Games in the primitive world. The most historically accurate PC games. Age of Empires series

Games that tell the story most authentically, but that focus primarily on fun gameplay and combat.

Video games constantly feature mystical artifacts of ancient civilizations, Nazis riding dinosaurs, and even Gandhi starting a nuclear war. Historical accuracy has never been a priority, and those games that try to match history are still not shy about a number of rather serious assumptions in order to make the plot and the gameplay itself as varied as possible. And they can be divided into two groups: games that use certain historical events (or cultural stereotypes) to set up a plot, and games whose developers actually study historical facts in order to recreate them as accurately as possible in the virtual world.

A variable like "historicity" is very difficult to evaluate in games - and yes, it's a real word. Usually games where everything is fine with recreating the story turn out to be quite boring, so this list includes projects where the emphasis is on interesting gameplay. I tried to include in this selection games that most accurately and faithfully depict those periods of history that are often distorted or incorrectly shown in pseudo-historical games.

So, here are the most historically accurate PC games, collected in chronological order (based on their setting).

Attila took the then slightly outdated Total War formula and diluted it with a living world, where we saw all the cultural, political and economic difficulties that Rome faced in its decline. Instead of showing us the stereotypical horde of evil barbarians who appeared out of nowhere, the game shows us the reason for the appearance of these invaders - climate change led to the fact that it became increasingly difficult to feed the population in the northern regions, and in parallel with this, the migration of the Huns took place into the territory of Eastern Europe .

In addition, it was the first to show that not every society has permanent cities, and demonstrated their complex relationships, built as opposed to open war.

The plot of any of the Assassin’s Creed parts is poorly correlated with real historical events (nevertheless, it sometimes touches on them - take, for example, the siege of Masyaf from the first part of the series). However, it is these games that allow us to stroll through Renaissance Florence or medieval Jerusalem. Crowds of local residents, architectural features, a lot of small details - all this is recreated as close as possible to the era shown.

Personally, I love Constantinople from Revelations, which was captured by the Ottoman Empire - perhaps one of the most interesting cities in history, shown in one of the most interesting periods.

With additions that introduce satanic cults and surprise Aztec invasions, CK2 increasingly loses touch with the real story. But initially the game did a pretty good job of recreating the politics of Western Europe from the 11th to the 15th centuries AD. In our time, we are accustomed to the concept of the state, but if we lived, say, in one of the French regions in 1150, then we would swear allegiance to a specific person, and not to a flag or a constitution. And it is between such feudal lords that the main interactions and conflicts unfold in CK2.

A powerful kingdom can fall apart under a weak ruler, just as an initially weak power can become great under the leadership of a wise king. The hierarchical system of feudalism depicted in the game is disputed by many historians, but thanks to excellent additions like Conclave, the game manages to show the connection between nobility and power, which was of great importance in those times.

I was very impressed that the developers of Expeditions: Viking were clearly inspired not by stereotypes, but by real historical facts. For me personally, the Viking Age is of the greatest interest, and therefore I become especially picky when evaluating games on this topic. In the same game we see everything that a real Viking ruler would do.

Here we have to settle the blood feud of several clans. At the same time, it is necessary to show yourself as a strong and fair ruler, because people will not follow just one big name. The game even captures the effects of the infamous attacks on Scandinavia, from which the region managed to recover, rebuild its infrastructure, and eventually create three powerful European kingdoms.

Banished is a fairly simple game. Some might even say it's overly simple, but the mechanics that come to the fore here are directly related to all the things that, for example, British settlers in the Virginia Colony would have encountered in the 17th century. Your main goal is to ensure that people live warm, well-fed and healthy. You need to use available resources and trade to support your growing population. A harsh winter or the spread of disease can destroy your entire colony - and this is exactly what happens, as with most real-life European settlements in the New World.

In the game Pirates! There are enough pirate stereotypes, but its creators quite plausibly reflect all the realities that ship captains faced during the heyday of piracy. Your team is a collection of criminals gathered from all over the Caribbean, and they will work for you until they find something more profitable. It's also worth mentioning the political games between Spain, England, France and Holland, since you will always work for at least one of these parties. And, of course, the game features excellent naval battles, taking into account the direction of the wind, as well as the size of the ships and their guns, which allows you to understand what it was like for real naval officers of those times.

Vicktoria 2 is perhaps the most complex and serious game on the list with a fairly high barrier to entry, but it deserves attention if only because it highlights aspects of the story that are usually ignored in other games. The level of education of the population is important here. The more educated it is, the more productive it becomes... and the faster this can lead to the emergence of such phenomena as communism, demands for the abolition of slavery, and the introduction of voting and labor rights.

That is, to standard modern conditions. It also focuses on industrialization, war speculation, and the pros and cons of free markets versus a single economic system. If you're willing to spend a few days learning, the game is definitely worth your time.

An oldie but a goodie. Various variations of the project have been published since 1971 (also a kind of historical project), and all of them have been noted for their educational value. This is a well deserved achievement. If a modern person tried to imagine all the difficulties that American pioneers faced when traveling from Independence to the Willamette Valley in the mid-19th century, it would not even occur to him to count the number of spare wagon trailers that would need to be taken on the road.

But The Oregon Trail takes even the little things into account. There is a high probability that after this game you will begin to seriously fear dysentery, and this is in our age of advanced medicine - the conditions of that time are so well conveyed.

I understand that this was supposed to be some kind of deep and thoughtful war game that takes into account the weight and height of every real soldier who took part in battles, but Ultimate General strikes the perfect balance between attention to history and interesting gameplay. The recently released campaign mode even tells us how the generals of the time had to gain support from the government in order to receive the necessary supplies and have a say in important decisions.

It's bound to impress history buffs: every map in Steel Division is modeled after actual aerial photographs taken during the Normandy invasion, right down to the layout of villages and even hedgerows. It also presents realistic shooting distances and damage caused by military equipment and weapons. The same applies to the speed and maneuverability of the vehicles shown in the game. Heavier vehicles appear later in battle, and this is explained by the fact that it takes longer for them to get to the desired point.

What's most remarkable about the game, however, is that it emphasizes the importance of battlefield intelligence and develops the idea that battles are won not by those with the most military power, but by those with the right intelligence.

IL-2 Sturmovik series – The most reliable military flight simulator

I think many flight simulator fans remember the first time they tried to flip over in an IL-2 and, seeing the screen go dark, decided that there was something wrong with the monitor. The fact is that the game shows not only the most authentic controls, but also the most realistic gravitational effects that pilots experience at high speeds. You can faint either from a lack of blood in the head or from an excess of it. The advantage of the game is that the Il-2 attack aircraft itself was recreated in the smallest detail, and the battles unfold according to the most plausible scenarios.

Battlefield 1, move over. Verdun meticulously recreates the military actions that took place on the Western Front, and at the same time remains an excellent multiplayer shooter. All the inaccuracies of the game are forgivable, since they are related more to the scale of events than to their details. After all, it would be impossible to wait for the required number of players on one server to believably recreate the largest battles of the First World War - and this wait would definitely not be liked by everyone who decided to devote a couple of hours to the game before going to bed. But the game pleases with such details as the soldiers’ uniform, in which everything - from the material to the buttons - was copied from historical photographs.

The careful modeling of orbital mechanics, propulsion and aerodynamics used in Kerbal Space Program makes the game a true textbook on space programs. The developers from the Squad studio understand this themselves, and therefore are working on the Making History add-on. But if you don't want to wait, there are a number of fan-made extensions at your disposal. Several dozen mods, the most striking of which is the Historical Missions Pack, will allow you to participate in the launch of the first German V2 rockets, as well as in the development of the modern SpaceX program.

This has almost nothing to do with real history, only with my own guesses based on observation of modern society. I've always been impressed by how thoughtfully the authors of Deus Ex show us the possible future of humanity. Interfaces for the interaction of the brain with computers, high-tech prosthetics and artificial intelligence are becoming the focus, while interplanetary flights and lightsabers still remain only in fantasies. If I were a gambler, I would bet a large sum that our future will be the world of Adam Jensen, not Captain Picard.

Perhaps they were not very comfortable in the caves, but they were very familiar. The incomprehensible and unknown world around us is dangerous and full of other living beings. This is how your primitive people, the stones, see this world. The game will take you to ancient times, when fire was unconquered, and primitive man was not the king of nature. Under your guidance, Stoneies will discover the world of the Stone Age. Together with you, they will overcome all obstacles and dangers and expand the boundaries of their capabilities. You'll teach them how to use fire, make clothing, build huts, pray in ancient stone shrines, supply the village with food, and hunt efficiently. They will make their way from a simple raw stone to a technologically advanced metal knife, from a wooden spear to a firearm, from a solitary existence to a developed society. Register on the portal ru.upjers.com now!

Technologies do not stand still, and what previously seemed like myth and history can now become reality...virtual, but still. By playing games related to ancient eras and mythology, you can touch history, feel like a participant in ancient events, or simply play as your favorite characters.

1. Riddle of the Sphinx: An Egyptian Adventure
Year of manufacture: 2000
Genre: Quest
Developer: Omni Creative Group
Publisher: Akella / DreamCatcher

It took archaeologist Gil Joffers many years to find the secret room.
hidden in the thickness of the ancient statue of the Sphinx. However, the search results exceeded
all his expectations - having entered the room, Gil discovered an ancient sealed manuscript.
Having deciphered the ancient writings, the scientist understands that by breaking the seal, he awakened an ancient curse.
Jill carefully hides the deciphered scroll and urgently sends for you, her best friend.
Arriving in Egypt at the foot of the great pyramids, you realize that you are too late: Sir Gil has disappeared without a trace...

2. Caesar 4
Year of manufacture: 2006
Genre: Strategy
Developer: Tilted Mill Entertainment
Publisher: Vivendi Games

Caesar IV takes you back to the time of the great Caesar. Become the governor of one of the provinces of the great Roman Empire, create a miracle with the village entrusted to you and turn it into a huge metropolis with all the benefits of ancient civilization. Remember that you are an autocratic ruler, burdened with the burden of responsibility for your subjects. You are obliged to provide the townspeople with everything they need; they must be safe, well-fed and clean.

3. Heroes of Might and Magic 3
Year of manufacture: 2002 - 2013
Genre: Strategy, RPG
Developer: New World Computing, WoG Team
Publisher: 3DO Company, WoG Team
Heroes of Might and Magic 3: The Complete Collection; abbreviated Heroes 3, Heroes 3, HoMM3) is a cult fantasy turn-based strategy computer game, the third part of the Heroes of Might and Magic series of games. It was developed by New World Computing and released by The 3DO Company in 1999. Heroes 3 develops the ideas laid down in the first and second parts of the series. The essence of the game remains unchanged: the player controls heroes leading armies of mythical creatures into battle. The game combines two components: strategic (heroes travel across the main map of the game, exploring the territory and capturing all kinds of objects) and tactical (heroes fight enemy troops on a separate map).

4. Total War: Rome 2
title Total War: Rome 2
developer The Creative Assembly
publisher SEGA
genre Strategy / 3D /
The historical strategy game Total War: Rome 2 will focus on full-scale battles with horrific scenes of violence. On the screen you can see a huge number of soldiers at any moment of the battle. Detailed landscapes and other environmental components will also be beautifully drawn. In addition to land battles, sea battles will also be available in Total War: Rome 2. Moreover, one and the other can be carried out simultaneously.

5. Prince: Legends of the forest country
Release date: 09/06/199901/04/2001
Genre: RPG
Developer: 1C, Snowball Studios
Publisher/Distributor: Strategy First; CIS: 1C
Prince" is a role-playing game, the plot of which is based on the plots of the Chronicle of Times universe. Everything in this game is shrouded in a mystical haze of legends and rumors. The game adheres to the best traditions of the RPG genre, the main of which is the absolutely complete freedom of action of the character and the interactivity of the game world.
The project's combat system is based on a variety of calculations that take into account a huge number of various parameters of the character and the current situation. In addition to a deeply thought-out combat system, the game boasts a huge variety of quests, which can be solved in various ways.
As the game progresses, you not only have to control your character. You will be given the opportunity to become a city manager and direct the course of development of the settlement - build and destroy various buildings, train and fire various specialists, collect tribute from loyal subordinates and gather an army for yourself.
Another feature of the game is that each of the three characters has his own path along which he must go through the intricate roads of the “Forest Country”.

6. Aztecs. Battles of Empires
Year of manufacture: 1999
Developer: New Media Generation
Russian language
What can a great commander dream of? Of course about world domination, power, money, influence...
It's all in the Aztecs game. Battles of Empires." Three great races (the Russians - strong in spirit and skilled, China - distinguished by the supernatural capabilities of their warriors and the Aztecs - keeping the secrets of many technologies) are starting a war for world domination!

7. Total War: Shogun 2
Brand: 1C-SoftClub, Feral Interactive / Creative Assembly
Year of manufacture: 2011
Interface language: Russian
Japan. Cruel 16th century. The country is tormented by endless civil strife. Nine legendary commanders are waging an irreconcilable struggle for power, their conspiracies and conflicts tearing the state apart. But only one will rise above everyone and become the new shogun - the sole ruler of the empire... The lot of others will fall from his sword. Game features: Nine clans - strong and weak. Lead one of the nine factions that existed in feudal Japan. Among them are the powerful warrior Oda clan and the very influential Tokugawa family. Under your strict leadership, any of the clans will be able to come to power. The power of eloquence. Daimyos and generals, as in the game Rome Total War, will try to inspire their armies to military exploits. The game provides more than 100,000 speech options, depending on the nature of the speaker, the location of the army and the relationship with the enemy. Siege warfare. Japanese siege methods differ significantly from those used...

8. Age of Mythology
Game language: Russian / English
Year of manufacture: 2003
A strategy game that takes the player to ancient times, when heroes fought mythological monsters. The game is based on the myths and legends of Ancient Greece, Ancient Egypt and the Scandinavian Vikings. To achieve the best results and quickly defeat the enemy, players can choose not only the historical path of development of these three great civilizations, but also available mythical creatures, such as minotaurs, centaurs, phoenixes and Valkyries.
The myths of ancient Hellas come to life on your computer in Age of Mythology: The Titans, the sequel to the stunning 3D strategy game that revolutionized the RTS genre. A new fourth race, the Atlanteans, has been added, which has a simplified economic development model and a number of other advantages, which will allow new players to quickly understand the intricacies of the ancient military craft. New gods and 12 new divine powers, new types of troops - 15 human and 10 mythical. Titans enter the battle arena - very expensive, but super-strong and huge masters of the destructive elements. Beautiful animated inserts and improved graphics with colorful visual effects of new magic spells will not leave anyone indifferent. The Titans is a new era of computer mythology.

9. Hegemony. Wars of Ancient Greece
Year of manufacture: 2012
Interface language: Russian
Ancient Greece was mired in the chaos of endless civil strife. Which ruler is worthy to become first among equals? Lead Macedonia, Athens or Sparta in three historical campaigns, launching a large-scale campaign for any of the twenty-six Greek factions in free play mode. Besiege cities, conduct reconnaissance, blockade supply routes, engage in diplomacy and economic ties - choose your style of war! This game was created in strict accordance with the historical realities of that distant but most interesting era and will be an excellent gift for all fans of military strategies. Game Features: Experience all the realities of global war: reconnaissance, raids, city sieges, epic battles. Use diplomacy: make alliances, threaten invasion, undermine the enemy's economy. Lead the armies of Macedonia, Sparta and Athens: three historical campaigns for power over all of Hellas.

10. Prince of Persia: Showdown with Fate
Release date: 12/02/2004
Genres: Action
The Prince of Persia, in an attempt to change his fate, goes to the Island of Time, where once upon a time the Empress of Time created the Sands of Time and the Dagger of Time, from where they were later stolen by the same Indian Maharaja, whose palace the prince’s army and his father attacked in the first part of the game . The Prince intends to meet with the Empress and prevent the creation of the Sands of Time, thereby completely abolishing their existence in history. On the way to the island, the prince's ship is attacked by sand demons led by a certain woman, Shadi. In the battle, the prince loses his ship, his people and weapons, but makes it to the Island of Time. While chasing Shadi, he sees her leaving through some kind of portal and follows her.

The Prince's further adventures on the Island of Time will constantly lead him to portals in time, using the same Sand of Time, and the Prince will be able to move from the flourishing past of the Island of Time (characterized by entire buildings and actively working mechanical traps) to the gloomy present (dark, complete ruins, new obstacles and new traps).

From the review you will learn about two projects dedicated to that ancient era. Read and rush to be transported to a time when herds of mammoths roamed the vast plains, and savages dressed in skins waged an endless war with each other.

FarCry Primal

This exciting game about prehistoric man on PC is a new entry in the shooter genre, which is expected to be released in a month. Imagine that you are an experienced hunter who has survived the death of his fellow tribesmen. Survive the battle with nature and become the founder of a powerful new tribe.

Primitive people led a life full of hardships and dangers. Track and kill your prey, but be careful: wolves and saber-toothed tigers lie in wait in the thickets. To increase your chances of survival, craft weapons - bows and arrows, clubs and spears with stone tips. And be sure to learn how to make a fire - it will warm you up at night and ward off predators.

When playing FarCry Primal on PC, you will not avoid clashes with hostile tribes. New tribesmen, whom you will find while completing game tasks, will help you in confronting them.

The developers also promise gamers a lot of other interesting features. Among them:

• domestication of animals and birds;
• realistically recreated ecosystem;
• different climatic zones;
• a unique language in which the characters communicate.

Escilon

The famous strategy is the only example of an online game about primitive people. Step into the shoes of a Neanderthal and journey into the harsh era of the Great Ice Age.

In this online game he does the same thing as his prototypes did a hundred thousand years ago. Hunt, tame animals and conquer neighboring tribes. And during breaks, chat with other players, discussing upcoming attacks and completing quests.