In-game books are an interesting tool at the developers’ disposal. They can expand the lore, give clues in regards to quests, or simply entertain the players with fun little stories. For the most part, such books are optional and can be completely glossed over by some players.

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But for those who enjoy diving deeper into the lore of the world they play in, good books can greatly enhance the experience. It shows the true love and appreciation the developers had for the game and often showcases just how much thought and effort was put into it. Whether players read them or not, they are there, patiently waiting to be found and opened.

8 The Testament of Inarius

Diablo 3

The Diablo series might not immediately come to mind when it comes to story, as most of the players enjoy it for the great combat and character building. Still, both directly and using various codex entries, the game does portray various interesting characters, their struggles, and tribulations, as well as flesh out the intricate world of the game.

The Testament of Inarius is a collection of codex entries, and it details the experiences and perspectives of Inarius, a key figure in the lore, providing insights into the creation of Sanctuary and the conflict between angels and demons.

7 A Tale of the Frostbacks

Dragon Age: Inquisition

The Dragon Age series has always put a lot of smaller details into the games, from obscure and hidden NPCs, to easily missable quests and items. Every game has its own little library of interesting books, scrolls, and letters. The third game adds every collected piece of lore to the general Codex, allowing players to easily see all the information they uncovered.

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“A Tale of the Frostbacks” is more than just a description of an area, it is an insight into the deities of the realm, packed into a fascinating short story about love, cruelty, and unwavering determination.

6 The Institute Terminals

Fallout 4

Bethesda has clearly always enjoyed adding massive amounts of “hidden” lore, scattered all over their fascinating worlds. The Fallout series has done so in many forms, but some of the most notable are the Terminals, most of which need to be hacked in order to access the plethora of stories and information in them.

When it comes to the latest single game in the franchise, the Institute is one of the most mysterious and important locations for the overarching storyline. It is no wonder then, that their terminals hold some of the most disturbing, yet intriguing and captivating entries.

5 Claws of Deceit

Divinity: Original Sin 2

The Divinity: Original Sin series has an incredibly large world, full to the brim with complicated characters, magical locations, and enough lore to fill a novel. The books do a nice job of supplementing the setting, adding folklore, and information on the deities, and even telling stories using simple shopping lists.

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The “Claws of Deceit” tells a short but heartbreaking story, about a young woman, unfortunate enough to fall in love with the leader of the Lone Wolves, a powerful mercenary organization. Aside from revealing the fate of someone who got tangled with the group, the book also gives a glimpse into other major characters in the game, such as Linder Kemm and Roost Anlon.

4 Fables of Faerun

Baldur's Gate 3

Baldur’s Gate 3 is rightfully being praised as one of the best RPGs of the decade, and its effective worldbuilding is only one of many reasons why. From extensive dialogues to subtle exposition to the many texts that are strategically scattered throughout the area.

Fables of Faerûn are a collection of stories set in the game’s world and are often more than a little relevant to the players’ journey. They give insight into the enemies that one might face, foreshadow locations and events, and even give solid advice that might help an attentive player in the future.

3 Between Worlds

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt

One can easily get lost in the vast library of The Witcher 3, spending hours upon hours reading numerous journals, stories, and recollections. It really is not that surprising, given that the entire series is based on the popular novels. The games did a fantastic job portraying and expanding on Andrzej Sapkowski’s world

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There are many notable books and journals in the game, but there is just something hauntingly captivating about “Between Worlds”, as it also mirrors Geralt’s own situation and the many themes of the game, such as sacrifice, “lesser evil”, and unforeseen consequences.

2 The Lusty Argonian Maid

Skyrim

The Elder Scrolls series has always prided itself on its elaborate lore, even in a game where players can go absolutely anywhere they please, in whatever chaotic order they prefer. Every corner of the world has an interesting story, and the books often complement it quite nicely, giving more context to characters, locations, and history.

The Lusty Argonian Maid is far from the best book in the game, both in terms of writing and its importance. However, one really can’t deny the book’s impact on the fanbase, nor its certain infamy among both those who enjoy reading the books and those who ignore them altogether.

1 Trimble's Coin

Dishonored

Dishonored has always embraced indirect storytelling. The art style, the architecture, the graffiti, and the NPC's conversations between themselves tell as much, if not more than is directly presented to the player. Books are no exception, with detailed backstories, tragic recollections, and the Lovecraftian mythos of The Outsider.

“Trimble's Coin” is a fascinating insight into the everyday life of the higher society in the game, as well as an important perspective on Trimble himself, who is an important part of the DLC story. All in all, the game tells a big part of the story via books, and players should definitely try and read whatever they may find.

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