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6 Amazing Video Games About Ancient Japan

video games about history
Ancient japan video games

Beyond anime and manga, video games set in ancient Japan are excellent expressions of the rich Japanese culture. They can change the way you learn about the history of Japan, the important figures involved, and its scenic ancient landscapes. You can also relive some of the most popular Japanese folklores while you sit behind a screen with your console!

If you haven’t yet paid this country a visit, playing a video game set in old Japan is a great way to start your first journey! This article puts together 6 video games about ancient Japan that offer you a chance to travel back to the time of feudal samurai and ninjas!  

Total War Shogun 2: Fall of the Samurai

Photo by MobyGames

Ever imagined how life would look like as a clan leader in ancient Japan?  Prepare to enter the period of warring Sengoku with the Fall of Samurai! Released in 2012, this PC game is centered around the age of growing clan culture in Japan, so you can expect several clan wars your way. As a clan leader, you will find yourself reclaiming your Japanese clan’s power and taking control of Kyoto. Get ready to intervene in an interesting period of Japan!

Ōkami

Photo by Ninetendo

It is time to become the hero of a story inspired by Japanese mythology! Playing Ōkami promises an incredible experience of classical Japan for the users. Players wander around the streets of ancient Japan as the goddess of the sun – Amaterasu.

The video game has a compelling narrative with a creative folklore twist. If Japanese legends were challenging to memorize in class, this video game would be a turning point for you. More than just a game, it is a learning experience about Japanese spiritual practices, legends, and myths! This action-adventure game was released in 2006 and is available on Play Station 2,3,4, Wii, Xbox, and Nintendo Switch.

Picture by Den of Geek

Ghost of Tsushima

Picture by Den of Geek

Ghost of Tsushima is one of the best games to play if you are interested in some ancient roleplaying. As Jin, you take up the role of the protagonist who is on the mission to save his village. Set during the first Mongol invasion, the game has several one-on-one combats. While you roam around the feudal Japanese countryside, you will also encounter many historical landmarks. This game is highly cinematic, with special attention paid to the setting details. This is your chance to participate in ancient battles happening in ancient Japan! This 2020 release streams on Play Station 4 and 5.

Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice

Picture by WCCFtech

If you have heard about ninjas in books, it is time you take up the character of a ninja yourself! Travel back to the years between 1467 and 1615 in Japan with Shadows Die Twice. This game lets you step into the shoes of a Shinobi who is on the quest for revenge. Not only that, but you also get to experience the brutalities and turmoil encapsulating the late 1500’s Sengoku Japan. While the game is mostly centered around head-to-head combats and ninja abilities, the setting and story are also a great chance to get a taste of Japanese Buddhism! Shadows Die Twice was released in 2019 for Win, PS4, and Xbox One, while it started streaming on Stadia by late 2020.

Way of the Samurai

Picture by DFGames

Samurai were some of the key figures in Japanese history. This goes back to their role as exceptional warriors and their impact on Japanese culture and heritage to date. As you play Way of the Samurai, you will be on the frontline of the period between the fall of Tokugawa Shogunate and the rise of Meiji. This game does not only depict the traditional street culture of ancient Japan but also gives a heads up for how the military class evolved. This video game is all about exploration, side-quests, and mini-games where players get to decide how the narrative concludes! This made its way into the market in 2002 and is available on Play Station and Play Station portable.

Tenchu

Picture by The world of news

Experience what it is like to walk around a reimagined 16th century Japan with Tenchu. This video game provides an exciting adventure of directly encountering assassinations. However, this is no ordinary assassination game since you will be handed all the ninja moves and powers on your journey. This stealth game lets you experiment with Japanese weapons and tools to spy for Lord Gohda. Put on your ninja masks because you are about to get teleported to the time of ancient Japanese Ninja clans! The latest Tenchu release was in 2009. You can experience this marvelous game streaming on PlayStation 2, Xbox, PlayStation Portable, Nintendo DS, Xbox 360, and Wii.

Conclusion

These video games are not only action-packed but also serve as great lessons about Japan’s historical geography and the fascinating civilizations that inhabited it. By reliving characters of different Samurai, warriors, and ninjas, players learn about the evolution of Japanese heritage. These games also incorporate detailed settings to make the experience of walking around ancient Japan as realistic as possible. Turns out you can travel to ancient Japan from the comfort of your sofa!

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Characters History History Adventures Learning Materials

Fascinating Depiction of Pirates in Visual Media: Making Learning Fun

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If there’s one thing the majority of people would agree on, it’s that pirates are one of the coolest bunch of people to have ever lived on planet Earth.

Some might refer to pirates as evil because they kill and steal. But don’t they look fascinating while doing so? And that is precisely why these bewitching people have gained so much popularity and have become an important part of pop culture. Pirates started making appearances in movies, books, and other visual media in the late 18th century.

This blog post sheds light on the depiction and accuracy of pirates in visual media such as movies, comics, books, and video games. Happy reading!

Pirates in Movies

From Treasure Island and Black Bear Ghost to Pirates of the Caribbean and Muppet Treasure Island, the movies created on pirates are nothing short of brilliant entertainment. Seeing these fascinating characters fighting hard and showing their skills with ropes to attack the ships is truly an incredible experience.

As extraordinary as these fictional characters in the movies are, are they accurate? Let’s look at one example of a famous character and its historical accuracy.

Jack Sparrow in The Pirates of the Caribbean Movies

Image released by Disney

Played by Johnny Depp, Captain Jack Sparrow is a lovable character who ends up on the side of the good people. Jack Sparrow is smart and can charm his way out of troubles that present themselves to him.

It wouldn’t be unfair to call the depiction of pirates in this movie inaccurate. Jack was a leading member of the Brethren Court, representing the Brethren of the Coast in the late 17th century. In reality, these weren’t pirates but buccaneers and privateers. Moreover, Jack preferred to use his intelligence instead of force and power: a preference that most pirates stayed away from. Other depictions of his characters like turning undead as part of an Aztec curse are inaccurate too.

Pirates in Comics

How to make pirates more interesting? By making them a part of comics, of course. Pirates in comics have grabbed the attention of many kids and adults, sparking an interest in them to learn more about their exciting history.

These fictional characters go on exciting missions to steal and showcase their extraordinary skills. Of course, not all of these fictional characters are evil; some are on the side of the good too. But is that what real pirates are known for? Let’s have a look at an example.

Image by Den of Geek

Captain Harlock played a space pirate in the manga series “Space pirate Captain Harlock.” He is known as a fair and deeply moral man. Even though he is a pirate, he doesn’t do much stealing. In fact, he is even good to his enemies, something the real pirates are not known for.

When talking about piracy, most people picture pirates stealing and fighting on the seas. But that’s not accurate, at least not anymore. Being a pirate is a profession, and now, pirates definitely do not shy away from showcasing their skills in space too.

Pirates in Books

Image by Goodreads

Perhaps the most accurate medium about pirates depiction in visual media and their thriller lifestyles is books. One such book is Blackbeard: The Birth of America, written by Samuel Marquis. This book dug deep into the naval lifestyle of the famous golden age of piracy in the 17th century.

An illustration of Blackbeard, the famed pirate (North Wind Picture Archives / Alamy Stock Photo)

The writer focuses on the life and death of Edward Teach, playing the character Blackbeard in his book. Edward had an impact on early American history as well. He was one of the earliest revolutionaries who made a difference in the American Revolutionary war that was faced by North America about 50 years after his death.

Pirates in Video Games

When talking about pirates depiction in visual media, one can’t ignore video games. Perhaps children’s favorite! We don’t get to see a lot of games that adopt an accurate setting of the Golden Age of Piracy, but the famous game, “Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag,” comes the closest. This game portrays a Caribbean setting of the 18th century into fictionalized storylines.

Image by Wallpaper Cave

Black Flag introduced the concept of sea travel, making the game even more interesting to play. Players can travel across the Caribbean and visit cities such as Kingston and Havana. Spanish, English, and Pirates are the three main factions present in these areas. Players have the option to either fight or trade with them.

Famous pirates like Blackbeard, Thatch, Calico, Mary Read, and Stede Bonnet cross paths in the game with captain Kenway, the main character in the game.

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History Learning Materials

6 Innovative And Interactive Learning Strategies You Should Try in 2020

6 Innovative And Interactive Learning Strategies You Should Try in 2020

Learning is of high priority to every human being – either formally or informally. All humans learn in diverse ways. But today, it is pertinent we explore different patterns or strategies to help increase learning efficiency and build a very interactive learning environment. To make learning more effective, there is a plethora of strategies we can always explore. 

Our world has advanced tremendously in recent years; we now have greater control of technology. This has placed humanity in the quest of easily acquiring knowledge. 

However, often a time, teachers find it very difficult to maintain a lively, interactive, and conducive classroom with their students. It might be very complex to achieve these grandiose objectives, but with the help of the strategies we will mention in this comprehensive article, you should be able to achieve those goals. 

Here, we have compiled 10 strategies that you should try as a learner or teacher to attain the peak of learning.

  1. Employ Practical Learning

This is very important; this serves as one of the easiest ways to learn. Try to relate practically to the real world. This will create a relationship between the learner and the world around them; whilst creating a permanent understanding. Learning after the normal school routine, like; the after-school clubs, museum, or anywhere in the real-life setting. This will help the learner link a real-life situation with their learning and ignite the learner’s interest. 

Learning is not something we can acquire in a little time; we learn until the day we cease to exist as humans. So, grab every opportunity and learn something – no matter how minute it might be, you will never regret investing your time. 

Relate what you are teaching or learning with your physical environment, this works hand-in-hand with other strategies we will be explaining in the following sections of this article.

  1. Making Use Of Audio And Video Materials

This type of learning has proven to be very effective for learners. It has been noted that people learn very fast from images, videos, audios, or infographics. According to research compiled by 3M,  visuals are processed 60,000 times faster than text.

Moreover, learning materials should be recorded, whenever the learner is free and he or she can listen and/or watch it. Moreover, acquiring historic materials and collecting playback of public lectures will also help you learn faster.

  1. Interactive Storytelling
History Adventures, World of Characters, Revolutions & Industrialization, 1750 – 1900

Interactive storytelling is the form of telling stories enhanced with digital, technological, or collaborative interactive features to provide content adapted to new behaviors. This strategy will help you achieve the zenith of assimilation and concentration of all students, as they will never want to miss any detail in the process. 

The prime example of this method application is History Adventures. Their award-winning digital book,  History Adventures, World of Characters, Revolutions & Industrialization, 1750 – 1900, helps students experience the stories of 5 amazing characters who lived during this dynamic period — brought to life with the help of animations, interactivity, and visual effects.

Developed by Spencer Striker, PhD, History Adventures is taking world history education to a whole new level with 3D experiences, data visualizations, sound effects, and amazing graphics. Importantly, you will also be able to test your comprehension by taking multimedia, rich assessments at the end of each character narrative.

By the way, since History Adventures is a non-profit organization, you can now download their first book for free on iTunes. 

  1. Role Play

It is widely agreed that learning takes place when activities are memorable and engaging. Therefore, role play as a method of learning has proven to be very effective. Using role-playing will boost the learner’s ability to understand and remember more complex topics, especially during history or literature classes – this will bring out the learner’s ability to feel and experience the role while learning. 

Moreover, it is fun and motivating, and even the shyest students will get a chance to express themselves. But most importantly, you need to keep it real and relevant, so rearranging the furniture can also help.

  1. Field Trips 

Learners are more able to learn very fast when there is an organized trip that is relevant to their area of study. As a teacher, you should be able to provide your students or engage yourself with appropriate trips that can boost their comprehension of certain topics. 

Most students will find it more effective to learn from the actual world rather than their classroom. Interestingly, according to the study conducted by the University of Arkansas, students who go on field trips become more empathetic and tolerant, meaning that such trips also contribute to their socio-emotional growth.

So, try going outside the classroom; field trips, museums, and any other relevant events that can improve the learner’s comprehension.

  1. Teamwork 

Working together as a team is of utmost importance. Team or group work in a classroom teaches students the essential skills related to working as a collective unit to accomplish a mutual goal. And it has already been proven that teamwork gives better results than a single individual of the same level. 

Moreover, it also develops students’ communication skills, they will be able to explain their own ideas and opinions more openly and learn to listen. It is also important to assign students into different groups each time so that they could collaborate with people with different backgrounds and interests.

All of these interactive strategies will help you take the learning experience to another level. Please let us know in the comments which of these strategies you are already employing, and which ones you would like to try out in the future.

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History Exams Learning Materials

The Complete Guide to the AP World History Exam

The Complete Guide to the AP World History Exam

The AP World History Program aims to provide high school and college students with a basic and firm knowledge of history. 

This program is designed to prepare high school and college students for higher education. Students are required to use their reasoning and assessment skills to analyze and comment on the significant historical events of the US. 

This guide will walk you through the basic requirements to introduce you to the AP World History Program to help you pass your exam with flying colors.

What is the AP World History Exam?

The main goal of the AP World History Exam is to test your capabilities to develop and make historical arguments as well as comparisons. It is equivalent to the World History Introductory course comprising two semesters in a college or university.

It aims to provide an in-depth understanding of significant advancements, events, and famous individuals that are a prominent part of our documented history.

AP World History Course Themes

The course comprises five major themes to help students build relevant connections between historical developments. It encompasses nearly all major and minor developments that took place in different places of the world at different times.

The themes include:

  • Humans and the Environment
  • Cultural Developments and Interactions
  • Governance
  • Economic Systems
  • Social Interactions and Organization 
  • Technology and Innovation

Course Content

The course contents contain nine units that range from different periods and carry different percentages in the exam. Here is the detailed outline of the course units:

Period c 1200 -1450 | Exam percentage: 8-10%

  •   The Global Tapestry
  •   Networks of Exchange

Period c 1450-1750 | Exam percentage: 12-15%

  •  Land-based empires
  •  Transoceanic interconnections

Period c 1750 – 1900 | Exam percentage: 12-15%

  •   Revolutions
  •   Consequences of industrialization

Period c1900 – present | Exam percentage: 8-10%

  • Global conflict
  • Globalization
  • Cold war and decolonization

Duration

The duration of the AP World History Exam is three hours and 15 minutes which is divided into two sections. The first section is further divided into two parts called Part A and Part B. The timelines for each section are as follow:

  • Section 1- Part A: 55 minutes.
  • Section 1- Part B: 40 minutes.
  • Section 2: 1 hour and 40 minutes (1 hour for the first question and 40 minutes for the second question)

Format & Sample Questions

The AP World History Exam requires students to present answers that are supported by the references to the relevant historical events. 

As the documents are already provided in section 2, you can use them to support your answers. Do not just simply quote the document, you must describe why the document supports your argument.

Section 1A:

Section 1, Part A – reserves 40% of the exam score – is composed of 55 multiple choice questions for the time duration of 55 minutes. It means you will get one minute for each question.

Section 1B:

Section 1, Part B – reserves 20% of the exam score – requires you to give short answers to the free-response questions in minutes. The questions can range in the form of texts, maps, images, or graphs.

Question 1 – compulsory – contains one or two secondary sources and aims at the historical advancements that transpired during 1200 years to present.

Question 2 – compulsory – has one primary source and aims at the historical advancements that occurred during 1200 years to present.

Questions 3 & 4 – optional – you can select one of them. Question 3 is based on the years 1200 to 1750 whereas question 4 is aimed at the years 2001 to 2001. These questions do not contain any source. 

Section 2

Section 2 of the AP World History Exam has two questions that make 40% of the total exam score.

Question 1 – compulsory – is related to the historical events from 1754-1980. You will be given seven documents and are required to support your answer with the help of those documents. This question has a time duration of 1 hour and makes 25% of the exam score.

Question 2 – is a long essay question and makes 15% of the exam score. You will get to choose one question from the three questions that cover different historical periods such as, 1200 – 1750, 1450-1900, or 1750- 2001. You are required to propose a thesis and support your argument based on your knowledge and the lessons AP history class.

Scoring Guidelines

To ace any exam, it is necessary to understand its pattern and how the scoring works. Here we have explained the scoring guidelines for each section so you can understand the influence and concept of each question of each section.

Scoring guidelines for Section 1

Section 1-A

Section 1A is composed of 55 multiple-choice questions. Each question has 1 mark that can only be scored by choosing the correct answer out of 4 choices given in the question.

Section 1-B

There are three sub-questions for every question to be answered in Section 1-B which allow students to earn 0 to 3 points for each question. Following is the essential scoring criteria based on the response content:

Score 3: The response covers all three requirements of the question.

Score 2: The response covers two of the requirements of the question.

Score 1: The response covers any one of the requirements of the question.

Score 0: The response covers none of the requirements of the question.

Score NR:  No or blank response.

Scoring guidelines for Section 2

Section 2 has two parts that require 1 answered question each part. The first part is a document-based question, while the second is a long essay. 

Part A

For question one, you can earn a maximum of 7 points. To score high, your answers should demonstrate your knowledge and skills as you support your answer with the evidence. Further, break down of point scoring for question 1 is as follow:

  • Thesis/Claim: 0-1 point 
  • Contextualization: 0-1 point 
  • Evidence: 0-3 points
  • Analysis and Reasoning: 0-2 points

Part B

In part B, you can earn a maximum of 6 points. The response requirements remain the same as that of part one. Further breakdown of scoring criteria for part B is as follow: 

  • Thesis/Claim: 0-1 point
  • Contextualization: 0-1 point
  • Evidence: 0-2 points (1 point for single evidence and 2 points for supporting argument)
  • Analysis and Reasoning: 0-2 points

Who should take the AP World History Exam?

This exam is best for high school students having an interest in world history.  Students wanting to get better at world history should take this exam and the best part is, you can earn college credit if you perform well. 

How to Prepare for the AP World History Exam

The best way to prepare for this exam is to review some past AP World History papers and memorize critical historical events to refer to them in support of your arguments. Furthermore, reading good books by credible authors can help you prepare for this exam. One such example would be, History Adventures: World Of Characters. It relates and interactively illustrates historical events in an engaging way by adopting a lively narrative style to make history easy for you. Detailed books covering every aspect of important historical events is what you need to pass this exam with flying colors and History Adventures: World Of Characters is certainly one of those.

Essential Tips to Prepare For AP World History Exam

Selecting the best study material: An important thing to consider while preparing for this exam is to always use the best study resources. It’s highly recommended to use books that cover all the aspects of the course comprehensively so that you don’t miss out on any important details. So, a good book like History Adventures: World Of Characters can make all the difference. 

Time Management: Time management is a crucial factor in this exam because every section and question is strictly timed. You will have to be very careful while attempting every question and the amount of time you invest in it.

Planning: Never start attempting the questions as soon as you read them. It is always good to read the whole question paper once at least and start with questions that seem easy to you.

Practice: Practice is the key to success, similarly practicing with AP World History free-response questions will help you succeed in this exam. Find solved papers and compare your answers with them for a better understanding or learn how the evidence and references are used accurately. Practice until you have perfected every aspect of your exam.

Conclusion

The AP World History Exam is designed to enhance students’ skills in terms of analyzing, reasoning, and comparing historical events. To pass this 3 hours and 15 minutes exam, you need to have an inclusive knowledge of all major events that span over 1200 CE to the present.

The past papers available online can help you identify the consistent historical events. It will enable you to narrow down the mass of information to selected few occasions that are most likely to be present in your exam.

From there you only need all-inclusive books like History Adventures: World Of Characters that teach everything you need to learn to clear your exam in a super interactive style with the help of different effects. It is one of those kinds of books that makes the learning process highly stimulating and engaging for the students leading to an effective and firm grasp of the AP World History Course contents. 

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Big History History Adventures Learning Materials News

TOP 10 Best History Apps And Books That Will Make Learning History Interactive

TOP 10 Best History Apps And Books That Will Make Learning History Interactive
TOP 10 Best History Apps And Books That Will Make Learning History Interactive

If you are craving to find out more about the past, History is definitely the perfect subject for you. However, studying history is not only important because it allows us to understand our past, but it also helps us make more sense of the current world.

However, who wants to study history from a boring or difficult book?

Therefore, we’ve compiled a list of the most engaging and interesting history books and apps that are suitable both for educational purposes and for general interest. So, whether you’re a high school student, a business owner or a retired person, we are absolutely sure that you will enjoy all of the items listed here.

  1. History Adventures, World of Characters, (1750-1900)
    History Adventures Banner
    The first item on our list falls under the book category, but it’s much more than a standard history book, it’s much more than that! Developed by Spencer Striker, History Adventures is taking world history learning to a whole new level with 3D experiences, data visualizations, sound effects, and amazing graphics. Moreover, you will also be able to test your comprehension by taking a quiz by the end of each topic.

    But the best part is that it is absolutely free to download. But hurry up! It’s only free for the next few weeks.

    Download History Adventures now on iTunes.

  2. BBC History Magazine
    The UK’s best-selling history magazine is now available on iTunes!

    Every month the app publishers assemble leading specialists to explore a variety of historical topics – from ancient civilizations to the two world wars. Every issue includes an extensive reviews section, interesting ideas for cultural trips and breaking history news.

  3. History In Pictures

    This interactive guide formed from the latest pictures of historical events from around the globe is now available for Android users.

    You will be able to browse hundreds of historical photos including People, Wars, Events, and Creative moments from world history, that have been uploaded to the app in the last 24 hours.

  4. Civilisations AR
    Yes, another product created by BBC, but this is their first Augmented Reality app. Explore over 30 astonishing artifacts from around the world at the convenience of your home or office.

    This free AR app comes from a major collaboration between the BBC, Nexus Studios and over 30 museums from across the UK, and it is now available for both iOS and Android users.

  5. The Civil War Today
    The Civil War Today is an award-winning app created exclusively for the iPad 150 years after the start of the American Civil War. The users can explore the war as it unfolded, one day at a time, with daily updates that let you re-live the events in real-time.

    You will also be able to browse thousands of original documents, maps, photos, and newspaper broadsheets.

  6. The Book of Kells

    The Book of Kells is one of the most remarkable illustrated manuscripts and the most complex manuscript of its kind to survive from the early Middle Ages. Currently, it is on display in the Library of Trinity College Dublin.

    The app helps users explore the most exquisite details of 21 of the 9th-century manuscript’s best pages at up to 6 times their initial size.

  7. cdli tablet
    Developed by the University of California, “cdli tablet” is exclusively an iPad app that covers the cultural heritage of ancient Mesopotamia. The app includes text and images of ancient Mesopotamia that span 3500 years of human activity and describe the origins of trade, astronomy, and mathematics in ancient times.

    The best part – entries are updated daily.

  8. TimeTours: Uxmal
    TimeTours is a time travel guidebook that will take you on a virtual trip to the past using modern 3D reconstructions. Its ‘Now and Then’ time windows let users experience what the cities looked like in the ancient world.

    The app costs $5.49 and is available in English, German, Spanish. By the way, it is also currently used in the Cambridge Friends School iPad pilot program.

  9. The Presidents – Flash Cards

    If you’re looking for the fastest and easiest way to learn the Presidents, the Presidents app will definitely have you covered! It contains gorgeous flashcards for all forty-five Presidents of the United States – from George Washington to Donald Trump.

    And you will also be able to test your knowledge by turning the information off in the “Tap to Reveal” mode.

  10. Kings & Queens: 1,000 Years of British Royalty
    This easy to use iTunes app contains both magnificent digital portraits of Britain’s royal family and comprehensive descriptions of their characters and accomplishments.

    Telling the story of the British monarchy from William the Conqueror to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, this is a perfect starting point for anyone with an interest in the Royal Family.

With these apps and books, you will definitely have an endless supply of historical facts and stories. In particular, at History Adventures, we go the extra mile to take your history learning to the next level.

In the meantime, please don’t hesitate to let us know in the comments which app or book you’ve enjoyed most.