It’s summer time, which means many of you are probably looking to get a head start on studying since you’re over-achievers. But wait, maybe you are not an over achiever and want to have a fun summer. But you also have all those AP Histories next year. Well, perhaps you should try some history-tinged video games to help you roll into next year.</p>
I’ve taken US History, World History, European History, Human Geography and Comparative Gov and gotten 5s on all of them (self studying the last three). To be clear, playing video games instead of studying throughout the year did not get me those 5s and will most certainly not do you any favors. But playing games with a large historical backdrop to them over the summer and in your down time will surely help ease you into concepts and key events. So, without further adieu, here are my “Top 5 Video Games that will help you Ace your (History) APs”</p>
** 5. Europea Universalis**
This game is essentially a board-game styled play of Europe in the Age of Enlightenment. You assume the helm of different nations across the world and deal with military, political, social and economic factors to lead your country to greatness. It’s an amazingly difficult game to comprehend fully (I still don’t understand a lot of its features) but it nonetheless gives you a fairly thorough understanding of European affairs and of the balance of power and its tampering with to introduce you to AP Euro. </p>
4. Total War series
In specific, I am referring to Medieval: Total War (2002) and Napoleon: Total War (2010). These two turn-based, PC strategies will introduce you into the political dynamic of Europe in two distinct time periods. Understanding the military implications of Napoleon’s multiple front wars or of the inter-European wars of the Medieval period will be front and center in these games. Additionally, with Medieval: Total War, you will be exposed to a religious breakdown by province that sets the stage for much of the Near East v. West that dominates the opening chapters of AP Euro. Both would be of some merit in terms of AP World History. </p>
3. President Forever: 2008
The President Forever game is a bit dry to non-political wonks, but is a wet dream for those interested in any sort campaigns or elections. Essentially, you manage a campaign for the presidency and travel your candidate across several states, make ad purchases, prep for debates, formulate strategy and address the issues. The neat thing about President Forever: 2008 (downloadable for $19.95 over at theoryspark.com) are the historical modes available. Coming standard with the game are the 2000, 1992 and 1980 presidential campaigns. Downloadable from scenarios.270soft.com are custom election years such as 1824, 1832, 1848, 1860, 1936, 1940, 1960 and 1964. The game was invaluable to me in reviewing presidential elections for AP US History as there is nothing like playing an in-depth campaign of any given election year to familiarize yourself with the candidates, themes and regional breakdowns.</p>
2. Age of Empires series
Yeah, I know. These are essentially all PC games. Get over it. Age of Empires, a real-time strategy game, will lay out a comprehensive understanding of military clash of civilizations. It’s a great way to spend your summer if you’re taking AP World the next year to at least have some sense of military strengths and disparities, the growth and expansion of civilizations/empires and a rough chronology of events.</p>
1. Assassin’s Creed series
See, they’re not all PC games. Here’s a PS3/Xbox 360 one. Yes, it’s for the PC too. If nothing else, I know for a fact you all have computer so I at least chose games that you could theoretically have access to. </p>
Assassin’s Creed (2007) is a action-adventure game that takes historical events and puts them into a conspiratorial context fixating on the Knights Templar’s quest to rule the Earth with magical objects from the Garden of Eden. A little pseudo-history, but Ubisoft works overtime to sync nearly every detail with real world history to create a master piece. Assassin’s Creed I follows the Third Crusade in Palestine and introduces you to Richard Lionheart, Saladin, and their respective lieutenants as they act throughout the time period. The game introduces a fair bit of what the Medieval Period was in Europe - essentially a Christian-Islam dynamic that will be important to understand both sides of in AP World. </p>
Even more interesting, however, is Assassin’s Creed II (2009), taking place during the Renaissance. The game has nearly impeccable fidelity to the architecture of the Renaissance time period, allowing you free-roam access to Florence, Venice, and the Sistine Chapel, among others. It also features an in-game database that allows you to explore details behind the various buildings and artworks you come into contact with. Climbing the walls of buildings by Brunelleschi, meeting Leonardo da Vinci, being able to examine in-depth context of art works throughout the Renaissance is a good prep to AP Euro, seeing as though you’ll probably jump right into the late Renaissance with a focus on art when you get back to school.</p>
So what do you think? Are there games you’ve found helpful in your History studies?</p>