Mythology has always been an interest of mine, and games that center themselves on mythology always have a way of working themselves into my heart. With hundreds, even thousands, of years of folklore and mythology to use, these games always have so much in store. Here are 15 of the best!
15. Valheim - 2021 (PC, XBOX)
Valheim Trailer
Inspired by Norse mythology, Valheim is a survival and exploration game built for a small community of players. Each server only houses 10 people, so you will never feel that the world is overcrowded. Craft weapons, sail the seas, and prove your worth to Odin.
In a world shrouded by mystery, the only way to discover the world's truth is by exploring it. Each area is accompanied by its unique enemies and challenges, ensuring that you will always have a challenge in store for you. Sail straight into the unknown and explore!
Build bases to defend yourself from the harsh world around you. Inspired by actual Viking longhouses, the building system allows you to upgrade your base continuously. Go from a small shack to a massive fortress that is impossible to penetrate!
Craft materials, weapons, and armor to make your survival as successful as possible! With its roots in Viking lore, the weapons and armor are modeled after historical ones, and you can even use your materials to craft and drink mead! Become a Viking in your own right in Valheim!
Fun Factor Score: 86/100
Explore the Nordic lands!
14. God of War - April 20, 2018 (PC, PS4)
God of War Trailer
In a world filled with the mythos of the Norse Gods, Kratos and his son Atreus are forced to survive in a harsh, unforgiving world. As a father, it is up to you to teach your son the ways of the world while still learning yourself. Follow your late wife’s final request and spread her ashes at the highest peak in all the nine realms.
God of War offers a setting much different from its original setting of Greece in 2005. With vast mythos to explore in Norway, any lover of mythology will feel right at home among the gods, forests, and monsters. The story itself finds a basis in the rich culture that immerses you right from the start.
The game offers an over-the-shoulder camera view for the player as well. It throws the player straight into the action in a way that third-person games aren’t able to. With this, the battles feel more intense and more exciting—something any gamer can appreciate!
With many mysteries to uncover, the game allows you to follow the story any way you want. Merging an open map with a thick story allows the player to backtrack or spring forward to wherever there is action, all while staying true to the story that follows.
Fun Factor Score: 87/100
Do your best to complete your quest.
13. Black Book - 2021 (PC, PS4, XBOX, Nintendo Switch)
Black Book Trailer
While many mythological games focus on Greek or Norse mythology, this one follows the stories of Slavic folktales. Playing as a young witch named Vasilisa, travel to uncover the truth behind the mysterious death of your betrothed. Confront demons, perform exorcisms, and uncover all seven seals of the Black Book to gain the wish you desire.
Black Book’s battle dynamics are based on spell cards that you collect throughout your journey. Using these cards allows you to constantly learn new spells that can aid you in your quest. Discover all spell cards and become the most powerful witch you can!
Using the context of Slavic folklore, learn about life in the Slavic countryside and more about a mythology that is very rarely talked about. Solving riddles and completing side quests can bring you closer to a culture that has been widely overlooked by society. There is even an in-game encyclopedia to aid you in your quest for the Black Book, but also your quest for education on this amazing culture.
Don’t forget about the demons! You can use the Black Book to summon demons to do your bidding and your dirty work, but be wary of them! If they don’t have enough to do, you’ll find yourself plagued by their mischievous torture.
Fun Factor Score: 88/100
Demons shall do your bidding.
12. Praey for the Gods - 2021 (PC, PS4, PS5, XBOX)
Praey for the Gods Trailer
Combining the histories of many different mythologies, Praey for the Gods offers a unique experience where you can battle many gods inspired by Norse, Greek, and other pantheons. Playing as a lone hero, you must defeat each of the eight gods to restore the land to what it once was, uncovering the mystery of the past.
Overcoming massive odds, scale the beasts you’re fighting to reach the chimes across their bodies. Using this climbing mechanism, you can go to new heights and achieve the greatest wonders known to man. Climb anything and everything you can get your hands on!
Other than the first God you defeat, every other boss battle can be completed in any order you’d like, allowing you the freedom to choose your path. Explore wherever and however you’d like, and fight against monsters that you’ve never seen!
While this game is fairly non-linear, there is still a rich story waiting to be uncovered. Where did everyone go? Where did these gods come from? To reclaim the land you stand on, you must find the answers to questions even the gods don’t know.
Fun Factor Score: 89/100
Defeat the ancient gods!
11. The Rewinder - 2021 (PC, Nintendo Switch)
The Rewinder Trailer
In a game inspired by Chinese folklore and mythology, play as Yun, a rewinder, and use your gift to influence others and change the course of history. Interact with gods and folk figures in this 2D game. Every decision you make can change the world.
Using pixel art, this game mimics the style of Chinese ink paintings, allowing you to feel as if you are maneuvering through one of these beautiful works of art. It also adds an air of simplicity to the style as well, leaving your character faceless and able to be personalized to yourself, as the player.
By entering people’s memories, you can influence those around you, weaving the past to your whims. By altering the past, you can change the course of the future. Use your ability to meet Chinese deities as well, as they aid you on your quest.
Discover the mystery of the abandoned village. What happened here? Why are all the spirits restless? Why was a spirit unable to be reincarnated? Unravel the secrets and more.
Fun Factor Score: 90/100
What will you uncover?
10. The Dark Pictures Anthology: House of Ashes - 2021 (PC, PS4, PS5, XBOX)
The Dark Pictures Anthology: House of Ashes Trailer
In this cinematic horror game, play as a soldier at the close of the Iraq war, looking for weapons of mass destruction. Unearth the ancient Sumerian temple and everything hiding within, and do your best to survive. Forge a brotherhood and survive the night.
Be careful! The decisions you make in this game will impact the story and the outcome you receive at the end of the game. Replay as many times as you’d like, opting for different endings and more storytelling each time.
Don’t play alone! Use the multiplayer mode to play through the horrors of the night with friends by your side. There is strength in numbers, but it’ll still be a struggle to survive!
Manage character relationships as you traverse through this dangerous temple! Each choice you make can and will affect the characters surrounding you, and it could determine whether they live or die. With multiple endings and over 60 death scenes, this game offers a massive amount of choice-based consequences.
Fun Factor Score: 91/100
Where have you become trapped?
09. The Mooseman - 2017 (PC, PS4, Nintendo Switch)
The Mooseman Trailer
Based on the finno-ugric culture of pagan times, play as the Mooseman as you travel between worlds. Using your knowledge of spirits and other worlds, aid those in need as you travel. Solve all the mysteries of finno-ugric folktales in this 2D adventure game.
Use your gift to meet long-forgotten gods and spirits. Explore the world and enter into the world of folklore that you have never been exposed to. Learn the myths of these ancient tribes.
Dive into the culture of Komi folk music! An overlooked culture comes roaring back to the forefront in Mooseman. Play the game, play the music, and play in the world of Mooseman.
Unlock new abilities as you progress, and discover ancient artifacts that only you can find. Using your powers, find the ancient artifacts of Chud’ tribes and solve the many mysteries of the world.
Fun Factor Score: 92/100
Discover the ancient folklore of the finno-ugric regions.
08. A Total War Saga: TROY - 2020 (PC)
A Total War Saga: TROY Trailer
Enter into the epic Trojan War! Fight alongside legendary heroes and become one of those legendary heroes yourself! Decide the tide of war and fight to save or conquer Troy!
Play as one of eight different heroes. These heroes include King Menelaus, the vengeful king, Paris, the tragic prince, Hector, a legendary soldier, and Achilles, the famed warrior, and many more. Each hero comes with their own stories and advantages. Who will you choose?
While we all know how the Trojan war ended, this game allows that win to be yours to take or lose depending on how YOU play and battle. Lead an army, and recruit units inspired by creatures of Greek mythos.
Conquer all of the Bronze age Mediterranean, and build your empire! Using strategy, diplomacy, and an all-out war as your backdrop conquer and rule the way you want to! Fight for your side!
Fun Factor Score: 93/100
Fight for your life in this ancient war!
07. Hades - 2020 (PC, PS4, PS5, XBOX, Nintendo Switch)
Hades Trailer
Playing as Zagreus, the son of Hades, attempt over and over again to escape the underworld, ruled by your very critical father. Find the truth about your mother and fight your way through increasingly difficult bosses in this rogue-like game. Learn more each time, and maybe you can escape.
Because this game is rogue-like, you don’t have to worry about dying over 100 times; it’s part of the story! Discover new information each respawn, and use what you have gained in your recent escape attempt to further buff your weapons and abilities.
Follow a story that incorporates many of the major and minor Greek Gods! Form relationships, find love, and give ambrosia to… a rock? This game has it all. By building your relationships, you can use tokens of their love for you to aid you in your journey.
Don’t stick to just a sword! You get five different unlockable weapon choices, each with its own upgrades that change its form and abilities. Use a bow, a gun, a shield, and even your own (enhanced) fists, and fight your way through Tartarus, Asphodel, and Elysium!
Fun Factor Score: 94/100
Escape Hades’ realm!
06. SMITE - 2014 (PC, PS4, XBOX, Nintendo Switch)
SMITE Trailer
In this multiplayer battle arena, fight to prove your strength while playing as a god! Use your abilities to wipe your opponents from the face of the earth and become the most powerful! SMITE your enemies into unrecognizable rubble!
With over 100 different gods to choose from, you can play however you’d like! Each God has their own abilities to aid you, and you can choose your favorite way to play. Which will you choose?
Using a third-person perspective, this game offers a unique feel to a battle arena game, giving you the ability to feel that you are on the battlefield. With aimed shots or blindsided ambushes, you can add any strategy to your list of tactics.
With multiplayer at the heart of the game, don’t worry if you’ve never played a battle arena before. You can automate almost every bit of your character so you can jump straight into battle as quickly as possible! As you play, you even can have the chance to become a World Champion.
Fun Factor Score: 95/100
Play as your favorite god!
05. Age of Mythology: Extended Edition - 2014 (PC)
Age of Mythology: Extended Edition Trailer
In this real-time strategy game, enter into a world where heroes battle monsters and the gods are there to aid you (if you’re lucky). You can even use these monsters to boost your army’s strength! Call the gods if you're in a pinch and eradicate your opponent!
With new and improved visuals, this game adds more flair to the battle with a changing time of day and more! The water and shadows have improved and created a much more realistic feel. See it for yourself!
This edition even added achievements and multiplayer, allowing you to play with friends and achieve the most you can! Complete the game, collect everything, and fill your completionist heart!
Are you a streamer? This game has been made fully compatible with Twitch integration! Play the game on stream and add this to your list of favorites!
Fun Factor Score: 96/100
How will you prepare for battle?
04. Land of the Vikings - 2022 (PC)
Land of the Vikings Trailer
In this survival colony sim game, create your village from the ground up and expand it into a bustling city! You must manage your resources and be wary of the harsh conditions that will soon come upon your village. Move through social conflict as a whole!
Gather resources by chopping down trees, growing crops, hunting wildlife, and much more to build your town and ready it for the incoming winter. Make sure you have a strategy for winter, though! It will be brutal and only the smartest can survive.
Each of your villagers is their own character with characteristics, advantages, and disadvantages that will change how they work around the town. Get to know them and make sure they are fully utilized to help the village thrive! Build families and strengthen your village by growing a lineage!
Unlock new buildings as you play, going from a small village to one with a tavern or a tailor as you navigate life in the village. Decorate how you want and make your village unique to you! Everything is changeable and everything is prepared to change! It’s all up to you!
Fun Factor Score: 97/100
Protect and build your village!
03. Perseus: Titan Slayer - 2022 (PC)
Perseus: Titan Slayer Trailer
Play as the legendary hero Perseus as you hack and slash through mythological enemies! Since it’s a roguelike, many opportunities in every run allow for changes and branching choices that change the game each time! Play again and again to try new builds and choices!
Wield a sword, dagger, bow, or even a katana that each house its amazing abilities. Explore the secrets and become a true Olympian hero as you move through many enemies!
Meet legendary gods like Zeus and Hades that can aid you on your journey! They are willing to offer you upgrades that allow for even more strength in your battle. What will you do?
Play in any way you want! If you like tanking, play as a tank, or even as a spellcaster, adjust your build to account for that! There are so many options to personalize your playing experience!
Fun Factor Score: 98/100
Play your way in Perseus: Titan Slayer!
02. Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice - 2017 (PC, PS4, XBOX, Nintendo Switch)
Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice Trailer
A warrior’s brutal journey into myth and madness. A return to a Norse realm to experience a new perspective. A haunting quest to save the soul of your dead lover.
This game was created in collaboration with neuroscientists and people who experience psychosis to create a realistic depiction of the psychosis that plagues Senua as you trek into Hell. With such care put into a game, you know it is going to be a life-changing experience.
With a strong story at the heart of the game, explore Helheim and all the trauma that comes with it. Allow yourself to be pulled into the ancient warrior’s life and experience it with her. Fight against hellish bosses to save your lover.
Activate many secrets hidden within the game to allow yourself to fully discover the game that has been meticulously crafted for your pleasure. It is such a great game that has so much to offer, and you can feel immersed playing Hellblade.
Fun Factor Score: 99/100
Save the soul of your lover!
01. Assassin’s Creed: Odyssey - October 2018 (PC, PS4, XBOX, Switch)
Assassin's Creed: Odyssey Trailer
If you’ve ever played an Assassin’s Creed game, you know you are about to play a game full of history, imagined in beautiful real-life locations. In Odyssey, you play as a Spartan mercenary: control the tide of the Peloponnesian War as you fight for both sides—all while you try to find your family and destroy the mysterious Cult of Kosmos.
With a map the size of 130km2, you can explore Ancient Greece however you please! Whether it's through dangerous volcanic peaks or lush forests, it is entirely open to your explorer’s heart. Delve into the world of the ancients and imagine the world that existed before you.
Assassin’s Creed: Odyssey is the first Assassin’s Creed game with impactful dialogue choices. These choices you make will change the course of your life as a mercenary and will impact the way the story unfolds. These choices allow for an experience unique to Assassin’s Creed: Odyssey.
The battling simulation in this game is incredible. Instead of your typical one-on-one battles, you can fight whole hordes of soldiers on land and at sea. Carve your way through soldiers and seize victory!
Fun Factor Score: 100/100
How will you fight?
