At school and university, we study Greek mythology and it is almost impossible to find people who have not heard of Zeus, Hades, Athena or Apollo. At the same time, we are somewhat familiar with the gods of Egyptian mythology (Anubis, Horus, Nephthys) and Hindu deities such as Ganesha, Vishnu and Shiva. However, Scandinavian mythology is no less interesting, and it has received less attention in the world. And it's not all about Thor, who became famous in popular culture thanks to Marvel. In addition to a dozen gods, there are also several worlds, mythical creatures from giants to draugr, Vikings, and, of course, runes (the latter are still popular for tattoos). So, if you want to dive into some mythology but are tired of Greek, why not go to the harsh Scandinavia? The gg editorial team has found 10 games that will at least arouse your interest in Norse mythology, and some projects will make you fall in love with these myths.
God of War (2018)
God of War (2018) is a third-person action adventure. The game is a relaunch of the series and takes players to the world of Norse mythology, abandoning the Greek theme of previous games.
The story revolves around Kratos, who has become older and wiser, and his son Atreus. After the death of his wife Freya, Kratos sets off with Atreus on a dangerous journey to fulfil her last wish - to scatter Freya's ashes from the highest mountain of the nine worlds. During their journey, they encounter various mythological creatures, such as draugr, the dead who have come back to life, and gods, such as Odin's nephews.
Mythology in the game: the opportunity to fight with the Norse gods - the sons of Thor: Magni and Modi.
Developer: Santa Monica
Time to complete: 15-40
Genre: Action Adventure
Platforms: PC, PlayStation 4/5
Release date: 20 April 2018
Game site: playstation
Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice
Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice is a psychological action adventure. The game is set in the world of Norse mythology, where players take on the role of Senua, a Celtic warrior who embarks on a dangerous journey to the realm of the dead, Helheim, to save the soul of her deceased lover, Dillion. In addition, the player will also meet famous creatures from mythology, such as Surt, the fire giant, the ruler of Muselheim. The giant wolf Fenrir, who is the child of Loki. And this is not the whole list, but we don't want to spoil the surprise.
The game is distinguished by its approach to the portrayal of mental disorders. Senua suffers from psychosis, and her journey is accompanied by voices and hallucinations. The developers even collaborated with psychiatrists and people who have experienced mental illness to accurately reflect this condition.
Mythology in the game: a journey to Helheim - in Norse mythology, one of the nine worlds, the world of the dead, Hel is a Norse goddess and daughter of Loki
Developer: Ninja Theory
Time to complete: 7-10
Genre: Action Adventure
Platforms: PC, Xbox One, PlayStation 4/5, Switch
Release date: 8 August 2017
Website of the game: hellblade
Jotun: Valhalla Edition
Jotun: Valhalla Edition is a hand-drawn action adventure set in the world of Norse mythology, where players will take on the role of Tori, a Viking warrior who died an unworthy death and now has to prove her worthiness to the gods to earn a place in Valhalla - in Norse mythology, this is the majestic hall of the god Odin, where warriors who died in battle go.
To do this, you will have to face giant Jotunn, the mythical creatures of Norse mythology, in epic battles. Each battle requires strategic thinking and dexterity, as well as the use of special abilities granted by the gods.
Mythology in the game: a detailed introduction to the Jotuns, a race of giants in Jotungaim, one of the worlds of Norse mythology. They are divided into ice, fire, sea, and storm giants
Developer: Thunder Lotus Games
Time to complete: 5-8
Genre: Action Adventure
Platforms: PC, Xbox One, PlayStation 4/5, Switch
Release date: 29 September 2015
Game site: thunderlotusgames
The Banner Saga
The Banner Saga is a hand-drawn tactical role-playing game. It takes place in a fictional world inspired by Scandinavian mythology and Viking legends. Players control a group of warriors travelling through a harsh and gloomy world in an attempt to survive.
The game combines elements of strategic combat and role-playing character development. The battles take place in a turn-based mode where players must use the tactics and skills of their characters to defeat their enemies. Each decision affects the plot and the fate of the characters, making the story non-linear.
Mythology in the game: a conventionally Scandinavian world where people's allies are warlords - horned giants who are at war against the stone-armoured dredge race
Developer: Stoic
Time to complete: 10-20
Genre: RPG
Platforms: PC, Xbox One, PlayStation 4/5, Switch
Release date: 14 January 2014
Website of the game: bannersaga
Valheim.
Valheim is an open-world co-op survival game. It takes place in a world inspired by Norse mythology, where players embody Vikings who have fallen into the mysterious afterlife of Valheim, the tenth Norse world. It was invented by the authors specifically for the game and is not found in mythology. You become the new guardian of this eternal purgatory and have to fulfil Odin's order to destroy his ancient enemies and bring order to Valheim, which is currently in chaos and turmoil.
In this world, players must also survive by gathering resources, hunting wild animals, and building a shelter. The game offers an in-depth crafting system that allows you to create weapons, armour and other items needed to survive and explore the dangerous world. Valheim is also noted for its epic boss battles, each of which is the embodiment of an ancient Norse deity or creature from mythology.
Mythology in the game: exploration of the world of Valheim, which the authors made inspired by worlds from mythology, such as Niflheim - a land of ice and fog inhabited by ice giants
Developer: Iron Gate AB
Time to complete: 1-1000
Genre: Survival
Platforms: PC, Xbox Series, Mac
Release date: 2 February 2021
Game site: valheim
The Frostrune
The Frostrune is a point-and-click game. It takes place in the Viking world, filled with Scandinavian mythology and folk legends. The player takes on the role of Liv, a girl who finds herself on a mysterious island after a shipwreck. The island is covered with dense forests and ancient ruins, where traces of a former Viking settlement, abandoned in a hurry, can be seen everywhere. To solve the mystery of the disappearance of the island's inhabitants, Liv must explore it, solve puzzles and find hidden artefacts.
The game stands out for its carefully crafted visual style inspired by Scandinavian art and culture. Detailed locations, authentic music and soundtrack help to create an atmosphere of immersion in the world of ancient legends and myths.
Mythology in the game: a great emphasis on the Norse runes - an ancient alphabet for writing, magic, and divination
Developer: Grimnir Media
Time to complete: 2-4
Genre: Point-and-click
Platforms: PC, Android, iOS
Release date: 2 February 2017
Game site: steampowered
Assassin's Creed Valhalla + DLC Dawn of Ragnarök
Assassin's Creed Valhalla is an open-world adventure game where the player takes on the role of Eyvor, a brave Viking warrior who leads his clan from Norway to England in search of a new home in the 9th century.
The theme of Norse mythology is best revealed in the Dawn of Ragnarök expansion, where we play as Odin, the supreme god of the Norse pantheon, and embark on a desperate journey to the kingdom of Svartalfheim, home of the dwarves, to rescue his son Baldr, who has been captured by the fire giant Surtur.
Mythology in the game: Viking lifestyles and depictions of the dwarven kingdom of Svartalheim and an introduction to Odin's son Baldr in the supplement
Developer: Ubisoft Montreal
Time to complete: 30-100
Genre: Action Adventure
Platforms: PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series, PlayStation 4/5
Release date: 6 December 2022
Game site: ubisoft
Oddmar
Oddmar is a mobile platformer. The main character of the game is the Viking Oddmar, who failed to earn a place in Valhalla. Desperate and disgraced, Oddmar gets a second chance to prove his place in the hall where victorious warriors rest after death. To pass the tests, Oddmar is given magical powers in the form of magic mushrooms. On his dangerous journey, he will encounter magical forest glades, snow-capped mountains, fiery dungeons, and other dangerous locations.
The game offers 24 levels, each of which is filled with its own enemies, puzzles, and obstacles. Scandinavian mythology is embodied in every aspect of the game: from the design of characters like Vikings, giants and dwarves to the environment, which depicts the architecture and landscapes of that world, creating an immersive experience.
Mythology in the game: a world inhabited by trolls, jotuns and other creatures from Norse legends
Developer: Mobge
Time to complete: 4-7
Genre: Platformer
Platforms: Android, iOS, Switch
Release date: 16 January 2019
Game site: nintendo
Bad North: Jotunn Edition
Bad North: Jotunn Edition is a roguelite (after losing, everything starts over) real-time tactical game. Players have to take on the role of a commander defending their islands from the invasion of ruthless Viking invaders. Each island in the game is procedurally generated and requires the player to develop different defence strategies. Players control a small army of defenders, which is divided into classes (archers, swordsmen, soldiers with shields), placing them in key positions to repel waves of enemies.
Although there are no elements of Scandinavian mythology in the game, what is Scandinavia without Vikings? These are the Scandinavian sailors, warriors, and traders who actually imitated this mythology. We know a lot about it thanks to the Vikings. Moreover, the easy-to-learn gameplay turns Bad North into a time-killer, where you spend hours on end fighting off waves of invaders on minimalist Scandinavian islands. The game is especially good for relieving boredom during long journeys.
Mythology in the game: all the time we play as Vikings - legendary warriors who popularised Scandinavian mythology
Developer: Plausible Concept
Time to complete: 5-25
Genre: Strategy
Platforms: Android, iOS, Switch, PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series, PlayStation 4/5
Release date: 20 August 2018
Game site: badnorth
God of War Ragnarök
God of War Ragnarök is the sequel to the 2018 game. The plot continues to focus on Kratos and his son Atreus, who continue their journey through the dangerous and mysterious lands of Scandinavia. This time, the heroes are preparing to meet Ragnarök - in Norse mythology, this is the battle that will complete the prophecy that will send the Norse gods into their final battle against their enemies.
And Ragnarök is undoubtedly the most epic game in the wrapper of Norse mythology: throughout this long story, players will meet gods like Thor and Odin, travel across the nine worlds, and meet dozens of heroes we've only seen in myth books. Here you can form an alliance with them and fight side by side, but remember that Kratos will simply smash some of them against the Scandinavian concrete.
Mythology in the game: the opportunity to travel to all 9 worlds of Norse mythology and experience Ragnarok, an epic battle that determines the fate of the Norse gods
Developer: Santa Monica
Time to complete: 20-50
Genre: Action Adventure
Platforms: PlayStation 4/5
Release date: 9 November 2022 (19 September the game will be released on PC)
Game website: playstation
Go Deeper:
Our game editor has been playing games since he was 4 years old and can't imagine himself without it. He has played 100+ games on PlayStation, but still considers The Last of Us Part II to be the best in the industry. In January 2022, he joined the gg team. He studies at the Faculty of Journalism at Kyiv International University.
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