5 Great Games Based on Real People

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Most video games let you play as characters you won’t find in real life – unless you’re playing a sports game. While a game character might be inspired by a real person, like Mario, you won’t typically find someone exactly like them in the real world. Occasionally, games draw on history or real events, but it’s much rarer to actually play as a real person. The five games described below all do just that, letting you step into the shoes of someone who actually lived. It’s a surprisingly uncommon approach, but these games pulled it off successfully.

1) Like a Dragon: Ishin!

Like a Dragon: Ishin! is a refreshed version of a 2014 action game originally released for PlayStation 3 and 4. It became available on current consoles in 2023, and later on other platforms, bringing the experience to a wider audience. Set in 19th-century Japan during the late Edo period, the game puts you in the role of Sakamoto Ryōma, a historical samurai who helped shape the country. The story revolves around a plot to overthrow the government, and you’ll need to track down a mysterious assassin. It’s a beautifully crafted and detailed game that authentically captures the era with respect and artistry.

2) Hamurabi

I recently discovered this really old game called Hamurabi, and it’s surprisingly addictive! It was created way back in 1968 by Doug Dyment, originally just for a friend. You play as the Babylonian king Hammurabi and basically try to run a kingdom for ten turns. It’s all about managing your food supply – growing enough grain to feed everyone and using your resources to buy more land. There are always problems popping up, like plagues, so you have to be a smart ruler! It’s amazing to think this simple game actually helped pave the way for entire genres, like city-building games – it’s a direct ancestor to games like SimCity, which is wild!

3) Yoshitsune Eiyūden: The Story of Hero Yoshitsune

Released in Japan for the PlayStation 2 in 2005, Yoshitsune Eiyūden: The Story of Hero Yoshitsune is an action game that has since been fan-translated into English. It tells the story of Minamoto no Yoshitsune, a famous samurai commander from the 12th century, who was known as Kurō. The game combines fast-paced, third-person action with real-time strategy elements, similar to the Dynasty Warriors series, allowing players to command troops in battle.

4) Eternal Sonata

Eternal Sonata is a unique game inspired by the life of composer Frédéric Chopin, though it’s not a direct biography. The game takes place within a fantastical world representing Chopin’s subconscious as he nears the end of his life. Chopin himself appears as a character in the game, and his music is central to the experience. Unlike most Japanese role-playing games (JRPGs), Eternal Sonata integrates musical elements directly into its combat and overall design. Originally released for Xbox 360 in 2007, it was later made available on PlayStation 3. While it was well-received by critics, it remains a relatively obscure title.

5) Michael Jackson’s Moonwalker

Early 90s video games could be pretty unusual, and one of the most memorable was Michael Jackson’s Moonwalker. It’s a classic beat-’em-up where you play as Michael Jackson, and the levels are based on his “Smooth Criminal” short film. The goal is to save kidnapped children, and the game even features music from Jackson’s songs. While it wasn’t a huge success, Moonwalker was enjoyable in arcades and especially fun on the Sega Genesis. The game centers around a fictionalized version of Michael Jackson, but it’s clearly him.

What game featuring a historical or real-life figure do you enjoy the most? Share your thoughts in the comments and join the discussion on the ComicBook Forum!

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2026-05-08 17:15