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 is ranked no. 2,263 among the best video games of all time by GameForever voters, with an ELO score of 1,482 and 32% of duels won.

World rank

no. 2,263

ELO score

1,482

Wins

32%

Duels played

47

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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 1,482 ELO points over the last 123 days.

Head-to-head

Direct record on the most played match-ups.

In the same genre

All Strategy games →
  1. 27 Dungeon Keeper1997 · Strategy 1,894
  2. 34 Age of Empires II: The Age of Kings1999 · Strategy 1,892
  3. 46 StarCraft1998 · Strategy 1,882
  4. 66 Heroes of Might and Magic III: The Restoration of Erathia1999 · Strategy 1,862
  5. 72 Sid Meier's Civilization V2010 · Strategy 1,857

Keep exploring

Greatest strategy games All-time best PC games All-time best Nintendo games Ranking of SEGA games Ranking of Atari games Top games on Commodore Top games on NEC Best games of the 1980s Best games of 1989

Around this spot

The games Populous sits between in the world ranking.

  1. 2,260 Forza Motorsport 1,482
  2. 2,261 Z1: Battle Royale 1,482
  3. 2,262 Pro Evolution Soccer 2009 1,482
  4. 2,263 Populous 1,482
  5. 2,264 Bravely Default II 1,482
  6. 2,265 Astro Bot: Rescue Mission 1,482
  7. 2,266 DJ Hero 1,482

More games from Electronic Arts

Released in 1989

The community

The debate

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