Do you read books based on games?
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Really? Aw, I figured it would turn out really good since it was from one of the writers of KotOR who went on to do some apparently decent Mass Effect books...mysecondlife said:
I enjoy them. There's been some seriously crappy ones at times, but the Cyborg Commandoes/City of Heroes ones were pretty good.
Don't go expecting War and Peace, and you won't be disappointed.
Don't go expecting War and Peace, and you won't be disappointed.
I've read the Gears of War books and I was surprised my how good they are. I'm right in the middle in reading AC: Brotherhood and I'm enjoying the hell out of it, and when I'm done with that one I'm going to get Secret Crusade.
I recently bought MTG: Artifacts and when I get the time I will tackle that beast since it's so thick.
I recently bought MTG: Artifacts and when I get the time I will tackle that beast since it's so thick.
I've got the first Republic Commando book, which was pretty okay. The writer also went on to do Gears of War 3's story, apparently? Some people say she's good. I am not really one of those people.
I also somehow managed to find a Star Wars Galaxies novel in my collection somewhere along the way. Which wasn't bad.
And the Mass Effect comics may not be the best graphic storytelling in the world, but they're solid, and for a Mass Effect fan you can't really go wrong there.
I've flipped through several tie-ins in various shops and pretty much been immediately turned off by lack of quality, though.
I also somehow managed to find a Star Wars Galaxies novel in my collection somewhere along the way. Which wasn't bad.
And the Mass Effect comics may not be the best graphic storytelling in the world, but they're solid, and for a Mass Effect fan you can't really go wrong there.
I've flipped through several tie-ins in various shops and pretty much been immediately turned off by lack of quality, though.
I would like to but the book store over here doesn't got the ones I would of bought (Guild Wars 2). Yes I know you can order them online but I prefer to buy stuff in the shop.
Halo is definitely the defining example of what to do with a game novel (The Flood might be a bit iffy to some though).MercurySteam said:
Also, if you liked Gears' one, go read Republic Commando's one. Traviss did much better with that series (and it remains one of the few things I still like about Star Wars).
Another good series would be the Resident Evil one (to the point that they turned one of the books into the plot of a later game), even if a few of them don't fit perfectly with canon. They're also much scarier than the games (as my friend found out, don't read these during a thunderstorm if you're the type to get too focused when you read).
Dragon Age's second book is a bit harder to recommend. Considering it's the backstory to the game, it plays out exactly how the backstory sounded like in that game: a slightly cliche fantasy set up that happens to just be a bit darker than your average high fantasy story.
The one Mass Effect book I read was interesting though. It was a bit sparse on details, falling into that trap of "You already know what this looks like" that The Flood fell into. Character interactions made up for it.
No shit? You too? You're the first other person I met who did so as well. (Best one was Blaster Master)Drunkbot said:
I would only read them if they were about a game series I really like.
I've never been that invested in the lore of Halo or Star Wars but if there was a Legend of Zelda book then I would definitely give it a try (I LOVE those games).
Actually I should try reading the Assassins Creed book. I did some work on it in an English class once and it seemed really good. Has anyone read it?
I've never been that invested in the lore of Halo or Star Wars but if there was a Legend of Zelda book then I would definitely give it a try (I LOVE those games).
Actually I should try reading the Assassins Creed book. I did some work on it in an English class once and it seemed really good. Has anyone read it?
I enjoyed the Halo novels, and I actually consider the Resident Evil novels a guilty pleasure- They're fairly well-written and entertaining, and manage to add some things to the story.
I have read an Elder Scrolls novel called "The Infernal City." I should really pick up its sequel sometime.
I read the Halo novel based on the first game. I enjoyed some of the behind the scene stuff like what happened to all the marines helping MC and how they organized what they did.
I also read two the Gears Of War novels (Not the comics/graphic novel). I was sorely dissapointed.
I also read two the Gears Of War novels (Not the comics/graphic novel). I was sorely dissapointed.
Only one: Deus Ex Icarus Effect.
I was away on business when Human Revolution was released, so I figured the book would tide me over until I returned home. It lasted eight hours. Plus I'm still yet to play the game even though I've had it since release.
Book was unexceptional, so I won't bother with another game based piece of literature until the perfect storm forms once more.
I was away on business when Human Revolution was released, so I figured the book would tide me over until I returned home. It lasted eight hours. Plus I'm still yet to play the game even though I've had it since release.
Book was unexceptional, so I won't bother with another game based piece of literature until the perfect storm forms once more.
I've read quite a few of the books based on World of Warcraft. Since I prefer story more then gameplay, I find reading the books gives me far more information. The ones I've read were pretty decent.
I've never read a game-to-book adaptation. I expect them to be crap or mediocre, with wooden characterisation and predictable plotlines. Nonetheless, someone I know reads them, and is pretty impressed by Warhammer 40k books in particular - though that's a tabletop game.
Knowing me, I'd keep thinking the book is a game, and get frustrated at the lack of gameplay. GRRR just let me play the goddamn game! *squeezes book like a gamepad*
Then there's the whole argument about the purity of a storytelling medium. Books are the purest medium, trying to transfer books to films or games is going to water them down somewhat. Trying to reverse-engineer games or films into novels may result in crappiness, as what looks impressive as a game plot may turn out to be complete fanwank on paper. There are exceptions, though, and I respect that. This is not to rubbish game storywriters, either. It's often that a lot of books based on games are cynical corporate merchandising, and are not the creative output of the original storyteller.
Knowing me, I'd keep thinking the book is a game, and get frustrated at the lack of gameplay. GRRR just let me play the goddamn game! *squeezes book like a gamepad*
Then there's the whole argument about the purity of a storytelling medium. Books are the purest medium, trying to transfer books to films or games is going to water them down somewhat. Trying to reverse-engineer games or films into novels may result in crappiness, as what looks impressive as a game plot may turn out to be complete fanwank on paper. There are exceptions, though, and I respect that. This is not to rubbish game storywriters, either. It's often that a lot of books based on games are cynical corporate merchandising, and are not the creative output of the original storyteller.
Another good one was Dead Space Martyr. Unfortunately my iPhone broke before I could finish reading it, though I could prick it up again now that I have a new iPod.
