Games That Completely Rewrite History

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Summary

  • Video games rewrite history in bold and intriguing ways, blending reality with imagination.
  • We Happy Few creates an unsettling alternate 1960s England engulfed in forced happiness and drug use.
  • Wolfenstein: The New Order imagines a world where Nazis won WW2, creating terrifying advancements and compelling storytelling.

Video games often play with historical narratives. They may reinterpret significant occurrences or introduce an unusual angle to well-known tales, and sometimes, they can be quite daring in their approach to reshaping history.

Instead of merely establishing the backdrop, they seize significant historical occurrences, give them a good jolt, and present a universe that’s both recognizable yet strikingly different. At times it’s downright chilling, other times it’s simply bizarre, but it’s always thought-provoking. These are some of the most exceptional games that boldly turned history upside down, crafting realms where reality becomes secondary and creativity takes center stage.

6. We Happy Few

A Dystopian Joyride Through Alternate England

The world of the game “We Happy Few” carries an eerie, unsettling vibe, set in an alternate 60s England that’s shrouded by a veil of enforced joviality rather than genuine happiness. Picture a realm where everyone is unnaturally cheerful not due to contentment, but because they’re all dependent on a mind-altering substance called Joy. It’s as if George Orwell’s “1984” had a bubbly, grinning relative who can’t stop being happy.

The game focuses on three main characters who grapple with the consequences of rejecting Joy, which ultimately reveals the harsh truths about their lives. Set in an alternate timeline where England lost World War 2 to Germany, resulting in German occupation and widespread trauma, the citizens often resort to drugs to escape their past. The town of Wellington Wells combines nostalgic charm with unsettling undertones, and the juxtaposition between the surface-level joyfulness and the dark secrets hidden beneath creates an unforgettable adventure.

Striking is the way We Happy Few not only alters historical events, but also changes the ways societies deal with them. It provokes thought-provoking questions about the extremes people may reach to evade guilt and despair. Hidden beneath its vibrant and eccentric exterior lies a haunting critique of how societies fracture under immense pressure.

5. Resistance: Fall Of Man

World War 2, But With Aliens

In “Resistance: Fall of Man,” history is not merely altered, it’s erased by a horde of alien abominations. Instead of World War II ravaging Europe, an extraterrestrial race known as the Chimera invades the continent in the 1950s, transforming humans into terrifying biological weapons. Britain stands as the final stronghold as the rest of Europe succumbs to this relentless onslaught.

In this unique setting, the main character, Sergeant Nathan Hale, confronts terrifying extraterrestrial creatures while also grappling with an internal struggle as his own body is at risk of transforming into one of these very aliens. The game’s atmosphere seamlessly blends the devastation of World War II-era England with bizarre alien technology, creating a chilling experience that seems to combine a science fiction horror film with the intensity of the Second World War.

As I dive into this gritty gameworld, the stark contrast between the familiar weaponry and the twisted Chimeran technology leaves me in awe. It’s as if ‘Saving Private Ryan’ took an unexpected turn with an extraterrestrial invasion right smack in the middle. The narrative depth is impressive, unfolding the chilling tale of how the Chimera were once human, infected by an ancient virus, adding a haunting layer to the storyline.

4. The Order: 1886

Steampunk Knights Against Mythological Horrors

In addition to the already mysterious ambiance of Victorian London, the game The Order: 1886 intensifies the mood with werewolves, advanced steampunk weaponry, and a group of knights bound by an ancient oath to safeguard mankind. This isn’t your ordinary London; it’s a city caught between rapid technological advancements and the raw fear of supernatural beings.

Titled Organization, this group has been in existence for numerous centuries, primarily focusing on combating hybrid creatures possessing traits of both humans and animals. The game’s storyline creatively weaves historical facts with a gripping dark fantasy tale. An intriguing twist is the appearance of Nikola Tesla, who functions as the team’s inventor, designing arc lightning guns and thermite rifles in a way that seems like he’s working part-time as Q from the James Bond series.

The narrative isn’t solely focused on monsters and gadgets; instead, it delves into the complexities of obligations, deceit, and the struggle between tradition and modernization. As the noble intentions of the Order are clouded by secrecy and internal strife, these themes unfold. This story offers a refreshing perspective on Victorian history, merging folklore and technology to construct a world that is at once dark and captivating.

3. Fallout 4

A Retro-Futuristic Apocalypse That Never Left The ’50s

Imagine if the tense atmosphere of the Cold War in the 1950s persisted indefinitely, eventually leading to a nuclear catastrophe. This is the setting for Fallout 4, a game that explores an alternate reality where post-WW2 America became fixated on atomic power. Instead of evolving beyond this era, society instead embraced it fully, creating a pre-disaster world characterized by gleaming chrome and optimism reminiscent of the 1950s—until the bombs dropped.

Two centuries after exiting Vault 111, the main character encounters a world that’s a blend of a post-apocalyptic wasteland and a remnant of 1950s American culture. The unique blend of advanced future technology with nostalgic charm characterizes the atmosphere, from corroded soda vending machines to battle robots seemingly trapped in a time loop.

The game isn’t only about the graphics; it also showcases various factions such as the Minutemen, who embody an idealistic approach, and the technocratic Brotherhood of Steel, each offering distinct views on how humanity might rebuild post-catastrophe. Essentially, it paints a complex picture of a post-war America, where history didn’t simply cease, but instead fractured into multiple ideologies, each striving to find its path forward.

2. Homefront: The Revolution

When America Falls

In the hypothetical situation where North Korea rose to global dominance and attacked America, that’s the premise behind the video game Homefront: The Revolution. It portrays a Philadelphia overrun by the Greater Korean Republic, depicting a city scarred by propaganda, spying drones, and a demoralized populace who can no longer fight back.

This conflict resembles a hidden struggle, taking place in the narrow lanes and dilapidated structures of a city that has lost its unique character. Equipped with weapons salvaged from the wreckage and improvised equipment, rebels launch surprise attacks. The game’s narrative serves as a poignant critique on how swiftly a dominant nation can be reduced to the oppressed, a topic that is both grim and thought-provoking.

1. Wolfenstein: The New Order

A World Under Nazi Control

The New Order,” the Nazis emerged victorious from World War II, ruling the globe through sheer aggression and perverted technology. After 14 years in a coma, B.J. Blazkowicz, the enduring main character, awakens to discover a world where resistance against the Third Reich is nearly non-existent.

The game doesn’t merely depict a world under Nazi control; it explores the chilling possibilities of their technological advancements, spanning from lunar bases to mechanized super soldiers. It’s an unyielding struggle to reclaim what was taken, blending thrilling action with unexpectedly emotional narratives.

B. J. Blazkowicz’s resilience and indomitable willpower create an engaging protagonist in a world yearning for such a figure. It offers a powerful, dynamic, and unrestrained portrayal of reimagining history, punching with a mighty, enraged hand.

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2025-05-20 03:37