Today I have a mix of games inspired by real life myths, legends, and folklore. I’m sure there will be varying degrees of accuracy depending on the devs artistic choices; whether to be very faithful to a particular story or play fast and loose with the imagery and concepts. I’ve included a bit of silliness too. Either way, if you have a taste for the mystical and fantastic, then something here may take your fancy.
30 Birds (2024)
“Lantern City is on the verge of disaster: the Goddess Simurgh has been kidnapped by the evil Scientist! 30 Birds is a narrative puzzle game laid out on the surface of rotating lanterns. Wander through a gorgeous world inspired by Persian art, meet quirky birds, and solve puzzles to rescue Simurgh.”
macOS • Windows
Available from Steam.
Apotheon (2015)
“Apotheon is a heroic action game set within the vibrant world of Ancient Greek Mythology. Ascend Mount Olympus, wrestle the divine powers from the Pantheon of Gods, and save mankind.”
macOS • Windows • Linux • SteamOS • PS4
macOS version available from Steam.
Other versions also from GOG, and console stores.
Black Book (2021)
““Black Book” is a dark RPG Adventure, based on Slavic myths, in which you play as a young sorceress. Fight evil forces in card-based battles and explore the world, where humans live alongside mythological creatures.”
macOS • Windows • Switch • PlayStation • Xbox • iOS • iPadOS • visionOS
Available from GOG, Steam, Epic, console and mobile stores.
The End of the Sun (2025)
“The End of the Sun is a first-person, story-driven mystery adventure set in a Slavic fantasy world. As the ashter, a sage sorcerer gifted with the ability to travel in time, you come to a mysterious village where the line between myth and reality begins to fade perilously.”
macOS • Windows • Linux • SteamOS
macOS version available from Steam.
Other versions also from GOG, and Epic.
The Excavation of Hob’s Barrow (2022)
“The Excavation of Hob’s Barrow is a folk horror narrative-driven adventure. Explore the isolated moors of rural Victorian England as you uncover the mysteries of Hob’s Barrow. The answers lie in the soil…”
macOS • Windows • Linux • SteamOS • Switch
Available from GOG, Steam, and console stores.
Firebird (2023)
“Firebird is a narrative road trip that takes place in Slavic folklore, in an adventure that ressembles a traditional tale. Aboard your truck, travel to the far north, meet colorful characters, and face the creatures inhabiting these sacred lands.”
macOS • Windows
Available from Steam.
Folk Hero (2023)
“Folk Hero is an action-slasher with rogue-lite elements set in the world of Slavic fantasy. Explore the ever-changing island, find treasures, combine weapons and artifacts to defeat mythical enemies. Challenge your skills! One life, one try.”
macOS • Windows
Available from Steam.
Grim Fandango Remastered (1998/2015)
“One of the most acclaimed adventure games of all time is now back, better than ever. Grim Fandango Remastered has the all the beautiful art and engaging story fans remember, but has also been remastered to look, sound, and control even better than the award-winning original release.”
macOS • Windows • Linux • SteamOS • Switch • PS4 • Android • iOS
Available from GOG, Steam, Itch, App Store, console and mobile stores.
Hades (2020)
“Defy the god of the dead as you hack and slash out of the Underworld in this rogue-like dungeon crawler from the creators of Bastion, Transistor, and Pyre.”
macOS • Windows • Switch • PlayStation • Xbox • iOS • iPadOS
Available from Steam, Epic, Netflix, and console stores.
Hades II (2024) (EARLY ACCESS)
“Battle beyond the Underworld using dark sorcery to take on the Titan of Time in this bewitching sequel to the award-winning rogue-like dungeon crawler.”
macOS • Windows
Available from Steam, and Epic.
A Highland Song (2023)
“Moira McKinnon is running away. A wild adventure through the Scottish Highlands, with open platforming and dynamic storytelling, maps and music. From the creators of Heaven’s Vault and 80 Days.”
macOS • Windows • Switch
Available from Steam, and console stores.
Lindwyrm (2024) (EARLY ACCESS)
“No one suspected what lurked beneath the village of Sigiswal. Meet creatures from ancient legends and save the village in this roguelite action RPG. Dungeons with hack’n’slay combat, platforming and puzzles? We’ve got it! Strong bosses, co-op mode? That’s a given! Are you ready for the Underground?”
macOS • Windows
macOS version available from Steam.
Other versions also from Epic.
The Mildew Children (2024)
“Featuring a blend of 2D adventure and visual novel, The Mildew Children is a grim tale about a village inhabited only by children who follow savage pagan traditions. A young witch named Kyrphel, along with her sisters, are bound to perform a macabre Ritual in order to save their village.”
macOS • Windows • Linux • SteamOS • Switch • PS4 • Xbox
Available from GOG, Steam, and console stores.
The one who pulls out the sword will be crowned king (2022) (FREE)
“Are you The Rightful King™ or just a filthy peasant? The sword is waiting for you to lift it, but it gets longer and heavier each time some else succeeds…”
macOS • Windows • Linux • SteamOS
Available from Steam, and Itch.
Pyrene (2024)
“Defeat hellish monsters and rebuild your home in Pyrene, a fast paced roguelike dungeon-crawler. Play with different heroes & spells, collect powerful relics to upgrade your deck while uncovering the mysteries behind your village’s destruction.”
macOS • Windows
Available from Steam, and Itch.
The Rewinder (2021)
“The Rewinder is an adventure puzzle game based on Chinese mythology. You play as Yun, the last known Rewinder, who can communicate with spirits and explore other people’s memories to alter the past.”
macOS • Windows • Switch • Xbox
Available from GOG, Steam, and console stores.
Röki (2020)
“Röki is a stunning adventure set in the snowcapped wilderness. As Tove, you must explore an uncharted world of hidden legends and forgotten monsters. Solve puzzles, collect curiosities, and uncover a tale of tragic loss, as you chart your path to redemption.”
macOS • Windows • Switch • PlayStation • Xbox
macOS version available from GOG, and Steam.
Other versions also from Epic, and console stores.
Sneaky Sasquatch (2019)
“Live the life of a Sasquatch and do regular everyday Sasquatch stuff like: Sneak around campsites. Disguise yourself in human clothing. Eat food from unguarded coolers and picnic baskets. Play a quick 9 holes at the golf course. Adopt a lost dog and take care of it. Go fishing at the lake. Cook sausages on an engine block. Crush cars with a monster truck…”
macOS • iOS • iPadOS • tvOS
Available from Apple Arcade.
Sultan’s Game (2025)
“The Sultan commands you to play a cruel game. Each week you draw a card, and have to complete its challenge within seven days. Forced to make dreadful choices to beat the Sultan’s Game and save your own life, you will have to find a way to survive not just the Game, but its consequences too.”
macOS • Windows
Available from Steam.
The Textorcist: The Story of Ray Bibbia (2019)
“Dodge bullets while typing exorcisms at the very same time: Get ready for an electrifying mix between bullet hell and typing game! Turn on both sides of your brain and jump into the adventure of private exorcist Ray Bibbia!”
macOS • Windows • Dreamcast
macOS version available from GOG, Steam, Epic, and App Store.
Dreamcast version from GameFairy.
Valheim (2021) (EARLY ACCESS)
“A brutal exploration and survival game for 1-10 players, set in a procedurally-generated purgatory inspired by viking culture. Battle, build, and conquer your way to a saga worthy of Odin’s patronage!”
macOS • Windows • Linux • SteamOS • Xbox
Available from Steam, App Store, and console stores.
Vasilisa and Baba Yaga (2024)
“An adventure game based on the Russian folktale “Vasilisa the Beautiful”. A scary story about the journey to the mistress of the forbidden forest for magical powers.”
macOS • Windows • Linux • SteamOS
Available from Steam.
Year Walk (2014)
‘In the old days man tried to catch a glimpse of the future in the strangest of ways.Experience the ancient Swedish phenomena of year walking through a different kind of first person adventure that blurs the line between two and three dimensions, as well as reality and the supernatural.”
macOS • Windows • Wii U • iOS • iPadOS • visionOS
Available from Steam, App Store, and mobile stores.
Wii U version no longer available.
mishmash 