Best Open-World Games That Mix History & Fantasy

Best Open-World Games That Mix History & Fantasy

Although fantasy and history might seem polar opposites to some, they can actually go hand in hand, creating worlds worthy of endless playthroughs. Both genres are known for creating incredibly immersive atmospheres; while historical games typically strive for accurate depictions of a time and place, fantasy games aim to bring the impossible to life. So, it seems contradicting that a world can encompass both at the same time, yet it is a mix that has been around for quite a while.

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While some games have a fantasy base with historical elements, others present a mostly historical environment with fantasy characteristics, with many more trying to balance out both at the same time. Regardless of how it is done, the amalgamation of history and fantasy has created wonderfully authentic magical experiences for players. In particular, there are some open-world games that offer a mix of both aspects, allowing gamers to be fully immersed in historical accuracy and unbridled imagination (to varying degrees).

Final Fantasy 12

A Fantasy Game Inspired By The Middle East

Final Fantasy 12

Platform(s) Switch, PS4, PS2, PC, Xbox OneReleased October 31, 2006Genre(s) JRPGDeveloper(s) Square EnixPublisher(s) Square Enix

Fantasy is literally in the name, but this particular installment of the franchise is able to balance out quite well all the imaginary aspects of the series with a historical undertone. In Final Fantasy XII, players follow Vaan on a quest to save a fictional world where they use magic and skills to defeat fictitious creatures.

As one of the few Square Enix games inspired by historical eras, the game features a kingdom modeled after the Middle East, with some historical aspects of the region playing a role in the installment.

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt

Magical Aspects Attached To Realistic Origins

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt

Platform(s) Xbox Series S, Xbox Series X, Switch, PS5, PS4, PC, Xbox OneReleased May 19, 2015Genre(s) Action, RPG, AdventureDeveloper(s) CD Projekt RedPublisher(s) CD Projekt Red See at Amazon

Even though it is mostly a fantasy game, The Witcher 3 does have some deep historical roots, drawing heavily from Polish scenery to construe its vast open world. Having a monster hunter as the protagonist, the fantasy elements in the installment are not lacking in any way, as it is filled with fictional creatures, magical abilities, and all the aspects you'd expect in a well-realized fantasy world.

The historical aspect of it all is more subtle, notwithstanding its medieval aesthetic and replicated cities. In particular, The Witcher 3 is riddled with specific historical Easter eggs, which makes it hard to deny how grounded the game can be.

Like A Dragon: Ishin

Bringing Fantasy Pizazz To A History-Based Narrative

Like a Dragon: Ishin!

Platform(s) Xbox Series S, Xbox Series X, PS5, PS4, PC, Xbox OneReleased February 21, 2023Genre(s) Action-AdventureDeveloper(s) Ryu Ga Gotoku StudioPublisher(s) Sega

In Like A Dragon: Ishin, players go on a revenge journey through the eyes of the samurai, Sakamoto Ryoma, in his promise to end the Samurai Era. Although the game is light on the fantasy aspect, it does have enchanted and mystic items that make it more than a realistic open world.

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This game shines through its historical representation, though, focusing on a protagonist loosely based on a real person covering factual events and set in a fictional 1860s Japan, with a hidden magical lens that makes the game more entertaining.

God Of War

A Fantasy World Made Up Of Norse And Greek Mythologies

God of War (2018)

Platform(s) PS4, PCReleased April 20, 2018Genre(s) Action, AdventureDeveloper(s) Santa Monica StudioPublisher(s) Sony

God of War may not actually be rooted in reality, but it is based on real mythologies, taking Greek and Norse myths at its center and immersing them in a magical coat. While there are certain changes to the mythological tales, it still manages to do a great job with certain historical descriptions and representations.

Despite that note of history, the game is mostly based on a mystical world, with gods, magic powers, different worlds, and monstrous enemies, most of which have a mythological, accurate basis.

The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim

A Fantasy Forward Journey With A Hidden Medieval Basis

The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim

Platform(s) PlayStation 5, Xbox Series S, Xbox Series X, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox 360, PC, Xbox One, PlayStation 3Released November 11, 2011Genre(s) Action, RPG, AdventureDeveloper(s) Bethesda Game StudiosPublisher(s) Bethesda Softworks

As the story of the last living Dragonborn in their quest to defeat dragons, it is obvious that Skyrim has a lot of fantasy elements. With a range of mystical side stories, players can fight giant spiders, use magical objects, slay dragons, concoct potions, and even breathe underwater.

However, what is usually taken for granted is the game's historical basis, providing players with an open-world setting based on Medieval Northern Europe. And it's not only influenced by Norse mythology; a lot of the region and the people are based on societies that prospered at some point in time.

Far Cry 4

A Franchise Built On A Historical Structure Enhanced By A Magical Touch

Far Cry 4

Platform(s) PS3, PS4, Xbox 360, PC, Xbox OneGenre(s) Open-World, FPSReleased November 18, 2014Developer(s) Ubisoft MontrealPublisher(s) Ubisoft

The Far Cry series has had multiple installments that mix historical events with fantasy elements to heighten the challenge as a survival game. While some are more reliant on authenticity, like the Mesolithic period depiction in Far Cry Primal, others take a more imaginative approach, like the monstrous animals in Far Cry New Dawn.

Far Cry 4, however, can serve as a model for the franchise's mix of history and fantasy with a game that features a fictionalized version of Nepal and its history. Yet, it still manages to dip its toes in magical waters with elements like the Shangri-la demons.

Ghost Of Tsushima

A Fictional Yet Historically Driven Samurai Journey With A Thin Layer Of Fantasy

Ghost of Tsushima

Platform(s) PS5, PS4, PCReleased July 17, 2020Publisher(s) SonyGenre(s) Action, AdventureDeveloper(s) Sucker Punch

Although lighter on the fantasy side, Ghost of Tsushima perfectly captures the magical elements of ancient Japanese history as Samurai Jin Sakai goes on a revenge quest during the first Mongol Invasion. Not only featuring a historically based map, narrative, and combat, the game inserts supernatural elements that aid Jin in his arduous yet captivating journey.

The guiding winds, fireflies, songbirds, and the multiplayer mode are among the subtle, magical elements that bring a layer of fantasy to a historical installment that immerses the player in one of the most beautiful open-world games.

Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice

Fictional World With A Fantasy Forefront But A Historical Background

Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice

Platform(s) PS4, PC, Xbox OneReleased March 22, 2019Genre(s) Action RPG

As one of the iconic FromSoftware games, Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice has a plethora of historical elements and fantasy aspects. Although it is set in a fictional world, it stems from historical Japan, the Sengoku era, including myths, legends, and moments from Japanese history and Buddhist philosophy.

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Yet, at its core, it is a fantasy adventure of a shinobi seeking to protect his charge, featuring fictional creatures that range from giant fish to dragons and demons. The fantasy of the game only enhances the era-appropriate elements that make it a captivating world.

Red Dead Redemption

Old West Portrayal With Supernatural Easter Eggs

Red Dead Redemption

Platform(s) PS3, Switch, PS4, Xbox 360Released May 18, 2010Genre(s) Open-World, AdventureDeveloper(s) Rockstar San DiegoPublisher(s) Rockstar Games

While Red Dead Redemption might seem like an accurate historical portrayal at first sight, with many authentic cities, it does have certain fantasy elements. The epic western follows an outlaw in the Wild West days, leaning into the realism aspect of the turn-of-the-century frontier.

The level of historical elements and details in this wide open-world make it so that the sasquatch, ghost, and UFO Easter eggs do not challenge the authenticity of the game. Rather, the blend heightens the stakes of a true Wild West journey.

Assassin's Creed Odyssey

Assassin's Creed Odyssey

Franchise Assassin's CreedPlatform(s) Switch, PS4, PC, Stadia, Xbox OneReleased October 15, 2018Genre(s) Open-World, Action RPG

Most of the many Assassin's Creed games combine fantasy and history in some way, shape, or form. Despite being a tad more polarizing in terms of the franchise, Assassin's Creed Odyssey incorporates magic and historical accuracy in a balanced way, representing the series in this list.

Overall, Odyssey integrates accurate elements like the many Ancient Greek locations, important historical figures, and factual events as part of the open world, yet it has gods, mythologies, and magical weapons in play that aid in the fantasy integration. It may well be that Odyssey does not reach the heights of its predecessors, yet it can serve as a placeholder to show how the franchise mixed fantasy and history to create amazing open worlds.

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