The Vikings and their culture are captivating, and while you are stationed in Europe it can be interesting to delve into Norse history or religion. You can visit Viking sites in their former stomping grounds at authentic places like Gamla Uppsala and Birka in Sweden, the Roskilde Viking Ship Museum in Denmark, the Lofotr Viking Museum in Norway, the Thingvellir National Park in Iceland, and the Jorvik Viking Center in England.

For a day-to-day travel escape, though, immersing yourself into a game with a Viking connection can be both fun and fascinating. Here are 10 video games for various ages and on a variety of platforms that offer fun Norse theming and may just pique your interest in other aspects of Nordic heritage.

PC, PlayStation | Mature players (17+)

This staple mythology-based video game series entered the world of Nordic lore in 2018 with the release of their second-era God of War and the subsequent Ragnarök game in 2022. These single-player action role-playing games follow Kratos and his son Atreus in their new life in the Nordic world where they travel through the nine realms of Norse belief interacting with gods like Thor, Odin, Freya and Loki. They feature realistic-looking graphics with monster-fighting gore and occasional foul language. 

PC, PlayStation, Xbox | Mature players (17+)

There are 13 installments of the popular Assassins Creed series. In the Valhalla edition, you find yourself in a single-player role playing game as Viking Eivor Varinsdottir as they raid England. The game is historically rich and well-researched, allowing you to interact with individuals like Alfred the Great and Ivar Ragnarsson alongside legendary characters like Ragnar Lothbrok and gods like Loki, Thor and Fenrir. Graphics are realistic with violence and gore against other humans and monsters.

PC, PlayStation, Nintendo Switch (first game only), Xbox | Mature Players (17+) 

The first version of Hellblade, released in 2017, was titled Senua’s Sacrifice and follows protagonist Senua – a Pict warrior as she navigates the realms of Norse mythology after her village is attacked. It is a single-player horror fantasy role-playing game that delves deep into Senua’s psychological experience to defeat the darkness. A sequel titled Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II was released in 2024 and takes the story to Viking-era Iceland. Both games feature realistic graphics with violence, gore and horror, plus a mental health warning.

PC, PlayStation, Nintendo Switch, Xbox | Mature Players (17+) 

One of the most famous and classic role-playing game series, The Elder Scrolls offers open-world gaming in a fantasy world. The fifth installment, Skyrim, takes place in a Norse-like northern part of the world on a continent called Nirn where the architecture, culture and mythology feel very Viking-esque. This game was made in 2011 and a remastered version came out in 2017.

PC, PlayStation, Nintendo Switch, Xbox | Mature Players (17+)

This occassionally creepy single-player game is an adventure into the dark world of Nordic folk tales. You play as a young boy named Olle as he tries to save his sister from the troll who kidnapped her. Olle encounters witches, gnomes, fairies and other folkloric creatures passed down over generations from the religion of the Vikings into Swedish legends as he tackles puzzles and challenges along the way. It has artistically illustrated realistic graphics, frightening gory boss battles and plenty of jump scares.

Mobile | Everyone (10+)

A strategy game for both iOS and Android mobile devices, Clash of Clans is an online multiplayer game set in a fantasy world that blends in a Norse cultural feel. As the village chief, you build your town and train a band of fighters to raid other towns and join other villages as clan communities. It is a top-down cartoon-style game with mild violence and is free to download and play; there are fees for particular game items.

PC, Mac OS, Nintendo Switch | Everyone (6+)

Set in Viking villages, this simple, yet fun puzzle game has 60 levels to figure out. The goal is to rearrange the homes and walkways in new villages to allow access to the port. The challenge comes with the shape and geography of each new island your Vikings encounter. This inexpensive game has top-down play with cartoon-style graphics for casual gameplay and brain stimulation.

PC, PlayStation, Mac OS, Nintendo Switch, Xbox | Everyone (10+)

This single-player role-playing adventure game is a romp through the fantasy of Scandinavian folklore. You play Tove as she traverses the northern wilderness looking for a way to reach her brother who has been taken by the dark monster Röki. Through the forest and snow-covered landscapes, you must solve puzzles and codes based on the stories of Norse creatures like the jötunn, nixies and trolls. The illustrated graphics are pretty, and the gameplay is pleasantly slower paced.

PC, PlayStation, Nintendo Switch, Xbox | Everyone (6+)

In this peaceful single-player game, you play a red fox following the path presented, solving puzzles along the way and finding clues about the humans who have now gone. There is no dialogue or text to read, though mystical runes appear to help guide you past the obviously Norse-inspired remnants of a culture. The realistic animation is attractive and the non-traditional, yet linear, gameplay past Icelandic landscapes is relaxing.

PC, PlayStation, Nintendo Switch, Xbox | Everyone (10+)

Based on the popular book series and Dreamworks animated films and shows, this adventure game leans into the fictional world of dragon-riding Vikings. As a single player, you get to take on the role of dragon Patch to battle enemies, tackle puzzles and solve the question of Patch’s origin. The graphics in this top-down role-playing game mimic those of the well-known animated series.

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