Oh, to take a glimpse into the past and see what life looked like during humanity’s origins!
Although we can’t simply visit ancient times, that’s what makes prehistoric video games so appealing. Their realistic visuals and the possibility of interacting with past environments help us understand what human life might have been like.
Sure, some of these titles incorporate historical periods to grant us more imaginative visions of the world. Still, they all scratch that itch when we want to embark on a digital adventure into the distant past!
| Game | Release | Genre | Developer | Video | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Far Cry Primal | 2016-02-29 | Shooter & Adventure | Ubisoft | |
 | ARK Survival Evolved | 2015-06-02 | Shooter & Indie | Efecto Studios | |
 | Ancestors The Humankind Odyssey | 2020-08-27 | Adventure & Role-playing (RPG) | Panache Digital Games | |
 | Dawn Of Man | 2019-03-01 | Strategy & Simulator | Madruga Works | |
 | The Forest | 2018-04-30 | Adventure & Simulator | Endnight Games Ltd | |
 | Saurian | Simulator & Indie | Urvogel Games | ||
 | BC Kings | 2015-12-11 | Strategy & Real Time Strategy (RTS) | Sculptured Software |
Best games set in prehistoric times
Far Cry Primal
| Release date: | 2016-02-29 |
| Genre: | Shooter & Adventure |
| Developer: | Ubisoft |
When a Bloodfang Sabertooth kills the rest of your hunting party, you find yourself alone in the treacherous wilderness.
Set in the Stone Age, Far Cry Primal lets you play as Takkar, a lone hunter trying to survive in a uniquely unwelcoming environment. Now, only your hunting, crafting, and combat skills will decide whether you are worthy of this trial.
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ARK: Survival Evolved
| Release date: | 2015-06-02 |
| Genre: | Shooter & Role-playing (RPG) & Simulator & Adventure & Indie |
| Developer: | Efecto Studios |
It’s one of the best dinosaur games, where the human desire for constant development faces the dangers of an unpredictable wilderness.
When you find yourself on the strange island of ARK, it’s time to use all your skills to survive and tame powerful beasts. Gather resources, craft, battle, and dominate the wilderness to climb to the top of the food chain! And if solo play isn’t enough, enjoy this experience in multiplayer!
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Ancestors: The Humankind Odyssey
| Release date: | 2020-08-27 |
| Genre: | Adventure & Role-playing (RPG) & Indie |
| Developer: | Panache Digital Games |
This game lets you participate in the most fascinating phase of our history – human evolution!
Begin your adventure 10 million years ago and shape the evolution of all humankind. Explore the beautiful environment, take care of your tribe, and develop your character’s attributes however you desire. In this game, only you decide what happens with the next generations over the years – enjoy this unique opportunity!
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Dawn of Man
| Release date: | 2019-03-01 |
| Genre: | Simulator & Strategy & Indie |
| Developer: | Madruga Works |
You will love this title if you enjoy Stone Age games with city-building features!
Take care of a primitive settlement and lead its development across more than 10,000 years of human prehistory. Prepare yourself for the changing seasons, gather resources, hunt, and invent new technologies. Thanks to its unique setting, this title may appeal to players seeking refreshing gameplay features in the city-building genre.
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The Forest
| Release date: | 2018-04-30 |
| Genre: | Puzzle & Simulator & Adventure & Indie |
| Developer: | Endnight Games Ltd |
Although The Forest doesn’t feature ancient times, the game throws you right into a mysterious forest that is home to a tribe of cannibalistic mutants.
The Forest offers a fully interactive world where you can use every encountered opportunity to your advantage. You will use primitive tools, live without modern appliances, fight omnipresent threats, and try to create acceptable living conditions from scratch. One warning – it’s a horror game!
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Saurian
| Release date: | |
| Genre: | Simulator & Indie |
| Developer: | Urvogel Games |
Travel 66 million years back to play as a young dinosaur trying to stay alive in a wild, unstable ecosystem.
Start your adventure as a tiny hatchling, avoid predators, search for food, and explore! This game perfectly mirrors what reality might have looked like back then, making it ideal for players seeking both entertainment and educational value. You will instantly feel the developers’ passion for these dangerous times!
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BC Kings
| Release date: | 2015-12-11 |
| Genre: | Real Time Strategy (RTS) & Strategy |
| Developer: | Sculptured Software |
This story-driven game combines real-time strategy and RPG to transport its players to the Stone Age, where the fate of their people lies solely in their hands.
Build a settlement, expand your combat units, gather resources, and fight to ensure the development of your tribe. Since this title also incorporates RPG elements, completing quests is crucial for the story outcome. It’s an ideal game for players craving a strategic alternative!
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Prehistoric games offer a unique opportunity to explore eras that are long gone. Apart from providing entertainment, these titles help us learn more about evolution and our ancestors’ needs, support respect for the natural environment, and encourage further research about historical periods. It’s a perfect combination of fun and learning – two birds with one stone!