Populous cover art

Game entry

Populous

1989 · Strategy, JRPG, Simulation, Sandbox · PC, Mac, DOS, Super Nintendo, Master System, Mega Drive, Atari ST, Amiga, PC Engine, PC-98, Sharp X68000, Acorn Archimedes · Electronic Arts

Populous holds position no. 4,739 in the world ranking on GameForever, with 1,351 ELO points and 35% of duels won out of 103 played. Its best rank by family puts it at no. 20 out of 23 (1989).

World rank

no. 4,739

ELO score

1,351

Wins

35%

Duels played

103

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About Populous

Populous is a real-time strategy game where the player takes the role of a deity influencing the development of civilizations. You shape terrain, guide followers, and use natural disasters like floods, volcanoes, and earthquakes to influence or eliminate opposing tribes. The game features an isometric perspective and includes 500 levels (worlds), each with different challenges. Originally developed by Bullfrog and designed by Peter Molyneux, it is considered one of the earliest examples of the god-game genre.

ELO progression

Score moved from 1,500 to 1,351 ELO points over the last 215 days.

Head-to-head

Direct record on the most played match-ups.

In the same genre

All Strategy games →
  1. 34 Age of Empires II: The Age of Kings1999 · Strategy 1,890
  2. 57 Sid Meier's Civilization IV2005 · Strategy 1,872
  3. 77 Crusader Kings III2020 · Strategy 1,859
  4. 83 Fire Emblem Awakening2012 · Strategy 1,853
  5. 96 Age of Mythology2002 · Strategy 1,844

Keep exploring

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Around this spot

The games Populous sits between in the world ranking.

  1. 4,736 Amid Evil 1,352
  2. 4,737 Age of Wonders II: The Wizard's Throne 1,352
  3. 4,738 FIFA 19 1,351
  4. 4,739 Populous 1,351
  5. 4,740 Lorelai 1,351
  6. 4,741 FIFA Soccer 10 1,351
  7. 4,742 Mega Man Battle Network 3 White 1,351

More games from Electronic Arts

Released in 1989

The standing

Where Populous ranks

The world rank mixes every family of games. Here is where Populous stands in each of the ones it belongs to. Its best standing, all families considered: 20 out of 23 (1989).

Where Populous ranks
Ranking Position Games competing
World ranking 4,739 5,110
Strategy 322 342
1980s 136 154
1989 20 23

The community

The debate

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