As well as being a huge book fan, I also enjoy a (perhaps somewhat small) selection of video games, and I often end up splitting my time between the two. I mainly focus on RPGs (Role-playing games), which are similar to books, in a way. However, sometimes games include references to actual books, in which case I becomes excited because my favorite activities are combined. Here’s a list of a few examples:
Skyrim
There are so many books in Skyrim that it’s a bit ridiculous. I, being a book lover, have attempted to collect every book I’ve come across, but this just leads to my inventory becoming ridiculously full, and then I never even have time to read them because I’m too busy not trying to be cleaved in half. Some that stick in my mind are A Brief History of the Empire, which appears to have millions of parts and not to be brief in the slightest, a book called Thief which I have never read, but which still improves my character’s stealth abilities, somehow (apparently she just has to open the cover to get a sense of what it means?), and all the dairies I’ve taken off of dead bodies in dungeons that have useful clues to the locations of treasures and that are also apparently invincible as long as they remain convenient.
Persona 4 Golden
Despite its issues (and boy does it have issues, such as being creepy toward its female characters and homophobic), the game includes a variety of fun (for the character, sort of for you) activities for your character to choose from, including reading. You can find trashy vampire novels, a book about a teacher who encounters many problems, and even a book that allows you to read other books faster. Since the game allows you to trigger what is basically a cat infestation at your house, you’re all set for a comfortable afternoon of reading, when, of course, you aren’t participating in the time-honored video game activity of murder.
Pokémon
Pokémon feels like a game that could get away with having a book system that is similar to Skyrim’s, since there’s so much lore, but it doesn’t always capitalize on this. In Pokémon Sun and Pokémon Moon, at least, there’s a huge library you can access that has plenty of books, but only some of which you can read. Honestly, I’m less interested in reading about the game’s particular legendary Pokémon and more interested in finding something like The Bewildered Bidoof, or an epic fantasy staring a ton of dragon type Pokémon, neither of which appear to exist.
FANTASY LIFE
Instead of playing Animal Crossing during quarantine, I played Fantasy Life, which is fairly similar, but, in my humble opinion, is more fun. (But is less widely available probably because it’s on an older gaming device). You can’t collect books, unfortunately, but there are libraries in at least two of the towns, with books that provide you with bits of information and hints about the gameplay. The highlight of both these libraries, however, is the talking book that’s hidden in a secret room. This book is considerably taller than the protagonist and sells you items. I think it would be pretty cool to say that you got your sword from a talking book. I’m curious, though, about what is actually inside the book. I don’t think my character is strong enough to flip the pages to find out, and it would probably be considered rude anyway.
Ratchet and Clank
This may be pushing it a bit, but the third Ratchet and Clank game sort of has books? They’re Vid-Comics, which are basically a combination between video games and comics that you listen to/play. I guess it’s a futuristic version of an audiobook. (It’s basically the same as any other video game though). With fun retro music and irritating platforming levels, you learn about the adventures of Captain Qwark and his run-ins with robot ghost pirates. Believe it or not, this is not the weirdest way you learn about Qwark’s adventures, since he performs an opera in Secret Agent Clank.
Minecraft
You can make books in Minecraft, which I’m not sure are useful in surviving the zombie apocalypse, or whatever is going on, unless they are just for the recreational hours you spend waiting for the sun to return before you build a bed. Of course, you can also hit your enemies with your book, dig with your book, and cut down trees with your book, which is quite impressive. Your book is also capable of doubling itself an incredible number of times whenever you build a bookshelf, which is perhaps its most incredible ability.