Best Prehistoric Open World Games

Exploring the prehistoric era, with its enigmatic and captivating atmosphere, is one of the most intriguing backdrops in open-world video games.

Games set in prehistory frequently combine elements of ancient mythology, early technological advancements, and ominous landscapes with the challenges faced during the establishment of early human societies, creating a rich tapestry of mystery and exploration into our far-off, undocumented past.

These games demonstrate various perspectives that game developers adopt when tackling this challenging environment, yet they all manage to create a captivating and rewarding player experience.

In the realm of open-world games, you’ll find a variety catering to all tastes, ranging from the intense survival MMOs to the relaxed crafting journeys, all nestled within the prehistoric genre.

8. Polylithic

Low-Poly Survival Fun

Platform(s): PC
Developer: Polyperfect
Release Date: 2023

In the realm of prehistoric open-world games, Polythlic stands out as a distinctive title. Its visual style, characterized by vibrant low-poly graphics, sets it apart from others within the genre. Unlike many hardcore games, it fosters a more laid-back ambiance.

In this game, you’ll find a blend of base-building and role-playing elements. This means that not only can you develop your character’s abilities and gear, but also the growth of your entire tribe happens concurrently. As a result, over time, you’ll be able to construct more complex items and structures, eventually transitioning into the Bronze and Iron Ages.

One of the primary attractions of the game lies in its unique artistic approach, yet it’s important to remember that its strong gameplay mechanics should not be overshadowed by it.

Given that Polythithic is currently in its early stages and under development, it’s reasonable to assume that certain aspects may require refinement. However, as far as open-world prehistoric games go, it already demonstrates a strong foundation.

7. Tribe: Primitive Builder

A Chilled Out Settlement Builder

Platform(s): PC, Xbox, PlayStation 5.
Developer: Space Boat Studios, Baked Games
Release Date: 2023

Title Game: Tribe: Primitive Builder – A First-Person Survival Adventure on a Tropical Island

Unlike most games in the survival category, the primary emphasis of this game lies in building structures and creating bases, as opposed to intense survival mechanics.

In a somewhat primitive fashion, the game environment and its technology seem archaic, though not explicitly stated as such. Moreover, most of the gameplay revolves around constructing rudimentary wooden edifices and performing rituals by offering tributes to stone etchings.

With each advancement and the addition of new constructions, your tribal population will expand and fresh personalities will move into the newly built dwellings.

This game maintains a mostly sequential layout despite being set in an expansive open world, which means advancement might feel repetitive or slow at moments. Generally speaking, it offers a relaxed survival adventure that’s engaging to traverse, and the primitive crafting aspects can be quite inventive and entertaining to construct.

6. The Isle

Play As A Dinosaur & Eat Your Foes

Among the modern prehistoric open-world games, not many transport you as far back as periods before human existence. However, The Isle stands out by letting players experience life as various dinosaurs, each with unique strengths and weaknesses.

Initially, you’ll start off as a tiny creature, and to thrive, you’ll have to gather food from the environment, sometimes even hunting other entities. This might involve engaging in conflicts with other participants.

The game’s subtly placed user interface and night vision feature significantly enhance the immersion, while experimenting with the diverse playstyles of the numerous creatures offers a lot of enjoyable exploration.

The island is filled with diverse creatures such as the airborne Pteranodon and the aquatic Dinosuchus, providing a wealth of opportunities for replayability and advancement.

From the soaring Pteranodon to the water-loving Dinosuchus, The Isle offers an abundance of chances to explore and progress.

Despite spending nearly a decade in its developmental stage without officially leaving early access, the game continues to receive updates, demonstrating that its creators are actively engaged with it and haven’t abandoned the project.

5. Soulmask

A Mystical Twist On The Survival Genre

Soulmask may not be well-known to many, but it offers an incredibly robust open-world experience for primitive survival building, drawing inspiration from the cultures of South America and Pacific Islands.

The game offers an engaging blend of practical crafting, steeped in realism, and enchanting aspects, including magical artifacts and fantastical beings.

While it might seem somewhat similar to experienced survival game enthusiasts due to its comparison with well-known games such as Valheim and Conan Exiles, this game also offers the same option of being played individually or in cooperation with friends.

In contrast to other games within its genre, Soulmask stands out with its distinctive South American motif that runs throughout its game environment.

Beyond uncovering ancient ziggurats hidden within the rainforest, you’ll also have the opportunity to play as diverse characters, each possessing unique abilities. As you adapt and thrive, you’ll progressively transform your humble group into a powerful entity that commands respect.

4. Conan Exiles

The Ultimate Barbarian Simulator

Conan Exiles is one of the most beloved open-world survival games from the past ten years, and for several valid reasons. Its captivating game world and extraordinary creature designs are just two of its many strengths, while its user-friendly crafting and combat systems make it hard to find fault with the game overall.

Players online present their own set of challenges, with an unfortunate rise in cheating and hacking incidents over time. However, it’s reassuring to note that the game also offers solo and cooperative PvE modes for those who prefer to play without relying on others.

Even though it came out in 2017, this game remains strong as an excellent choice for survival enthusiasts. Its intricate crafting system allows players to build everything from rudimentary tools to sophisticated stone castles and treehouses.

In simpler terms, the game’s universe is vast, offering various landscapes and places to discover. What I find most captivating is the presence of colossal avatars – these are gigantic deities that dwarf their surroundings, creating a feel reminiscent of ancient mythology.

3. ARK: Survival Evolved

A Legendary MMO Experience

Ark: Survival Evolved might not be purely prehistoric, but it transports players into an ancient world teeming with dinosaurs and fellow gamers. Despite its advanced age, it continues to be one of the top survival MMOs around, largely due to its exceptional progression system, base-construction, and creature-nurturing features.

In this game, your character will develop similarly to the other creatures within it. Initially, you’ll start off using basic tools and equipment, but as you progress, you’ll unlock more advanced and, in some cases, futuristic items.

ARK: Survival Evolved provides a vast degree of player autonomy and indeed, it’s an authentic open-world MMO. However, don’t be deterred if you’re new to the game; it also offers a solo PvE mode for those seeking a less intense survival experience.

The game shines brightest when played with companions, yet remains an engaging endeavor whether you explore it alone or within a group. Regardless of your choice, if you’re seeking a robust and immersive survival challenge in a primeval era, the ARK series is certainly worth investigating.

2. Ancestors: The Humankind Odyssey

Journey Through Man’s Evolution

Ancestors: The Humankind Odyssey is a unique game centered around the evolutionary process.

Over time, you’ll transition from being a quadrupedal primate rummaging for edibles in the forest and using trees to observe your environment, to honing new abilities that will ultimately lead you to become a skilled hunter armed with weapons, roaming across the open grasslands.

This unique open-world game, boasting advanced parkour and survival mechanics, truly sets itself apart. While its style might not appeal to all gamers, it’s rare to find games that approach such a challenging concept with such skill – a testament to the excellence of Ancestors: The Humankind Odyssey.

Playing this game can sometimes feel sluggish, monotonous, and perplexing. Yet, remember that no one ever claimed the journey of evolving into a Homo Sapiens would be straightforward!

1. Far Cry Primal

The Definitive Cave Man Experience

In terms of prehistoric environments and expansive game worlds, there isn’t much that feels more engaging than Far Cry Primal.

Despite facing criticisms for following a familiar and foreseeable pattern, the shift to a rudimentary backdrop undeniably added an exceptional twist to the series, offering fans a distinctive experience within the franchise.

Beyond just providing an engaging environment, this game takes a step further by transporting you to the Stone Age era. It even creates its own unique in-game language for the characters to communicate.

In me, the player, the heart of the game revolves around creating my very own thriving village, warding off hostile tribes and menacing creatures like sabertooth tigers, all while immersed in the familiar elements of crafting, exploration, and discovery that open-world games are renowned for.

If you want an immersive experience that feels like stepping into the Stone Age, there aren’t many games that offer this as effectively as Far Cry Primal does.

2025-03-20 17:13