
Video games are all about control, and the popular sub-genre known as ‘god games’ gives players the ultimate form of control. While the games vary in execution, the best the genre has to offer allows users to literally play god and dictate what happens on their simulated worlds and universes.
From recognized classics such as Tracks to beloved family hits like Viva Pinata, god games offer a unique simulation experience not found in just any video game. While there have been many excellent titles, only the best god games kept players coming back time and time again to build new worlds.
densely populated (1989)
Although games would come later to improve the formula, densely populated is generally considered the first of its kind and it put the game of the gods on the map. The user is a deity who must lead his followers against the followers of a rival deity to conquer and capture them.
The game was radical for its time and the graphics were top notch compared to most other games in the late 80’s. Loosely based on table games, the game’s isometric view also added to the divine atmosphere for the player. With a wide range of divine abilities at the user’s disposal, the game’s 500 levels can be overcome through a number of different strategies.
Deisim (2019)
As far as god games have come from their humble beginnings, deisimo hoped to bring them back to their roots with a modern twist. As always, the user is an almighty god who must control his civilization from its inception to various stages of human evolution.
The main conflict of the game is the eradication of heresy, but the player is essentially free to do as they please. deisimoThe simplistic graphics are reminiscent of the old days of god games, but the use of VR technology made it feel ultra-modern as well. While not one of the most immersive VR experiences of all time, the new technology certainly made the player feel like the god.
Dungeon Keeper (1997)
Despite their divine title, games of the gods do not always exemplify the benevolence of a deity, and Dungeon Keeper encouraged bad behavior. The user takes control of a dungeon master who must recruit henchmen to protect their domain from the good forces that want to free them.
Tongue-in-cheek in his dark humor, Dungeon Keeper is a clever parody of the god game format, essentially poking fun at the devious tendencies of players who enjoy torturing their subjects. Aside from the humorous themes, the game featured addictive gameplay that rewarded players for their creativity as they conquered the world.
The Universe (2018)
Of course, as the technology behind video games has become more complex, god games have matched them in complexity. the universe broadened the genre’s horizons and tasked the player with making their planet’s civilization prosper and eventually conquer other planets as well.
Using some of the best space exploration simulation games, the universe cleverly combines its genres into a unique mix that takes both to the next level. The user has to balance many tasks as his subjects are able to make their own decisions which can lead to foolishness. Although the player is a god, they do not have full control over disasters that can befall their people.
Everything (2017)
The beauty of the god game is that it can be as simple or as complicated as the user wishes, and Everything approached his genre with a fair amount of heady speculation about the nature of life. The user takes control of a single organism and is able to explore the world of the game through different levels of existence.
From the largest landmass, all the way down to the subatomic level, the user can travel the world and catalog every new life form he encounters. Unlike other god games that are about influencing civilizations, Everything is more about the beauty of life and creation.
From dust (2011)
The title of god game is taken quite literally in Of dust and the user becomes the deity of a small tribe living on an archipelago. The player must help a primitive tribe find relief and protect them from natural disasters that may befall their land.
Unlike other games that simply give the user overarching divine skills, Of dust challenges its players to use creativity to avoid disaster. The game was praised for its graphics and it has a natural beauty in its art design that sets it apart. While there is no traditional sandbox mode, the game’s many levels can be revisited once passed.
Traces (2008)
Throwing all the fame out the window, Tracks instead focusing on the development of an alien race with the player in control of their evolution. The user directs the progress of an alien race from its cellular origin until it becomes a space culture.
Despite his age, Tracks is still one of the best games on EA Play and its online components have kept it relevant over the years. The unique creativity at the heart of the game keeps it fresh, and the procedurally generated events ensure that no two games are ever the same. Scope is the name of the game, and Tracks certainly excelled in that area.
Viva Pinata (2006)
The sheer diversity of god games is one of the appeals of the genre, and Viva Pinata went in a decidedly cute direction. The user maintains a garden that attracts an array of piñata animals that can be cared for and categorized.
Unlike most god games that put the player in control of an entire planet, Viva Pinata focuses more on raising in-game animals and manipulating the immediate environment. Even though it has similarities with farming simulation games, it is nevertheless a god game that allows the user to control the world even if it is in a more limited way.
Giant (2013)
Control is one of the benefits of the god game, but Giant instead added elements of delegation to the process. The user controls a series of giant creatures that have the ability to influence aspects of the planet’s development and thus help the humans thrive.
The game’s people make their own decisions, but can be controlled through the resource supply line. The indie character of Giant helps it stand out from the big names of gods, and the uniqueness of the statues is a plus. The new gameplay is also something that helped the game make a mark on the major releases it competed against.
Black & White (2001)
While most god games don’t speculate about the good or bad decisions the player makes, Black and white made it central to the gameplay. The player is the god of a tribe and must defeat a rival deity who also has plans to conquer the world.
Strategy is an important part of the game and the player’s decisions affect the way they are viewed by their subjects. They can be a good god, a neutral or a downright bad god, and each has its own advantages and disadvantages. For a game from the turn of the millennium, Black and white not only pushed the boundaries of what could be a god game, but embraced what had come before.
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