Summary
The beautiful thing about gaming is its ability to transport the gamer to a world that can only be experienced through virtual gameplay. Gamers can be anyone they want, from knights in shining armor to playing the role of a powerful villain, each with their own intricate story.
However, what makes a game truly legendary is its ability to weavemythologyand lore into a story.
Combine this with an open-world mapand suddenly, a brand-new fan favorite is born—and it’s usually one full of vibrant characters and behemoth monsters. Here are some games that have left a mark on the world of gaming through theirbold mythology and open-world concepts.
God of War Ragnarokleft an emotional impact on the world that is still felt three years later. Its story, however, follows its own incredible mythology as Kratos and his son, Atreus, try to prevent the coming of Ragnarok.
As the game progresses (and, of course,becomes more difficult), gamers will be faced with both friend and legendary foe—and that’s not even the best part. As the two heroes search each or the Nine Realms, players can explore each Nordic mythology-based land, revealing even more nods to an ancient culture.
Sekiro: Shadows Die Twiceis a beautiful example of what can happenwhen Japanese folklore is woven into a fictional world. There are various nods to Shintoism throughout the game, and it has deep roots in the tales surrounding the environments, including the game’s shrines.
As the story unfolds, these ties are only strengthenedthrough the legendary creaturesplayers meet in-game.Sekirobrings to life traditional elements in a game that continues to dazzle, while also teaching fans about Japan’s historical legends.
While some games stick to one culture’s mythology,Shadow of the Colossusincorporates elements from a variety of ancient lores.
The Colossi, as well as the giants the game is based on, are not all that dissimilar from the giants portrayed in both Greek and Norse mythology.
The game itself also plays out like a legend from mythological lore, with the protagonist, Wander, on a mission to bring back the woman Mono from the dead, and seeks the help of an ancient, disembodied power to do so.
Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrificeis a game similar toGod of Warin the sense thatthe mythological ties are obvious, and they are many. Part of what makesHellbladeso uniquely impactful is its Norse and Celtic-inspired world-building, helping to craft a story that has stuck with players for some time.
Senua’s warrior journey through the underworld could be analyzed in many different ways, but it is rooted most deeply in European mythology. Further proof of this lies in Senua herself, as she shares a name with a Celtic goddess.
This open-world adventure is truly one of its kind, with a story taken directly from the pages of a Greek mythology book. The core dilemma ofImmortals Fenyx Risingis that Fenyx must find a way to save the Olympians from Typhon, an absolute monster of a titan.
In traditional Greek mythology, Typhon fought both Zeus and the Olympians and was a force to be reckoned with—not unlike in this game. As far as mythological accuracy goes, this game is pretty on-point with its lore, even if it approaches the subject matter with a more tongue-in-cheek tone than its inspirations did.
The Elder Scrollsis by far the most well-known franchise when it comes to mythology, and one of the most highly praised regarding its unique lore.Skyrimtakes notes from Greek, Norse, and even Roman mythology to create anopen world that is wholly unique, enticing, and oftentimes, terrifying.
From the Nine Divines to the Nordic Pantheon, Bethesda made no secret of their divine inspiration for this title. While it isn’t wholly set on portraying one single mythology, the blending of ancient folklore on display is one for the ages.
The Witcheris another franchise that’s entirely rooted in a blending of mythologies. Specifically,The Witcher 3, which also happens to be an open-world game.
With direct nods to European folklore,The Witcher 3’scharacters and fiercest enemies are distinctly Slavic in their mythos. With enemiessuch as Striga and Kikimora, this game brings to life a culture that thrives in this fantasy setting.
The mythology inDragon’s Dogma 2comes from its lore-inspired monsters. With heavy influences from Greek, Egyptian, and Western mythology, the story itself could be considered a direct nod to epics such as theIlliadand theOdysseyand more contemporary works likeThe Lord of the Rings.
As epic adventures go, this game’s open-world combat reveals enemies like chimeras, griffins, and even minotaurs. Even further tributes to Greek mythology can be seen throughout the game’s environments, some of which emulate Ancient Greece.
Assassin’s Creed Odysseyis no different than the other games on this list. This time, though, players are faced with a chance to explore a digital realization of Ancient Greece and even come face to face with some of its greatest legends.
While the game does take liberties to maintain the fantasy aspect of its gameplay and story, many aspects are true to historical context. History buffs were pleasantly surprised, while gamers were thrilled to face off against mythical creatures that only existed in folklore.
While the title gives some of it away, theDiablofranchise is seeped in Christian iconography.Diablo 2applies an open-world element to this while offering its own creative mythology in addition to the Christian icons that laid the franchise’s foundation in the first game.
Elements such as angels and demons, heaven and hell, and even inspiration from pagan folklore can be found throughout this game’s premise, while simultaneously bringing something new to the table with a standout dark fantasy setting unique toDiabloalone.
