The world of video games colliding with real-world history and mythology is nothing new, with franchises such as Assassin’s Creed constantly looking to different eras and civilizations for their inspiration. Perhaps the mythology that’s seen the most action in recent years, however, is Norse. There’s been an influx of games with stories originating in the folklore of the North Germanic and Scandinavian peoples.
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For players looking for a game set within the dazzling halls of Valhalla or those who delight in the stories and myths of ancient gods and goddesses, plenty of games out there celebrate this beautiful Viking and Scandinavian lore. From going toe-to-toe with the trickster God Loki through Yggdrasil’s maze in Munin to sailing the seas in search of the Midgard Serpent Jörmungandr in Valheim, here are some of the best games to whet your appetite for this fascinating culture.
Updated April 1, 2023, by Christopher Argentino: Mythology is always a great topic to take inspiration from in gaming. The genre heavily influences some of the best titles to have come out in the latest generation. With titles from the Assassin’s Creed and God of War franchises taking direct inspiration to smaller indie titles that have amassed a cult following online, here are all the best options you should play if you are into Norse Mythology games.
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15 Song Of Iron
Song of Iron is an independent side-scrolling adventure game that was developed and published by Resting Relic and released in late 2020. The game is very much Nordic-inspired and features an art style that is distinct and paired with impressive graphical fidelity.
It focuses on challenging the player with other humans, animals, monsters, and nature being thrown in the way as obstacles. Those who love Norse mythology games will likely be intrigued when they view a handful of screenshots from the game.
14 Northgard
You likely never heard of the game Northgard, but it’s a strategy game specifically based on Norse mythology. It was released back in 2017 and was developed by a studio called Shiro Games. The game can be found on most modern gaming platforms, including mobile and the Nintendo Switch.
Those who happen to fall into a niche of Norse mythology lovers who also enjoy strategy games might find Northgard to be their dream game when all is said and done.
13 Munin
Playing as Munin — one of Odin’s two messenger Ravens — you find yourself transformed into a mortal woman and stripped of your wings by the trickster God Loki, forced to traverse the nine worlds and mazes of the world tree Yggdrasil to reclaim your true form and return to Asgard.
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Munin is a beautiful side-scrolling experience using rotation to solve mazes, clear obstacles, and solve intricate puzzles with artwork wholly reminiscent of the Scandinavian landscape and Norse legends. It even tells you about some Norse myths on the loading screens!
12 Kari: Stranded On The Shores Of Vanaheim
Kari: Stranded on the Shores of Vanaheim is a combat-free, adventure-puzzler that sees you play as Kari, a young Viking woman marooned on the shores of Vanaheim after a storm destroys her ship.
Vanaheim is one of the nine Norse worlds of Yggdrasil and belongs to a group of gods associated with nature and wisdom. Kari is forced to explore this strange and ominous land to find new parts to rebuild her ship, all while facing down the otherworldly challenges within the realms of Uller, Njord, and Freya, as well as threats from the enchanting song of Lorelei.
11 Oddmar
Oddmar is a small Viking struggling with life in his village, having been shunned by his fellow Vikings. Looking to redeem himself and gain entry into Valhalla, the gods offer him the opportunity to prove himself after Loki steals away his tribe and leaves him behind.
Oddmar is an action-adventure 2D platformer available on mobile devices and consoles, featuring cute sidescrolling puzzles and unique boss fights against trolls, a horde of goblins, and even Loki himself in a vibrantly crafted Nordic land straight out of legend.
10 Jotun
Jotun follows the story of Thora, a Viking woman who seeks to earn her place in Valhalla after an unremarkable death.
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It’s a hand-drawn action-exploration game featuring beautiful animation scenes and some impressive fights against the five Jotun, giant Norse elementals found throughout your purgatory who you seek to fight to gain the god’s approval. It features Thor, Freya, and Mimir appearances and references old myths such as the golden apples of Idunn in Asgard. This is a short game but one full of Viking charm nonetheless.
9 The Frostrune
A classic point-and-click adventure game inspired by Viking myth and legend, The Frostrune sees you shipwrecked on an island with a recently abandoned and ruined settlement.
Featuring beautiful hand-painted artwork and an original Viking age soundtrack, you’ll need to explore this island to unlock the hidden secrets. Some of the game’s best features include tough puzzles, Norse-inspired characters, and even some faithfully recreated ancient stone ruins, burial mounds, and abandoned relics from real archaeological records and sources.
There aren’t many people who haven’t set foot in Skyrim’s vast open world, completing quests, unlocking the secrets of the Dragonborn, and generally just doing whatever they please. However, did you know its entire story is deeply rooted in Norse Legend?
Skyrim references Norse mythology often; even at the beginning of the game, you come across Nord thief Lokir, who is caught stealing a horse and is shot down by archers for running from his execution — a reference to Loki. If that’s not enough, Alduin, the main big-bad dragon boss of the game, is known as ‘the World-Eater’ and based on the serpent Jörmungandr, as they are both the catalyst for their own world’s ‘Ragnarok.’
7 Banner Saga Series
One of the best adaptations of the vibe given off by Norse Mythology games, Banner Saga is one of the most breathtakingly beautiful games ever to try to approach the subject. The Banner Saga follows the path of refugees running from a great cataclysm, and along the way, you must decide what to do with the encounters you come across.
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Once you play the first chapter, you’ll be hooked, and rightfully so. It’s a turn-based strategy combat game with a story that will keep you glued to your screen.
6 Through The Woods
If Horror Adventures are your tea, look no further because Through The Woods has got you covered. The game follows the steps of a mother looking for her son. That may not sound too bad, but her son has been taken to an island full of creatures from Norse Mythology.
You, as the protagonist, will do anything to find your son. You’re going in there only with a flashlight and some sneaking skills you’ll learn along the way.
5 Age of Mythology
Yes, it’s true that the Campaign of Age of Mythology mainly revolves around ancient Greece, but have you already forgotten about the chase the pursuit of Gargarensis that brings you to the Northern lands?
But you don’t need to play the campaign to enjoy some Norse Real Time Strategy; you can also start a random scenario in which you get to choose who out of Loki, Odin, or Thor will be your Major God and help you defeat your enemies through a variety of God powers they give you.
4 Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice
Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice follows Senua, a Celtic woman struggling with psychosis who finds herself venturing through a haunting vision of the Viking land of the dead ‘Helheim’ to fight for the soul of her dead lover, Dillion.
Your journey with Senua through Helheim is sublimely haunting, not helped by your eventual final face-to-face encounter with the frightful Hela, goddess of the dead. The game is a masterclass in storytelling and atmosphere, with its depiction of ancient Scandinavia almost entirely historically accurate, even down to Senua’s braided hair and choice of clothing.
3 Assassin’s Creed Valhalla
Assasin’s Creed Valhalla takes us to the 872-878 AD Viking invasion of Britain, where players control Eivor, a Viking warrior embroiled in the conflict between the Brotherhood and Templar Order.
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It earned critical reviews for its depiction of Viking history and lore, with subtle nods in the form of your companion raven based on Odin’s messengers Huginn and Muninn — along with the final battle against Fenrir, Loki’s wolf son. The game even allows you to transcend to Valhalla itself, albeit through a drug-induced trance, allowing you to meet the Æsir and even Odin himself face-to-face.
2 Valheim
Valheim is the Norse myth and legend-inspired survival-adventure game that have you play as a slain Viking plucked from the battlefield to serve a new purpose within the realm of Valheim, a place where Odin’s exiled foes are sent to live in purgatory. As you arrive, however, you realize things aren’t going as planned as these beings begin to rise in pursuit of Odin for their entrapment.
Valheim has many links to Norse myth and legend, from the etched runestones dotting the landscape to its own inhabitants, such as Eikthyr, based on the stag atop Odin’s hall in Valhalla, and the sea serpents reminiscent of Jörmungandr. If you’re quick enough, you may even sneak a glance of Odin watching you from the shadows, discernable from his one glowing eye.
1 God Of War
Although anti-hero Kratos first appeared in a world influenced by Greek myth, In God of War 4, he travels to the far north and, with it, into the realm of the Norse gods.
Although writing its own story in Norse mythology, God of War is still remarkable in outlying most legends and myths, featuring perhaps the largest number of references to characters and beasts seen in any game. From the story of Fafnir, a dwarf transformed into a dragon by Odin for his own greed, to having an active companion in Mimir, the holder of Odin’s eye and owner of limitless power and knowledge from his well.
God of War goes past the superficial and retells the stories as its own, injecting the theatrics and hijinks of the gods to shadow the original stories in a way no other game has managed to replicate half as well.
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