10 Video Games Based On Real Life Stories

6. Aoki Ōkami To Shiroki Mejika (Genghis Khan)

Genghis Khan II
Koei

A number of games have drawn inspiration from the incredible, almost mythical history of Genghis Khan, from his money-hoarding expy 'Temjin' in Terranigma to a range of his most famous campaigns in imperial expansionist wet dream Age of Empires II.

However - and pretty obviously given its name - none tell the war-mongerer's story quite as well as Koei's historical simulation series Genghis Khan (known in the east as Aoki Ōkami to Shiroki Mejika, which brilliantly translates as 'Blue Wolves and White Doves').

The first in the series, released 1987, put players in the deel of the Mongolian warlord at the beginning of his global conquest back in 1175, with a snazzy multiplayer mode offering the roles of his contemporaries: England's Richard the Lionheart, Alexios of the Byzantine Empire, or Minamoto no Yorimoto - a man who has a starring role in several games himself.

Koei really dusted off the history books for the game's sequel, presenting four complex scenarios trailing the rise of the Mongol horde from Genghis Khan's seizure of the steppes in the late 12th century to the eventual birth of the Yuan Dynasty in 1274. If you love viciously conquering all your neighbours as part of a rampaging horde, this is for you.

Editorial Team
Editorial Team

Benjamin was born in 1987, and is still not dead. He variously enjoys classical music, old-school adventure games (they're not dead), and walks on the beach (albeit short - asthma, you know). He's currently trying to compile a comprehensive history of video game music, yet denies accusations that he purposefully targets niche audiences. He's often wrong about these things.