In this article, I will discuss the Best Game Worlds Based on Real Historical Events. I will show how video games bring history to life through engaging storytelling, realistic settings, and actual historical figures.
From ancient empires to world wars, these games allow players to explore the past in ways that are both educational and fun. They offer a unique mix of realism and interactive experience.
Key Points & Best Game Worlds Based on Real Historical Events List
| Game Title | Historical Basis / Key Point |
|---|---|
| Assassin’s Creed II | Renaissance Italy – Explores cities like Florence and Venice during the 15th century. |
| Kingdom Come: Deliverance | Bohemia in 1403 – Historically accurate medieval life with real events and characters. |
| Call of Duty: World at War | World War II – Focuses on key battles like Stalingrad and the Pacific theater. |
| Total War: Three Kingdoms | Ancient China – Set during the Three Kingdoms period (circa 190 AD). |
| Valiant Hearts: The Great War | World War I – Follows personal stories based on real events, letters, and battles. |
| Battlefield 1 | World War I – Features real weapons, vehicles, and historical battles across multiple fronts. |
| Assassin’s Creed Origins | Ancient Egypt – Set during the Ptolemaic period (around 49–47 BC), featuring Cleopatra. |
| Hearts of Iron IV | World War II – Grand strategy game focusing on nations, politics, and battles from 1936–1948. |
| The Saboteur | Nazi-occupied France – Based on the real-life resistance fighters in WWII Paris. |
| L.A. Noire | 1940s Los Angeles – Inspired by real crime cases, noir culture, and police investigations. |
10 Best Game Worlds Based on Real Historical Events
1.Assassin’s Creed II
Set during the Italian Renaissance, *Assassin’s Creed II* immerses players in a rich historical world featuring cities like Florence, Venice, and Forlì. Players encounter real figures such as Leonardo da Vinci and Lorenzo de’ Medici, along with actual events like the Pazzi Conspiracy.
The game focuses on architecture, politics, and culture, creating a vivid representation of 15th-century Italy. With historically inspired missions in a fictional story, players explore the conflict between science, religion, and power during this significant time.
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Setting | Renaissance Italy (15th century) – Cities like Florence, Venice, Forlì |
| Historical Characters | Includes Leonardo da Vinci, Lorenzo de’ Medici, and Rodrigo Borgia |
| Architecture & Design | Detailed recreations of Renaissance-era buildings and art |
| Cultural Themes | Explores science, religion, politics, and the arts of the Renaissance |
| Gameplay | Parkour, stealth, and assassination missions intertwined with historical plots |
| Visual Style | Richly colored landscapes inspired by Renaissance paintings |
| Historical Events | The Pazzi Conspiracy and political rivalries in Italy |
2.Kingdom Come: Deliverance
*Kingdom Come: Deliverance* offers one of the most accurate medieval settings in gaming. Set in 1403 Bohemia, which is now part of the Czech Republic, the game avoids fantasy elements and emphasizes realism.
Every village, castle, and character is based on real history. Players experience the social structure, religion, warfare, and daily life of medieval Europe.
The world includes real locations and events, with realistic combat mechanics and period-appropriate dialogue. The narrative follows the political chaos after Emperor Charles IV’s death, immersing players in genuine medieval life and regional conflict.
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Setting | Bohemia, 1403 – Part of the Holy Roman Empire |
| Realism Focus | No magic or fantasy; emphasis on real-life medieval life |
| Combat System | Physics-based, historically accurate melee combat |
| Characters & Politics | Features real nobles, dynastic conflicts, and period-accurate social systems |
| World Design | Villages, castles, and forests based on historical maps |
| Language & Dialogue | Period-appropriate tone and structure |
| Learning Tools | Codex entries provide historical facts about everything from food to warfare |
3.Call of Duty: World at War
Call of Duty: World at War* thrusts players into some of the most brutal battles of World War II, including in the Pacific and Eastern Fronts. The game presents historical events like the Battle of Peleliu and the storming of Berlin with a gritty perspective.
While dramatized, it features authentic weapons, uniforms, and battle strategies that convey the chaos soldiers faced. The dual perspective—from the U.S.
Marines and the Soviet Red Army—shows the global scale of the conflict and adds depth to the storytelling.
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Setting | World War II – Pacific and Eastern Fronts |
| Campaign Locations | Includes battles like Peleliu, Berlin, and Stalingrad |
| Perspective | U.S. Marines and Soviet Red Army campaigns |
| Weapons & Gear | Historically accurate WWII weapons and uniforms |
| Multiplayer Mode | Includes WWII-themed maps and perks |
| Tone & Atmosphere | Gritty, intense, and focused on the horrors of war |
| Historical Influence | Missions inspired by actual WWII operations |
4.Total War: Three Kingdoms
Based on the fall of the Han dynasty and the power struggle in 2nd-century China, *Total War: Three Kingdoms* combines strategy with historical depth. Players command historical figures such as Cao Cao, Liu Bei, and Sun Quan, each drawn from Chinese history and literature.
The game captures the politics, diplomacy, and military tactics of ancient China. Its detailed map design and campaign system reflect the fragmented political landscape of the time, blending history, strategy, and mythology in an engaging way.
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Setting | China during the Three Kingdoms period (190 AD onward) |
| Historical Figures | Includes Cao Cao, Sun Jian, Liu Bei, and others |
| Campaign Gameplay | Turn-based strategy and real-time battles |
| Diplomacy & Politics | Complex alliance, betrayal, and empire-building mechanics |
| Source Material | Inspired by both historical records and the novel Romance of the Three Kingdoms |
| World Design | Lush, diverse regions of ancient China with strategic resources |
| Game Modes | Classic (history-focused) and Romance (heroic fantasy-style abilities) |
5.Valiant Hearts: The Great War
*Valiant Hearts: The Great War* is a narrative-driven game that explores World War I through the stories of ordinary people instead of soldiers.
Based on real letters and events, players travel across Europe, highlighting key battles like the Battle of the Somme and the use of gas warfare.
The art style is cartoonish, but it deals with mature and emotional themes. The game combines puzzles with storytelling to highlight the human cost of war, providing historical context between chapters and making it both educational and impactful.
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Setting | World War I – Western Front, including France and Germany |
| Narrative Focus | Follows interconnected personal stories during the war |
| Gameplay | 2D puzzle-adventure mechanics |
| Historical Integration | Uses real letters, timelines, and facts to teach history |
| Tone | Emotional, reflective, and anti-war |
| Visual Style | Cartoonish art contrasting with serious subject matter |
| Educational Value | In-game encyclopedia offers verified historical context |
6.Battlefield 1
Battlefield 1 recreates the chaos of World War I, featuring trench warfare, gas attacks, and early tanks on various real-world battlefields like the Western Front and Gallipoli. The campaign includes multiple “War Stories” that follow diverse characters, offering a global perspective of the conflict.
It features historically accurate weapons, vehicles, and tactics, along with stunning visuals that immerse players in the grim details of WWI.
Though it includes fictional characters, the settings and scenarios are inspired by real battles, making it a notable depiction of the Great War.
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Setting | World War I – Multiple fronts including Western, Arabian, and Italian theaters |
| War Stories Format | Campaign split into character-driven episodes |
| Weapons & Vehicles | Accurate WWI-era guns, tanks, planes, and horses |
| Multiplayer Maps | Large-scale battles with destructible environments |
| Atmosphere | Realistic visuals and sound design recreate the chaos of trench warfare |
| Themes | Focuses on sacrifice, futility of war, and global perspectives |
| Historical Accuracy | Settings and technology based on real WWI events and tools |
7.Assassin’s Creed Origins
Assassin’s Creed Origins* is set in Ptolemaic Egypt around 49–47 BC, during Cleopatra’s reign and Roman civil wars. Players explore ancient cities like Alexandria and Memphis, meeting historical figures such as Julius Caesar and Cleopatra.
The game recreates the time’s social and political structures, providing insights into Egyptian culture, religion, and architecture. Ubisoft’s Discovery Tour mode allows players to explore the world educationally.
With a vast open world and thorough historical research, Origins serves both as entertainment and a digital museum of ancient Egyptian civilization.
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Setting | Ancient Egypt, around 49–47 BC |
| Historical Figures | Includes Cleopatra, Julius Caesar, and Ptolemy XIII |
| Discovery Mode | Educational, combat-free exploration with historical commentary |
| World Design | Massive open world with Alexandria, pyramids, Nile River, deserts, etc. |
| Cultural Accuracy | Detailed religious rituals, clothing, and architecture |
| Combat & Exploration | Reworked RPG-style mechanics with skill trees and gear upgrades |
| Educational Value | Used in classrooms and museums for its historical insights |
8.Hearts of Iron IV
Hearts of Iron IV* is a grand strategy game set during World War II where players control any country from 1936–1948. The game covers diplomacy, industry, research, and military tactics, all based on historical facts. Players can follow historical pathways or opt for alternate outcomes.
Every choice, from forming alliances to launching invasions, reflects the real complexities leaders faced. Its in-depth simulation, with real leaders and events, makes it popular among history fans. It’s not just a war game, but also a sandbox for reshaping world history.
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Setting | World War II (1936–1948 global geopolitical simulation) |
| Playable Nations | Every country in the world, from major powers to small states |
| Focus on Strategy | Manages economy, military, research, and diplomacy |
| Historical Paths | Can follow real-world history or create alternate timelines |
| Events System | Includes real political crises, invasions, treaties, and tech developments |
| Real Leaders & Parties | Features historical politicians, generals, and parties |
| Modding Support | Extensive community-driven historical and alternate history mods |
9.The Saboteur
Set in Nazi-occupied France during World War II, *The Saboteur* follows Sean Devlin, a fictional Irish resistance fighter inspired by real saboteurs. The game uses a unique visual style where Nazi-controlled areas appear in black and white, returning to color as players liberate zones.
Players sabotage enemy plans, assassinate officers, and support the French Resistance. While it doesn’t recreate history perfectly, it captures the mood of 1940s Paris, reflecting the fear, oppression, and rebellion of the time. Its creative aesthetic and authentic setting make it a memorable portrayal of wartime France.
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Setting | Nazi-occupied France (mostly Paris), 1940s |
| Protagonist | Sean Devlin, inspired by real resistance fighters |
| Visual Style | Uses black-and-white aesthetic to represent oppression; color returns as areas are liberated |
| Gameplay | Open-world stealth, sabotage, and action |
| Historical Accuracy | Fictionalized, but evokes real resistance movements and Nazi presence |
| Atmosphere | Moody and stylish with jazz soundtracks and vintage cars |
| Narrative Themes | Resistance, vengeance, freedom from tyranny |
10.L.A. Noire
Set in 1947 Los Angeles, *L.A. Noire* combines detective gameplay with historical detail. Players solve crimes inspired by real cases while exploring post-war America’s gritty side. The game features iconic locations, period-accurate vehicles, fashion, and music.
It also addresses issues of racism, corruption, and the impact of war on returning soldiers. With innovative facial animation technology, players must gauge suspects’ emotions during interrogations.
With its film-noir style and authentic depiction of 1940s culture, *L.A. Noire* serves as both a detective thriller and a time capsule of postwar American society.
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Setting | 1947 Los Angeles |
| Gameplay Style | Detective work, interrogation, and open-world exploration |
| Historical Cases | Inspired by real crime stories and law enforcement methods |
| Visuals & Fashion | Authentic postwar fashion, cars, buildings, and signage |
| Facial Technology | Innovative motion capture for reading character expressions |
| Themes | Racism, PTSD, corruption, and the American Dream |
| Music & Culture | 1940s jazz, newsreels, and cultural references |
| Narrative Influence | Inspired by classic film noir and crime fiction |
Conclusion
In conclusion These ten games skillfully mix historical accuracy with immersive gameplay, turning real events into engaging experiences.
Whether you’re storming Normandy’s beaches, navigating ancient China’s politics, or solving crimes in Los Angeles, each title offers a unique glimpse into the past.
Some focus on realism while others prefer stylized storytelling, but all help preserve and explore history through gaming. They educate, engage, and entertain, making history feel alive and relevant for today’s players.
FAQ
What are historical video games?
Games set in real historical periods, often featuring actual events, figures, and settings with varying degrees of accuracy.
Which game is most historically accurate?
Kingdom Come: Deliverance is praised for its realism and strict adherence to medieval history.
Do these games include real historical characters?
Yes. Games like Assassin’s Creed II, Origins, and Total War: Three Kingdoms include real figures like Leonardo da Vinci, Cleopatra, and Cao Cao.
