Video games are all about escapism. They are popular as a form of media because the possibilities of where a player will be transported to are endless. Video games can be based in any era, in any region, fictional or otherwise. Over the years, some classic franchises such as Prince of Persia and Assassin's Creed have made a name for themselves by exploring different eras of the past.
Games set in the past aren't as common as they used to be, with more and more developers focusing on futuristic, sci-fi, or steampunk settings. Regardless, some all-time classic series are firmly rooted in the past, be it the medieval times, a couple of hundred years ago, or over a timeline sprawling thousands of years. Even if some gamers dislike historical settings in media, some games are so immersive it's easy to get lost in the period they take place in.
6 Civilization 5
The Civilization series stands out as one of the most famous and critically acclaimed strategy franchises of all time. Civilization 5 especially stands out and deserves a mention. This game features the classic Civilization formula; players select their civilization and progress through centuries upon centuries, slowly developing their political acumen, military might, research, and economic capabilities while forging alliances. Civilization 5 can be played completely PvE, with a multitude of players online, or even in local multiplayer, making it a very convenient game to try out with friends.
Civilization 5 has had immense influence on the entire genre and is still played and loved by fans of the series, and newcomers alike. Perhaps its only shortcoming is the wonky and sometimes juvenile A.I.
5 Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice
Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice was one of the best games of the late 2010s and arguably caught everyone by surprise. While initial gameplay reveals and teasers did excite many, no one expected it to be this game. Hellblade is based on Celtic and Norse lore and mythology and focuses on Senua, a grief-struck warrior, trying to save her lover's soul from Helheim.
This game depicts psychosis in a haunting and accurate way. The game has tons of jaw-dropping visuals and contains a compact, well-written, and extremely mature story. Moreover, the voice acting and character models are incredible. Audio is the star of the show, whether it be the frighteningly epic scores or the manic and terrifying voices that haunt Senua. This is an incredible game, and one can only expect the best from a sequel.
4 Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time
This 2003 reboot of the beloved Prince of Persia franchise stands out as one of the best Prince of Persia games out there and is easily a standard in the genre to follow. The Sands of Time is an action-adventure game, with satisfying and slick combat, complimented by some solid puzzles and platforming. None of the gameplay feels tedious; the different traps, enemy types, and special moves, all make for a solid and enjoyable experience.
The Sands of Time also has a fun and engaging story, focusing on how the Prince dealt with his father's feud with a Maharaja in India. Aside from time-travel shenanigans and politics, the game also has a solid romance subplot between the Prince and Farah, the daughter of Maharaja.
3 Assassin's Creed 2
Assassin's Creed is known for fun stories, solid combat, and platforming, as well as the incredible environments based on the past, which the player may navigate through. Some of these games straight up feel like an adrenaline-filled history lesson, and Assassin's Creed 2 still stands out as the best in the entire franchise.
The never-ending struggle between the Assassins and the Templars picks up here through the story of Ezio Auditore. Set during the Italian Renaissance, the game follows the journey of naive and reckless Ezio and his transformation into a fearsome Assassin. This game has tons of twists, turns, and moments of heartbreak coupled with solid visuals and entertaining combat.
2 A Plague Tale: Innocence
A Plague Tale: Innocence follows the devastating yet endearing story of Amicia and her brother as they must face the perils of a supernaturally boosted plague as well as the French Inquisition that is hunting them. This is primarily a stealth and puzzle game with some combat sprinkled between. Players must deal with hordes of rats and Inquisition soldiers while trying to figure out what is actually going on.
The graphics and voice-acting are both top-notch, the main characters are all well-fleshed out and extremely sympathetic, and the game knows not to drag the story out for too long. Overall, this is an incredible and unique game that delivers a rich narrative and engaging gameplay.
1 Ghost of Tsushima
Ghost of Tsushima is one of the best PS4 exclusives out there. The game follows the story of a Mongol invasion on a small island protected by the Samurai, Jin. The game is all about the player's choice, in terms of both the story and gameplay. Players can choose to be stealthy, divert and bait enemies, and clear through outposts without too much bloodshed, or they can go the other way entirely and slash their way through hordes of Mongols.
The game has different combat stances, each with its own strengths and tons of different customization features. Additionally, Ghost of Tsushima is a gorgeous game with breathtaking landscapes and incredible scenery. All contrasted by the horrors of war and betrayal. This game truly stands out as one the best games made in the last decade and is worth a playthrough by anyone who somehow hasn't touched it yet.