From History Books to Battlefield: My 10 Personal Tips for Historical Immersion

Introduction

I’ve been wanting to write this article for a long time. At Firaxis, we all agree that history and video games are a perfect match – they just naturally go together. There’s a huge number of historical games available, and the genre remains incredibly popular, as shown by recent hits like Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 and Europa Universalis 5, both of which were bestsellers in 2025. I’m a big fan of these types of games myself, and that’s actually why this website exists.

After my recent list of 10 popular historical myths proved successful, and drawing on over 25 years of playing history-based video games, I’m sharing my top 10 tips for getting the most out of these games.

10 – Learn A Little Bit Of Real History First

If you want to truly lose yourself in great historical games, a little historical knowledge goes a long way. While games can certainly teach you history, understanding the background beforehand will make the experience much richer. You don’t need to become a history expert – memorizing every date or ruler isn’t necessary. Just having a general understanding of the events, locations, and people involved will make the game feel more meaningful. This also applies to things like the weapons, strategies, and groups featured in the game.

9 – Learn About Geography

As a gamer, I’ve been thinking a lot about how history actually happened in real places, which is easy to forget when you’re just reading about it. And that got me thinking about games – every single one takes place somewhere physically, whether it’s a whole country, a city, a forest, or even just a battlefield. If you really want to get into historical games, understanding the geography is huge. I mean, how resources are distributed, where people lived, what economic opportunities there were, and even how wars played out were all shaped by the land. Knowing that stuff doesn’t just make the game more immersive, it actually helps you come up with better strategies and win more often!

8 – Accept Historical Inaccuracies

Video games can’t truly recreate the past, and it’s not just a technical challenge. We simply lack detailed records for most of history. What we do have are just fragments – glimpses of what life, events, and feelings might have been like, and that uncertainty grows the further back in time we go. While games frequently depict World War II – and we have extensive documentation and even living veterans to draw from – earlier periods are much harder to accurately portray. Think about the age of sail – very few ships from that era still exist. And if we go back to the medieval times, our historical knowledge is full of gaps and missing pieces.

Games are welcome to strive for historical accuracy, and many do. However, it’s important to remember they are, first and foremost, video games. No historical game is flawless – Europa Universalis V isn’t perfect, but effectively simulates population changes and their impact on government and the economy. Graviteam Tactics: Mius Front, even with its flaws, powerfully conveys the vastness and brutality of World War II on the Eastern Front. Rome: Total War, while not entirely realistic, brought Roman history to life in a way books and films hadn’t. And even Battlefield 1, despite its inaccuracies, remains a valuable experience.

7 – Use the Game As a Gateway To History, Not As A Victory Screen

Here’s a great tip: don’t focus on winning – unless the game requires it to move forward. Instead, really try to get lost in the game’s world and history. Don’t try to exploit glitches or shortcuts, or worry about achievements and scores. Just enjoy the little things – experimenting with different strategies, trying out new unit combinations, or even trying to recreate real historical events. The goal is to play the game for fun, not just to reach a winning screen by manipulating the system.

6 – Know Your Weapons, Armor and Tactics

Most historical games center around battles and war, which is understandable given how much conflict there is in history and the popularity of wargaming. To really get the most out of these games, it’s helpful to learn a little about the weapons, gear, and strategies used in that time period. For example, if you’re playing a game set in ancient times, understanding how the Greek phalanx worked can help you succeed in games like Strategos and Field of Glory 2. Knowing how English longbowmen defeated French knights during the Hundred Years’ War isn’t just a fun fact – it could give you an advantage in online matches. And learning about the tactics used by Napoleon and Wellington at Waterloo will make playing Scourge of War much more rewarding.

This idea applies to any historical period, and it’s a really engaging way to visualize military strategies. It’s one thing to read about tactics in old manuals and treaties, but quite another to see them play out in a video game. For example, experiencing World War 2 infantry assaults in games like Burden of Command, Gates of Hell, and WDS Squad Battles is much more impactful than just reading about them.

5 – Discuss and Share Your Experience

Video games are much more fun when you play with others – whether it’s side-by-side on the couch, taking turns in a strategy game, or competing online. Millions of gamers are eager to connect, share stories, and learn from each other. Consider making videos, posting on forums, writing about your gameplay, or joining online communities. You might even discover a talent for content creation and build a following!

4 – Slow Down and Experiment With Everything

Games should let players express themselves and offer plenty of ways to do so. I always encourage players to explore everything a game has to offer, trying different approaches and strategies. Experimenting – like I do when I’m testing a game – can reveal surprising results. You’ll sometimes succeed, sometimes fail, and occasionally get bored, but you might also discover something new and exciting. I’ve played the opening scenario of Ultimate General: Gettysburg countless times, and really getting to know a game that way gives you a deeper appreciation for it. Replaying early levels can also be a good way to learn a challenging game.

This advice is especially helpful in strategy games where you have time to think before acting. Before making a decision, consider its effects on your plans, both now and in the future. It’s easy to get caught up in constantly making moves and seeing what happens, and that can be fun! However, I think the game is more enjoyable if you first try to visualize the overall consequences of your choices. This applies to many strategic war games too. Before moving any units, think about what each one will do, where it will go, why it’s going there, and what will happen after it achieves its initial goals. Taking the time to do this can really reduce frustration, at least that’s been my experience.

3 -Play With Period-Appropriate Music

It might seem a little strange, but listening to actual historical music while playing video games can be surprisingly enjoyable. While many games try to create music that fits the time period, nothing beats the real thing. Luckily, there’s a huge amount of historical music – including different versions and interpretations – available for free on YouTube. Just choose a playlist from a specific era, like the 17th century, and see where it takes you!

2 – Roleplay Your Character, Be Someone

Many games let us see and control everything, giving us a god-like view of the world. But historical figures didn’t have that kind of knowledge, making it tough to really connect with their struggles. That’s why truly playing as a character – understanding their limitations – can make a game much more immersive. While some games do this naturally, it’s harder in strategy games because you’re usually observing from a distance. To deepen your experience, try intentionally limiting your knowledge and creating challenges based on what a character would realistically know. See how long you can manage playing that way!

1 – Relax, Enjoy and Have Fun

If you take away just one thing from this article, let it be this: remember to have fun! While improving your skills and winning are great, games are meant to be relaxing and enjoyable. Don’t get too caught up in playing perfectly, chasing wins, or feeling pressured to finish every game you own – you likely won’t get to them all, and that’s okay.

Play any historical game you enjoy, regardless of its age. Whether it’s a timeless classic like Age of Empires 2 or a newer title like Task Force Admiral, the most important thing is that you’re having fun. Don’t worry about what others are saying online, on social media, or in reviews – your own enjoyment is what truly matters. Play as long as you like, and don’t let anyone else dictate what makes a game ‘Game of the Year’ for you.

Conclusion

2026-02-20 16:45