Summary
Have you ever wanted to travel back in time? Video games allow us to explore past versions of the world we wouldn’t experience otherwise. Open-world games, in particular, immerse us in stories from various time periods. Traveling around a historic decade allows you to learn more about the past while enjoying a good story.
While the past has certainly been embellished for the sake of the story, exploring a different time period than your own tends to fascinate gamers. From Ancient Greece to 1980’s Miami, here are some of the best open-world games set in the past.
Far Cry Primal is set in 10,000 BC, making it the oldest setting on the list. As the last survivor of your hunting group, you navigate the world alone as you try and find other members of your clan.
This is the first game in the series to take on the prehistoric age, taking away all of the modern tech from the rest of the series, so you truly immerse yourself in the past as you battle rival tribes and survive perilous encounters.
The Saboteur is a neo-noir game considered a hidden game by fans. The open-world thriller is set in France during World War. You follow Irish race car driver Sean Devlin as he joins the resistance to help liberate Paris.
As you liberate the city, areas fade from black and white to color, visually representing the energy and freedom you are giving back to citizens. While it’s an older game, its unique art style stands out from other historic games.
Mafia: The Definitive Edition is an updated version of the original game. Set in the 1930s, the crime drama was initially written off as a GTA knockoff, but it has made a name for itself.
The character-driven narrative focuses on Tommy Angelo’s rise, and eventual downfall, in the criminal ranks. A classic mob story like The Godfather, it allows you to act out the experience of being a member of the mafia.
An action game set in 15th century Bohemia, Kingdom Come: Deliverance is an immersive game focusing on the son of a blacksmith who is out for revenge after surviving a massacre. He attempts to help put the rightful king on the throne.
It is a game grounded in realism, as food can deteriorate and you need to sleep to survive. Historians have praised this game for its accuracy, from the characterizations to the weaponry.
Set in 1986, Grand Theft Auto: Vice City is the standout period piece of the GTA franchise. Vibrant colors and retro rock make it clear you are in the middle of the 1980s.
You control Tommy Vercetti, a charming, fan favorite protagonist, as he builds up his drug empire. Inspired by media like Scarface and Miami Vice, the iconic game showcases Vice City in all its neon, chaotic glory.
Assassin’s Creed’s entire franchise is built on the concept of historical games. One of the best in the series is Assassin’s Creed Valhalla, a viking game set in the 9th century. It follows Eivor Varinsdottir as he or she establishes a new clan.
As you command a Nordic army, you invade and conquer new lands to build a home for your people. Blending historical fantasy and mythology, the story is engaging and immersive.
While this game has more fantasy elements than others, God of War: Ragnarok is set in ancient Scandinavia. History and Norse myth come together in the sequel as you guide Kratos and his son through the Nine Realms.
As you fight hordes of enemies to claim your destiny, you’ll experience the fascinating world of mythology. The game reimagines traditional Norse folklore, weaving both past and modern interpretations seamlessly.
Ghost of Tsushima is one of the most accurate fictional portrayals of Feudal Japan so far. While the story is fake, the cultural references are well-researched. Rooted in historical context, the game weaves Japanese history with embellished samurai action to create a rich, engaging story.
The game follows Jin Sakai as he protects a Japanese island from invading Mongol forces. As players get to know Jin, they also get to know the culture as it is represented with respect and beauty.
2Assassin’s Creed Odyssey
While all of the Assassin’s Creed games are worth exploring, Assassin’s Creed Odyssey is the best of the series. Focusing on a Spartan hero during the Peloponnesian War, the game is set in Ancient Greece.
The historical elements are intertwined with myth, so you fight creatures such as the Minotaur and Medusa. As you explore the massive game map, you learn more about the time period and how the war shaped the future of that area of the world.
Widely regarded as one of the best open-world games available, Red Dead Redemption 2 completely immerses players in the Old West. Set in 1899, you play as outlaw Arthur Morgan as he travels throughout Western, Midwestern, and Southern United States.
Western fans will not be disappointed by the details included in the game. From chaotic heists to horse chases, you can live out your cowboy fantasies in this open-world game set in the Wild West.
