10 Video Games Based On Real Life Stories

5. Yoshitsune Eiyūden: The Story Of Hero Yoshitsune

war of mine
FromSoftware

Before they were making masochists of us all with the deadly, dead-hard Dark Souls, FromSoftware made it their remit to deliver a Japanese history lesson through the medium of a real-time strategy/third-person hybrid.

As the game's title very obviously suggests, Yoshitsune Eiyūden retells the tale of Heian-period samurai Minamoto no Yoshitsune, a swordsman whose legendary exploits during the Genpei War helped half-brother Yoritomo consolidate his shogunate.

Yoshitsune's cultural and historical significance have seen him crop up in a number of video games - even if it hasn't always been as obvious as FromSoftware's tribute.

Ōkami's self-proclaimed prophet Waka is also based on the general, who was known as 'Ushiwakamaru' in his childhood. His depiction in Capcom's lupine classic isn't quite as biographical as those seen in the likes of Age of Empires II and Total War: Shogun 2. For a start, he plays a magical flute. Oh, and he can walk on water. The real Yoshitsune's amphipedal abilities aren't mentioned in any historical texts.

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.