5 Best Games Based on Greek Mythology

While it may be untrue for some, video games often open the world up to Greek mythology. Whether it’s learning more about the Greek Pantheon or the legends to catch the eye of Zeus or simply experiencing the look and feel of the history and culture within Greek mythos without ever having set foot in Ancient Greece! 

Of course, some video games follow their own path based on how they want the plot to unfold, but the core parts of the story are often subtly rooted in what is true of ancient Greece. With certainly more Greek mythology-based games to come, here are the five best games based on Greek mythology to look out for right now. 

5. Zeus: Master of Olympus (2000)

As early as 2000, strategy-building games were growing in popularity by the day, among them Zeus: Master of Olympus. The game, essentially, had players build their version of ancient Greece, with some of the most popular gods and heroes playing crucial roles in the story.

Once you built your version of the famous city, you moved on to managing your creation. Aside from it being a sim city management style-like game, Zeus: Master of Olympus is a great reference if you’d like to learn Greek mythology in a fun way, dating all the way back to Atlantis and the role the Greek gods played in destroying the city. 

I particularly adore the two-dimensional, isometric view of the city. For some reason, it comes out truly authentic. Maybe because the media available about ancient Greece is more or less similar. Regardless, there’s never been a better time to reminisce about the older retro times, is there?

4. Hades (2018)

Hades is a recent hit of its kind for its clever reimagining of the Underworld. Playing as Zagreus, the immortal prince of the underworld, you decide to defy your father, Hades, the god of the dead himself. Fortunately, Mount Olympus is on your side. Mount Olympus provides you with some of the most powerful mythological boons to help you survive the Underworld.

Zagreus is an immortal being, but he could die at the hands of his father and his goons, leading to a series of fast-paced hack-and-slash action sequences while finding your way to the surface world and breaking free of Hades’ grip. 

It’s definitely a challenging feat, but highly welcome for an action-packed rouge-like dungeon-crawler. With the maps randomly generating themselves, and each encounter feeling fresh and new, it’s an easy resounding yes sort of game to put the hours in. 

3. Assassin’s Creed – Odyssey (2018)

Assassin’s Creed – Odyssey carries on its shoulders an overwhelming number of fans for the obvious work and effort put into designing the game. The story feels in-depth and intricately woven, subtly referencing Greek mythology at a time during the Greek Peloponnese War. The characters are exquisite too, with the main protagonist fighting to save his family and resolve the Athens vs. Sparta conflict too.

Definitely, lots of action-packed sequences await, with a fresh breath of air roaming about the open-world streets and islands of Ancient Greece. I especially love Assassin’s Creed – Odyssey because, while it draws inspiration from Greek mythology, it doesn’t necessarily lift the facts off of a page, instead using Ancient Greece as a canvas to do with the gameplay however they please.

All that’s familiar is the setting. Otherwise, playing Assassin’s Creed – Odyssey feels fresh and new. As an unknown outcast, you pave your way through the city, making tough decisions and influencing history in real-time. And when you’ve fought powerful Grecian enemies and legendary mythical monsters, you become a living Spartan legend, a title that feels well-earned and deserved.

2. Immortals Fenyx Rising (2020)

With modern-day technology, it’s always interesting to see today’s take on Ancient Greek. And Immortals Fenyx Rising does so exceedingly well. Both in graphics and exploration. The world is vibrantly looking, all fantastical yet lifted off of some of the popular Greek gods, heroes, and their powers, alike. 

You’re also free to explore its diverse landscapes as you time and again run into familiar characters from the classic tales. I love that the art style is so inviting. Almost beseeching you to keep coming back for more. And the story? Playing as Fenyx, a newly recruited demigod on a quest to save the Greek gods, is different. 

Fenyx can wield other-worldly powers like Daedalus’ wings and Achilles' sword, and the fights are as intense as they should be; given you’re going up against some of the most popular beasts from Greek mythology like Gorgons, Cerberus, and even Griffins. Overall, Immortals Fenyx Rising is an adventurous Greek mythos-based game that almost never gets dull.

1. God of War (2005)

Before God of War fully transitioned to Norse Mythology, the series started off rooted in ancient Greece. This RPG, action-adventure game revolved around Kratos’ journey, and as the God of War, of course, trouble does come looking for him. Unfortunately, Kratos kills his wife and daughter at Ares’ command. 

So he embarks on a revenge trip against the Ares, the Olympians, the Titans, and even his own father for betraying his trust. While the setting is 495 BC Greece, none of the events that unfold are actually lifted word for word from Grecian tales, which makes God of War all the more interesting. However, there are still parts of the story that are familiar, like the sinking of Atlantis or Heracles’ 13 labors, as well as gods and beasts that fans of Greek mythology will appreciate.

Most of all, the development team truly outdid themselves in the graphical presentation of the game. From the landscapes to the mythological creatures to the minute blood splatter, every design element is finely detailed, an aspect that further makes the God of War adventures and tooth-and-nail battles therein all the more immersive.

So what’s your take? Do you agree with our five best games based on Greek mythology? Are there more games based on Greek mythology we should know about? Let us know down in the comments or over on our socials here.