The world of alternate history isn't just confined to literature and film. Video games offer immersive experiences that allow players to explore "what if" scenarios or even create their own alternate histories. Here are the top 16 video games that delve into the alternate history genre:
Wolfenstein: The New Order (2014)
Developed by MachineGames and published by Bethesda Softworks in 2014, it is a first-person shooter set in an alternate 1960s where the Nazis emerged victorious in World War II. The game's protagonist, William "B.J." Blazkowicz, is a war veteran and resistance member. The narrative begins with Blazkowicz participating in a 1946 assault on Deathshead's fortress. However, after the mission goes awry, he suffers a head injury that leaves him vegetative for 14 years. Awakening in a Polish asylum in 1960, Blazkowicz discovers a world under Nazi control. Escaping with the assistance of a nurse named Anya, he sets out to reconnect with the dwindling resistance.
As players navigate the game, they combine traditional shooting mechanics with stealth elements, providing a dynamic approach to missions. Blazkowicz collaborates with the resistance to gather intelligence and sabotage the Nazi regime, ultimately targeting the formidable General Deathshead. The story culminates in a massive assault on Deathshead's compound. Following fierce battles, Blazkowicz defeats Deathshead but sustains life-threatening injuries. The game concludes with an introspective Blazkowicz contemplating his past and the world's future, leaving players in suspense about his fate. The compelling storyline, character depth, and action-packed sequences garnered widespread acclaim for "Wolfenstein: The New Order," leading to subsequent sequels and spin-offs.
Fallout 3 (2008)
Developed by Bethesda Game Studios and released in 2008, it is the third main entry in the esteemed Fallout series, propelling the franchise into the realm of open-world, first-person RPGs. Set in the post-apocalyptic ruins of Washington D.C., now termed the Capital Wasteland, the game introduces players to a protagonist born inside Vault 101, one of the many underground bunkers designed to protect humanity from nuclear fallout. As the game begins, the protagonist's father mysteriously disappears from the Vault, prompting the player to embark on a perilous quest to find him, braving the hostile and irradiated wasteland above. The Capital Wasteland is rife with mutated creatures, rogue robots, warring factions, and the vestiges of human civilization attempting to rebuild amidst the chaos.
Throughout the game, players must make morally complex decisions that shape the fate of the wasteland's inhabitants and determine the outcome of overarching conflicts. Central to Fallout 3 is the conflict between the Brotherhood of Steel, an organization intent on preserving pre-war technology and safeguarding the Wasteland, and the Enclave, remnants of the pre-war U.S. government with a more sinister agenda. As the player delves deeper into the Wasteland's mysteries, they uncover their father's involvement in a project called "Project Purity," an ambitious endeavor to purify the radiation-contaminated waters of the Potomac River. The game was lauded for its intricate open-world design, deep storytelling, and the expansive moral choices it offered players, solidifying its place as a classic in the RPG genre.
Bioshock: Infinite (2013)
Developed by Irrational Games and released in 2013, it is the third installment in the BioShock series but narratively stands distinct from its predecessors. Set in 1912, players navigate the story as Booker DeWitt, a former Pinkerton agent burdened by debts and regret. To absolve his debts, DeWitt is dispatched to the airborne city of Columbia, a majestic utopia that floats among the clouds. Once envisioned as a symbol of American exceptionalism and religious fervor, Columbia has devolved into a hotbed of racial and class tensions under the rule of the self-declared prophet Zachary Hale Comstock. Booker's primary mission is to rescue Elizabeth, a mysterious woman imprisoned in the city since childhood and who possesses the uncanny ability to open "tears" in the fabric of reality.
As Booker and Elizabeth form an alliance and navigate the city's many perils, the narrative delves deep into themes of American nationalism, racism, and the consequences of unchecked power. Their journey is fraught with challenges, not only from the city's hostile denizens but also from the complexities of their evolving relationship and the revelation of intertwining destinies. Columbia itself serves as both a breathtaking backdrop and a poignant commentary on extremism. With its rich storytelling, intricate characters, and thought-provoking themes, Bioshock: Infinite was lauded for pushing the boundaries of narrative-driven gameplay and remains a seminal title in the annals of gaming history.
Command & Conquer: Red Alert (1996)
One of my favorites, it was developed by Westwood Studios and released in 1996, is a real-time strategy (RTS) game that serves as a prequel to the original Command & Conquer. The game's narrative kicks off with a captivating alternate history premise: in an attempt to alter the course of history and prevent World War II, Albert Einstein invents a time machine and travels back to the 1920s to erase Adolf Hitler from existence. However, this well-intentioned act backfires. Without the rise of Nazi Germany to counterbalance Stalin's ambitions, the Soviet Union becomes an unchecked superpower, aggressively expanding its territory and initiating a new European conflict against the Allies. The game allows players to command either the technological forces of the Allies or the overwhelming might of the Soviet Union in this divergent timeline.
"Red Alert" stands out for its campy, live-action cinematic sequences that progress the story between missions, adding charm and personality to the narrative. The gameplay itself is a hallmark of the RTS genre: players gather resources, construct bases, produce various military units, and engage in tactical battles against AI or other players. With its compelling alternate-history setting, balanced gameplay mechanics, and memorable units like the Tesla coil and Chronosphere, "Red Alert" became a beloved classic and spawned several sequels that further explored its unique universe.
Assassin's Creed III: The Tyranny of King Washington (2012)
An episodic downloadable content (DLC) for Assassin's Creed III, it offers players an intriguing dive into an alternate history. The narrative veers from the main game, introducing a reality in which the hero, Ratonhnhaké:ton (commonly known as Connor), never became an Assassin. Instead, he's thrust into a world where George Washington, influenced by an ancient and powerful artifact, declares himself the monarch of the newly-formed United States. Washington's reign is not benevolent; he becomes a despotic ruler, with America under the thumb of his oppressive regime. This drastic change in history propels Connor into a challenging journey as he grapples with the unfamiliarity of this new world and the grim transformation of a once-admired leader.
Over the DLC's three episodes—The Infamy, The Betrayal, and The Redemption—Connor seeks to dismantle the tyrannical reign of King Washington. Throughout his mission, Connor undergoes Native American rituals that endow him with powerful abilities, such as the prowess of the wolf or the soaring perspective of an eagle. These powers play a pivotal role in his confrontation against the corrupted Washington.
Homefront: The Revolution (2016)
Developed by Dambuster Studios and released in 2016, it is a first-person shooter that presents an alternate history where North Korea has become a dominant global superpower. The game is set in 2029, four years after the Korean People's Army (KPA) hostile occupation of the United States. Players step into the shoes of Ethan Brady, a member of the resistance movement in the city of Philadelphia, now a dystopian, police-state stronghold for the KPA. The narrative follows Brady and the resistance as they work to ignite a revolution, rallying citizens and employing guerrilla warfare tactics to break the chains of oppression and reclaim their city and nation.
Unlike its predecessor, which offered a linear gameplay experience, Homefront: The Revolution boasts an open-world environment, allowing players to explore the beleaguered Philadelphia and engage in various activities to strengthen the resistance. From converting zones of influence to constructing weapons and tools from scavenged parts, players immerse themselves in the life of a resistance fighter. The game was praised for its detailed world and the concept of a decentralized, guerrilla warfare-driven uprising, even if it faced criticism for some technical issues and gameplay mechanics.
Turning Point: Fall of Liberty (2008)
Developed by Spark Unlimited and released in 2008, it is a first-person shooter set in an alternate history where Winston Churchill died in 1931, leading to a series of events that prevented the Western Allies from effectively opposing the Nazi regime. By the 1950s, the Nazis have become the dominant global power, having taken over all of Europe and launched a full-scale invasion of the United States. The game opens with a startling scene of New York City under attack, with German Zeppelins in the sky and Nazi soldiers on the streets. Players assume the role of Dan Carson, a construction worker turned resistance fighter who finds himself embroiled in the fight against the Nazi occupation of America.
Players witness a transformed United States throughout the game, with famous landmarks like the White House flying the Swastika and familiar cities serving as battlegrounds. The narrative follows Carson's journey from New York to Washington, D.C., and then to London, where he joins forces with resistance groups to counter Nazi dominance. While "Turning Point: Fall of Liberty" had an intriguing premise that sparked interest, it was often criticized for its execution, particularly regarding gameplay mechanics and graphics. Still, its portrayal of a world where the Nazis have free reign provides a thought-provoking backdrop to the game's events.
Victoria II (2010)
Developed by Paradox Interactive and released in 2010, it is a grand strategy game that spans the 19th century through the early 20th century, covering the period from 1836 to 1936. Set against the backdrop of the colonial era and the rise of industrialization, players take control of a nation and navigate the intricate political, economic, and military challenges of the time. The game provides a detailed economic system, with thousands of different types of goods, factories, and production chains to manage. Players also grapple with internal politics, aligning with various political factions, addressing social reforms, and handling the complexities of emergent ideologies like communism and fascism.
From the very start of the game in 1836, players can lead their chosen nation in directions that deviate from real historical events. Whether it's a minor state becoming a major global power, a powerful empire experiencing an early decline, or unexpected alliances and wars altering the geopolitical landscape, the possibilities for alternate history scenarios in Victoria II are vast. Every decision made in diplomacy, economics, military strategy, and internal politics can lead to a divergent historical path. For example, players can prevent the unification of Germany or Italy, lead a successful Confederate States victory in the American Civil War, or even usher in a global communist revolution in the 19th century.
Freedom Fighters (2003)
Developed by IO Interactive and published by Electronic Arts in 2003, is a third-person shooter set in an alternate history where the Soviet Union has become a dominant global superpower. In this reimagined timeline, the Soviets drop the atomic bomb on Berlin, ending World War II in their favor and subsequently influencing global politics to expand their reach. Fast forward to the modern day in the game's setting, and the Soviets launch a surprise invasion of the United States, starting with New York City. Players step into the shoes of Christopher Stone, a plumber turned resistance leader, who, along with his brother Troy, gets caught in the turmoil of the invasion. As New York falls under occupation, Chris becomes a symbol of resistance against the oppressors.
Throughout the game, players navigate the occupied streets of New York, recruiting and leading a group of resistance fighters against the Soviet forces. The gameplay is characterized by its squad-based mechanics, allowing players to command a team of fighters, issuing them strategic commands to aid in urban guerrilla warfare. As Chris completes missions and wins the people's trust, his squad's influence and size grow, turning him into a pivotal figure in the fight for freedom.
Hearts of Iron IV (2016)
Another favorite of mine, Hearts of Iron IV, developed by Paradox Interactive and released in 2016, is a grand strategy wargame set during the tumultuous era of World War II. Players can assume control of any nation that existed between 1936 and 1939 and guide their chosen country through the intricate geopolitical landscape leading up to and during the war. The game is known for its depth and complexity, allowing players to manage various aspects, including diplomacy, research, military strategy, production, and trade. While the game begins in the historical context of the late 1930s, player decisions can and often do lead to alternate history scenarios, such as a democratic Germany or a fascist United States.
Hearts of Iron IV stands out for its detailed military strategy components. Battles can occur on land, sea, and air, with players required to manage logistics, troop movements, and resource allocations to ensure victory. The game also features a robust research tree, enabling technological advancements and military tactics. With the freedom to either follow a historically accurate path or venture into speculative scenarios, Hearts of Iron IV offers players a chance to reshape the course of the Second World War in myriad ways, making each playthrough a unique experience.
S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Shadow of Chernobyl (2007)
As the inaugural entry in the S.T.A.L.K.E.R. series developed by GSC Game World, it was released in 2007. Set in an alternate reality, the game transpires in the "Zone," a treacherous and heavily contaminated area surrounding the Chornobyl Nuclear Power Plant, which has become home to anomalous energy occurrences and mutated creatures following a second fictional nuclear disaster. Players take on the role of an amnesiac stalker known as "The Marked One," whose primary objective is to assassinate another stalker named Strelok. Throughout his journey, The Marked One uncovers his identity, the mysteries of the Zone, and the circumstances surrounding the second disaster.
The game brilliantly melds first-person shooting, survival horror, and role-playing elements. One of its most distinctive features is its semi-open world, filled with dangerous radiation pockets, shifting weather conditions, and diverse factions of stalkers, each with its own agenda. The Zone is a place of unpredictability, with emergent gameplay arising from the dynamic AI interactions and the ever-present threat of anomalies—unpredictable energy disturbances that can be lethal to the unwary. The player's choices, interactions, and approaches to various challenges influence the outcome, resulting in multiple possible endings to the game's story.
Crimson Skies (2000)
I have many fond memories of playing this one with my brothers. Released in 2000, it is an arcade flight video game developed by Zipper Interactive and published by Microsoft Game Studios. Set in an alternate history of the 1930s, the United States has fragmented into several smaller nation-states following the devastation of the Great Depression and a severe influenza pandemic. As a result of this societal upheaval and the regionalized nature of the new nations, road and train transportation become risky and inefficient, leading to the rise of air travel and air piracy as dominant means of transit and commerce. Players step into the cockpit as Nathan Zachary, the dashing and charismatic leader of a band of fortune-seeking air pirates known as the Fortune Hunters. Through a series of daring heists, dogfights, and adventures, players navigate this tumultuous sky-bound world, seeking fame and fortune.
Singularity (2010)
Released in 2010 and developed by Raven Software, it plunges players into the enigmatic and hazardous environment of Katorga-12, a Soviet research island where experiments with the element E-99 went catastrophically awry. In an alternate history twist, the USSR discovered E-99 in the 1950s and sought to harness its unparalleled potential for energy, weaponry, and even time control. However, a disastrous accident on the island linked to E-99 experiments unleashes temporal chaos and transforms Katorga-12 into a time-warped hellscape, with regions of the island oscillating between the 1950s and the present day, accompanied by nightmarish creatures warped by the element.
When an electromagnetic surge from the island disrupts satellite operations in 2010, U.S. Air Force pilot Captain Nathaniel Renko is dispatched to investigate. After crash-landing on the island, Renko soon encounters a time-manipulation device called the Time Manipulation Device (TMD). With the TMD, Renko can interact with objects from the past and present, and as he delves deeper into the mysteries of Katorga-12, he discovers that the experiments conducted there have had far-reaching consequences. Throughout his journey, player choices affect the course of history, leading to multiple potential endings based on how Renko uses the TMD and how he chooses to confront the challenges of Katorga-12's fractured timeline.
Prey (2017)
Developed by Arkane Studios, it transports players to the space station Talos I in the year 2032. This colossal facility orbits the moon and is a testament to an alternate history where President John F. Kennedy survived his assassination attempt, leading to a bolstered and collaborative space program between the U.S. and the Soviet Union. On Talos I, scientists conduct experiments on the Typhon, an alien species discovered near the moon. These studies have led to "Neuromods," revolutionary devices that can alter human abilities by rewriting the user's brain. The game's protagonist, Morgan Yu, wakes up on the station only to realize that the Typhon has escaped containment, turning most of the station's inhabitants into mind-controlled hosts or worse.
As Morgan, players must navigate the intricate, interconnected environments of Talos I, battling the Typhon threat while uncovering the station's secrets and their own past. A defining feature of the game is its freedom; players can approach challenges in multiple ways, thanks to a blend of traditional weapons, alien powers derived from the Typhon, and tools. Throughout the narrative, players encounter moral choices and unravel the mysteries behind TranStar, the corporation that runs Talos I, and the true nature of the Neuromods. The game blends elements of science fiction, psychological horror, and immersive sim gameplay to create a unique and atmospheric experience.
Wargame: European Escalation (2012)
It is a real-time tactics video game developed by Eugen Systems and released in 2012. Set during the Cold War, the game offers a speculative look at the events of the late 20th century, asking the question: What if the Cold War had turned hot, resulting in a full-scale war between NATO and the Warsaw Pact countries? Across various campaigns and scenarios, players experience a series of engagements that span the 1970s and 1980s, with battles raging across Central Europe, including Germany, Scandinavia, and other parts of Eastern and Western Europe.
The gameplay is distinguished by its deep strategic depth and focus on realism. Players command various units across land, air, and sea in subsequent series titles. Each unit in the game is modeled after real-world military hardware from the era, and the title boasts an expansive roster of over 360 different units. Terrain, reconnaissance, supply lines, and troops' morale are critical in battles, requiring players to think critically about their tactical decisions and broader strategic objectives. "Wargame: European Escalation" stands out for blending a historically grounded setting with intense tactical gameplay.
Codename Panzers: Cold War (2009)
A real-time tactics video game developed by InnoGlow and published by Atari. It is the third installment in the "Codename Panzers" series and takes a leap from its predecessors' World War II setting to the Cold War era. The game delves into an alternate history scenario where a seemingly minor accident between a Soviet and an American military aircraft escalates tensions that lead to a full-blown conflict between NATO and the USSR in the late 1940s.
The single-player campaign follows the NATO forces, putting the player in the shoes of a commander navigating a series of tactical battles across a Europe ravaged by this unexpected war. The game maintains the series' signature emphasis on tactical depth and unit management, introducing modernized units and weaponry suitable for the new historical context. Weather conditions, day-night cycles, and destructible environments add layers of strategy to the combat scenarios. Multiplayer modes and mission editors also enhance the game's replayability, allowing players to engage in various Cold War-themed battles against each other or craft their own combat scenarios.
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