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History Adventures Learning Materials

6 Best Games About Historical Pandemics

The world has seen numerous pandemics, disastrously affecting public health. It’s crucial for everyone to be aware of their causes, symptoms, and preventive measures. 

However, most people consider historical pandemics to be not so interesting to gain information about because the long hours of textbook reading tire them out. A fun-filled way to gain this information is through video games! Here are some of the best games about historical pandemics having the perfect ratio of science and adventure.

Global Pandemics: Plague of Athens

Historical Time Period: 4th Century BCE

Image by: global pandemics

If you want to dive into a history lesson without boredom, look at the Global Pandemics: Plague of Athens. Designed to enhance students’ understanding of the role of pandemics in world history, this game offers a fresh perspective on historical events.

The new product integrates digital storytelling with interactive learning design to provide a rich, complex pedagogical experience that helps in a better understanding of the topic.

Players can choose from five significant pandemics in human history and get a real-time experience. The first chapter introduces Nikos, a physician during the Plague of Athens, fighting hard to cure the sick while rethinking his purpose. The interactive historical game series gives a fun touch to history.

A Plague Tale: Innocence

Historical Time Period:  1347 to 1351

Survival has always been a vital element in video games. Based on the deadly Black Plague, this historical pandemic game revolves around Amicia de Rune and her ill brother Hugo as they find their survival from the French Inquisition soldiers and the deadly rats. Set in 14th-century France, this game blends action and adventure phases.

The game mainly consists of survival puzzles and requires great tactics and puzzle-solving abilities. The player plays Amicia, using stealth and limited equipment to escape from troops and rats, incorporating aspects of survival horror games. The award-winning game is considered one of the best games about historical pandemics. 

Killer Flu

Historical Time Period: 1880 to date

Image by: engaget

Developed by the UK Clinical Virology Network, this pandemic game demonstrates how viruses mutate and how difficult it is to spread the virus without mutations. The game focuses on an Avian flu pandemic.

The player takes the role of the virus itself, trying to spread, infect, and mutate throughout the human race. The killer flu pandemic game has added levels of difficulty, making it even more challenging and exciting to play. 

Great Flu

Historical Time Period: June 2009 to August 2010

Image by: popular science

To spread awareness about the Swine Flu, a Dutch Researcher has developed this highly interactive game. Although a bit away from reality, the game lets the users choose their virus, spread it, and then adapt strategies to contain it.

Trying to control a fast-spreading deadly virus is not very simple, and the number of infected can increase rapidly. This game is a fun depiction of some of the realistic alternatives accessible to people facing a pandemic.

A Plague Tale: Requiem

Historical Time Period:  1347 to 1351

Developed as a sequel to Plague Tale: innocence, this upcoming online game is set to release in October 2022. Following the sets of its predecessor, this game takes the story of Amicia and Hugo further.

After escaping the French soldiers, the siblings arrive in Southern France, where they embark on a new journey of finding a cure for Hugo’s disease while combating another wave of rats from The Black Plague.

Antidote COVID-19

Historical Time Period: 2019 to date

The latest edition in the pandemic history, COVID-19, has attracted many game developers to make games inspired by unfortunate circumstances. The games not only proved to be a great pastime during quarantine but also helped spread awareness about the COVID pandemic situation.

Antidote COVID-19 is developed by Pyson Games under the guidance of the World Health Organization (WHO) and input from public health experts. The game is aimed to help individuals protect themselves from the virus and learn about their immune systems in a fun way.

Final Thoughts

These best games about historical pandemics are perfect for understanding pandemics and their cures through history in a non-tedious way. Choose the ones that attract you the most, and let a fun-filled learning experience begin!

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History History Adventures Learning Materials

The 6 Best WWII Video Games History Lovers Will Want to Play

Image from pcgamesn.com

As countries fought it out and countless people were killed, World War II altered the path of history forever. History lovers are generally fascinated by the incidents and conflicts during this period, and they want to study more about it. And is there a better way to learn than WWII video games?

Video games bring a World War II simulation for everyone, whether you like the gritty realism of a bombing mission, the complexity of combat preparation, the excitement of an aerial duel, or the profound solidarity of a group of men.

Some games focus on this period and strive to be historically accurate. They all have different perspectives on the conflict, but they’ll all provide you with plenty of information. The following are among the finest World War II games ever made.

1. Wolfenstein

Wolfenstein 3D is a must-have for any list of the finest World War II games. Not only did the game pioneer the first-person shooter genre, but it also addressed the unsettling topic of Nazi occultism and allowed players to fight a ferocious robot-Hitler.

“What if the Nazis had won World War II?” is by far the most often posed alternate history question, and with good reason. In 2014, Wolfenstein: The New Order was released, giving you a chance to experience that alternate reality. You get to assume the character of William Blazkowicz, a former soldier who joined up with a resistance movement to topple Nazi rule and build a new order.

2. Call of Duty WWII

The return of Call of Duty to WWII is a startling fast-paced twist on the traditional setting. It has an excellent story, a terrific new multiplayer option, and a crazier, richer version of Nazi Zombies, among many other improvements.

Image from YouTube

Expect to be blown away by the graphic quality. It offers the campaign an almost cinematic polish, whether it’s the ring that plays every time you load a gun or the uncompromising pixels that give every texture and setting their proper depth. Sure, you’ve seen and played these World War II conflicts in video games before, but they’ve never looked this realistic.

3. Company of Heroes

Image from Times of India

Company of Heroes is a WWII role-playing game with two factions to choose from. Players must seize critical resource sectors scattered around the globe to construct base facilities, generate new units, and destroy their opponents.

It is a real-time strategy game with a rich, complex single-player story and a thrilling, furious multiplayer mode. It has the distinction of being the top authentic strategy game ever, with Company of Heroes 2 receiving much of the same appreciation as its predecessor. With such attention to detail, it’s no surprise that it’s one of the greatest WW2 PC games.

4. Red Orchestra 2: Heroes of Stalingrad

Image from gamivo.com

The game allows the user to participate in one of history’s most horrific conflicts. Red Orchestra 2 concentrates on the Battle of Stalingrad and the associated activities. The game contains everything from fast, violent firefights to more sophisticated and demanding tactical scenarios.

Warriors can be killed instantly with a well-aimed shot, gun sights must be tuned in by hand per the target range, and real-world ballistics are utilized to calculate bullet drop at vast distances. Everybody fantasizes about being a hero if they were forced into a battle. Red Orchestra 2 deserves praise for quickly debunking such an idea.

5. Brothers in Arms: Road to Hill 30

Image from MobyGames

You get to assume the role of Sgt. Matt Baker, a real-life soldier of the 101st Airborne Division. Each chapter and all of the locales are modeled on Baker’s platoon’s authentic operations. You’ll earn items like pictures and reconnaissance photos as you complete each mission, showing how closely the game’s stages reflect what Baker’s unit faced during the war.

Brothers in Arms delivers a one-of-a-kind gaming experience by combining the most outstanding features of squad-based shooters with the flexibility of a more action-oriented videogame. Brothers in Arms is one of the greatest World War II games, thanks to its well-designed and well-thought-out multiplayer component.

6. Medal of Honor: Above and Beyond

Image from Roadtovr.com

You will take on the role of an agent working for the Office of Strategic Services (OSS), which strives to be historically accurate. Its single-player narrative and Survival modes are entertaining, and they provide a unique opportunity to see classic World War 2 events recreated in virtual reality.

Gamers go through various stressful encounters in the game, whether they’re on the land tossing explosives, fighting airborne, or even at sea. This is a game worth checking out if you have suitable VR gear. There are many more games in the collection, and every game you experience from this franchise will leave you speechless.

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Big History Characters History History Adventures Learning Materials

6 Amazing Video Games About Ancient Japan

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!