Historical video games offer gamers the opportunity to become active players in some of the most defining moments of human civilization. Contrary to history books, these games offer vast experiences incomparable to paragraphs of text. After all, some of these games let players become legends and popular figures themselves. Or in rare occasions, games transform players into "unknowns" that have a seemingly-huge role in the shape of things to come.

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In fact, it's these unique approaches that give some historical video games the distinction of being quite the moving experience. However, just what are some of the most impactful games that take place in key moments in human history?

10 Total War (Various)

Total War - Best Games Set In Historical Periods

Compared to the personal point of view of the Assassin's Creed series, Total War gives players a more strategic vantage point towards some of history's most defining moments. At its core, Total War still allows players to "relive" important battles in history. However, its battles are perhaps on a completely different level - with elements such as formations and flanking mattering a lot in gameplay.

As expected, Total War games often take place in pivotal moments in history. For instance, its Shogun iteration takes place during the Warring States period in Feudal Japan. Likewise, the Rome iteration takes place during the Roman Republic. The franchise also includes a Napoleon iteration that focuses on the French Revolutionary Wars and the Napoleonic Wars.

9 The Oregon Trail (The Oregon Trail)

Wagon and text diagnosing Nicole with dysentery in The Oregon Trail

Very rarely do players get a game named for its historical basis, but The Oregon Trail does exactly that. Since its original 1971 release, The Oregon Trail remains not just one of the most educational history games out there, but perhaps a predecessor to the survival management genre.

Essentially, The Oregon Trail will have players take on the role of a wagon leader braving the aforementioned Trail. They will begin from Independence, Missouri and should end up in Willamette Valley, Oregon. However, players need to fight the same struggles the original settlers have - misfortunes and harsh conditions, sickness and raiders, and the occasional death through dysentery.

8 Victoria II (The Industrial Revolution)

Victoria II - Best Games Set In Historical Periods

When anyone hears about the Industrial Revolution, one would perhaps simply think that part of the 18th Century that marked the shift from farming to industry. However, it's the Industrial Revolution that essentially awakened a surge in literacy and nuanced ideas such as communism, labor rights, and universal suffrage. Granted, anyone today will appreciate the contributions of the Industrial Revolution towards the growth of mankind. However, Victoria II lets players experience this themselves.

Victoria II is a 4X game that gives players control over one of 200 nations. Spanning 1836 to 1936, players remain in charge of everything that happens to their nation. However, unlike other 4X games, Victoria II places less emphasis on combat and more on internal management. In turn, players get a first glimpse at the multi-faceted dimensions that more modernized countries face - sociopolitical changes, industrialization, and even a growing international market.

7 Genghis Khan II: Clan Of The Gray Wolf (Life Of Genghis Khan)

Genghis Khan II - Best Games Set In Historical Periods

What better way to see the ancient world ripe for conquest than in the eyes of man who will attempt world domination himself? In Genghis Khan II: Clan of the Gray Wolf, players can have a more strategic approach towards world domination. The game takes players across four time periods - Temujin's unification of Mongolia, his transformation into Genghis Khan, the formation of the Yuan Dynasty, and a freeform World Domination stage.

At its core, Genghis Khan II makes use of a turn-based system to facilitate its grand strategy premise. Leaders need to use their turn points carefully to balance various management elements. These include economic trade, managing family and diplomatic relations, and even participating in trade. Additionally, players also have the option of choosing a leader other than Genghis Khan. Their other leader choices include several rules from neighboring territories in North Africa, Asia, and even Europe.

6 Valiant Hearts: The Great War (World War I)

Valiant Hearts The Great War - Best Games Set In Historical Periods

Players who want to explore historical games outside the context of action-packed World War II might want to try Valiant Hearts: The Great War. Contrary to action set pieces, Valiant Hearts is a gripping and eye-opening tale in the various struggles people faced in the Great War. At its core, Valiant Hearts is a puzzle game under the backdrop of a riveting story. In it, four characters help a German soldier find the love of his life.

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However, what makes Valiant Hearts so impressive lies in its attention to detail. Ubisoft actually took first-hand accounts and letters from the war to form a unique story to call their own. In turn, Valiant Hearts features an overall narrative that is based on real-life events.

5 The Saboteur (World War II)

The Saboteur - Best Games Set In Historical Periods

Instead of partaking in a World War II game in the eyes of a soldier, why not in the eyes of a spy? The Saboteur takes place in 1940, where one man takes on the burden of being a spy in German-occupied France. In it, Irishman Sean Devlin turns back on his life as a race car mechanic and instead becomes a spy. At its core, gameplay relies on players "inspiring" various sections of France by helping the French Resistance.

What's amazing about The Saboteur is its real-life inspiration. In fact, protagonist Sean Devlin is based on William Grover-Williams, a motor racing driver who eventually became a spy. And while Grover-Williams had his life taken by the Nazis, his legacy helped paved the way to France's freedom.

4 Company Of Heroes (World War 2)

Company of Heroes - Best Games Set In Historical Periods

The Company of Heroes series gives a more strategic take on some of the most pivotal moments of World War 2. Depending on the game, players can relive some battles as divisions from the United States or the Soviet Union. At their core, Company of Heroes require units to capture strategic resources to generate upkeep for resource construction and unit recruitment. Under the backdrop of World War 2, Company of Heroes boast realistic takes on some iconic settings in various countries.

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Gamers who play the first game can play U.S. Forces in Operation Overlord (Battle of Normandy) and Operation Cobra (French liberation). Likewise, players of the second game can witness the Soviet Red Army's efforts throughout the Eastern Front.

3 1979 Revolution: Black Friday (Iranian Revolution)

1979 Revolution - Best Games Set In Historical Periods

With 1979 Revolution: Black Friday, history fans can finally experience a historical game that doesn't take place in World Wars. In 1979 Revolution, players instead experience the harsh reality of Iran during the Iranian Revolution. They take control of Reza Shirazi, an aspiring photojournalist, and his slow yet deeper involvement in the Revolution's events.

At its core, 1979 Revolution is an interactive drama title. In turn, Reza needs to make decisions to events in real-time. They also need to take photographs of their surroundings, and are often briefed with the context of these events in real life.

2 Velvet Assassin (World War II)

Velvet Assassin - Best Games Set In Historical Periods

History fans who want a more unique take on World War II might want to explore it in the context of a renowned spy. In Velvet Assassin, players take on the role of Violette Szabo - a real-life secret agent of the British Secret Intelligence Service. Fans who've heard of Violette would have heard her missions within occupied France. This time around, Velvet Assassin would let them experience these themselves.

In Velvet Assassin, players need to hugely rely on stealth as Violette needs to navigate through various areas. Once detected, she has the option to fight her opponents or flee her location. Likewise, a "Blend Stealth" feature allows Violette to blend in with the environment by acquiring an SS Uniform.

1 Brothers In Arms: Road To Hill 30 (World War II)

Brothers in Arms Road To Hill 30 - Best Games Set In Historical Periods

What better way to explore the efforts of soldiers in World War II than in a game that highlights their heroism? Brothers in Arms: Road to Hill 30 serves as the first game in the franchise, and perhaps one that helped skyrocket the series as a historically-accurate one at that. This game largely takes place before the Normandy Landings.

Despite being a first-person shooter, the game does provide players with rather inaccurate aim. In fact, enemy fire can cause the player's aim to go erratic and mimic suppressing fire. As such, the game is known for highlighting team command.

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