Summary
- Video games add fantasy elements to historical events, making gameplay compelling yet imaginative.
- Ancestors: The Humankind Odyssey focuses on rapid evolution and genetic mutations to assist with survival.
- The Assassin's Creed series provides fairly accurate historical settings, but mixes in fantasy and science fiction.
Since ancient times, stories have been told that meld together the magical, mythical, or supernatural with the real world, since past events can be much more compelling when things like dragons and wizards are introduced into the narrative. Video game developers have capitalized on this human curiosity with otherworldly phenomena, placing players in historical settings and mixing in fantasy elements to put an interesting twist on these familiar situations.
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Plenty of fantasy open-world games have taken great inspiration from historical events, such as Skyrim and The Witcher 3, but are set in entirely fictional locations, even if they were inspired by specific places. Here are some of the best open-world games in the historical fantasy genre, ranked based on a combination of their overall quality and general popularity.
8 Ancestors: The Humankind Odyssey
Evolve A Clan Of Hominids Through Generations
Ancestors: The Humankind Odyssey
- Released
- August 27, 2020
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Panache Digital Games
- Publisher(s)
- Private Division
- Genre(s)
- Survival
- Platform(s)
- PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One
- OpenCritic Rating
- Fair
Certainly an ambitious game, Ancestors: The Humankind Odyssey squeezes millions of years of evolution into a few dozen hours. Taking control of an ancestor of modern humans, who is part of a hominid clan, the general goal is to survive in the harsh environs of tropical Africa, gradually evolving through generations of procreation.
Using tools in different ways and exploring new areas are great ways to expand the general intelligence level of the ape colony, already dramatically changing the next generation. This is the main fantasy element of Ancestors, as the speed of evolution is rapid from one generation to the next. Plus, there are meteorites that can be collected and provide genetic mutations, which are always beneficial to the group.
7 Dynasty Warriors 9
Open-World Musou Action
Dynasty Warriors 9
- Released
- February 13, 2018
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Omega Force
- Publisher(s)
- Koei Tecmo
- Genre(s)
- Action, Hack and Slash
- Platform(s)
- PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One
- OpenCritic Rating
- Weak
Taking place during the turbulent Three Kingdoms period in China, Dynasty Warriors 9 is the series’ first foray into open-world gameplay, providing a traversable map of China. Starting with the Yellow Turban Rebellion, players engage in the trademark musou combat that the franchise is known for, hacking and slashing their way through battles with hordes of enemies.
Not only is the action over-the-top, but players can also perform elemental attacks like ice, thunder, and fireballs, causing all kinds of mayhem to swathes of foes. It may be somewhat repetitive, and the open world is considered lifeless, but nothing quite beats blitzing through tons of opposing forces and building up hefty combos.
6 Like A Dragon: Ishin!
Spin-off In 19th Century Japan
Like a Dragon: Ishin!
- Released
- February 21, 2023
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio
- Publisher(s)
- Sega
- Genre(s)
- Action-Adventure
- Platform(s)
- Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Xbox One, PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5
- OpenCritic Rating
- Strong
Like A Dragon: Ishin! Is set during the tempestuous final years of the Edo period in Japanese history. A spin-off of the main series, Ishin! Features many real figures from the time period and a lovingly crafted Kyoto setting, generally aiming for a realistic depiction combined with the patent ridiculousness of the Yakuza/Like A Dragon series.
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Like a Dragon: Ishin looks to Japanese history for inspiration in crafting its characters.
Player-character Sakamoto Ryoma bears a striking resemblance to the series protagonist Kazuma Kiryu, and some other familiar faces appear throughout the game, but most aspects of the game are pretty historically accurate. There are still some elements outside reality, such as exaggerated combat, and the inclusion of enchanted weapons that give benefits in combat.
5 Yakuza 0
Battle Rival Yakuza Clans Over Control Of An Empty Lot
Yakuza 0
- Released
- January 24, 2017
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio
- Publisher(s)
- Sega
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC
- OpenCritic Rating
- Mighty
A prequel to the original game, Yakuza 0 is set during Japan’s bubble period in the late 1980s. Taking control of both Kazuma Kiryu and Goro Majima, players can explore fictionalized versions of districts in both Tokyo and Osaka, completing quests and engaging in some very satisfying beat-em-up combat.
The Yakuza series is certainly no stranger to the supernatural, and 0 is no different, including unexplained side stories involving ghosts and haunted objects. There are also the preposterously strong characters and over-the-top battles that the series is known for, just to add to the more fantastical elements of this great game.
4 Prince Of Persia (2008)
Gods And Magic In Explorable Persia
Prince Of Persia
- Released
- December 2, 2008
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Ubisoft Montreal
- Publisher(s)
- Ubisoft
- Genre(s)
- Platformer, Action-Adventure
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, PC
The 2008 reboot of Prince of Persia took a bold step into an open world setting that worked well but did not become the norm for the series. Playing as the unnamed and acrobatic prince of Persia, accompanied by the magic-wielding AI-companion and newly resurrected Princess Elika, the goal is to reverse the corruption inflicted on the land by Ahriman, an evil God who must be defeated.
Many elements in the game are borrowed from Zoroastrianism, such as the God of darkness as the primary antagonist, and Elika’s magic is useful in both combat and traversal around the corrupted world. It’s also impossible for the eponymous prince to die, as Elika will always miraculously save him as he is on the cusp of death, even when battling terrifying mythical monsters.
3 Ghost Of Tsushima
Realistic Depiction With Subtle Supernatural Occurrences
Ghost of Tsushima
- Released
- July 17, 2020
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Sucker Punch
- Publisher(s)
- Sony
- Platform(s)
- PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5
- OpenCritic Rating
- Mighty
Some may feel that it’s a stretch to say that Ghost of Tsushima is historical fantasy, since the game is generally grounded in reality. There are still some otherworldly elements, ranging in subtlety, that suggest there is more than meets the eye during Jin Sakai’s quest to defend the island of Tsushima from Khotun Khan and the invading Mongol Empire.
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The Mythic Tales side quests are more obvious, prompting Jin to battle demons like Uchitsune in order to lift the curse placed on a longbow, but these could be explained away by claiming they are mere hallucinations. A more subtle element is the game's immersive guiding wind mechanic, which is said to be Jin’s father, Kazumasa, guiding his journey. Many NPCs discuss the presence of demons, but such things are rarely seen by Jin personally.
2 Assassin's Creed Odyssey
Gods, Monsters, And Magic In Ancient Greece
Assassin's Creed Odyssey
- Released
- October 15, 2018
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Ubisoft Quebec
- Publisher(s)
- Ubisoft
- Genre(s)
- Action RPG, Open-World
- OpenCritic Rating
- Mighty
Assassin’s Creed has always been a mixture of science fiction, history, and fantasy, blending historical figures and events with Gods, celestial artifacts, and people with seemingly superhuman abilities. Assassin’s Creed Odyssey is no different, putting players in the middle of a mythical version of the Peloponnesian War, allowing them to fully explore Ancient Greece, make critical choices, and possibly even find romance.
Odyssey contains many mythological figures, from interactions with deities to battles against creatures like the cyclops and the sphinx, and players can even explore the legendary city of Atlantis. Many fans of the series explain away any supernatural elements as being related to the Animus machine or past humans understanding advanced technology as being magical, but these elements add to the fantasy regardless.
1 Assassin's Creed 2
Ezio’s First Outing Is Still A Masterpiece
Assassin's Creed 2
- Released
- November 7, 2009
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Ubisoft
- Publisher(s)
- Ubisoft
- Platform(s)
- macOS, Nintendo Switch, PC, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Xbox 360, Xbox One
Well over a decade since its initial release, many still argue that Assassin’s Creed 2 is the best game in the series. Ezio Auditore da Firenze’s story of revenge and conspiracy in Renaissance Italy is fraught with otherworldly occurrences, from interactions with Gods to celestial artifacts giving people superhuman abilities.
Striking up a friendship with Leonardo da Vinci is one of the highlights of the game, utilizing his ingenious technologies in some missions to assist the Assassins in their long-term conflict with the Templars. Many AC games are criticized for being too bloated with content, but AC2 seems to have that perfect balance of fun gameplay mechanics, explorable world, and even the collectibles are meaningful without being too tedious or demanding to track down, unlike its predecessor.
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