The Best Fantasy Americana Games

Highlights

New World
immerses players in Americana by trapping them on an island, focusing on survival, settlement building, and resource gathering.
Hunt: Showdown
offers a unique PvEvP experience in an Americana setting with paranormal abilities and old-fashioned firearms.
Inscryption
, a deckbuilding game, embraces Americana themes with a Northwest atmosphere, mysteries, and a dark country soundtrack.

As a seasoned gamer with over two decades of gaming under my belt, I must say that each one of these games is a true masterpiece, worthy of every accolade they have received and more. Let me walk you through my personal experiences with them.

The ‘Americana’ style, often recognized even among gamers residing beyond U.S. borders, is likely no stranger to you. For instance, ‘Fallout’ beautifully embodies this aesthetic, yet numerous games draw inspiration from American culture and history.

Though numerous games on this list are either sci-fi (such as Fallout) or based in contemporary/historical settings (like Far Cry 5, Grand Theft Auto, and Red Dead Redemption), only a small number belong to the fantasy genre. This article will focus on and rate games that encompass this category; these are games influenced by American aesthetics and culture but with an enchanting spin.

6 New World

Most Cooperative Americana Game

From its beginnings, we find ourselves in a world analogous to the “New World,” a term that might be unfamiliar to some. This is not a historical reference but rather a fictional Massively Multiplayer Online (MMO) game based on the discovery of the Americas. Instead of arriving in the Americas, the characters find themselves stranded on an island in the Atlantic Ocean called Aeternum.

In this location, the character also finds themselves stuck, confined by a peculiar substance known as Azoth which prevents them from leaving or perishing. As survival becomes crucial in this harsh and enigmatic territory, players engage in activities such as establishing settlements and amassing resources – not for the benefit of a distant, exploitative colonial authority, but to endure and unravel the land’s secrets.

5 Hunt: Showdown

Arguably The Least Cooperative Americana Game

Hunt: Showdown is a shooter game focused on extraction, offering a more refined PvEvP experience by streamlining loot mechanics. In this game, set after an event known as “The Louisiana Event” contaminates the wildlife and residents, players take on the role of Hunters who venture into the infected zone to complete bounties on the diverse creatures inhabiting the area.

As a seasoned gamer with decades of gaming under my belt, I’ve played countless shooter games and I have to say that this new game is like nothing I’ve ever played before. It takes the traditional shooter formula and flips it on its head in the most delightful way. Instead of using modern weapons, you’re stuck with clunky old-fashioned firearms that require a different kind of skill to handle effectively. But the developers have added an unexpected twist – paranormal and fantastical abilities!

4 Inscryption

A Card Game Packed With Spooks

“Inscryption” is a narrative-driven deck game, rich in Americana motifs. Discussing the game without revealing spoilers can be tricky, but it’s still an appealing choice for players who usually avoid card games. It’s a roguelike experience that combines card collection with solving intricate escape room-like puzzles to advance. The setting is reminiscent of the northwest, featuring eccentric prospectors, stoats, and fur trappers, all accompanied by an excellent soundtrack that blends bitcrushing sounds with ominous country strings.”

Gamers brave enough to endure an eerie, tension-filled environment will discover numerous hidden gems during gameplay. Those yet to unearth these secrets might want to take a chance on it. This game is truly worthy of every nomination and accolade it has been awarded.

3 Blood West

A Glorious Sandbox That Rewards Exploration

Title “Blood West” may not be as familiar, but it’s a remarkably crafted blend of stealth and shooting. Its concept bears resemblance to “Hunt: Showdown”, placing you in a forbidden zone haunted by supernatural occurrences. After meeting an untimely demise and being resurrected, you team up with a totem spirit to uncover the source of the curse, and ultimately, to heal the land.

Following up is a sequence of maps, each building upon the last for narrative continuity but presenting a highly unconventional layout. You might find yourself creeping through swamps with just a knife or burning your health to launch fire soul arrows defying gravity. The variety of playstyles is immense. To add to this, trinkets, which are abundant and significantly impact the gameplay, encourage thorough exploration of every corner of the worlds you traverse.

2 Bioshock Infinite

Americana At Its Most Apparent

Among the BioShock series, any of them could suit this category quite well. However, BioShock Infinite is particularly noteworthy for its powerful application of Americana themes. While BioShock and BioShock 2 are set during the roaring twenties, BioShock Infinite delves deeper into history, taking us back to a time marked by intense nationalistic fervor that preceded and influenced the first World War.

In this game, you’ll find a rich tapestry of racial and political motifs from the past, imaginatively set against a backdrop of a futuristic city floating in the sky. As the protagonist Booker DeWitt, you’re tasked with resolving your own history amidst the turmoil of an impending conflict. In one hand, you wield magic, and in the other, powerful weapons to navigate through this intricate narrative.

1 Alan Wake (Series)

A Finnish Love Letter To American Storytelling

As a gamer, I’d put it this way: “Imagine being me, an author akin to Stephen King, who penned a chilling novel only to forget every detail about it and lose track of my wife. In my quest to regain my memories and find her, I stumble upon sinister forces brought to life from the pages of my unpublished manuscript. The original game and its sequel are set in a secluded Northwest town, eerily reminiscent of Twin Peaks and Gravity Falls, with stories that delve deep into psychology and philosophy.”

Just like diving headfirst into the enigmatic world of Inscryption, I’d advise you to approach these games without any prior knowledge. The series is steeped in mysteries and unexpected twists, with the sequel taking it up a notch by deeply engaging players in the detective work of an investigator and the narrative journey of Wake himself. It’s a thrilling ride!

2024-08-12 07:33