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 ancient worlds and get a sense of life during the ancient Greek era, with modern twists.
For gamers looking to brush up on their mythology, there are plenty of titles out there that can deliver them to the dazzling landscape of Mount Olympus or the Greek underworld while enthralling them with their subtle history and references to mythological legends. From captivating tales of ancient Greek gods to fearsome mythological creatures, there is no limit to video game inspired by ancient Greek mythology.
10/10 Theseus
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 male, born of a curse placed on his mother, Pasiphae, after she fell in love with a born. To protect the world from his chaos and violence, the Minotaur was placed in an elaborate labyrinth of prison.
This ancient Greek-inspired game perfectly recreates the legend of the Minotaur, as players take control of Theseus, an Athenian hero imprisoned inside this labyrinth with the Minotaur vying for his blood. With Ariadne’s voice as his only guide, Theseus must traverse the labyrinth of many corridors and chambers and venture deeper into the darkness to fulfill his destiny.
9/10 Old world
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Old world is a revolutionary historical strategy game where players lead their dynasty against rival rulers, building a legacy that will 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 varied gameplay.
Old world has 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 myth and history.
8/10 Apotheon
Apotheon is a unique 2D isometric platformer with players traversing the minimalist artwork of ancient Greek pottery, exploring the sanctuaries of the gods such as the Artemis Forests and Apollo’s Palace. They take control of Nikandreos as he travels through this artistic world to climb Mount Olympus and steal their divine powers to ensure humanity’s survival.
All in all, Apotheon is a rich, heroic single-player narrative that allows players to glimpse ancient Greek-based lore. It stays true to the source material and even links to excerpts from famous stories such as Homer’s Illiad.
7/10 Achilles: Legends Untold
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Available on PC in Early Access.
Achilles: Legends Untold is a Souls-like RPG set in a glorious world inspired by ancient Greek mythology and legends. As the famous Greek warrior Achilles himself, players are pitted against other warriors and giant mythological creatures in a long-running war between Hades and Ares. Players get to explore landscapes from the besieged city of Toy to the depths of Tartarus.
Like other ARPGs, players can forge their playstyle using a detailed skill tree and weapon crafting system, upgrading existing weapons or crafting brand new and powerful ones. The souls they collect from the dead can be spent at a Hades shrine to increase their stats and unlock new abilities, adding a unique gameplay element.
6/10 A Total War Saga: Troy
Inspired by Homer’s epic poem The Illiad and brought to life by the award-winning strategy series Total war. The Trojan War is one of the most famous battles in all of ancient Greek legend, and it is recreated and visualized in Total War Saga: Troy video games. Players can fight to save or conquer the Kingdom of Troy as one of eight iconic Greek heroes, including the infamous warrior Achilles or Prince Paris.
A Total War Saga: Troy blends 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.
5/10 Persephone
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Available on PC, Xbox One and Nintendo Switch.
Persephone is a beautifully designed 2D isometric puzzle game that asks: What if death is not the end, but the necessary tool for progression? Players will embody Persephone, a young goddess who wants to reach the bottom of Hell to meet her beloved Hades. But her mother, Demeter, thwarts the two star-crossed lovers’ attempts to reach each other.
There are over 100 levels that Persephone must make her way through, full of hazards and environmental hazards that can be used to her advantage. Persephone creates clones of herself when she dies, meaning that dying in the right place at the right time is crucial to solving puzzles and progressing through the story.
4/10 Asterigos: Curses of the Stars
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Available on PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S.
Embark on a journey inspired by Roman and Greek mythologies in this action RPG. IN Asterigos: Curse of the Starsputs players in control of Hilda, a brave young warrior of the Northwind Legion, on a mission to rescue her lost father. Asterigos is Soulslike in nature with a lighter learning curve, and players’ choice of weapons will affect their gameplay experience.
Players get to explore the magnificent cursed city of Aphes, inspired by classical Greek design, from the enigmatic forests to empty bazaar streets devoid of life. The landscape of Aphes is full of beauty and danger, with over 22 unique bosses, which Asterigos: Curse of the Stars delicately balancing harmonic difficulty and exploration.
3/10 Hades
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Available on PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S and Nintendo Switch.
As the immortal prince of the underworld, Zagreus, players get to use 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, which grants him powerful mythological blessings to help him on his journey, thanks to familiar faces like Zeus and Poseidon.
Hades is an action-packed rouge-like dungeon crawler, as players must hack and slash their way through hordes of monsters to escape the Greek underworld and break free from Hades’ grip. Death is a certainty, but Zagreus comes back stronger each time. The maps are randomly generated and lend themselves to replayability as each run will be different from the last. The best thing about Hades is that players can even pet Cerberus, the famous monstrous guard dog from Hell!
2/10 SMITH
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Available on PC, PS4, Xbox One and Nintendo Switch.
SMITH is a traditional multiplayer online battle arena game known as a MOBA. Players compete in two teams of 5v5, and the game’s fodder is inspired by ancient mythology, from the well-known to the more obscure.
SMITE’s the current hero catalog includes over 100 playable gods and other mythological legends such as Achilles. Each playable deity has unique qualities and powers, so players are sure to find one that suits their playstyle, such as assassinations from the shadows with Loki or Thor and his mighty hammer. Team synergy is essential as players must work together to survive enemy attacks and emerge victorious!
1/10 Assassin’s Creed: Odyssey
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Available on PC, PS4, Xbox One and Nintendo Switch.
Assassin’s Creed: Odyssey places players in ancient Greece, the land of the gods. Players will evolve from an ordinary outcast Greek citizen 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 using the ancient settings of volcanic islands and the bustling cities of Athens and Sparta. There are several references to Greek mythological creatures such as Medusa and historical figures such as King Leonidas of Sparta. Players get to forge their own legends with RPG decisions as their choices affect how their journey plays out with multiple endings.
