The Wheel Of Time Video Game Nobody Remembers (& Where You Can Play It)
While The Wheel of Time may be one of the most iconic fantasy novel series of all time, adaptations of the series to various mediums have proven to be quite challenging. In the wake of the Prime Video series cancellation after just three seasons, it's clear that Robert Jordan's work may be too elaborate to adapt faithfully in live action. But television isn't the only medium that Wheel of Time adaptations have failed, as the series has struggled to receive an adequate modern video game as well.
Famously, back in the 2010s, a planned series of Wheel of Time RPGs from Obsidian Entertainment and Red Eagle were cancelled after the studio failed to secure funding for the projects. This was a particularly upsetting turn of events, given Obsidian's history of quality RPGs and Wheel of Time's ripe potential for a proper RPG experience.
And while there is an exciting new Wheel of Time board game currently planned for release later this year titled War of the Dragon, as well as an officially announced AAA open-world RPG in development at iwot Games, few details have been revealed and fans are a bit skeptical.
However, believe it or not, there already is a Wheel of Time video game in existence that nobody seems to remember. First released back in 1999, it's a fairly unique hidden gem as well, and thanks to the magic of modern gaming platforms, you can still play it today.
Did You Know There Was A Wheel Of Time FPS?
The Wheel of Time video game is an underrated FPS from original developers Legend Entertainment that first released back in 1999 to middling reviews. Over time, given the lack of any decent video game adaptations in The Wheel of Time universe, it's become one of the few decent ways to experience Jordan's work outside the novels themselves.
The Wheel of Time FPS replaces guns with more than 40 magical ter'angreal, each functioning as a unique spell or ability. Players can unleash fireballs, lightning, balefire, shields, healing spells, teleportation, and other magical effects while battling Trollocs, Myrddraal, Whitecloaks, and Darkfriends. Alongside its single-player campaign, the game also featured competitive multiplayer, including traditional deathmatches and a strategic capture-the-flag mode where players defended their bases with traps and AI-controlled guards.
The game also incorporates light RPG mechanics as well, such as inventory management, spell selection, and personalized gear loadout, and you can play it today thanks to a modern port from Nightdive Studios on GOG.com that released in 2022. Built on the original Unreal Engine, Nightdive Studios' 2022 re-release preserves the classic gameplay while adding modern compatibility, widescreen support, higher resolutions, improved stability, and quality-of-life enhancements that make the 1999 cult classic much easier to play on modern PCs.
The Wheel Of Time: War Of The Dragon Is Coming Soon
The Wheel of Time FPS is well worth checking out if you're a fan of the franchise, and it will get you in the right headspace for the upcoming launch of War of the Dragon. War of the Dragon is the first official board game based on Robert Jordan's fantasy series, published by Dire Wolf, the studio behind Dune: Imperium and Clank! Designed for 2 to 4 players, it combines area control, tableau building, set collection, and action selection as players command either the forces of the Light or the Shadow in a continent-spanning conflict.
The game spans the events from Wheel of Time's The Shadow Rising through A Memory of Light, culminating in the Last Battle. Players recruit over 100 iconic characters, build a personal "Pattern" tableau to unlock powerful abilities, and the game is scheduled to release in 2027.