Video games are one of the best ways to experience different cultures right from the comfort of home.
The immersive story-telling experience and settings really lend a hand to helping players learn about cultures different from their own. Whether it be historical or modern fiction, many devs impart a piece of their own heritage and culture into their games to represent their identity. African culture is no stranger to being in the spotlight, whether that be through the landscapes, mythologies, or heritage of certain characters in games. Here are some games where Africa’s culture is given a spot in the limelight.
Neopets
The online virtual pet game Neopets might seem like a surprising entry on this list. However, the game has a series of skins based on different world cultures. These items, called Royal Paint Brushes, can be applied to all pets. While some of them take inspiration from Arab, Asian, and European cultures, the Royal paint scheme for the Ogrin pet is inspired by many African aesthetics. The Royal Boy Ogrin’s skin is based on what is known as the forest giraffe or the okapi’s signature dark coat and white stripes, while his garb is based on more historical African royal attire.
Assassin’s Creed Origins
Assassin’s Creed Origins is a AAA game that prominently features a historical look into Africa, particularly in Egypt and Libya. Players take on the role of Bayek, an ancient Egyptian Medjay who formed the Hidden Ones, precursors to the modern-day Assassin Brotherhood. Assassin’s Creed Origins shows characters of different ethnic groups, like the Nubians in the Medjay and the Amazigh.
Tales of Kenzera: Zau
Somewhat related to Assassin’s Creed Origins, Tales of Kenzera: Zau is a love letter to African culture from Abubakar Salim, the voice actor of Bayek and founder of Surgent Studios. Its gameplay is quite similar to those of Metroidvanias, with heavy emphasis on platforming and exploration.
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In the game’s narrative, the protagonist, Zau, journeys to bargain with Kalunga, the God of Death, in hopes of resurrecting his father. Tales of Kenzera takes a lot of inspiration from the indigenous Bantu people, particularly Nguni mythology from South Africa. The game provides players with an insight into the culture and spirituality of Africa and can be enjoyed by all.
Fortnite
Fortnite is a global sensation, with many accounts created from different countries. The game has many characters of different ethnicities, including many iconic African-Americans like Luxe, Malik, and Marvel’s Black Panther, as well as some real-life stars like Khaby Lame. Fortnite also features a few dance moves from different countries, one of which, the Bold Stance, is based on the South African “Gwargwara Dance.” Although Fortnite was made for a broad audience in mind without just one group in mind, it’s been able to sprinkle in traits from other cultures and give them a chance in the spotlight.
Aurion: Legacy of the Kori-Odan
Aurion: Legacy of the Kori-Odan is a game made by the Cameroonian developer, Kiro’o Games. The game is a sidescroller beat-em-up type, and is filled to the brim with African culture, from different ethnic groups in the continent. The game draws inspiration from Yoruban myth, Maasai attire, Tuareg aesthetics and much more. The game was developed as a passion project by Kiro’o Games to create a fantasy world using their own African influences.
There’s already a wealth of games that draw inspiration from European or Asian mythology. The use of African myths and legend in video games still remains an untapped source of inspiration, and Aurion: Legacy of the Kori-Odan, uses this wellspring of culture to its advantage.
Halo 2 / Halo 3 / Halo ODST
Surprisingly, much of the set pieces of Earth in the Halo games are set in Africa, particularly in Kenya. Many of the major battles in the game occur in this region, with the lore placing emphasis on Africa as the cradle of humanity.
The game uses real African locales as part of the level design, with the Tsavo region, the Taita Hills, the city of Mombasa, and the town of Voi used as representations of Earth in Halo. Halo ODST, in particular, features a side-story of a Kenyan girl named Sadie Endesha who kicks of the plot of the game’s campaign.
Halo has given the continent due reverence and does well in its representation of Africa as a vital place in humanity’s history.
Overwatch
Overwatch has quite a few instances of highlighting African culture in its game. Most prominent are the Numbani map and the characters Orisa and Doomfist. Orisa is a tank hero with ties to the traditional Yoruban mythology of the Orisha divine spirits, which is reflected through her character design and in-game abilities. Doomfist, on the other hand, is a Nigerian hero with skins that also ties into cultural aspects of Yoruban myth, like how some of his Painted and Legendary skins don ceremonial masks.
The game also has a few African-centered maps like Numbani (set in Nigeria) and Cairo, which use Afrofuturistic aesthetics to take traditional tribal art into Overwatch’s sci-fi setting. Overwatch, as a whole, celebrates diversity through its multi-cultural blend in its games that everyone can enjoy.
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