojima is legendary for his cinematic game design and complex narratives, gifting gamers everywhere with the Metal Gear franchise. His latest venture, Death Stranding, follows suit. In this novelization, listeners follow courier Sam Porter Bridges as he traverses a bleak, postapocalyptic landscape inhabited by threats human and spectral alike.
When I wasn't logging hours on Spyro with my brother, I was monopolizing the family computer, alternating between mining ore and getting robbed by highwaymen on Runescape. The MMORPG remains beloved today, with thousands of current players. Whether you're still exploring Gielinor or are nostalgic like me, take your adventure further with this in-universe novel.
Set after the events of Watch Dogs: Legion, this innovative, interactive audio experience is perfect for anyone who grew up on choose-your-own-adventure books. In this Audible Original, Hacker group Dedsec is once again facing down the surveillance state—and it's up to you to determine their next move, and the very fate of the future.
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.
