Historical games have existed since the time when computers were similar to large cabinets, and until the first Magnavox Odyssey has appeared in the history of the console, exactly one year remained. Almost fifty years have passed since the release of an uncomplicated The Oregon Trail – educational game dedicated to the immigrants of the Wild West. And in our time we are happy to participate in epic battles Battlefield 1 and are ready to sit in Civilization VI.
We have chosen the best and most significant historical games of different genres. From large -scale strategies with built -in encyclopedias to ordinary, but already cult jumers. Immersion in history begins!
Empire of Sid Meyer
► In war, all means are good.
The name of Sid Meyer is familiar to almost every gamer, and the reason for this is the step -by -step strategies of the series Civilization. Where else can you lay responsibility for your shoulders for the fate of the whole civilization, feel all the joys and sorrows through which humanity has passed, and rewrite history in its own way?
You can play for any power: these are the Vikings, led by Harald I Sinezub, and independent Ethiopia, and the sophisticated East, and the endless Russia. The goal every time is to carefully take care of your civilization, and at the same time bypass neighbors and achieve world domination. Moreover, this can be done both by bribery and diplomacy, and with the help of a baton (or guns, depending on the era).
IN Gods & Kings Two more chips appeared-espionage, which allows you to steal know-how in another civilization, which is fully consistent with today's realities, and faith as a new resource: sending missionaries to the nearest lands at first brings many fruits.
All this allows you to come up with a unique adventure in the style of the chosen culture. Progress is not asleep, in the new sixth, it was also not without innovations, and the buildings can now be built only in the corresponding quarters, which makes you carefully consider each move.
► a bad dancer will receive a turn from the gate in both love and a duel.
The battle of Gettisberg in 1863 – the turning point of the confrontation between the United States and the Confederation – inspired Firaxis Games to create a game based on past events. IN Sid Meier’s Gettsburg! Everything is thought out to the smallest detail: the soldiers in the form of that time are walking around the battlefield, the geography of the terrain and the name of the combat units fully corresponds to reality, and opponents-real historical personalities, whether it be the commander of the Northovirzhinsky army Robert Lee or Major General Oliver Howard Howard Hovard.
Within three days of the battle, the player’s hands are completely untied, but he is limited in time-each script lasts about one and a half to two hours. There is an element of variability: in the case of the victory of the southerners, an alternative scenario is launched, so you can fantasize Cosmobet Casino how the course of history would change.
But not only strategies lived Sid Meyer. Remake Sid Meier’s Pirates! – One of the best simulators of rampant pirate life. At the beginning of the game, it is proposed to choose a nation, specialization, as well as the period – the latter will greatly affect the geopolitical situation in the world. The ships are executed with historical accuracy, and the caricature characters of the pirates and the detailed mini-games do not allow to get bored. By random coincidence, the hero becomes the captain of a small ship, and then the scope for fantasy: sea battles, trade, search for abducted relatives, head hunting, dancing with daughter -in -law of governors … At the end of the story, the game will kindly offer the player the most suitable calling for him. And, perhaps, it will be a shame to be just a tomb or clerk.
► Sid Meyer took into account the landscape: the soldiers go down the mountain slower.
Civilization in short pants
In the mid-1990s, Bruce Shelley broke away from the team of Sid Meyer and opened his company, Ensemble Studios. Already in 1997 I saw the light Age of Empires , Real time strategy, where the player was proposed to drag a certain civilization (and together with the addons of their dozens!) From primitiveness to relative modernity – the first game ends around 1000 of our era.
By the way, this was the first game in which civilizations, along with unique properties and units, were really very different from each other, Civilization came to this later. In the second part, there are several campaigns led by Jeanne d’Arc, William Wallace, Genghis Khan and other equally famous characters. But in the third part and later addons, the developers began to move away from historical reliability, diluting the games with myths and legends, which, however, did not push the main audience.
► you will not have time to look around, the enemy will violate the peace of medieval knights.
Among the sandy dunes
In 1999 Impressions Games released a urban planning simulator in real time Pharaoh. As the name implies, the ancient Egypt will have to be rebuilt. Although it will not be possible to play for other nations here, other developer games are in a hurry to help – Zeus: Master of Olympus And Caesar. Ancient Egyptian history and mythology are restored plausible: the player can sit on the throne of Tutankhamun, Ramses or Cleopatra, the angry gods send curses and crop failure, the gamemeracies did not even forget about the tide and tides of the Nile! The Egyptians turned out to be a peaceful nation – there are not that no battles, but they pass quite imperceptibly: only infantry and archers have at the disposal of the player, and in case of attack, everything ends quite quickly. But this does not interfere with enjoying the gameplay.
► as appropriate, the sphinx or the pyramid is occupied by a fair piece of card.
He came, saw, captured
Strategic series Total War from Creative Assembly she always boasted a chic bouquet of historical periods, starting with Sengoku-Jiday (Jap. "The era of the warring provinces") in Shogun: Total War and ending with the division of the Roman Empire in Total War: Attila. Experiments with strict to historical believable plot campaigns ( Rome: Total War – Alexander ) were unsuccessful, so the developers abandoned such linearity.
► Barts often look epic in Hollywood.
Say, if you do not want to play for the Romans who have stolen in Rome: Total War, why not choose another fraction? Sometimes it’s more interesting to seize the world for the same Egyptians or Gauls than to adapt to a real story. It is more difficult to play for them, they are not as advanced as the Roman Empire, but this is what makes the games of the Total WAR series with re -playing and exciting.
No less significant advantage of any Total War is a detailed built -in encyclopedia from which you can draw a sea of useful information about a single historical period of the game. There you will find not only descriptions of units and game buildings, but also information about the culture and policy of various fractions.
Time of Time
The events of the strategic series Stronghold The player is transferred to the Middle Ages: Crusades, Time of Troubles and Internal Wars in England. The first part of Stronghold is considered the brightest game in the series thanks to its simple and memorable plot. One of the most catastrophic periods in the history of England is taken as a basis-the period of the reign of King John, nicknamed the Land, which he received because his father, King Henry II, did not give the son of lands captured in France. The reign of John led the country to a large -scale civil war, the rebellion of the English barons and the king’s excommunication from the church. John made mistakes over and over again both in foreign and domestic politics. He suddenly died of illness (there is a version that he was poisoned), passing the board to his son Henry.
► The main gameplay is tied to the construction, capture and defense of locks.
In the Stronghold series, everything happened differently. The king was captured by barbarians, and four greedy barons began to be controlled by the country. The player should gradually conquer the locks and lands from the barons, restore the former greatness of the country and return the legitimate ruler to the throne. Let the events in the game and went beyond the scope of history, the creators managed to perfectly convey the spirit of the era of the last crusades.
From Caribbean to Crimean campaigns
It seems difficult to find strategies in the CIS that would not play in cult "Cossacks" From the studio GSC Game World.
Developers with special care came to the issue of historical reliability, therefore, the series presents a significant number of interesting time periods. Russian-Turkish wars, rebellion Stepan Razin and Crimean campaigns for the Russian Empire. Thirty years of war and Napoleonic wars for France. The conquest of the Caribbean and the English revolution of the 17th century for Britain and many more interesting. The series captivates with its reigree, and if you get carried away with online battles, then in the "Cossacks" it seems, you can play for years.
► The correct construction of detachments and landscape play an important role in battle.
Gathering over the map
Series Europa Universalis , Hearts of Iron , Crusaders kings And Victoria Heat the heart of any devoted fan of global strategies. We say with all confidence that strategies from Paradox Interactive It can be considered the most historical games of our time.
In each series, the player is allowed to choose any real state (the exception here is only Crusaders Kings with a developed system of building a dynasty), which can be controlled. Change the political system and impose religion, colonize unknown lands, cooperate with neighboring countries, or to attack everyone, gradually seizing the continent.
All events, whether it is the emergence of a new ruler or commander, achievements of scientists and politicians or the merits of the discoverers, are tightly attached to real history. From the discovery of America to Columbus to the reforms of Peter I – the player can observe everything, knowing in advance what will happen in a certain year, and adapt to inevitable turns of history.
► Albania rules in Europe!
Crusaders of Kings is dedicated to the era of the Crusades (1066-1453). The plot of Europa Universalis covers events from the late Middle Ages (XV century) to the beginning of the Napoleonic Wars and the proclamation of US independence. The Victoria series is named after the British Queen Victoria: the game starts in 1836, covering all the years of its reign (1837-1901), and lasts until the end of the First World War (in the second Victoria the game was extended until 1939). Hearts of Iron events will start shortly before the start of World War II and end in 1948.
The import of conservations in different games of the series is very pleasing. Conservation from Crusaders Kings can be used in Europa Universalis, saving from Europa Universalis in Victoria – and up to Hearts of Iron. This allows the player to constantly participate in historical events: from the Crusades to the Cold War between the two superpower.
Nothing is true, everything is allowed
It is difficult to pass by Assassin’s Creed , Adventure stealth explosion from Ubisoft. In the debut game, the protagonist of the first parts, Dzmond Miles, climbs into the Animus – a device in which the experience of the ancestors can survive. During the history of Altair, he recognizes the origins of the confrontation of the ancient brotherhoods of the Assassins and Templars. Witch the hidden blade will bring in the era of the Crusades on the Holy Land – in Acre, Jerusalem, Damascus and the environs.
IN Assassin’s Creed 2 , Brotherhood And Revelations Ezio Auditor, Assassin of the Renaissance, continues the Altair case. In Rome, he witnesses the destructive power of the noble family of Borgia, in Constantinople hesitates the consequences of the collapse of the Byzantine Empire, and in Venice and Florence helps Leonardo da Vinci, the greatest mind of the era, with his leading time inventions. By the way, it will be possible to chat during the game with Nikolo Machiavelli, Suleiman I and representatives of the Medici family.
► Ezio in Revelations is no longer young, but jumps like in the second part!
In the following games – the contradictory era of colonial America. IN Assassin’s Creed 3 (where, by the way, the story of Desmond Miles is ending) and Liberation The hero interferes with the civil war and in his free time masters the basics of navigation. IN Black Flag Experienced sea wolf Edward Kenway Srozid the Caribbean pool along with eminent pirates – a black beard, Mary Reed and Benjamin Hornigold, and in Rogue Against the backdrop of the scenery of the Seven Years War, Templar Shey Cormac longs for retaliation.
► Black Flag came out at a very successful time – just heal from the autumn spleen.
To talk with the Marquis de Sad behind the glass of wine, take part in the capture of the Bastille and prevent the peasant strike on the threshold of the Great French Revolution Unity. And here and in Syndicate , made in the surroundings of the Victorian London, the cities have become even more and more reliable – it is really possible to teach history on them. But the plot is weaker. The next part, Empire , Not yet announced, but, according to rumors, he will transfer us during the time of ancient Egypt, and then – ancient Rome and Greece.
► Panoramas in Unity are even more breathtaking!
Ubisoft diluted a series and 2.5d-trilogy Chronicles , where the heroes were sent to exotic historical periods, offering to try on new role. To choose from the three eras: the fall of the Ming dynasty in China, the war of the Sikh Empire with the British colonialists and the October Revolution in Russia.
► although the game looks different, the goal is the same – the destruction of the Templars!
"Credo of the killer"
Very soon the film will be released on wide screens "Credo of the killer". The plot of the picture will tell the story of the prisoner Kallum Lynch, who will plunge into the memories of his ancestor-assassin. According to the creators of the tape, one of the main tasks was to force the audience to believe in the reality of what is happening on the screen, in the world and its characters.
The Russian premiere will take place on January 5 next year. The main roles were played by Michael Fassbender ( "X -Men: Days of the Past the Future" ), Marion Cototiyar ( "Start" ), Michael Kenneth Williams ( "Underground Empire" ), Jeremy Irons ( "Borgia" ) and Brendan Glison ( "The line of the future" ).
Then with blood
What is rare among historical games is roofs. Mount & Blade Almost the only game where you can put on a complete set of armor, sit on a horse and go in search of adventure. A player, a tiny screw in the invented world of Calradia, seeks to find his place in him. Running with instructions of the Lords soon bothers, and the inquisitive mind begins to pretend to get his piece of cake. You are already going to the service, you are chopping a little capital in trade, you are a parliamentarian in the conflicts of the world powers, and with a complement Warband – You collect faithful vassals around you and play love with noble ladies.
► Where else you will participate in mass battles and share with comrades the joy of victory!
But what did I forget Mount & Blade in the list of historical games? And the matter is the addition " Fire and sword "In the setting of Eastern and Northern Europe of the XVII century. Here you become an eyewitness and a participant in the uprisings of Stenka Razin and Bogdan Khmelnitsky, you build an intrigue against the Commonwealth, try how the brand new gun lies in your hand. You no longer have to invent what to do, as it was in the original game – the plot itself delays the hero.
The idea of real historical events was picked up by fans – modifications did not force themselves to wait long. Fashion appeared on the war with Napoleon, and in the era of the Crusades, and on the formation of the Ottoman Empire, and the most sophisticated players came up with plots even in the Tolkinovsky Mediterranean and Westeros Martin.
Obsessed with West Slavic history
Slav brothers also added their five kopecks to the development of historical games: in the MMO-Simulator of Survival Life is Feudal: Your Own From the Moscow studio BitBox You can experience all the hardships of the life of a person of the Middle Ages, and in the alternative world of Czech Inquisitor – take up the dirty work of the inquisitor, exterminating heretics.
Czech developers approached historical accuracy most meticulous Warhorse Studios V Kingdom Come: Deliverance , first -person roeles announced in 2014. The exit should be an exemplary historical reconstruction of the reign of the Czech king Vaclav I and the Sigismund, brother and heir shifting him. The developers promise an open authentic world, where the hero is judged not by words, but by actions: for inappropriate behavior there is a chance to get a fine or be in shackles, and the decision to spare or punish the enemy will immediately respond with rumors, which will affect the attitude of the NPC.
► In the harsh Middle Ages, nowhere without battles and knightly tournaments.
In this case, immersion in the medieval environment is maximum. Not only the original weapon with its advantages and disadvantages, but also the very limited abilities of the hero: the outcome in the inventory spoils, the knight falls down from the lack of sleep, and there can be no question of taking out the whole army alone. The demo version turned out to be interesting, so we are looking forward to an explosive mixture from The Witcher , Skyrim And Mount & Blade, Deprived of fantasy elements.
On three fronts
Every year a series of shooters Call of Duty leaves his origins, finally hitting science fiction with the exit Advanced Warfare and fixing himself on this field in Infinite Warfare. About the series Medal of Honor , It seems that they completely forgot after the controversial Warfighter.
Both episodes began their journey from the Second World War, and attention was paid to almost all fronts. Exclusive Medal of Honor console branches ( Frontline , European Assault , Heroes , Vanguard ) and Call of Duty ( Finest Hour , Big Red One ) covered many special operations of allies in Europe-from landing on Omha-beach to surgery in Ardenne. The theme of the Western Front was exhausted, both episodes almost thoroughly spoke about the battles in Europe, even of insignificant or little -known.
As for the Eastern Front, part of the missions in Stalingrad is dedicated to the battle Call of Duty 2 , Call of Duty: Finest Hour and Medal of Honor: European Assault. The Soviet campaign, fortunately, is not limited to Stalingrad and its environs. IN Call of Duty: United Offensive And Call of Duty: World at War remembered the battles for the Kursk region, the liberation of Kharkov and the capture of Berlin.
Everything is ambiguous only with the Pacific Theater of Military. In the series Medal of Honor came out unintelligible Rising Sun And undeservedly forgotten Pacific Assault , And the Call of Duty series was noted only by World at War, where Japan paid only eight tasks, and not a whole game. We hope that this gap will ever be filled.
► Vodruzi flag above the Reichstag!
However, do not forget about multiplayer shooters like Battlefield 1942 and series Red Orchestra. They boast a great set of cards dedicated to battles on all fronts of World War II.
Noir blues
The end of the forties – the beginning of the fifties of the XX century. The plot is detective L.A. Noire tells about the labor everyday life of a police officer Los Angeles Cola Felps. The player will be told in detail about his career growth from the usual patrol to the famous detective.
First of all, I want to praise the well-reproduced Los Angeles of those years with all the famous attractions. Gigantic spaces, real streets, scrupulous attention to small things. Creators L.A. Noire added about a hundred real cars to the game. A unique phenomenon for the genre, especially against the background of the same Mafia or GTA , where all vehicles have always been fictional.
Great attention is paid to the elaboration of entourage: costumes, advertising, music, the general attitude of the first post -war years and the beginning of the Cold War. In general, in terms of the visual part and atmosphere l.A. Noire – a small masterpiece, a window in that era.
► Иной раз хочется просто поколесить по улочкам, рассматривая достопримечательности.
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The list is impressive, but even this is just a bit of significant games with a historical background. For strategies alone, you can write a huge treatise, since worthy representatives of this genre come out annually. Alas, some historical events are illuminated in the game industry, but there is a great hope for independent developers. For example, only a few interesting strategies have been made about the Civil War in the United States, but there are no significant shooters at all, they forgot about the Russo-Japanese war, but now you can make a good multiplayer game in the spirit on this topic World of WarsHips! We hope that sooner or later annoying gaps will be filled and less popular historical events will also gain a full virtual embodiment.
