Africa might be the world’s most diverse continent. From the sands of the Sahara to the sprawling Serengeti and to every stunning location in between, Africa offers travelers an unforgettable journey into the unknown. But how can visitors prepare themselves to explore the wonders of an East African safari or the experience of jumping around West Africa’s most exciting cities like Lagos and Abidjan?
Though it might surprising, video games are a great way to start exploring the diversity and richness of the African continent. Games allow players to step into the shoes of characters. Depending on the game’s theme and plot, it might also take them to previously unexplored areas.
So, if you’re looking to learn a bit more or simply immerse yourself in African themes and adventures, then consider playing one of the games below. Each focuses on a different region or nation, offering a unique and memorable gaming experience.
Table of Contents
Safari-Themed Slots
First, let’s cover a popular genre of casino games. For those who don’t know, slots are short-form digital casino games. Players spin the reel in the hopes of hitting a winning combination, which is randomly created. Many players also seek out high RTP slots, which stands for return to player and is described as a percentage.
An incredibly popular theme in slots is adventures and the outdoors. This means that safari themes aren’t hard to come by. Popular titles include Majestic Safari, Safari Stampede, and Lion Gold. For those who prefer short and exciting games, slots are a great option.
Into a Cyberpunk South Africa
However, gamers who enjoy a more hardboiled look at gaming might prefer a more involved title. A great suggestion is Beautiful Desolation. This project comes from South African-based developer Brotherhood Games. The title takes players into a post-apocalyptic South Africa.
Though this post-apocalyptic world is fictional, players will be treated to highly detailed side quests that see them explore the jungle and a few abandoned cities. It’s a great introduction to South Africa from a gaming perspective, as the title includes storylines and characters that reflect the culture and identity of the nation.
Ancient Egypt attraction. Photo/Pexels
Diving into Ancient Egypt
Those heading to Egypt might not be focused on a safari adventure or exploring elements of South African identity. In fact, millions of visitors each year focus on a distant part of Africa’s history: Ancient Egypt. And there’s no better way to explore this shared part of human history than through Assassin’s Creed: Origins.
The game takes players straight into one of the region’s most misunderstood periods: a time of Roman colonization during the reign of Cleopatra—who was herself Macedonian. As the game unfolds, players will also venture into accurate portrayals of ancient Libya and Cyrene.
African Futurism in Nigeria
Overwatch is one of the world’s most popular first-person shooter games—and it takes players straight into a highly compelling and futuristic version of Nigeria. The game includes robot factories that players must dismantle—and one is located in the futuristic Nigerian city of Numbani. (They can even play as Nigerian hero Doomfist.)
The Felabration festival in Lagos – Freedom Park
Though the level goes by quite quickly in terms of the game’s overall plot, it’s an excellent depiction of a growing fad in African art: futurism. Rather than reimagining the past, millions of artists around the continent are instead diving into imagined sci-fi futures.
A Romp Through Madagascar
Similar to Assassin’s Creed, Uncharted is one of the world’s most recognizable and celebrated action-adventure games. Though the franchise makes a few stopovers on the continent throughout its history, Uncharted 4 offers a highly realistic and interesting adventure set in Madagascar. In fact, it’s become one of the franchise’s most memorable chapters.
Players are tasked with locating a hidden location in the Madagascan jungle. However, players will also need to make their way through cities and towns. It’s the latter that will offer players a more realistic version of life in Africa, as hundreds of millions now live in the bustling African urban centers.
