Key Takeaways
- Greek mythology continues to be a popular source of inspiration for video games, providing players with immersive experiences in the Ancient Greek era.
- Many video games, both old and new, offer captivating stories, beautiful landscapes, and familiar mythological characters, allowing players to dive deep into Greek mythology.
- From action RPGs to strategy games and puzzle experiences, there is a wide range of game genres that incorporate Greek mythology, offering something for every type of player.
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Greek mythology has proven to be a consistent source of inspiration for video games, with mythological games becoming a popular genre. Historical games allow players to immerse themselves in the worlds of old and get a feel for life during the Ancient Greek era, with modern twists.
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For players looking to brush up on their mythology, there are many titles out there that can deliver them to the dazzling landscapes of Mount Olympus or the Grecian Underworld while intriguing them with their subtle lore and references to mythological legends. From captivating tales about Ancient Greek gods to fearsome mythological creatures, there is no limit to the video games inspired by Ancient Greek mythology.
Updated October 19, 2023 by Kath Leroy: Greek mythology offers so many intriguing tales of danger, romance, and intrigue, that it plays an important part in today's culture as well. Games can both use well-established characters or create new heroes and have them clash with familiar names.
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Whatever the case, the best games based on Greek mythology seem to have it all - from a compelling setting to a well-thought-out story, and, of course, characters who draw the players in and take them on a memorable adventure. New games about this topic appear, so anybody who wants to dive deep into Greek mythology and its tales is in for a memorable experience.
14 Immortals Fenyx Rising
Immortals Fenyx Rising
Action RPG
- Platform(s)
- PS5 , PS4 , Xbox Series X , Xbox Series S , Stadia , Xbox One , PC , Switch
- Released
- December 3, 2020
- Developer(s)
- Ubisoft Quebec
The 2020 action-adventure game Immortals Fenyx Rising tells the story of the titular hero Fenyx, a mortal, who has to stop the evil Typhon after he escapes from the Underworld. The game gives the players the chance to customize Fenyx, making them the type of hero they want. Once the hero is ready, the players explore the rich open world full of beautiful places as well as not-so-idyllic places where threats await them.
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The game draws heavy inspiration from Greek mythology, not just in its selection of settings (Tartaros) but also creatures (minotaurs, cyclopes) and gods (Zeus). It gained positive reviews and some critics compared it to another hit, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild.
13 God Of War
God of War (2018)
Action
Adventure
- Platform(s)
- PC , PlayStation 4
- Released
- April 20, 2018
- Developer(s)
- Santa Monica Studio
Unlike other games that draw inspiration from Greek mythology, God of War turns to multiple inspiration sources, including Norse mythology. Kratos, the main hero himself, is the former Greek God of War. He travels alongside his young son Atreus to fulfill the last wish of his wife Faye, Atreus' mother.
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Of course, their journey won't be without its difficulties and many enemies will cross their way that Kratos will have to kill. Among those enemies, Kratos faces many mythological creatures that will be familiar to those interested in the topic. It's not as centered on Greek mythology as the original God of War but still a worthwhile game for any player who likes action-adventure games.
12 Wrath Of The Gods
Wrath of the Gods will be unfamiliar even to many fans of this genre because it's an older game, released in 1994. It's primarily oriented toward younger players, ideally children who wish to dip their toes into the adventure game genre and/or learn more about Greek mythology in a fun way. The main hero is a young child abandoned by his parents and raised by a centaur.
Once he reaches adulthood, the hero sets out on a journey and encounters multiple faces known from Greek mythology. The contemporary reviews acknowledged that the game offered a good storyline and fun gameplay for both new and experienced players.
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11 Zeus: Master Of Olympus
Building a city and enjoying a game based on Greek mythology? It's rare but such a combination does exist! The 2000 game Zeus: Master of Olympus provides both of those things. Set in Ancient Greece, the game works with many Gods and monsters known from Greek mythology. The player slowly develops the city and everything it has to deal with.
At the same time, they have to hire heroes to deal with the monsters, and if they want a bonus on top of that, worshiping the Gods doesn't hurt. As a multiplayer game, Zeus: Master of Olympus is one of the games suitable for a whole family to enjoy and build something new together.
10 Theseus
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Theseus is an immersive VR experience that offers a new interpretation of the myth of the fearsome Minotaur. The Minotaur is a mythical creature with the head of a bull, but the body of a human man, born from a curse imposed upon his mother, Pasiphae. To protect the world from his chaos and violence, the Minotaur was placed in an elaborate labyrinth of imprisonment.
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This Ancient Greek-inspired game perfectly recreates the legend of The Minotaur, as players take control of Theseus, an Athenian hero imprisoned inside this maze with the Minotaur vying for his blood. With Ariadne's voice as his only guide, Theseus must traverse through the labyrinth of many corridors and chambers and venture deeper into the darkness to fulfill his destiny.
9 Old World
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Old World
Grand Strategy
- Platform(s)
- PC
- Released
- May 18, 2022
- Developer
- Mohawk Games
Old World is a revolutionary historical strategy game where players get to lead their dynasty against rival rulers, building a legacy to last for generations to come. This strategy game is surprisingly character-driven, as players can arrange marriages to ensure political survival and raise their heirs in a world where family matters. Each character has different personality archetypes and weaknesses, allowing for diverse gameplay.
Old World features an entire world to discover as ancient artifacts and legendary heroes are scattered across the map in the vast unexplored wilderness. There are also over 3,000 special events to experience, each inspired by myths and history.
8 Apotheon
Apotheon is a unique 2D isometric platformer with players traversing the minimalist artwork from Ancient Greek pottery, exploring the sanctuaries of the gods like the Forests of Artemis and Apollo's Palace. They take control of the Nikandreos as he journeys through this artistic world to climb Mount Olympus and steal their divine powers to ensure humanity's survival.
Overall, Apotheon is a rich, heroic single-player narrative that allows players to glimpse Ancient Greek-based lore. It stays true to its source material and even ties in excerpts from famous stories like Homer's The Illiad.
7 Achilles: Legends Untold
Achilles: Legends Untold is a Souls-like RPG set in a glorious world inspired by Ancient Greek mythology and legends. Playing as the famous Grecian warrior Achilles himself, players are pitted against other warriors and giant mythological creatures in a long-lasting war between Hades and Ares. Players get to explore landscapes from the besieged city of Troy to the depths of Tartarus.
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Like other ARPGs, players can forge their play style using a detailed ability skill tree and weapon crafting system, upgrading existing weapons or creating entirely new and powerful ones. The souls they collect from the deceased can be used at a Hades' Shrine to boost their stats and unlock new abilities, adding a unique gameplay element.
6 A Total War Saga: Troy
Inspired by Homer's epic poem The Illiad and brought to fruition by the award-winning strategy series Total War. The Trojan War is one of the most famous battles in all the Ancient Greek legends, and it is reimagined and visualized in the Total War Saga: Troy video game. Players can fight to save or conquer the kingdom of Troy as one of eight iconic Grecian heroes, including the infamous warrior Achilles or the prince Paris.
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A Total War Saga: Troy blends together turn-based empire management with real-time battles to the heart of the famous Trojan War. Players can build their thriving empire through strategy, diplomacy, or all-out war. They can recruit special units inspired by mythological creatures and conquer the vast recreation of the Bronze Age Mediterranean.
5 Persephone
Persephone is a beautifully designed 2D isometric puzzle game that asks: What if death isn't the end but the necessary tool of progression? Players will incarnate Persephone, a young goddess who wants to reach the bottom of hell to meet with her beloved Hades. But her mother, Demeter, thwarts the two star-crossed lovers' attempts to reach each other.
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There are over 100 levels that Persephone must make her way through, full of dangers and environmental hazards that can be used to her advantage. Persephone creates clones of herself when she dies, meaning that dying at the right place at the right time is essential to solving puzzles and progressing through the story.
4 Asterigos: Curses Of The Stars
Asterigos: Curse Of The Stars
Action RPG
- Platform(s)
- PS5 , PS4 , Xbox Series X , Xbox Series S , Xbox One , PC
- Released
- October 11, 2022
- Developer(s)
- Acme Gamestudio
Embark on a journey inspired by Roman and Greek mythologies in this action RPG. In Asterigos: Curse of the Stars, players take control of Hilda, a brave young warrior from the Northwind Legion, on a quest to save her lost father. Asterigos is Soulslike in nature with a lighter learning curve, and the players' choice of weaponry will affect their gameplay experience.
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Players get to explore the magnificent cursed city of Aphes, inspired by classical Greek designs, from the enigmatic forests to empty bazaar streets devoid of life. The landscapes of Aphes are full of beauty and danger, with over 22 unique bosses, as Asterigos: Curse of the Stars delicately balances harmonious difficulty and exploration.
3 Hades
Hades
Action RPG
Roguelite
- Platform(s)
- PS4 , PS5 , Xbox One , Xbox Series X , Xbox Series S , Switch , PC
- Released
- September 17, 2020
- Developer(s)
- Supergiant Games
As the immortal prince of the Underworld, Zagreus, players get to wield the mighty weapons of Olympus to rebel against the legendary Greek god of the dead, Hades himself. Zagreus also has the full support of Mount Olympus, who grants him powerful mythological boons to aid him on his journey, courtesy of famous faces like Zeus and Poseidon.
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Hades is an action-packed rouge-like dungeon-crawler, as players must hack and slash their way through hoards of monsters to escape the Grecian Underworld and break free from Hades' grip. Death is a certainty, but Zagreus comes back stronger every time. The maps are randomly generated, lending themselves to replayability as each run will differ from the last. The best about Hades is that players can even pet Cerberus, the famous monstrous watchdog of hell!
2 SMITE
SMITE
MOBA
- Platform(s)
- PS4 , Xbox One , Switch , PC
- Developer(s)
- Hi-Rez Studios , Titan Forge Games
SMITE is a traditional multiplayer online battle arena game known as a MOBA. Players compete in two teams of 5v5, and the games' fodder is inspired by ancient mythology, ranging from the well-known to the more obscure.
SMITE's current hero catalog comprises over 100 playable gods and other mythological legends like Achilles. Each playable deity has distinctive qualities and powers, so players are certain to find one that suits their play style, like assassinations from the shadows with Loki or Thor and his mighty hammer. Team synergy is crucial as players must work together to survive onslaughts from the enemy and emerge triumphant!
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1 Assassin's Creed: Odyssey
Assassin's Creed Odyssey
Action RPG
Open-World
- Platform(s)
- PS4 , Xbox One , Switch , PC , Stadia
- Released
- October 15, 2018
- Developer(s)
- Ubisoft Quebec
Assassin's Creed: Odyssey places players in the era of Ancient Greece, the land of the gods. Players get to evolve from a regular Grecian citizen outcast to a living Spartan legend as players embark on an odyssey to change the fate of Ancient Greece and uncover secrets from their past.
Assassin's Creed: Odyssey mostly utilizes the ancient settings of volcanic islands and the bustling cities of Athens and Sparta. There are several references to Greek mythological creatures like Medusa and historical figures like King Leonidas of Sparta. Players get to forge their own legends with their RPG decision-making as their choices impact how their journey unfolds with multiple endings.
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