Most definitions of the historical fiction genre encompass any piece of media that presents a fictional plot in a real-world setting. This can be anything from a love story set on the World War 2 frontlines to a familial drama set in the Middle Ages to a murder mystery set in Ancient Egypt. Historical fiction is a genre that's only continued to grow more popular over time, and that's especially the case in the world of video games.
Since their inception, video games have held a close connection with history, with some of the earliest strategy and simulation games using real-world events to ground their pixelated battles. Over time, these simplistic backdrops became fully-realized, high-definition recreations of some of the most important moments in human history, and video games allowed players to get right in the weeds of it all. Now, in 2025, there's no shortage of excellent video games out there for fans of historical fiction.
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Games For Historical Fiction Fans: Assassin's Creed
The most obvious recommendation for any fan of historical fiction, the Assassin's Creed franchise covers a wealth of historical eras, ranging from Ancient Greece all the way up to Victorian London. The Assassin's Creed franchise also throws players into the heart of some of the biggest moments in history, including the Storming of the Bastille, the Boston Tea Party, and the Hanno-ji Incident. Famous figures like Leonardo da Vinci, Charles Dickens, and George Washington also pop up regularly during the franchise.
Assassin's Creed Shadows
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OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 81 /100 Critics Rec: 82%
- Released
- March 20, 2025
- ESRB
- Mature 17+ // Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Language
- Developer(s)
- Ubisoft Quebec
- Publisher(s)
- Ubisoft
WHERE TO PLAY
Games For Historical Fiction Fans: Total War
Debuting in 2000, the Total War franchise has released a total of 16 mainline entries so far, the vast majority of which cover real-world historical conflicts. Much like Assassin's Creed, each Total War entry (aside from sequels) focuses on a distinct historical era, and while the series doesn't claim to be entirely historically accurate, it gets quite close. Some of the franchise's campaigns take players from one real-world battle to the next, gradually recounting the entirety of a real-life conflict. As a strategy series, Total War is best for those who want to command large armies.
Total War: Pharaoh
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OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 76 /100 Critics Rec: 54%
- Released
- October 11, 2023
- ESRB
- t
- Developer(s)
- Creative Assembly
- Publisher(s)
- Sega
WHERE TO PLAY
- Engine
- TW Engine 3 (Warscape Engine)
- Genre(s)
- Turn-Based Strategy, Tactical, Grand Strategy
Games For Historical Fiction Fans: Civilization
While each Total War entry focuses on one specific era and the handful of civilizations engaged in conflict at the time, the Civilization franchise gives players a plethora of different real-world factions and historical leaders to play as. An average game of Civilization takes players from the dawn of man all the way up to the modern age and beyond, with most entries ending when players venture out into space. The latest entry, Civilization 7, is arguably the series' most accessible, though it does make some significant changes to the series' usual gameplay formula.
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OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 79 /100 Critics Rec: 77%
- Released
- February 11, 2025
- ESRB
- Everyone 10+ // Alcohol and Tobacco Reference, Mild Language, Mild Violence, Suggestive Themes
- Developer(s)
- Firaxis Games
- Publisher(s)
- 2K
WHERE TO PLAY
- Genre(s)
- Grand Strategy, Turn-Based Strategy, 4X
Games For Historical Fiction Fans: Ghost of Tsushima
For those who want a beautifully-realized interpretation of a very specific time period, Sucker Punch's Ghost of Tsushima is a must-play. Ghost of Tsushima takes place during the first Mongol invasion of Japan in the late 1200s, with players taking on the role of Jin Sakai, a samurai who's forced to abandon honor to save his island.
Ghost of Tsushima
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OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 84 /100 Critics Rec: 88%
- Released
- July 17, 2020
- ESRB
- M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Language, Partial Nudity
- Developer(s)
- Sucker Punch
- Publisher(s)
- Sony
- Engine
- Proprietary
- Multiplayer
- Online Multiplayer
- Cross-Platform Play
- PC, PS4 & PS5
WHERE TO PLAY
Games For Historical Fiction Fans: Kingdom Come: Deliverance
Another quite specific entry, Kingdom Come: Deliverance drops players into early 15th-century Bohemia and has them fighting for and against various medieval lords in a first-person action-RPG. Though Kingdom Come: Deliverance caught some flak for its portrayal of Hungarians and Cumans, it received praise from many historical researchers and scholars for its portrayal of daily medieval life and warfare.
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OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 72 /100 Critics Rec: 48%
- Released
- February 13, 2018
- ESRB
- M For Mature 17+ due to Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Nudity, Strong Language, Strong Sexual Content, Use of Alcohol
- Developer(s)
- Warhorse Studios
- Publisher(s)
- Deep Silver
- Engine
- cryengine
WHERE TO PLAY
- Genre(s)
- RPG
Games For Historical Fiction Fans: Red Dead Redemption 2
For those who want a slightly more modern setting, Rockstar's Red Dead Redemption 2 is the perfect choice. Set in 1899, Red Dead Redemption 2 follows Arthur Morgan, an outlaw struggling to adapt to the fast-changing world he finds himself in. Along with embracing its historical setting, Red Dead Redemption 2 tells one of the best stories in gaming history, complete with complex character relationships and nail-biting twists and turns.
Red Dead Redemption 2
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OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 95 /100 Critics Rec: 93%
- Released
- October 26, 2018
- ESRB
- M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Nudity, Sexual Content, Strong Language, Use of Drugs and Alcohol
- Developer(s)
- Rockstar Games
- Publisher(s)
- Rockstar Games
- Engine
- RAGE
- Multiplayer
- Online Multiplayer
- Cross-Platform Play
- N/A