Educational Games for Older Players
The following is a short list of some examples of educational video games, all with ESRB ratings of T and above. They're designed for teens, young adults, and adults.
Anno 1800
Part of the larger Anno series of games that was first introduced in 1998, Anno 1800 is a city-building simulator and real-time strategy video game. It takes place during the Industrial Revolution and highlights the time period's technology advancements and societal changes. The game requires players to manage the in-game economy through production chains, trade, and resource allocation, teaching a variety of real-world applicable economics principles. City-building elements focus on management, logistics, and planning. First released in 2019, Anno 1800 is developed and published by Ubisoft.
Assassin's Creed
The Assassin's Creed series is a flagship of Ubisoft, with the first released in 2007 and near-annual releases stretching to the present. It is a historical-fiction action-adventure video game series, which has expanded in recent years into a much larger media franchise that also spans film, novels, comics, and so on. The games depict a fictional millennia-old struggle for dominance between two groups - the Order of Assassins and the Knights Templar - and their real world counterparts, which both existed in the real world around the time of the crusades. In this fictional series, each game takes place at a different historical time period, introducing real historical characters and immersing players in real historical settings. Some of these settings have included ancient Egypt at the end of the Potelamaic period from 49-38 BCE, the British Isles during the Viking expansions in the late 9th century, the Levant region during the Third Crusades of the late 12th century, Italy and the Ottoman Empire during the Italian Rennaissance period of the 15th-16th centuries, and the American northeast frontier shortly before and during the American Revolution of the late 18th century. Recent games have included a Discovery Tour mode that functions as an interactive historical tour of their setting.
Ghost of Tsushima
Ghost of Tsushima is a historical fiction game that drops players onto Japan's Tsushima Island during the Mongo invasion of 1274, providing a detailed and immersive experience of fedual Japan. The game explores samurai culture, bushido code, and some of the historical events of this specific setting. Players, in the role of a samurai gone rogue in a quest to save his kidnapped Lord, are faced with moral dilemmas as they explore narrative themes of honor, loyalty, and vengeance. The game's combat is designed to be tactical in nature, requiring players to think strategically and adapt to different situations. The game was also praised for its visuals, its focus on the time period's architecture and landscapes, and its homage to traditional Japanese samurai films. Ghost of Tsushima was developed by Sucker Punch Productions and published by Sony Interactive Entertainment.
Red Dead
The Red Dead series is a historical fiction action-adventure that takes place during various points of the late 19th to early 20th century Wild West, depicting the western American frontier, decline of the outlaw era in the region, and expansion of modern American civilzation. The settings and narratives offer insight into the cultural, political, and social issues of the time, including the struggles of Native American communities, the role of law enforcement, and the impacts of industrialization. The series is developed and published by Rockstar Games.
The Stanley Parable
The Stanley Parabe is a story-based video game wherein the player guides a silent protagonist through an empty office and other liminal spaces while the game's narrator responds to player choices in real-time, routinely breaking the fourth wall. The game delves deeply into philosophy, touching on existential themes such as free will, choice, and the meaning of life, and questions the nature of storytelling in games. Players are encouraged to open their mind and think critically about their actions. The Stanley Parable is designed to both critique and provide insight into game design and storytelling mechanics, and is great for those looking to learn more about either game development or storytelling. The game is developed and published by Galactic Cafe.