Games based on a novel sorted by release date
Many classic games were based on books, whether novels or short stories. This literary influence brought rich narratives and intricate worlds to the gaming medium. Some notable examples include "The Lord of the Rings" by J.R.R. Tolkien, which inspired numerous games that explore Middle-earth's epic battles and complex lore. "Rendezvous with Rama" by Arthur C. Clarke provided a foundation for games that delve into the mysteries of space exploration and alien encounters. "The Mist" by Stephen King led to atmospheric horror games that capture the suspense and terror of the original story.
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Circuit's Edge
DOS1990 Westwood Studios
Circuit's Edge is a cyberpunk-themed role-playing game developed by Westwood Associates and published by Infocom. It was released in 1990 for MS-DOS. Set in a dystopian future, Circuit's Edge takes place in the fictional city of R...
Flight of the Intruder
DOS1990 Rowan Software
J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings, Vol. I
DOS1990 Interplay Productions
J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings, Vol. I is an abandoned fantasy top-down DOS RPG game set in the The Lord of the Rings universe. The Lord of the Rings I was developed and released by Interplay Productions in 1990. The ...
Romance of the Three Kingdoms 2
DOS1990 KOEI
Romance of the Three Kingdoms II is a turn-based strategy game developed and published by Koei. It was released in 1989 for various platforms, including the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES), MS-DOS.In Romance of the Three Kingd...
Spirit of Excalibur
DOS1990 Synergistic Software
Team Yankee
DOS1990 Oxford Digital Enterprises
The Cardinal of the Kremlin
DOS1990 Capstone Software
The Cardinal of the Kremlin is an abandoned simulation game involving espionage, politics and govern management set in the cold war years. It was designed by Kenneth Rothschild, developed by Capstone and released by IntraCorp...
War of the Lance
DOS1990protected SSI Strategic Simulations Inc.
Conan: the Cimmerian
DOS1991 Synergistic Software
Dragonflight
DOS1991 Thalion
Lone Wolf: The Mirror of Death
DOS1991 Mr. Micro
Megafortress
DOS1991protected Artech Studios
Scrooge
DOS1991 Leisuresoft
Scrooge is an abandoned interactive fiction graphic adventure game developed and released by Leisuresoft in 1991 for DO. Scrooge is based on the popular Christmas tale of the same name.
The Rocketeer
DOS1991 NovaLogic
Castle Elsinore
DOS1992 Temple Software
If Hamlet had a sequel directed by a DOS programmer, Castle Elsinore would be it. This interactive fiction game drops you right into Shakespearean drama with murder, betrayal, and the occasional parser error. You’ll solve pu...
Dune
DOS1992 Cryo Interactive Entertainment
Dune, released in 1992, is a game developed by Cryo Interactive and published by Virgin Games. It's based on the iconic science fiction novel of the same name by Frank Herbert. In Dune, players assume the role of Paul Atreides, th...
Dune II: The building of a dynasty
DOS1992 Westwood Studios
Dune II, released in 1992, is a pioneering real-time strategy game developed by Westwood Studios. Set in the world of Frank Herbert's Dune, players command noble houses in a battle for control over the planet Arrakis. With base-bu...
Frederik Pohl's Gateway
DOS1992 Legend Entertainment
Frederik Pohl's Gateway is one of the best abandoned adventures games from Legend Entertainment. Gateway is an interactive fiction with graphics and an improved interface (unusual for IFs), based on the Frederik Pohl's novel ...
Hook
DOS1992 Shadow Software
J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings, Vol. II: The Two Towers
DOS1992 Interplay Productions
J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings, Vol. II: The Two Towers is an abandoned fantasy top-down DOS RPG game set in the The Lord of the Rings universe. The Lord of the Rings II was developed and released by Interplay Productions ...
Pacific Islands
DOS1992 Oxford Digital Enterprises
Ringworld: Revenge of the Patriarch
DOS1992 Tsunami Media
Betrayal at Krondor
DOS1993protected Dynamix
If you like your RPGs verbose, Betrayal at Krondor is basically a fantasy novel you play. Set in Raymond E. Feist’s Midkemia, the game oozes with narrative depth, detailed characters, and the occasional goblin ambush. The co...
Companions of Xanth
DOS1993protected Legend Entertainment
Gateway 2: Homeworld
DOS1993protected Legend Entertainment
Return of the Phantom
DOS1993protecteddemo MicroProse Software
Ever wondered what would happen if The Phantom of the Opera got his hands on a time machine, a vengeful streak, and a point-and-click interface? In Return of the Phantom, you step into the well-shined shoes of Inspector Raoul Mont...
Romance of the Three Kingdoms 3: Dragon of Destiny
DOS1993 KOEI
Transarctica
DOS1993 Silmarils
Death Gate
DOS1994protected Legend Entertainment
Frankenstein
DOS1994 Junkyard