10 Best Pre-Apocalypse Games, Ranked

10 Best Pre-Apocalypse Games, Ranked

As a seasoned gamer who has braved countless digital worlds, I can confidently say that my personal favorite among these pre-apocalyptic masterpieces is Outer Wilds. This game, much like a phoenix rising from the ashes, manages to transcend the boundaries of traditional gaming and delve into the depths of human emotion.


In my gaming world, I’ve found myself drawn to post-apocalyptic backdrops more often than not. These settings offer an extraordinary stage for some truly amazing games, with captivating stories, engaging gameplay mechanics, and stunning visuals that leave me in awe.

Instead, post-apocalyptic stories emphasize the aftermath of a catastrophe, portraying the condition of the world and those who survived.

Instead, these pre-apocalyptic games revolve around the very catastrophe itself, as they are set prior to (or during) the occurrence of the disaster.

Regardless if it’s a cosmic conflict, alien invasions, or encounters with mythical beasts like dragons, such occurrences always transpire right when the player steps onto the stage.

If you enjoy battling through the final days, here’s a list we’ve compiled of the top ten pre-apocalypse games, ranked in order.

You will find spoilers for some titles presented in the article, you have been warned

10 Furi

An Unsung Hero

10 Best Pre-Apocalypse Games, Ranked

Furi – A Boss Battle Hack-and-Slash Game

The gameplay is seamless and engaging, leading you step by step into a conflict that deepens as it unfolds. It subtly suggests that your participation isn’t limited to merely enjoying some thrilling battles; there’s more to uncover.

Following every encounter with a boss in Furi, you discover more about yourself and your environment, for the game continually escalates. Eventually, the narrative unfolds on such a grand scale and with such depth that it leaves many AAA games wishing they could emulate its brilliance.

9 Hyper Light Drifter

A Corrupted Indie World

10 Best Pre-Apocalypse Games, Ranked

In the style of The Legend of Zelda and classic games, Hyper Light Drifter offers an eye-catching yet somber action adventure experience within a damaged universe where survival is crucial.

Regardless of its stunning artwork and indecipherable tongue, it masterfully communicates the sense of a perilous voyage via demanding gameplay mechanics, while also skillfully employing vivid contrasts in color schemes and audio effects.

Hyper Light Drifter ascends to masterpiece level due to its portrayal of life’s delicacy, offering a unique perspective on the apocalypse that is both breathtakingly beautiful and serene. Immersing oneself in such an emotionally resonant and profound gaming experience makes it effortless to appreciate the charm of indie games.

8 Nier: Replicant

Humankind’s Collapse

10 Best Pre-Apocalypse Games, Ranked

In contemporary gaming, Nier Replicant stands out as one of the most hauntingly unique titles, weaving an emotionally charged narrative about a young man on a mission to rescue his younger sibling afflicted by a mysterious illness in a deteriorating landscape.

Given the context, every element within the game carries a touch of melancholy to reflect the challenging circumstances portrayed. This is evident in the dialogue, missions, and adversaries, which reveal not just the individual struggles of the characters, but also the collective despair of a bleak existence.

In essence, Nier Replicant stands out as one of the top-tier role-playing games due to its distinctiveness and mature content. This game serves as a testament to how captivating and relatable Yoko Taro’s creations can be, even when tackling heavy subjects such as the survival or demise of civilization.

7 Dragon’s Dogma 2

A Medieval Armageddon

10 Best Pre-Apocalypse Games, Ranked

Similar to its forerunner, Dragon’s Dogma 2 is an outstanding role-playing game set in an expansive open world. It employs typical elements of the genre to craft an epic story featuring dragons, power struggles, and omens of doom.

As you draw nearer to the apocalypse, it becomes apparent how the world transforms. The strength of adversaries increases, and certain areas on the map become off-limits, with the environment naturally deteriorating at its own pace, unconcerned about your ongoing quests or leveling up.

As a gamer, diving into Dragon’s Dogma 2 feels like stepping into a completely new, immersive world due to its rigid and consistent atmosphere. Unlike many games that allow you free reign regardless of context, this title dares to challenge the norm by creating a more engaging experience for me.

6 God of War 3

The Fall Of Olympus

10 Best Pre-Apocalypse Games, Ranked

Among the games of the initial trilogy, God of War 3 concludes Kratos’ Greek adventure in a manner that is nothing short of exceptional, boasting some of the most memorable gameplay sequences ever created.

Following decades of pursuing deities and seeking forgiveness, the Spartan warrior embarks on his final mission: to demolish Olympus and all it symbolizes. In this epic spectacle, we bear witness to the most devastating display of destruction that any hack-and-slash game has ever offered.

Thus, God of War 3 alters the storyline, making the player a harbinger of destruction. This shift is refreshing and offers a unique perspective amidst the numerous comparable scenarios depicting the apocalypse.

5 Dragon Age: Inquisition

Breaches Between Worlds

10 Best Pre-Apocalypse Games, Ranked

Among the greatest open-world role-playing games ever made, Dragon Age: Inquisition by BioWare is their most expansive project. This game revolves around a catastrophic inter-dimensional rift that could potentially bring a horde of demons into its universe.

As the appointed Inquisitor, your task is to establish a powerful alliance encompassing political, economic, and military aspects, in anticipation of an imminent civil conflict. This united front will enable mankind to face the threat posed by the demons.

The narrative is intricate, brimming with unexpected turns, falsehoods, deceptions, and enchantment, all while showcasing its top-tier gameplay.

Managing humanity’s resources during an apocalypse, with the added responsibility as a ruler, makes for an incredible, engaging, and entertaining experience – which explains why ‘Dragon Age: Inquisition’ stands out in its excellence.

4 The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt

Winter Is Coming

10 Best Pre-Apocalypse Games, Ranked

One fantastic rendition of this could be: The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt stands out as one of the greatest role-playing games ever made, as Geralt of Rivia’s latest journey offers an extraordinary work of art that masterfully portrays a looming apocalypse.

As a devoted admirer, I can’t help but be captivated by the impeccable progression it presents, subtly instilling a sense of unparalleled menace in the backdrop: the White Frost, an extraordinary occurrence that has the power to encapsulate entire planets within its icy grip and plunge them into an era of frozen desolation.

As I delved deeper into the game, the Wild Hunt took center stage at every turn, signaling the impending apocalypse. Every interaction, conversation, character, and mission seemed to orbit around this looming threat, giving each moment a sense of inevitable doom that felt all too organic.

In terms of worldbuilding and storytelling, The Witcher 3 stands out not just because it’s one of the most award-winning games, but because it truly deserves these accolades.

3 Half-Life

Unforeseen Consequences

10 Best Pre-Apocalypse Games, Ranked

Half-Life stands as an enduring legend within the realm of video games, its groundbreaking influence reshaping interactive entertainment in perpetuity. As Valve’s initial masterpiece, it significantly impacted the shooter genre and transcended boundaries, innovating both gameplay mechanics and narrative storytelling.

The tale of Gordon Freeman continues to be one of the most legendary first-person shooter (FPS) games, distinguished by its sophisticated mechanical and technological aspects that lent an authentic, improvised quality to his space-faring character.

Remarkably, the depiction of the persistent human anxiety about an invasion by extraterrestrial beings in Half-Life remains relevant. To this day, it continues to captivate audiences, keeping them on the edge of their seats, making it a fitting addition to this collection.

2 The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim

Draconic Apocalypse

10 Best Pre-Apocalypse Games, Ranked

The appearance of dragons as a symbol of the end times is an old-fashioned trope, but The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim does it so well that it’s easy to forget how simple it is.

Even up to now, only a handful of role-playing games (RPGs) have managed to achieve the level of immersion that Bethesda’s masterwork boasts. Its most notable success lies in its ability to transform the mundane into something extraordinary.

Each experience, whether it’s understanding a dragon’s essence or conversing with a humble villager, seems to be an integral piece in a grand tale that continues to unravel as we journey further.

Incorporating a civil war, numerous guild narratives, and several decades of folklore, Skyrim crafted a recipe that made it the ruler among open-world games and served as an outstanding illustration of a pre-apocalyptic narrative.

1 Outer Wilds

On The Brink Of Extinction

10 Best Pre-Apocalypse Games, Ranked

Although echoing the sentiments of every Outer Wilds enthusiast, there’s no denying this is an unusual piece of work. Despite being hard to put into words, it evokes a pre-cataclysmic setting unlike any other.

In terms of feelings, inputs, thoughts, and recollections, it’s astonishing how the game pushes boundaries beyond the norm. The apocalypse has never tasted so bitter yet fulfilling and unforgettable – a paradox that only Outer Wilds has managed to conquer.

Essentially, the profound emotional impact this game imparts is something precious to keep. To truly understand the essence of extinction and the emotions connected to the emptiness that follows, this game offers one of the most enlightening perspectives on what it might be like during an apocalypse.

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2024-11-20 22:09