India boasts a rich natural and cultural heritage, with diverse landscapes, architectures, and moods that offer endless inspiration. Unsurprisingly, various aspects of India have made their way into popular video games, with developers drawing from the subcontinent’s rich history, architecture, and folklore. Remember playing POP: The Sands of Time’s first level on your old computer? Yes, it was set in India – like many others.
Let’s explore seven titles featuring locations directly inspired by different parts of India.
1. Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time
The Prince of Persia franchise is renowned for Middle Eastern influences, and 2003’s The Sands of Time transported players to the mythical kingdom of Azad. However, one level stood out for capturing Indian wonder – the intro palace. Featuring intricate stone carvings, towering pillars, and ornate archways, its design drew clear parallels to royal residences like Udaipur City Palace.
Jumping through inner zones and climbing sandstone walls immersed players in India’s medieval atmosphere. It also must’ve been the first time for many Indian gamers to see a game set in an Indian location.
2. Raji: An Ancient Epic
Released in 2020, Raji: An Ancient Epic took players on an epic journey through ancient India. Developed by an Indian studio, the game drew heavily from Hindu mythology to tell Raji’s story. Players explored breathtaking open-world locations, from dense jungles and plains inspired by North India to the towering Himalayan peaks along the northern border. However, the recreation of the Kailasa temple complex at Ellora stood out – a sprawling site featuring over 30 monolithic structures carved directly into rock faces. Navigating this digital marvel was simply awe-inspiring.
3. Uncharted: The Lost Legacy
While not explicitly set in India, the 2017 Uncharted spin-off The Lost Legacy featured extensive locations inspired by South India. Players followed Chloe Frazer and Nadine Ross through landscapes drawing inspiration from sites in Kerala like Thattekkad Bird Sanctuary and Wayanad. However, it was the game’s depiction of ruins and landscapes around Madurai that truly captured South Indian heritage. From its bustling markets to the towering forms of Meenakshi Amman Temple emerging in the distance, digital Madurai paid loving tribute to the iconic city.
Also Read: 5 of the Most Popular Gaming Consoles in India (2023)
4. Dark Souls
The Dark Souls franchise is renowned for its grim, unforgiving gameplay and atmospheric worlds. While not explicitly set in India, the game’s designers found inspiration in the Ajanta Caves, one of India’s most important historical sites. Locations like Lost Izalith replicated the caves’ otherworldly ambiance through towering cavernous spaces and ethereal lighting, transporting players to a realm inspired by India’s rich cultural heritage.
5. Assassin’s Creed Chronicles: India
The Assassin’s Creed franchise is praised for its painstaking historical recreations. 2012’s Assassin’s Creed III: Liberation took the action to 18th century New Orleans but also included brief Indian vignettes as part of Aveline’s backstory. While short, these levels offered glimpses of India with bustling markets, colorful palaces, and sprawling forts. However, Assassin’s Creed Chronicles: India truly brought the country to life, set in 1841 with iconic landmarks like the Taj Mahal and Benares Ghat recreated in exquisite detail. Few games better capture India’s magic.
6. Far Cry 4
The open-world first-person shooter Far Cry 4 took players to the fictional country of Kyrat, a melting pot of Himalayan influences. From towering mountains and dense forests to bustling hill stations and remote mountain villages, Kyrat transported players to the digital Himalayas. Landmarks like the capital Ishwari and ancient pagodas drew from real-world North Indian counterparts, crafting a memorable virtual playground that felt authentically Indian.
7. Hitman 2
Hitman 2’s 2018 expansion featured a mission set in Mumbai, one of few games to recreate the iconic city. From bustling markets and apartment towers to landmarks, digital Mumbai paid loving tribute to the real thing. Players explored locales like the Gateway of India, Taj Mahal Palace Hotel, and even Dharavi slums, all recreated with the series’ attention to detail. While a grim setting for assassination, it offered one of gaming’s most authentic slices of modern India.
Many locations featured here transported players to places they may never experience otherwise, crafting memorable virtual worlds that feel authentically Indian. As gaming evolves, one hopes more studios look to India for inspiration, helping share our vibrant culture with global audiences. Our history, architecture, and traditions have much to offer video games as an interactive storytelling medium.
