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. 2,071 in the world ranking on GameForever, with 1,496 ELO points and 35% of duels won out of 62 played. Its best rank by family puts it at no. 9 out of 23 (1989).

World rank

no. 2,071

ELO score

1,496

Wins

35%

Duels played

62

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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 1,496 ELO points over the last 170 days.

Head-to-head

Direct record on the most played match-ups.

In the same genre

All Strategy games →
  1. 21 Sid Meier's Civilization IV2005 · Strategy 1,900
  2. 57 StarCraft1998 · Strategy 1,857
  3. 76 Age of Empires II: The Age of Kings1999 · Strategy 1,848
  4. 88 Dungeon Keeper1997 · Strategy 1,844
  5. 114 XCOM 22016 · Strategy 1,827

Keep exploring

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Around this spot

The games Populous sits between in the world ranking.

  1. 2,068 Knight Online 1,496
  2. 2,069 Atomfall 1,496
  3. 2,070 Max: The Curse of Brotherhood 1,496
  4. 2,071 Populous 1,496
  5. 2,072 Super Animal Royale 1,496
  6. 2,073 Breakout 1,496
  7. 2,074 Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm 3 Full Burst 1,496

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: 9 out of 23 (1989).

Where Populous ranks
Ranking Position Games competing
World ranking 2,071 5,035
Strategy 154 336
1980s 48 155
1989 9 23

The community

The debate

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