Best Games That Take Place In The 1930s

Key Takeaways

Games set in the 1930s offer diverse gameplay styles with exotic visuals.
Games like Rule of Rose capture the period’s aesthetic through clothing and environmental visuals.
Peter Jackson’s King Kong and Mafia: Definitive Edition are just a few examples of immersive experiences in the era.

As a connoisseur of all things vintage and nostalgic, let me tell you that these games and movies have truly taken me back to the golden age of adventure! From the suspenseful atmosphere of Nocturne to the heart-pounding action of Peter Jackson’s King Kong, these stories transport us to a time when daring heroes faced off against monstrous foes.

Various games are set in diverse historical epochs, ranging from the Old West to the golden era of piracy. One such timeframe is the 1930s, a period marked by both aesthetic charm and turbulent events. This decade witnessed an intriguing blend of simpler fashion, elegant automobiles, looming World War II, and the Great Depression persisting in full force.

In my perspective as a passionate gaming enthusiast, the captivating era of the 1930s has been beautifully brought to life across an array of games, each offering unique gameplay experiences. Some games draw you into their world by presenting intricate puzzles in mesmerizing locales, while others plunge you straight into the heart of the times by enabling the exploration of bustling cities from America, Europe, and even imagined islands of this epoch.

Also included are games with significant (but not all) parts of gameplay in the 1930s.

7 Rule Of Rose

Players Experience Horrors In The Skies Of London

Generally speaking, a 1930s ambiance is often employed to convey an air of simplicity and elegance. However, Rule of Rose challenges this notion by portraying the gritty, grimy, and mournful aspects of that time period. This darker side is vividly depicted in the survival horror game where a young woman finds herself kidnapped and confined on a zeppelin floating above London during the 1930s.

In the realm of gaming, Rule Of Rose borrows chilling elements from acclaimed series like Silent Hill, by incorporating psychological terror and unsettling motifs. Initially, the game sparked debate due to its exploration of women’s abuse experiences, which added to the eerie atmosphere players experience while evading a relentless cult in hot pursuit.

6 LEGO Indiana Jones: The Original Adventures

The Ultimate 1930s Adventure For The Whole Family

Similar to numerous LEGO games inspired by films, LEGO Indiana Jones: The Original Adventures essentially combines three distinct games into one exceptional adventure set within the world of Indiana Jones. This means that players can embark on various journeys in the years 1935, 1936, and 1938, with each adventure featuring our hero Indiana Jones battling the familiar foes from the movies.

In an unexpectedly accurate portrayal, the LEGO Indiana Jones game manages to embody the vintage charm of the era, with its depiction ranging from the dense Indian wilderness to the Austrian fortress controlled by the Nazis. This authentic representation draws in fans who have followed the movies over time, children, and even adults alike.

5 Call Of The Sea

Puzzling Journey On A Mysterious Island

In Call Of The Sea, the player embarks on an expedition as Norah, uncovering mysteries hidden within an island. This underrated game pays homage to classic puzzle games such as Myst, offering a first-person puzzle adventure with more hands-on control. Its visuals evoke memories of early 2000s Disney animation films.

In this tale, there’s no room for adversaries or frightening events; instead, it centers around a resourceful woman on a quest to locate her husband in a jungle island setting during the 1930s. Despite increasingly difficult puzzles and the transformation of a conventional 1930s adventure into a fantastical journey, the narrative maintains a laid-back atmosphere throughout.

4 Nocturne

Globetrotting And Monster Hunting That Started A Franchise

During the late 90s and early 2000s, several companies aimed to recreate the survivor horror genre that Resident Evil significantly shaped. Games like Nocturne, for instance, embody numerous similar aspects such as using fixed camera angles, managing items, and solving puzzles while under pressure.

The game, titled Nocturne, revolves around an enigmatic investigator called The Stranger, who embarks on global adventures in the 1930s to confront creatures such as vampires and zombies. Although its control scheme reminiscent of Resident Evil might appear a bit outdated, many consider it a timeless classic. A sequel has been released for this game, and it even led to the creation of a shared gaming universe with the BloodRayne series.

3 Peter Jackson’s King Kong

Immersion And Survival Make For An Intense 1930s Adventure

Peter Jackson’s King Kong is frequently regarded as a top-tier choice among movie-based video games due to various factors. In the year 1933, you get to command Jack Driscoll, whose voice was provided by Adrien Brody in this pulse-pounding, at times even frightening, first-person shooter journey across Skull Island. The objective is to rescue Anne, the main character, from the titular ape.

The Jack Driscoll gameplay remains consistently captivating, with its unique features such as no Heads-Up Display and using 1930s weaponry to fight colossal creatures like dinosaurs and giant insects. Additionally, players get the thrill of controlling Kong in a third-person perspective, reenacting his iconic rampage across 1930s New York City before his fateful showdown atop the Empire State Building.

2 Back To The Future: The Game

The Surprisingly Good Sequel To The Movies

Fans have generally considered the notion of a fourth “Back To The Future” film as off-limits, but in 2010, Telltale Games broke this expectation with “Back To The Future: The Game.” In this game, Christopher Lloyd once again plays Doc Emmett Brown. The story unfolds after the third movie and serves as a close approximation to “Back To The Future Part 4.

In this excursion, Marty McFly embarks on another thrilling journey through time, finding himself transported to the year 1931 where he encounters a younger Doc Brown. Although much of the narrative doesn’t unfold in this era, it plays a crucial role in the storyline. Here, one of Biff’s ancestors is depicted as a menacing mobster antagonist, while Marty strives to aid the young Doc without disrupting the timeline.

1 Mafia: Definitive Edition

Makes The Player Feel Like Their Living A Mobster Movie

When the cherished Mafia trilogy underwent a remaster, the initial game received more than just a facelift; it was essentially rebuilt anew, featuring updated character models and controls. This transformation enabled the narrative of Tommy Angelo’s journey within the Salieri crime family during the 1920s and 30s to be re-told for both longtime fans and newcomers alike.

As a dedicated fan, I can’t help but marvel at the meticulous craftsmanship that goes into every aspect of the Mafia series. The acting, the music, the visuals – each element is thoughtfully designed to draw players into the era with an unparalleled sense of immersion. It’s a romanticized mafia tale, reminiscent of The Godfather, but it never fails to make me feel like I’m living the life of a mobster. Whether it’s the 50s or the 60s, both sequels maintain this captivating sense of authenticity that keeps gamers hooked.

2024-09-27 04:34