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5 Best Prehistoric Video Games of All Time, Ranked

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The dawn of mankind is unchartered territory as far as video games go. Or at least, it certainly seems that way, what with most popular expeditions favoring the modern eras over the older ones. Little do the majority know, though, that there is actually quite a generous amount of prehistoric chapters on the market, all of which span a myriad of award-winning genres.

Of course, you don't need to be an archaeologist to dig up the remnants of a fantastic game. The truth is, there are plenty of fossils to unearth right here, right now. So, if you're a fan of all things prehistoric and dino-related, then be sure to scrub Steam, the Microsoft Store, and the PlayStation Store for these universally acclaimed titles.

5. Dawn of Man

Dawn of Man - Trailer

Dawn of Man takes some of the most deflated city-building elements in gaming and sows them across new pastures in a compelling prehistoric setting. In a nutshell, though, the game does revolve around establishing a community and maintaining its basic principles for a set amount of decades. The only major difference here, of course, is the time period which it orbits.

In Dawn of Man, players must erect the very first human settlement during the unruly Stone Age period. With only a bite-sized palette of knowledge and a relatively small amount of tools, creators will need to do all in their power to evolve a hollow community into a thriving hub for the curious species. With that, the weight of the whole world rests on one set of shoulders and one alone. The future of humanity, whether you like it or not, is in your hands.

 

4. Ancient Cities

Ancient Cities - Trailer

Ancient Cities is a city-building game that has been in early access for the best part of two years now. And yet, even with a residency on the back burner, the game itself is still receiving mounds of cutting edge updates, many of which are helping to shape what could potentially be gaming's next prehistoric phenomenon. Quite the statement, for sure, but we have all the faith in the world that Uncasual Games will produce absolute gold come launch day.

Like its sandbox counterparts, players are invited to immerse in a rich and invigorating world, a place where tribes and ancient beasts roam the land in search of a reason to endure. With that, you can expect a number of top-shelf tools to help formulate your plans for survival and bring upon a new era of hope and prosperity.

 

3. Prehistoric Kingdom

PAX West Trailer | Prehistoric Kingdom (Pre-Alpha)

Prehistoric Kingdom is a park management simulator that grants you the power to build the zoo of your wildest dreams without limits. Sort of like the vast majority of sandbox titles, of course, but with a rich prehistoric twist that allows for you to toy and maintain a wide selection of extinct animals. Think Jurassic Park Evolution, but with quadruple the amount of beasts to incubate and threats to dismantle.

To be fair, it's all fun and games when dinosaurs are involved. The fact that this is a sandbox game does, of course, mean players are welcome to trial a series of “natural” disasters and mess with the system for the sake of establishing a brand new scenario. It's definitely worth checking into, especially if you're big on park management hits like Planet Zoo and Planet Coaster.

 

2. Far Cry Primal

Far Cry Primal Trailer - 101 Trailer | PS4

Far Cry has seen its fair share of settings over the years, none of which have pushed the time period back any further than three or so decades. A minor exception, however, came in the shape of Primal, a prehistoric spin-off that centered its world around 10,000BC after the last Ice Age, and before the almighty crescendo that idled between three warring tribes.

Similar to the series' almost predictable routine, players take on the role of a hunter with a power to voice a nation. Or, in this instance, a prehistoric land void of any social decorum. As such, players must use their talents to tame wild beasts and ignite the fire in the hearts of a broken tribe. And yes, you can ride a mammoth into battle. There's your USP, right there.

 

1. Ancestors: The Humankind Odyssey

Ancestors: The Humankind Odyssey - Official Gameplay Launch Trailer

If you thought you had the weight of the world on your shoulders before, then try being in charge of eight million years worth of human evolution. That's quite the responsibility to lumber on anyone, for sure, and yet a monumental task you'll have to endure thanks to Ancestors: The Humankind Odyssey, a survival game that sees you living through perilous times as a hominid.

To secure your place in the future, you and your developing species must battle through waves of trials and tribulations while dismantling countless enemy threats. As you brave the hazardous environments and horrifying encounters that surround you, a new world will slowly start to take shape. For every cold night you conquer and death threat you overturn, an exciting new innovation will unlock, giving your kind a reason to live, breathe, and fight another day.

 

So, what's your take? Do you agree with our top five? Are there any prehistoric video games we should know about? Let us know over on our socials here or down in the comments below.

Jord is acting Team Leader at gaming.net. If he isn't blabbering on in his daily listicles, then he's probably out writing fantasy novels or scraping Game Pass of all its slept on indies.