The Victorian era took place from June 20, 1837, to January 22, 1901, in the United Kingdom. It got its namesake from the ruler at the time, Queen Victoria. The era is long gone, but modern imagination is fascinated by these particular times. It was the era of Jack the Ripper, the first Industrial Revolution, Charles Dickens, Charles Darwin, and much more.

Modern imagination integrating with the bygone era often produces works of fiction and even fantasy. Video games love to combine the Victorian era with stories of eldritch horrors, werewolves, and vampires in combination with the commonalities of famine, murder, and plague. Most games that take place in the Victorian era tend to be dark. While most Victoria-era games can have a dark edge to them, there is variety in terms of genre, style, and the story they tell.

Updated on May 9, 2024, by Ritwik Mitra: The Victorian era is one of the most fascinating periods in history, with the style of this era being one of its defining characteristics that many fans can't get enough of. The fact that so many shows, movies, and games are set during this period makes it clear just how tantalizing the many aspects of this era are, with video games, in particular, letting players interact with this historical period in a way that no other entertainment medium can replicate. Some games just use this setting as a backdrop for the stories they want to tell, while other titles lean heavily into this setting and use its various aspects to fuel their gameplay.

22 Shadow Hearts: Covenant

The Best Game In The Shadow Hearts Series With Gothic And Lovecraftian Vibes

One of the most underrated JRPGs that more players need to check out, Shadow Hearts: Covenant is an excellent video game that continues the story of the first title while improving upon every aspect of this title. Having to manage one's sanity in battle along with their HP and MP in battle makes for a simple and fun twist to the usual turn-based combat most people are used to.

Shadow Hearts: Covenant focuses on Karin Koenig and Yuri Hyuga's journey to prevent war-mongering men from laying waste to everything. The story may take place a few years after the Victorian era ended, but shades of this period can be seen everywhere players travel, making the environments of Shadow Hearts: Covenant quite unique when compared to other titles in the genre.

21 80 Days

Recreate Jules Verne's Classic Story In The Victorian Era

Around the World in 80 Days is one of the most popular stories penned by Jules Verne that helped him become one of the best writers around who focused on adventurous stories. The ability to replicate this journey via a video game is something that players would love to check out, and 80 Days is an excellent video game for players who want to enjoy the same.

The striking art style and choice-based gameplay lend a ton of weight to every decision that players make, which can either aid them in their goal or prevent them from accomplishing this hefty task. The game encourages replayability and uses the Victorian era to make its storytelling more engaging than ever before.

20 Arcanum: Of Steamworks And Magick Obscura

Combines Victorian Aesthetics With Magical CRPG Goodness

One of the most underrated CRPGs back when the golden age of this genre was drawing to a close, the beloved Troika Games crafted one of the most unique worlds to every feature in a video game to date with the advent of Arcanum: Of Steamworks And Magick Obscura. The title may not have aged that well from a gameplay standpoint (something that fans of Troika Games are begrudgingly familiar with) but people willing to give its lack of gameplay fidelity a pass will love what Arcanum brings to the table.

The way magic and technology work against each other makes the world and its inhabitants more unique, with players being encouraged to choose one over the other to make their build as effective as possible. This, coupled with a deep story that accommodates player choice in new and interesting ways, makes Arcanum: Of Steamworks and Magick Obscura an excellent title for players who want to check out a game with shades of the Victorian era smattered here and there.

19 Amnesia: A Machine For Pigs

A Sequel To A Breakout Horror Game Set In The Same Time Period

Following the massive success of The Dark Descent, it was clear that Frictional Games had finally settled on a formula that would guarantee success for them. This led to A Machine For Pigs riding hot on the coattails of its predecessor, with the time period being similar too.

Both games are set in the Victorian era, with A Machine for Pigs set two years before the rule of Queen Victoria drew to a close. The game is about as horrifying as one would expect from a Frictional Games product, and Amnesia continues to be one of their most successful franchises despite this title disappointing some fans for its lack of innovation.

18 American McGee's Alice

A Dark, Twisted Take On Alice In Wonderland's Tale

It's a shame that getting one's hands on a working copy of American McGee's Alice is such a harrowing task. The game deserves to be hailed as a classic of its time that created a beautiful and haunting world where players could get lost.

The combat in the game was pretty serviceable, but it was the amazing visual design and tone of the narrative that made it such an underrated gem. Players who manage to get their hands on American McGee's Alice will love its dark aesthetic and engaging levels, which will keep fans encapsulated till the end of a memorable adventure.

17 Sunless Sea

A Unique Take On Victorian London That Has Retreated Under The Earth's Surface

Sunless Sea is an excellent title that combines exploration and storytelling in one neat package. The game does have its scary moments, but players mostly love this title for the many unique islands and stories that players can explore as they journey across the unterzee and uncover the wealth of content present in the world.

Soon enough, players will slowly understand how the game works and get over its massive difficulty curve with relative ease. Getting the best ship and destroying enemies that were giving players a hard time early on never ceases to be satisfying!

16 Shadow Hearts

A Gothic, Lovecraftian JRPG That Is Unlike Most Games In The Genre

There aren't many JRPGs that focus on the Victorian setting and Lovecraftian horror, so it's amazing to see that Shadow Hearts checks both these boxes! The games in this genre are notorious for being a bit too lengthy for their good, so fans were glad to see that Shadow Hearts didn't overstay its welcome as it absorbed players in a unique and engaging tale.

Players have to maintain a sanity meter along with HP and MP, making for a fun balancing act as players try to wipe out enemies as soon as possible before a party member frenzies out of nowhere. Shadow Hearts may have its rough edges, but this game's concept is truly exhilarating and goes to show just how important it is to play through JRPGs that aren't steeped in the usual high fantasy setting that some fans have grown bored of.

15 The Order: 1886

A Short, Sweet Thrill-Ride Across A Version Of Victorian London Steeped In The Supernatural

Released in 2015, The Order: 1886 is a third-person game in the action-adventure genre. The setting is in 1886, but it's not the same Victorian era as ours. It takes place in an alternate history that gives London a far more steampunk-oriented style. The player takes the role of Sir Galahad, a member of the Knights of the Round Table whose job is to protect London from vampire and werewolf half-breeds as well as any government rebels.

The game got mixed reviews, but many loved its Victorian atmosphere and creative touches to the alternate history. The gameplay is lacking, sometimes feeling more like a walking simulator than an action-adventure title.

14 The Sherlock Holmes Series

Capturing The Famed Detective's Best Stories In Victorian London

Like Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, the stories of Sherlock Holmes are a major staple of Victorian-era stories. Its most major video game series has eight titles so far, and they all stick to the Victorian era. The first title of the series, The Mystery of the Mummy, was released in 2002 and its most recent title, Sherlock Holmes: The Awakened, came out in 2023.

Depending on the game, players do not just explore London. Some of the titles have Sherlock take trips to New Orleans, Scotland, and Switzerland.

13 Assassin's Creed: Syndicate

A Brilliant Depiction Of Victorian London In An Assassin's Creed Game

The Assassin's Creed series has a love for setting its games in different times in human history. The times explored include the Third Crusade, 15th century Florence, colonization of the United States, the 18th century, the Seven Years War, the French Revolution, the Peloponnesian War, and of course the Victorian era.

Syndicate takes place in London and follows twin assassins taking back the city from Templar control. It was released for the PS4, Xbox One, and Windows in 2015. It was not known to be the best Assassin's Creed game, but it still got higher-than-average reviews.

12 Alice: Madness Returns

A Sequel To A Highly Underrated Dark Fantasy Action Game With Shades Of The Victorian Era

Alice's Adventures in Wonderland was published by Lewis Carroll right in the middle of the Victorian era, and it's both a product of its time and timeless in terms of playing with the logic of conformity and being a proper lady in a proper society through the eyes of a little girl. The famous children's story has gone through many adaptations, and that is certainly true in the video game world as well.

Arguably the best of them is Alice: Madness Returns. This dark twist has an older Alice in a psych ward after a fire killed her family. Due to her horrific experiences, Wonderland becomes a horrific and twisted place. The game is quite action-oriented with Alice having to combat her way through Wonderland to discover the truth of her trauma.

11 The Great Ace Attorney Chronicles

A Duology Focused On Phoenix Wright's Ancestor, Set In Victorian London

This game is Ace Attorney but in the Victorian era. Players take on the role of Phoenix Wright's ancestor, Ryunosuke Naruhodo. Ryunosuke travels to study law in England and befriends the famous detective Herlock Sholmes.

The game drew some controversial attention for how it portrayed racism against the Japanese characters in the game. Some believed it was a raw portrayal of the Victorian era and how people thought in those times while others saw it as tone-deaf and upsetting. Due to this, the localization of the game has had some censorship.

10 The Dishonored Series

A Series That Starts In 1837, Which Is Around The Start Of The Victorian Era

This series begins in the year 1837, which is known to be the beginning of the Victorian era. The first-person stealth game is certainly rooted in the era but takes a lot of creative initiative in the politics and social classes of its fictional city of Dunwall. There are supernatural elements as well.

Most gamers already know about this famous series, as it got overwhelmingly positive reviews from publications. It won awards for Environmental Design, Art Direction, Game Direction, Best Game, Best Narrative, and so on.

9 The Victoria Series

An Accurately-Titled Grand Strategy Game

Not all games have to be action adventures. For those who prefer strategy and numbers, Victoria: An Empire Under the Sun, Victoria 2, and Victoria 3 are there. The first title was released in 2003, the second in 2010, and the third in 2022. The base games cover every year of the Victorian era.

However, the game is not for everyone. It got mixed reviews for its steep learning curve. Players who are not used to strategy games can get overwhelmed by balancing the various resources, materials, profits, diplomatic relations, and the world market.

8 Fallen London

A Browser Game Set In The Same Universe As Sunless Sea

Fallen London is another alternative Victorian-era game, but it has a strong focus on narrative with minimalist designs. The lore is rich with subtle but fascinating horrors in the dark alleys. It is one of those games that cannot be won, but there are ways to lose. The game came out in 2009 but got a major update in 2018.

Due to the praise for its world-building, Fallen London's popularity spawned other loved titles like Sunless Sea and Sunless Skies. While those are titles in stores, Fallen London is free to play online.

7 Dance Of Death: Du Lac & Fey

A Decent Adventure Game Set In 1888 London

Set in 1888 London, this adventure game was released in 2019. It takes real famous figures from history/legends such as Lancelot, Morgan le Fay, and Mary Jane Kelly, and follows them on the hunt for the infamous Jack the Ripper. In terms of mechanics, it is a point-and-click game from the third-person perspective. The three main characters are playable and can be switched in and out to use their different abilities.

The game puts some stock in the player's choices and has a storyline with various branches and consequences. Also, each of the three characters offers a unique perspective since they come from different classes of Victorian society.

6 Koudelka

A Dungeon Crawler With Lovecraftian Elements Set During Victorian Times

Part of the Shadow Hearts series, Koudelka is an RPG released in 1999 in Japan and 2000 in other regions. The story takes place in 1898 in Wales. The protagonists are in a haunted monastery and uncover its secrets by exploring, solving puzzles, and doing some turn-based battles.

The game's producer, composer, writer, and director was one man, Hiroki Kikuta. He was inspired by books of the British Victorian era such as ones written by Lord Dunsany, H.P. Lovecraft, and William Hope Hodgson.

5 Bloodborne

Victorian Influences Run Abound In This Gothic Soulslike Title With Elements Of Lovecraft

Bloodborne does not strictly occur during the Victorian era, as it does not have an exact date. However, it is described to be set in a Victorian era (with influences of gothic and steampunk styles). The fashion, architecture, and monsters all match the various imaginative tropes the human mind has tied to Victorian fantasy, horror, and fiction. Parts of the game were inspired by the written works of H.P. Lovecraft and Bram Stoker, who lived through the Victorian era.

As for the game itself, it is action and role-playing. Like Dark Souls, it is known to be difficult and requires a patient player to climb to new heights slowly.

4 Aviary Attorney

A Fun Detective Game In Victorian-Era Paris Inspired By The Ace Attorney Series

• Available On: Nintendo Switch, PC
• Developer(s): Sketchy Logic
• Release Date: December 21, 2015

This game is not officially part of the Ace Attorney games, but it was incredibly inspired by the series. The game is set in Victorian-era Paris and all the characters are anthropomorphic animals. The player takes the role of a defense lawyer, Jayjay Falcon.

Aviary Attorney was released in 2015 and was beloved by players for its humor and art style. The game is full of bird puns and contains four chapters, three endings, and real-life Paris landmarks.

3 Return Of The Obra Dinn

A Game Set In 1807 Where Players Piece Together The Fates Of The Crewmen Of The Obra Dinn

Released in 2018, this game is about a ship called the Obra Dinn that was lost at sea in 1803. In 1807 though, it drifted into a port with no crew on board. The player is an insurance investigator for the East India Company's London Office. They are dispatched to assess the damages on the ship.

In terms of genre, Return of the Obra Dinn is a first-person mystery adventure game. The game's Steam reviews give it a lot of love for its interesting story, amazing soundtrack, and multi-dimensional logic puzzles.