Although fantasy and history might seem polar opposites to some, they can actually go hand in hand, creating worlds worthy of endless playthroughs. Both genres are known for creating incredibly immersive atmospheres; while historical games typically strive for accurate depictions of a time and place, fantasy games aim to bring the impossible to life. So, it seems contradicting that a world can encompass both at the same time, yet it is a mix that has been around for quite a while.
While some games have a fantasy base with historical elements, others present a mostly historical environment with fantasy characteristics, with many more trying to balance out both at the same time. Regardless of how it is done, the amalgamation of history and fantasy has created wonderfully authentic magical experiences for players. In particular, there are some open-world games that offer a mix of both aspects, allowing gamers to be fully immersed in historical accuracyandunbridled imagination (to varying degrees).
Fantasy is literally in the name, but this particular installment of the franchise is able to balance out quite well all the imaginary aspects of the series with a historical undertone. InFinal Fantasy XII,players follow Vaan on a quest to save a fictional world where they use magic and skills to defeat fictitious creatures.
As one of the fewSquare Enix games inspired by historical eras, the game features a kingdom modeled after the Middle East, with some historical aspects of the region playing a role in the installment.
Even though it is mostly a fantasy game,The Witcher 3does have some deep historical roots, drawing heavily from Polish scenery to construe its vast open world. Having a monster hunter as the protagonist, the fantasy elements in the installment are not lacking in any way, as it is filled with fictional creatures, magical abilities, and all the aspects you’d expect in a well-realized fantasy world.
The historical aspect of it all is more subtle, notwithstanding its medieval aesthetic and replicated cities. In particular,The Witcher 3 is riddled with specific historical Easter eggs, which makes it hard to deny how grounded the game can be.
InLike A Dragon: Ishin, players go on a revenge journey through the eyes of the samurai, Sakamoto Ryoma, in his promise to end the Samurai Era. Although the game is light on the fantasy aspect, it does have enchanted and mystic items that make it more than a realistic open world.
This game shines through its historical representation, though, focusing on a protagonist loosely based on a real person covering factual events and set in a fictional 1860s Japan, with a hidden magical lens that makes the game more entertaining.
God of Warmay not actually be rooted in reality, but it is based on real mythologies, taking Greek and Norse myths at its center and immersing them in a magical coat. While there are certainchanges to the mythological tales, it still manages to do a great job with certain historical descriptions and representations.
Despite that note of history, the game is mostly based on a mystical world, with gods, magic powers, different worlds, and monstrous enemies, most of which have a mythological, accurate basis.
As the story of the last living Dragonborn in their quest to defeat dragons, it is obvious thatSkyrimhas a lot of fantasy elements. With a range of mystical side stories, players can fight giant spiders, use magical objects, slay dragons, concoct potions, and even breathe underwater.
However, what is usually taken for granted is the game’s historical basis, providing players with an open-world setting based on Medieval Northern Europe. And it’s not only influenced by Norse mythology; a lot of the region and the people are based on societies that prospered at some point in time.
TheFar Cryseries has had multiple installmentsthat mix historical events with fantasy elements to heighten the challenge as a survival game. While some are more reliant on authenticity, like the Mesolithic period depiction inFar Cry Primal, others take a more imaginative approach, like the monstrous animals inFar Cry New Dawn.
Far Cry 4, however, can serve as a model for the franchise’s mix of history and fantasy with a game that features a fictionalized version of Nepal and its history. Yet, it still manages to dip its toes in magical waters with elements like the Shangri-la demons.
Although lighter on the fantasy side,Ghost of Tsushimaperfectly captures the magical elements of ancient Japanese history as Samurai Jin Sakai goes on a revenge quest during the first Mongol Invasion. Not only featuring a historically based map, narrative, and combat, the game inserts supernatural elements that aid Jin in his arduous yet captivating journey.
The guiding winds, fireflies, songbirds, and the multiplayer mode are among the subtle, magical elements that bring a layer of fantasy to a historical installment that immerses the player in one of themost beautiful open-world games.
As one of the iconic FromSoftware games,Sekiro: Shadows Die Twicehas a plethora of historical elements and fantasy aspects. Although it is set in a fictional world, it stems from historical Japan, the Sengoku era, including myths, legends, and moments from Japanese history and Buddhist philosophy.
Yet, at its core, it is a fantasy adventure of a shinobi seeking to protect his charge, featuring fictional creatures that range from giant fish to dragons and demons. The fantasy of the game only enhances the era-appropriate elements that make it a captivating world.
WhileRed Dead Redemptionmight seem like an accurate historical portrayal at first sight, withmany authentic cities, it does have certain fantasy elements. The epic western follows an outlaw in the Wild West days, leaning into the realism aspect of the turn-of-the-century frontier.
The level of historical elements and details in this wide open-world make it so that the sasquatch, ghost, and UFO Easter eggs do not challenge the authenticity of the game. Rather, the blend heightens the stakes of a true Wild West journey.
Most of the manyAssassin’s Creedgames combine fantasy and history in some way, shape, or form. Despite being a tad morepolarizing in terms of the franchise,Assassin’s Creed Odysseyincorporates magic and historical accuracy in a balanced way, representing the series in this list.
Overall,Odysseyintegrates accurate elements like the many Ancient Greek locations, important historical figures, and factual events as part of the open world, yet it has gods, mythologies, and magical weapons in play that aid in the fantasy integration. It may well be thatOdysseydoes not reach the heights of its predecessors, yet it can serve as a placeholder to show how the franchise mixed fantasy and history to create amazing open worlds.
