Best Pre-Apocalyptic Games, Ranked

by

Summary

  • Pre-apocalyptic games are rare but provide unique narratives leading up to world-ending events.
  • Titles like Life is Strange and Papers, Please offer immersive experiences of impending doom.
  • These games explore the tension and consequences of societal collapse in compelling ways.

As a seasoned gamer with decades of gaming under my belt, I must say that the apocalyptic narratives in video games have always held a special place in my heart. The feeling of being the last hope for humanity or an entire world is unparalleled, and it’s a testament to the power of storytelling in video games.

There’s no shortage of post-apocalypse video games like “The Last of Us” and “Mad Max”. However, compared to these, there are fewer titles set before the apocalypse or societal collapse – games categorized as pre-apocalyptic. In these games, players experience a world they know will eventually perish, providing a unique narrative twist.

In this intriguing zone where reality blends with post-apocalyptic landscapes, there’s an abundance of books and movies. Yet, it’s a comparatively unexplored terrain in video games. This rundown showcases some exceptional game titles set against the backdrop of impending disasters – from cataclysmic moon collisions to the summoning of indomitable supernatural forces.

7. Life Is Strange

Not The End Of THE World, But The End Of Their World

While it’s arguable whether Life is Strange should be on this list due to some elements of gameplay, a significant aspect of the story involves the impending doom of Arcadia Bay. Although the destruction doesn’t result in the end of humanity and the world as we know it, the storm that approaches with each use of Max’s powers serves as a harbinger of the apocalypse within the game’s universe.

As I navigate through this game, I find myself in a world that seems eerily pre-apocalyptic. Abnormal weather incidents are commonplace, shaping the storyline. Should I wish, the game can conclude with Arcadia Bay being devastated, marking the end of Max and Chloe’s familiar world and setting the stage for a profound transformation in their lives.

6. Papers, Please

Dystopia In Action

As a film enthusiast, I’d rephrase it as: “In a world that feels eerily similar to George Orwell’s ‘1984’, I found myself engrossed in the gripping narrative of Papers, Please. This isn’t your typical apocalyptic game; instead, it presents a fictional nation, Arstotzka, precariously balancing on the edge of war with its neighbors and grappling with an internal terrorist insurgency. In this game, I was tasked with the crucial role of inspecting documents to ensure that those who pose a threat to Arstotzka are kept out. One wrong move could lead to dire consequences, including imprisonment.

In this game, the player has the freedom to determine the game’s climax. They can opt for Arstotzka to continue as a dystopian state, or instigate a coup. If they choose the latter, the society, as understood by their character, could crumble. Regardless of their choice, the player won’t witness the full impact of their decisions on the game’s outcome or the inspector’s fate.

5. Faith: The Unholy Trinity

Stop The Demons

Faith: The Unholy Trinity is a game centered around the theme of faith and its disappearance. You assume the role of John Ward, once a priest, now compelled to confront the terrifying remnants of his past in order to thwart an impending catastrophe called the “Profane Sabbath.” The narrative unfolds over four chapters, through brief excerpts from newspapers, letters, and casual dialogues.

Here are three possible conclusions for Chapter 3. Two of these outcomes could signal the end of the world, as an unfathomable evil is set loose on the planet. The player needs to accomplish a precise sequence of tasks to face this terror before it’s released, putting an end to it forever. If they fail, the destruction it causes remains uncertain.

4. Frostpunk & Frostpunk 2

The World Is Dying

In a fictional universe, the Frostpunk series is based on a scenario where the Earth experiences a catastrophic volcanic winter. The initial installment challenges players to oversee a city during this apocalyptic event, navigating the loosening bonds of society as the world slowly perishes.

30 years after the initial game, the player assumes control over a city on the brink of collapse due to overpopulation and resource scarcity. As the latest global system rearranges itself, Frostpunk depicts a world in its final stages, struggling to maintain any semblance of order amid societal decay.

3. Far Cry 5

Nuclear Armageddon With In A Far Cry Costume

In contrast to some other titles within the Far Cry series, Far Cry 5 is set in the core of America, a lush expanse filled with forests, farms, and religious fervor. The player assumes the role of a deputy sheriff who must bring down Joseph Seed’s powerful cult that has seized control over a large portion of Montana.

As the story unfolds, you may pick up radio transmissions detailing the world outside becoming increasingly disorderly as a nuclear conflict looms. In one of the game’s conclusions, the deputy and Joseph Seed manage to endure a nuclear explosion in a shelter. Though this is just one of several potential outcomes, it could be considered the main storyline, given that it serves as the foundation for the subsequent spin-off game.

2. The Legend Of Zelda: Majora’s Mask

The Moon Keeps Getting Closer

One memorable apocalyptic tale that gamers often recall is “The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask“. In this adventure, players find themselves on a mission to prevent the moon from crashing into the world within just three days. As they journey through the game, they encounter a chilling and unexpectedly horrifying world that stands out in the Zelda series.

The character finds himself confronted by the eerie grin of the approaching moon, as NPCs grapple with the reality of their impending demise. Regardless of whether the player manages to prevent destruction or not, they are certain to recall their time spent with this timeless treasure of a game.

1. God Of War Ragnarök

It’s In The Title

According to the title, God of War Ragnarök resumes the story following God of War (2018). As the world’s end draws near, players guide Kratos and Atreus through battles against the Norse gods, with a goal to halt Ragnarök from devastating their land. However, even though prophecies foretell Atreus as being instrumental in bringing about Ragnarök’s fulfillment, they strive to thwart it instead.

God of War Ragnarök appears to be a conventional “save the world from destruction” storyline at first glance, but it transforms into something far richer by reimagining familiar characters and mythologies in fresh ways. Although its action-packed gameplay might not appeal to every gamer, this game offers an exhilarating journey through a realm inhabited by gods and monsters, making the impending apocalypse an exciting adventure.

Read More

2024-12-16 02:38