Game developers face many decisions when creating a new game, from mechanics tocharacters and how they fit into the title’s story. Another crucial choice is selecting the universe where the narrative will unfold, ensuring the environment complements the game’s other elements.
While many companies excel at building worlds from scratch, populating them with events that fit perfectly with the game’s theme, others prefer to use pre-established settings. This approach allows them to create epic stories in familiar environments, with many games standing out in this category.
The mythology created by H.P. Lovecraft has inspired many works in pop culture,and video games are no exception. While many games build their own universes based on the author’s myths, others are more direct, such as the 2018Call of Cthulhu, which offers a psychological horror and investigative experience.
In the role of Edward Pierce, a private detective called to investigate a family’s mysterious death on Darkwater Island, players are drawn into a classic Lovecraftian tale. The game’s atmosphere is particularly noteworthy, as it delves into themes of mysticism and the fear of the unknown while horrors that defy reality emerge.
The Lord of the Rings is one of the most incredible universes ever created, inspiring various films and series adaptations, as wellas being a fertile ground for video games. While many games are indirectly inspired by Tolkien’s world, others, likeMiddle-earth: Shadow of Mordor, are direct adaptations.
In the game, players take on the role of Talion, a ranger of Gondor guarding Mordor as Sauron begins to regain power.Shadow of Mordoralso delves into the origins of the Rings of Power and is known for its Nemesis system, where enemies remember past encounters and grow stronger based on previous interactions.
WhileCyberpunk 2077focuses on a dystopian future dominated by technology,Shadowrun Returnsblends these elements with high fantasy.Inspired by the tabletop RPG of the same name, this world sees the resurgence of magic, where creatures like elves and orcs coexist with humans, cybernetic implants, and mega-corporations.
Playing as a shadowrunner, the player receives a posthumous message from Sam Watts, an old ally, leading to a dark investigation in Seattle. The narrative reveals a serial killer and a conspiracy involving dimensional spirits. The choices made along the way shape the story, offering a deep and complex experience typical of theShadowrununiverse.
Created in 1983, Warhammer is one of the most recognized universes among wargame enthusiasts, largely because it helped establish the hobby. Following its popularity, various video games have been produced, withWarhammer 40,000: Rogue Traderbeing a notable option for CRPG fans.
The game, developed by Owlcat, takes players on a journey through the Koronus Expanse, a largely unmapped but highly dangerous region of space. This journey introduces the different factions inhabiting the setting and the conflicts between them, all while leaving much of the Warhammer universe’s vast narrative unexplored.
PathfinderandDungeons & Dragonsshare many similarities, one of which is their expansion into the realm of video games.Pathfinder: Kingmaker,inspired by the Adventure Path of the same name, is a cRPG that takes players on a journey through the River Kingdoms of Golarion.
This adventure tasks players with navigating the politics and challenges of the region as they take on the responsibility of colonizing an area known as the Greenbelt. However, the neighboring kingdoms have their own interests, and ancient dangers frequently threaten the area, making it even more difficult for the new rulers to develop their lands.
Since the success of the Harry Potter books and films, fans have eagerly awaited a game that transcends mere retellings of familiar stories. After much anticipation,Hogwarts Legacyfulfilled this wishby taking players on a new adventure in the Wizarding World.
Set in the late 1800s, the game expands the Harry Potter universe by allowing free exploration of not just Hogwarts Castle but also its surroundings. Players interact with various characters, and despite taking place centuries before the books, the game includes important families like the Weasleys, Blacks, and Gaunt.
Thoughmany games delve into the expansive Star Wars universe,Jedi Fallen Orderstands out for presenting an original story set in a well-known period of the films. Taking place after the events of Order 66, the game follows Cal Kestis, a young Jedi on the run, trying to survive the Empire’s persecution.
The game immerses players in one of the galaxy’s darkest periods as Cal seeks to rebuild the Jedi Order. Despite being set in a thoroughly explored universe,Jedi Fallen Orderintroduces new characters and narratives, offering a fresh and engaging experience for fans of the franchise.
Conceived by Mike Pondsmith before being adapted into a game by CD Projekt Red,Cyberpunkbegan as a tabletop RPG, thrusting players into a dystopian future where mega-corporations dominate everyday life. Iconic figures like Johnny Silverhand and the Arasaka Corporation originated in these RPG books.
The video gameCyberpunk 2077takes place several decades after the events covered in the original RPG, introducing new developments in Night City while retaining the setting’s core essence. Before taking on Keanu Reeves' likeness in the game, Johnny Silverhand was inspired by David Bowie.
Inspired by one of the main settings ofDungeons & Dragons, the Forgotten Realms,Baldur’s Gate 3presents just a fraction of what tabletop RPG fans can experience when venturing into this richly diverse world. Faerûn, as it’s known, offers a vast and varied environment.
TheForgotten Realms also feature other iconic citieslike Neverwinter, previously the focus of other games, and Waterdeep, where Gale, one of the main characters inBaldur’s Gate 3, once lived. Beyond the games, numerous books and novels further expand the setting, offering players even more insight into this extensive universe.
TheWitchertrilogy, developed by CD Projekt Red, stands out for exploring an established universe without creating new characters or directly adapting the books' stories. Instead, the series continues the saga oficonic figures like Geralt of Rivia, Yennefer, and Ciri, adding unique and authentic chapters to their journeys.
Rather than building a new world from scratch, the developers chose to follow the existing narrative, offering fans the chance to experience new adventures with familiar characters. Each game in the trilogy adds new chapters to the protagonists' stories, respecting the original material while innovating in its continuity.
