Having finally reviewed the game announcements from #SummerGameFest etc. here are the top 5 historical games that I'm most excited for!

#5- Pax Dei Mainframe Industries

'the middle ages as medieval people imagined it' is one hell of a pitch, especially if it's done right. Expect to have bestiary.ca open a lot...

It's an MMO, so I'm curious to see if/how they encourage cooperation and period-inspired sociality

#4- Clockwork Revolution (inile entertainment )

I want to attend that lecture and I'm NOT SORRY.

Really, though, this is a masterclass on how historical advertising styles and archives breath life into even the most fantastical settings. Plus, lots of fun statue imagery to talk about!

#3- MGS III Remake (Konami )

Since the original game got pulled from stores in 2021 because the historical footage license expired, MGSIII has been on my radar as a *fascinating* case study for how the games industry and archives interact. Happy to see it back!

#2- AC Mirage (Assassin's Creed )

Of course this was one the list. Baghdad looks absurdly pretty, and it looks like they're really doing a lot to highlight the diversity of the city (a Hidden One named Rebekah in this period is probably of Jewish ancestry!)

Also, Al-Khwarizmi 😍

#1- South of Midnight (Compulsion Games )

And honestly, it's not close. The amount of care and deliberation visible in how to deal with the South's contested history and folklore, the distaff and spindle whorl, the blues charts, this is one of the most exciting games I've seen.

Honorable mentions: Prince of Persia, Hellblade II, 33 Immortals, and Talos Principle II. Really, a solid set of announcements for historical game afficionados from the big studios this year, now to see what #SteamNextFest2023 offers.