Explore History Like Never Before: Top Action-Adventure Games!

by

Summary

  • Action-adventure games offer engaging historical experiences like the Hundred Years’ War in A Plague Tale: Innocence.
  • Assassin’s Creed 2 provides a digestible history lesson on the Italian Renaissance through Ezio’s adventures.
  • Far Cry Primal explores a forgotten era, 10,000 BC, bringing players into a time before written history.

Action-adventure games are a captivating genre for those who enjoy immersive exploration. You might find yourself cruising through urban landscapes in a vehicle, galloping across picturesque plains on horseback, or even scaling majestic mountains. These games provide a wealth of experiences. Notably, the game The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and the entire Zelda series stand out as excellent examples of action-adventure gaming.

In “The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild,” although you’re free to traverse a vast virtual world, it isn’t the best choice for those seeking a historical experience as Hyrule is entirely fictional. For action-adventure enthusiasts desiring a touch of history, here are some alternatives that could pique your interest. While they might not be historically correct and may present works purely of imagination, these games can sometimes provide an immersive, book-like experience within the realm of video gaming.

7. A Plague Tale: Innocence

Beware Of Rats

In the backdrop of the Hundred Years’ War and the devastating Black Plague outbreak in France, we follow the story of a young girl named Amicia. As a reminder, the Black Plague was responsible for the deaths of millions due to the rampant spread of the disease among rats in the European countryside.

Amicia, along with her brother, is evading oppression by navigating through stealth, platforming challenges, and solving puzzles in a game set during the Hundred Years’ War. This is an engaging way to understand this particular historical period within video games. The game has a sequel named “A Plague Tale: Requiem“, and other notable games related to the Hundred Years’ War include “Bladestorm: The Hundred Years’ War” and “Jeanne d’Arc“, all of which are worth exploring.

6. Assassin’s Creed 2

A Renaissance Man

This series is ideal for those looking to explore a touch of enchanting historical lore, but prior to when it got bogged down with equipment and role-playing game aspects, there was the straightforward and engaging “Assassin’s Creed 2”. It took place during the Italian Renaissance, a time period that is commonly studied in school history books, making it relatable for many.

In this game, the protagonist, Ezio, interacts closely with the Borgias and Medicis, as well as historical figures such as Leonardo da Vinci. Not only does he gain some insight into history, but he also gets a glimpse of what Italian society was like during that era, from the bustling markets to the architectural wonders.

5. Far Cry Primal

The Forgotten Entry

In the world of gaming, I stumbled upon a gem that’s often overlooked – Far Cry Primal. This game slipped in post-Far Cry 4, transporting us to a time long past, roughly 10,000 BC. It wasn’t about modern warfare or advanced technology; instead, it was all about survival among the wild. I found myself leading a band of primitive people, engaging in brutal tribal conflicts, dodging saber-tooth tigers, and navigating around wooly mammoths – quite a change from my usual gaming escapades!

During that period, there’s not much media exploring it because it happened before extensive written records or languages were established. However, fortunately, video games offer an engaging way to imagine the lifestyle of those nomadic tribes.

4. Indiana Jones And The Great Circle

Reliving The History Of Earth And Film

As an ardent fan, I can’t help but express my admiration for the captivating elements that make “Indiana Jones and the Great Circle” a fitting continuation of the esteemed film series. Picking up where “Raiders of the Lost Ark” left off, our hero, Indiana Jones, embarks on another thrilling journey across the globe. With each artifact he unearths, a larger enigma begins to unravel, keeping me on the edge of my seat!

In a blend of supernatural elements and fictionalized history, Indie guides players on an engaging journey that resembles a 1930s-style adventure, much like being led by none other than the iconic character from the silver screen, Indiana Jones himself.

3. L.A. Noire

Relive The Greatest City In The 1940s

Despite being recently published by Rockstar, L.A. Noire stands out as one of their finest games hidden under the radar. At first glance, it may seem like another Grand Theft Auto game transposed to 1940s Los Angeles. However, delving deeper reveals a distinct gaming experience that is more linear in its narrative structure, despite offering an open city for exploration and law-enforcement themed vehicle acquisition.

In the role of Detective Cole Phelps, players will need to decipher emotions from witnesses’ tones and facial cues to crack cases. It’s an exhilarating detective adventure, offering a captivating glimpse into one of America’s most renowned cities – a perfect blend for a video game setting.

2. The Saboteur

Take Back Paris

In “The Saboteur,” the protagonist is Sean Devlin, a character modeled after the true-life figure William Grover-Williams, a racer with an Irish background who secretly assisted the Allies during World War II by spying for them. In this game, Sean takes on a more daring role as a covert agent.

The game was based on the Nazi occupation of Paris, symbolizing that magic had vanished among the French populace during this era. To reflect this, the game was designed in black and white. However, as players recaptured bases, color would reappear, serving as a distinctive gaming aspect. Though not historically precise, it offered an engaging way to explore a particular segment of World War II history.

1. South Of Midnight

Folktales In The Bayou

In much the same way as historical facts and events, folklore plays an integral role, and the game “South of Midnight” aims to convey this idea. The narrative revolves around a character named Hazel, who resides in a fictional region reminiscent of Louisiana in contemporary times. Following a flood that sweeps her mother away, Hazel embarks on a quest to find her. Along her journey, she acquires mystical abilities that enable her to peer into the past and manipulate time for her own benefit.

In this game, players will come across colossal mythical beasts such as titanic catfish and enormous alligators. Throughout the story, the game is narrated in a captivating storybook style. While the game is steeped in magic, there’s still plenty for players to learn from it.

Read More

2025-04-27 07:34