Mythology-based games have always caught the fancy of gamers around the world. For those of you who’ve been itching to get their hands on one of the mythology games but didn’t know which one to choose, help is at hand. This Techspirited article lists some of the best games available today.
No Myth Here!
Released on 30 October, 2002, Age of Mythology by Microsoft Game Studios is amongst the oldest and most popular mythology-based game of all time.
Mythology is something that fascinates us and forms an impression on our minds from a very young age. Most of us, at some point in our lives, have aspired to be like some of our favorite mythical superheroes. What makes them unique is that unlike most modern superheroes, these heroes are, more often than not, godly in their being. Of late, there has been a sudden rise in interest in mythology, thanks mainly to the many mythological films that are being released.
One avenue of the entertainment industry that has always made the most of these superheroes is the gaming industry. There are scores of games available in the market today that are based on mythology, and these usually sell like hotcakes. If you too are curious to know about the best mythological games out there, this Techspirited article should help. Here’s a look at some of the best mythology-based games in the market today.
God of War
Greek Mythology
PS3, PSP, Xbox
Few other games can quite compare to the incredible gameplay of the God of War series. The protagonist is played by Kratos, a very very angry Spartan who wants to kill the God of War. The story goes that Kratos saved his life by selling his soul to Ares, who, in turn, enslaved him and got him to kill anything and everything that came in his path. Along the way, Ares gets Kratos to kill his wife and child, which drives him mad with rage. He decides to avenge the death of his family by killing Ares. The God of War series follows the quest of Kratos as he sets out to defeat Ares, and along the way, faces a lot of other gods whose powers can help him beat his ultimate foe. The graphics are brilliant, the fight sequences are very well choreographed, and the controls too are very well thought out. Even the music and the background score is superb and adds to the fantastic feel of the game. The multiplayer mode is also plenty of fun. All in all, this is undoubtedly one of the best mythological games to ever have been released.
Age of Mythology
Greek/Egyptian/Norse Mythology
PC, Mac
The Age of Empires (AOE) series is, perhaps, one of the finest examples of immersive strategy games ever to be released. The latest in the lineup of this popular franchise, Age of Mythology (AOM) invokes the same fervor as its predecessors. In fact, the gameplay of the AOM is almost identical to that of AOE. This time around, men fight side by side with mythological creatures like mummies, sphinxes, minotaurs, etc., as they set out to conquer new territories. You can take charge of either the Greek, Egyptian, or Norse civilizations, and defend your base while you prepare to lead your armies on in battle. This real-time strategy game is the first of its kind to have a 3D engine, which does a fantastic job of the visuals. The controls are extremely intuitive, and fans of AOE will feel right at home with this game. The game makes for hours and hours of fun, and as you go along, you also get to learn a thing or two about the various civilizations of the world.
Dante’s Inferno
Christian Mythology
PS3, PSP, Xbox 360
Dante’s Inferno is loosely based on Inferno from Dante Alighieri’s Divine Comedy. The main character of the story, Dante is portrayed as a Templar knight who’s out on an epic quest to reclaim the soul of his love, Beatrice, from Lucifer. The game follows the journey of Dante as he travels through the nine circles of Hell and fights the many minions of the dark world that come in his way. Armed with Death’s scythe and a Holy Cross, he launches a series of attacks and also has some magic tricks up his sleeve. There are plenty of mini games within the game that throw up unique challenges and puzzles. This fast-paced action-adventure game will keep you engrossed for hours on end. It brings in great sound effects to go with brilliantly designed backgrounds and characters.
Åkami
Japanese Mythology
PS2, Wii
Now this is a game like none other on this list. Åkami does not bring in any 3D elements, but uses impressive HD anime graphics instead. What it lacks in visual punch, is made up by using a great storyline and fantastic gameplay. You play the protagonist, the Japanese Sun God, Amaterasu, who has taken the form of a white wolf. The game takes you on an adventure across the countryside where you come across some rather interesting characters, and then set out to vanquish the crawling monsters inhabiting the dark dungeons. The aim of the game is to rid Japan of evil. And as you progress through the game, your powers are enhanced, and you get stronger. Åkami is great action-adventure game that looks deceptively simple, but is quite challenging and tons of fun.
Darksiders
Christian Mythology
PC, Xbox 360, PS3, Wii U
If you’re fan of dark tales and grim scenes, then you’ll love Darksiders. You play the protagonist, none other than Death himself, who is one of the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse. As dark as the setting may be, the graphics are very impressive and together with the harrowingly realistic background score, transport you into a totally different dimension. All through the fast-paced game, you go along obliterating your enemies, and collecting rich rewards for it. There are plenty of boss fights through the game that really makes things interesting, and keeps things lively. Your mighty steed and a trusty crow called Dust assists you through different parts of the game. They also provide you with clues to help you along. The game is not without its set of problems, and tends to drag in the middle, but the overall gameplay saves the day.
Titan Quest
Greek/Egyptian/Asian Mythology
PC
Titan Quest traverses the globe and brings you some fantastic mythical creatures from Greece, Egypt, and Asia that are pitted against you. The story begins with the mighty Titansāthe gods imprisoned by the Greek Gods or Olympians as they are calledābreaking out of captivity and going on a rampage ravaging all the Olympians’ creations and worshipers. You play the unlikely hero who has set out to bring back peace on Earth. As you move through ravenous caves, treacherous jungles, and scary catacombs, you’re faced with seemingly endless waves of enemies. You need to tackle them as you go around gathering hidden treasures; these treasures, in turn, let you buy powerful weapons to strike down all those who dare to stand in your path. What the game lacks in storyline, it makes up for through its gameplay and plenty of hacking and slashing. This is a really long game, which will keep you occupied through most of the day, and then some more.
Although some of these games are rather old, they can easily give most of the sci-fi games of today a good run for their money. These games are bound to take you into a whole new world, one of magic and beauty. So what are you waiting for? Let the games begin.