Africa’s Myths Are Powering Some of the Coolest Games You’re Not Playing Yet
In recent years, African culture has been celebrated throughout narratives and imagery in gaming.
Here are five video games to check out that are set or based on myths from the African diaspora.
Aurion: Legacy of the Kori-Odan
Developed in 2015 by Kiro’o Games, “Aurion” is a single-player role-playing game that has the player play as Enzo Kori-Odan, the prince of Zama, who is betrayed by his future brother-in-law. Although the game itself is not technically set in Africa, it is set on the fictional planet of Auriona, which is based on the culture of many African countries. Throughout the game, Kori-Odan and his fiancée, Erine Evou of Soma, travel across the planet to meet new allies in an attempt to restore their throne. “Aurion” is heavily based on African mythology and cultures such as those of the Maasai, the Yoruba, the Fula and the Tuareg.
Tales of Kenzera: ZAU
Created by Surgent Studios and published by Electronic Arts, the “Tales of Kenzera” follows Zay, a shaman who seeks to capture three monsters to offer to the Launga for the God of Death. By doing so, Zau seeks to bring his father back. Throughout the game, players are equipped as Zau with two weapons. Once each enemy is defeated, they obtain “Ulogi,” described as soul energy that can increase the skill sets of Zau. The game was reportedly heavily influenced by Bantu mythology and culture.
Aboki Run
Available on mobile devices on platforms such as Google Play and the App Store, Aboki Run is created by Nigerian developers. Similar to runner games such as Subway Surfers, the narrative of the game follows three young friends- Chinedu, Danjuma and Gbenga- who live in a small village within Nigeria and are heavily invested in learning as much about African folklore as they can. One day, the three friends decide to leave the village to explore the stories on their own. The friends, however, eventually get stuck in a forest by the gods. The point of the game is to help them escape their entrapment.
Africa Trail
Considered an educational game, African Trail has players bike throughout Africa to make it to Cape Agulhas. Players can travel alongside other teammates - all of whom provide different skill sets and levels of experience. The game emulates a traditional bike ride, accounting for visas, the necessity for food, lodging, and potential health issues. Players can choose which route to go through, choosing either a longer route from Bizerte, Tunisia or shorter routes through Lagos, Nigeria or Nairobi, Kenya. The point of Africa Trail is to showcase the different cultures and terrain in Africa.
Sweave
Available on mobile devices, Sweave is the latest video game as it was released in 2025. The game relies heavily on African patterns and weaves. Using imagery based on African symbols, this hyper-casual game has players control a weaving ball to create tapestries that celebrate African designs.
