Greek mythology has been a rich source of inspiration for many forms of entertainment, including video games. Strategy games, in particular, have incorporated elements of Greek mythology in a variety of ways, offering players the chance to experience epic battles, mythical creatures, and the tales of gods and heroes. Here are some of the best Greek mythology-themed strategy games that you can play:
- Age of Mythology
Age of Mythology is a classic real-time strategy game that was released in 2002. The game is set in a world where the gods of ancient Greece, Egypt, and Norse mythology coexist, and players are able to control one of these civilizations. Each civilization has its own unique units, technologies, and gods, and players can use these to build powerful armies and conquer their enemies.
One of the standout features of Age of Mythology is its mythology system. Players can worship the gods of their civilization and earn their favor, which can provide them with bonuses and special abilities. The gods can also intervene in battles, either helping the player or hindering their enemies.
- Age of Empires: Mythologies
Age of Empires: Mythologies is a turn-based strategy game that was released for the Nintendo DS in 2008. The game is set in the world of Age of Empires and features a blend of strategy and role-playing elements. Players are able to control a variety of units inspired by Greek mythology, including heroes, minotaurs, centaurs, and more.
In Age of Empires: Mythologies, players must explore a map filled with ancient ruins and mythical creatures, and build up their army in order to defeat the gods who threaten the land. The game features a deep and complex combat system, as well as a variety of technologies and upgrades that players can use to improve their units.
- Zeus: Master of Olympus
Zeus: Master of Olympus is a city-building simulation game that was released in 2000. The game is set in ancient Greece and players are able to control a city-state, building up its infrastructure, economy, and military. The game features a wide variety of units and buildings inspired by Greek mythology, including temples, academies, and more.
One of the standout features of Zeus: Master of Olympus is its focus on diplomacy and political strategy. Players must manage relationships with other city-states and gods, forming alliances and negotiating trade agreements in order to succeed. The game also features a variety of random events, including natural disasters and mythical creature attacks, that can challenge players and keep the gameplay fresh.
- Total War: Troy
Total War: Troy is a real-time strategy game that was released in 2020. The game is set in the world of ancient Greece and players are able to control one of several civilizations, including the Greeks, Trojans, and more. The game features a deep and complex combat system, as well as a variety of technologies and upgrades that players can use to improve their units.
One of the standout features of Total War: Troy is its focus on the epic battles of the Trojan War. Players can command their armies in massive battles, featuring thousands of units, and use strategy and tactics to outmaneuver their enemies. The game also features a rich and detailed world, filled with mythical creatures, gods, and heroes, that brings the world of ancient Greece to life.
- Civilization VI: New Frontier Pass
Civilization VI is a turn-based strategy game that was released in 2016. The game allows players to build and manage a civilization, guiding it from ancient times to the modern era. The New Frontier Pass, a series of expansions released in 2020 and 2021, added several new civilizations and game modes including a civilization inspired by Greek mythology.
In the Greek civilization, players are able to control the legendary leader Alexander the Great, and the civilization itself is based on the city-state of Macedonia. The civilization has unique abilities and bonuses that reflect its rich history and cultural heritage, including the ability to recruit powerful hoplite units and build stunning monuments inspired by ancient Greek architecture.
One of the standout features of the Greek civilization in Civilization VI is its use of the culture and religion systems. Players are able to build temples and other religious buildings, which provide them with cultural and religious bonuses. They can also use the religion system to spread the influence of their civilization and build a religious network that provides benefits to the player and their allies.
Another key aspect of the Greek civilization in Civilization VI is its use of heroes. Players are able to recruit and train heroes, inspired by the heroes of Greek mythology, who can be used to perform special actions and provide bonuses to the player’s civilization. Heroes can be used to explore the world, conduct diplomacy, and even lead armies into battle.
Games with a Greek Mythology theme
Greek mythology is a body of literature that includes tales of gods, heroes, and other supernatural beings. Before they were recorded in the works of poets like Homer and Hesiod, these myths were transmitted orally for many years. Greek mythology has a lasting influence on Western civilisation, even in the form of video games, and acts as a source of inspiration for literature, art, and culture.
Zeus, Athena, Apollo, Hercules, and Perseus are a few of the most well-known characters from Greek mythology. Greek mythology continues to enthrall audiences today, serving as the basis for a huge number of books, movies, and video games.
The top strategy games based on Greek mythology are listed below:
- Old World
A strategy simulation game called Old World was made available on Steam in 2021. The game lets users manage their own kingdoms and lead them through the ages while taking place in the ancient Mediterranean civilizations.
In Old World, players begin as the chief of a small tribe and have to make choices that will affect how their civilisation expands and advances. They must deal with dangers like invasions, natural catastrophes, and political unrest while managing resources, developing cities, and forming alliances with other countries. The game has a sophisticated AI engine that enables players to interact with other nations and influence the environment.
Old World has received praise for its in-depth gameplay, attention to detail, and historical realism. A rich, hand-painted art style that vividly depicts the ancient world is another aspect of the game.
2. Titan Quest
Action role-playing game Titan Quest is set in ancient Greece and other mythical locales. Greek, Egyptian, and Norse mythological beings and gods are faced off against by players. Titan Quest, a video game created by Iron Lore Entertainment and released by THQ, is set in the ancient world and lets players explore fabled locations and engage in mythological creature combat.
Players in Titan Quest assume the role of a hero on a mission to defend the world from the Titans, who have escaped from their confinement and pose a threat to its destruction.
Players in the game use a variety of weapons, spells, and skills to fight against armies of legendary creatures and formidable bosses in a fast-paced, hack-and-slash style of play.
Titan Quest offers a broad variety of locales to explore, from the sweltering deserts of Egypt to the cold peaks of the Himalayas, and boasts a rich and immersive universe inspired by ancient stories and legends. The game also has a robust system for character customisation that enables players to create and grow their characters in original ways.
- Troy from A Total War Saga
Real-time strategy game A Total War Saga: Troy was created by Creative Assembly and released by Sega. The 2020 game is a part of the Total War series, which is renowned for its expansive, dramatic conflicts and challenging strategic game play.
Total War Saga: Troy features a deep and compelling single-player experience and is set in a realistic and immersive universe that draws inspiration from Greek myths and legends. The game also has a strong multiplayer component that lets players engage in fierce, epic combat with one another.
4. Age of Mythology
In the real-time strategy game Age of Mythology, players can select between the Greek, Egyptian, or Norse civilizations. Battles against mythological beings and gods are featured in the game, which draws its inspiration from mythology from each of these nations. Age of Mythology, a video game created by Ensemble Studios and released by Microsoft, is set in a mythical world where players can take control of the Greek, Egyptian, or Norse empires.
Players assume the character of one of eight mythical Trojan War heroes in Total War Saga: Troy and command their forces into combat against opposing factions in a bid for control of ancient Greece. The game includes turn-based campaign map where players must acquire resources, build and manage their civilizations, and make strategic decisions to progress their cause, in addition to real-time battles with thousands of units on the field.
Players in Age of Mythology must collect resources, establish and maintain their civilization, and command their army into combat with rival civilizations. Real-time strategy gameplay in the game is given a distinctive twist by the ability for players to summon divine forces to their help.
Age of Mythology offers a broad variety of landscapes to explore, from the lush forests of the Norse realms to the deserts of Egypt, and boasts a rich and complex universe inspired by ancient stories and legends. The game also has a powerful multiplayer option that enables players to compete against one another on a worldwide scale, as well as a rich and captivating single-player narrative.
Overall, the Greek civilization in Civilization VI offers players a unique and richly-detailed experience, blending elements of strategy, city-building, and mythology into a single, immersive package. Whether you are a fan of Greek mythology, strategy games, or simply want to experience the epic story of Alexander the Great and his empire, the Greek civilization in Civilization VI is a must-play.
