Summary
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 inhistorical settings and mixing in fantasyelements to put an interesting twist on these familiar situations.
Plenty of fantasy open-world games have taken great inspiration from historical events, such asSkyrimandThe 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.
Certainly an ambitious game,Ancestors: The Humankind Odysseysqueezes millions of years of evolution into a few dozen hours. Taking control ofan 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 ofAncestors, 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.
Taking place during the turbulent Three Kingdoms period in China,Dynasty Warriors 9is the series’ first foray into open-world gameplay, providing a traversable map of China. Starting with the Yellow Turban Rebellion, playersengage in the trademark musou combatthat 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.
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 theYakuza/Like A Dragonseries.
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.
A prequel to the original game,Yakuza 0is 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 somevery satisfying beat-em-up combat.
TheYakuzaseries is certainly no stranger to the supernatural, and0is 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.
The 2008 reboot ofPrinceof Persiatook a bold step into an open world setting that worked well but did not become the norm for the series. Playing as the unnamed andacrobatic 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.
Some may feel that it’s a stretch to say thatGhost of Tsushimais 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.
The Mythic Tales side quests are more obvious, prompting Jin to battle demons like Uchitsune 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.
Assassin’s Creedhas 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 Odysseyis 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, andpossibly even find romance.
Odysseycontains 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.
Well over a decade since its initial release, many still argue thatAssassin’s Creed 2isthe 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. ManyACgames are criticized for being too bloated with content, butAC2seems 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.
