Games based on mythology and real-world history always offer great content and amazing visuals. Many popular titles, such as theAssassin’s Creedseries orHades, have taken inspiration from popularmyths. Fighting against Vikings or the gods of the underworld makes for great adventures and challenges.
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There have been many games, both in the past and recently, inspired byNorse mythology. That does not come as a surprise, as Norse folklore is full of powerful ancient gods, intriguing spells, and horrifying monsters. From going against the mischievous Loki tofighting overpowered enemies, these games have it all.
Kariis a free point-and-click adventure game that takes you toVanaheim, one of the Nine Realms of the World Tree and the home of the Vanir Gods. The protagonist, namedKari, gets lost in this world after a failed sailing voyage.
Kari is acombat-freegame that has you solving puzzles in order to help the young girl return to her own world. Along the way, she will meet the various inhabitants of Vanaheim, such asOdinhimself and his trusted raven, Muninn.
9Through The Woods
Through the Woodsis a thrilling third-person psychologicalhorror gamewith a Nordic-inspired setting. You play as amothersearching for hermissing sonin a dense and haunting Norwegian forest. The narrative explores themes of loss, grief, and the consequences of ignoring ancient beliefs and traditions.
You will encounter many creatures inspired by Norse mythology, such as theHuldra, forest dwelling creatures that lure men to their doom. You will also meet theDraugen, a ghostly mariner that haunts the sea, and many more.
8Assassin’s Creed: Valhalla
TheAssassin’s Creedseries has created lots of great games, and Assassin’s Creed: Valhalla lets you play as a male or female version of aVikingnamedEivor. You get a wide world to explore, with lots of missions involving sailing and raiding with your clan.
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Your journey takes you through the872–878 ADViking invasion of the British Isles, where once again theBrotherhoodis fighting against theTemplar Order. You will encounter many characters inspired by Norse mythology, such as Fenrir, Loki’s wolf son.
7The Banner Saga
The Banner Sagaseries is a combination oftactical, turn-based role-playing games. With beautiful 2D hand-drawn graphics and a Viking-inspired world, it is certain to win you over. There are25 playable charactersto choose from, including two races. You can play either as ahumanor aVarl, a horned giant.
In this game, you canwrite your own storyand encounter various challenges and monsters based on Norse mythology, such as the giant serpentJörmungandrand theValkyries.
6Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice
Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrificeis a great action-adventure game that has you exploring a wide world whiledealing with serious mental health issues. You play asSenua, a Pict warrior trying to free her lover’s soul from the goddess Hela.
The Norsemen are the enemies in this game, and their appearance may change due to magic or Senua’s condition. By playing thishorrifying gamethat mixes myths and reality, you experience how it was to work through trauma in the Viking age.
Jotunis anothergreat action-adventure gamebased on Norse mythology. It follows the story ofThora, aVikingwarrior who had adisgraceful death, preventing her from enteringValhalla.
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Despite her death, Thora tries to prove herself and sets off on an adventure. She encounters and fights the fiveJötunn, who are basically giant gods, includingOdinhimself. With its hand-drawn, beautiful animation scenes, Jotun will undoubtedly win your heart.
Muninis an indiepuzzle platformerwith beautiful 2D graphics and a Norse mythology-inspired storyline. You will travel through different realms and fight creatures such astrollsandJötnar.
The protagonist is based on one ofOdin’slegendary messengerravens, Munin. Loki plays a prank on the raven and transforms her into a mortal girl. She is tasked now with collecting scattered feathers acrossYggdrasil, trying to regain her powers.
3Elder Scrolls V Skyrim
TheElder Scrolls V: Skyrimis one of the most popular action role-playing games. It features gods,dragons, monsters, and much more content inspired byNorsemythology. It is a game full ofgreat storylinesandhidden locationsto explore.
There are dragons based on Loki’s sonJörmungandr, and the warrior’s afterlife,Sovngarde, is based onValhalla. It also would not be surprising ifThu’um, the language-based power you learn, deviates fromGaldr, which were spells or incantations in Old Norse.
Valheimis agreat multiplayer survival gamewith similar elements to popular games such asWorld of WarcraftandMinecraft. The game is set in something like apurgatorybuilt for slain Vikings, where they’re reassigned to serve a new purpose.
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You get to explore a wide world based on Norse mythology with up to9of yourfriends. You collect resources,hunt abominations, do lots of crafting, build your base, and much more.
1God Of War
God of Warmay have been influenced by Greekmythology at first, but in the popular franchise’s 2018 reboot, you seeKratossurviving in the realm of theNorse Gods. Once again, you play as the grieving father, exploring a wide world and trying to connect with his son, Atreus.
God of War Ragnarok, the sequel to 2018’s installment, delves even more deeply into Norse mythology, having you meet various gods of Odin’s court, visit the remaining realms, gather legendary artifacts, and battle ferocious mythological monsters likeNidhoggandGarm.
