10 Greatest Historical Adventure Video Games of All Time

Published Aug 11, 2026, 6:24 AM EDT Lucas Kloberdanz-Dyck is a writer for Collider. He grew up creating lists, stories, and worlds, which led to his love of anime and video games. He attended Sheridan College where he earned an Honours Bachelor of Game Design. Lucas and his group won 1st place for technical innovation at LevelUp Toronto 2023, and he was also an intern for the Oakville Film Festival of Arts. Video games are meant to deliver an immersive gaming experience that suck players into new worlds. Titles such as Mass Effect and The Legend of Zelda do this perfectly, transporting gamers into a sci-fi or fantasy wonderland, respectively. However, some players prefer to keep their exploration close to home, albeit in an era they could not experience, and that is why the historical genre exists in video games. Most historical video games are part of the strategy or RPG genres, but that restricts the level of immersion players want. That is why this list will rank the ten greatest historical adventure video games of all time based on aspects such as gameplay, sense of adventure, narrative, visuals, design, originality, fan opinion, critical acclaim, and overall quality. Commanding armies is fun, but living in a historical era on the ground is what these games are all about. 10 'The Oregon Trail' (2021) Image via Gameloft The historical genre didn't take off until the 2010s for video games, but one classic was The Oregon Trail. However, it wasn't much of an adventure game until they remade it in 2021. Taking place during the 1840s, players lead a party of settlers from Missouri to Oregon, needing to manage food, supplies, health, and morale while facing disease, weather, and other conditions. This one was the original historical game, and the remake made it feel even more like an adventure, even if it isn't filled with a sense of wonder. It preserves the classic resource management and all the tension that comes with it, but The Oregon Trail remake also expands on the adventure and depth of the game, including historically accurate narratives. 9 'Return of the Obra Dinn' (2018) Image via 3909 LLC Historical games can come in any shape or form, and some of the greatest are through the indie genre, such as Return of the Obra Dinn. Set in 1807, the titular merchant ship drifted ashore only to reveal that all of its 60 crew members were either dead or missing. Players suit up as an investigator with a magical pocket watch that reveals the exact moment of a person's death. Now, they must reveal the fates of every passenger who died on the ship. This mystery game uses its historical maritime aesthetic to ramp up the mystery and tension surrounding the case. Boasting one of the greatest art styles that focuses on shadows and light, Return of the Obra Dinn is a striking visual, immersive masterpiece. The adventure rises through the analytical aspect as players learn what happened on the fateful day, proving it is one of the best indie games of all time. 8 'L.A. Noire' (2011) Image via Rockstar Games Rockstar Games is usually known for the Grand Theft Auto franchise, but they have a handful of other must-play games, such as L.A. Noire. Post-World War II Los Angeles is ripe with crime, and that is exactly how the player, Cole Phelps, rises through the ranks by solving a string of murders and investigating a giant morphine smuggling ring. There needs to be more detective video games, because titles like L.A. Noire ground the player in their role, which takes them around the city, uncovering mysteries. From finding evidence at the crime scene to analyzing people's faces, L.A. Noire lives up to its title by embracing the conventions of film noir through an immersive detective adventure set in the 1940s. 7 'A Plague Tale: Innocence' (2019) Image via Asobo Studio 1348 was a bleak year for France, from the Black Plague to the Hundred Years' War, killing any living thing in the country. This chaotic period is when A Plague Tale: Innocence is set. However, that is the least of Amicia de Rune and Hugo's worries as they must escape capture by the French Inquisition and a supernatural swarm of infected rats. It may bend the period with supernatural elements, but that narrative choice is meant to enhance the historical setting into something a bit more interesting. A Plague Tale: Innocence arguably has a better story and vibe than its sequel, which works in favor of its adventure. This journey for survival is dark, suspenseful, and full of well-designed puzzles that make it one of the best historical video games. 6 'Pentiment' (2022) Image via Xbox Game Studios Set in 16th-century Bavaria, Pentiment has players controlling a journeyman artist who is currently working in a scriptorium. However, when a visiting Baron is murdered, players must investigate the entire staff and all the residents using their wits after their mentor is falsely accused. Pentiment isn't a traditional adventure game, but over the span of 25 years, players will expand upon the mystery for so long that it feels like a journey. This intellectual quest requires players to decode manuscripts and decipher motives in order to learn what they want. Pentiment plays as a medieval manuscript brought to life, factoring in the historical value more than most games. 5 'Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag' (2013) Image via Ubisoft Ubisoft has moved on to a different type of Assassin's Creed game, evolving past the classic formula and the historical focus to delve into an RPG format with a mythological vibe. However, this franchise is best-known for its historical games, such as Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag. Set in the Golden Era of Piracy, Edward Kenway stumbles upon an ancient war while looking for a mythical location called the Observatory. The Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag remake is already fantastic, highlighting the best of this swashbuckling historical adventure with revamped graphics and controls for a modern audience. This game romanticizes the pirate lifestyle and all its glory, showcasing its untamed sense of adventure through grand cinematic ship battles and exploring untouched jungle and pirate myth. 4 'The Forgotten City' (2021) Image via Modern Storyteller Most of the games on this list are popular titles, but The Forgotten City, ironically, might be the lesser-known masterpiece that fans absolutely need to check out. Controlling a time traveller, players are pulled into an underground Roman city where people are turned to gold if they misbehave. Gamers must go through this time loop, stop the curse, and save everyone. Even though it isn't the most popular game, The Forgotten City is a must-play title with one of the most underrated narratives ever. The adventure is more about the time loop mechanic and how it builds the narrative, using it as a philosophical tool to explore moral dilemmas. Set during the Roman era, this game is a wonder to play through with a distinct and striking narrative. 3 'Ghost of Tsushima' (2020) Some of the most memorable gaming experiences come from PlayStation and their impeccable selection of games. Ghost of Tsushima may be very action-centric, but it also boasts an unforgettable adventure. Set during the first Mongol invasion of Japan, this game follows Jin Sakai, a warrior who realizes his honorable tactics won't save his island. So, he adopts a darker fighting style in order to save his hometown from destruction. Ghost of Tsushima has some of the best gameplay in a historical title ever, using its katana system and general combat to give players free rein over a multitude of in-depth attack systems. However, this game goes deeper than that by replacing UI maps with free-flowing exploration. This accentuates the sense of adventure and ability to get lost in its gorgeous world, which boasts some of the best visuals in video games. 2 'Assassin's Creed II' (2009) Image via Ubisoft Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag is one of the most distinct games in the series, but this franchise is home to an even better title, specifically Assassin's Creed II. Ezio is a newcomer assassin in Italy during the Renaissance era who hunts down the Templar Order to enact his revenge after they framed his father and brothers for treason and had them executed, using whatever methods are handy to him. Exploring Florence during the Renaissance is a uniquely dazzling experience that historical fans can soak in. But if they want some action, then they can use their assassination techniques to parkour around the city and deliver brutal finishing moves. Playing Assassin's Creed II is the ultimate creation of historical adventure, from the player simply enjoying the tourism of the city to adventuring around the mysterious narrative. 1 'Kingdom Come: Deliverance II' (2025) Image via Warhorse Studios Despite being one of the best games of the past few years, Kingdom Come: Deliverance II somehow doesn’t get the recognition it deserves, even if it is the best historical game. This open-world action RPG is set in Bohemia, with players travelling across the world in a battle for dominance. When the protagonist leaves to question the loyalty of a king, his identity is stolen, and he has no way to prove who he is. Kingdom Come: Deliverance II features an immersive medieval setting that is historically accurate and fun to explore. However, the gameplay and narrative are just as good, using its system-heavy roleplay to create a game with plenty of mechanics, abilities, and roles for the player to sink their teeth into. Gamers can be whatever they want in this game, embodying that role as they traverse the authentic yet intriguing medieval landscape with some of the best worldbuilding in video games.