Since the release of Far Cry Primal in 2016, the gaming community has been intrigued by their own prehistory. What experiences did early humans have? How did they struggle? And with the global warming crisis at hand, what did the trash-free, Eden-like landscape look like?
Though I doubt my ancestors rode woolly mammoths (sigh), playing the game on Play Station 4 was exhilarating as I worked hard on strengthening my village and taking back the homeland of the Wenja from savage tribes intent on destroying–and in some cases, eating–my people.
Next year, developer Panache Games plans on releasing a prehistoric journey that goes back even further than ‘caveman’ Takkar of Far Cry Primal. Enter, the ancestor of your ancestors. In all their hairy glory!
In Ancestors: The Humankind Odyssey, you’ll get to play as your early ape-like ancestor as you try to survive in Neogene Africa, millions of years ago. You’ll be able to expand a clan, learn new survival skills, evolve, and try new foods that may or may not kill you! Are you excited?!
To prepare for this adventure, I like to indulge my literary tastes with some prehistoric classics* (I’m an English major so you can trust me). Understanding the volatile geography of earlier earth and its inhabitants is crucial in appreciating every detail in a game on prehistory. So behold: your literary guide to understanding the world of prehistoric splendor!
*Note: This is not a sponsored post and includes my personal favorite books on prehistory.
Daughter of Kura: A Novel by Debra Austin
Prehistoric Africa. Half a million years ago. Picture: A land of wonder and danger. Chunks of zebra slowly roasting over the evening fire. A cackling hyena out in the brush makes you shiver with fear. The sun sets and you are surrounded by billions of stars…and hundred of threats.
A young Homo erectus woman in a nonverbal society copes with death, young love, and coming-of-age in her matriarchal society where her mother is Kura or the clan leader. Snap–our young protagonist– faces her daily struggles of taking care of children or hunting, but all is not as it seems on the Serengeti. A newcomer threatens to overturn the careful balance of society and a girl becomes a woman in one of the harshest terrains on earth.
I couldn’t put this book down! The descriptions of early African society and the struggles of those who were able to survive (and perish) is incredible amidst a backdrop of fluttering hand and guttural conversations. The author consulted with recent research on anthropology and culture theory before writing Daughter of Kura. The extra miles are appreciated if you enjoy fiction with science to back it up.
Clan of the Cave Bear by Jean Auel
Considered a paleo-classic, Clan of the Cave Bear has set the bar for prehistoric fiction. Written in 1980, this story takes place during the Ice Age where a young Cro-Magnun woman who is adopted into a Neanderthal tribe. Her story intertwines the cultures of both societies and outlines the differences in appearances and communications between early humans and Neanderthals.
I got bored. I really did. Some of the descriptions of land or people or animals are lengthy and tone-deaf. But I found the story intriguing and thought the author included several plot twists and interesting cultural speculations since Neanderthals didn’t leave a lot in terms of historical records.
Far Cry Primal Collector’s Edition by Prima Games
It may be odd to consider a gaming guide as literature but the book is filled with so much more than maps or character studies. The developers extensively studied research, archaeology, and anthropology to establish a feasible society and patterns of conflict. Clothing and even the language used in the game (derived from Hittite) are carefully constructed from research and excavation sites. In my opinion, the game guide almost doubles as a textbook in how much information it provides on the actual lifestyles of prehistoric people while weaving in the fictional tale of Takkar. Plus, you know, tons of pictures.
Mammoths: Giants of the Ice Age by Adrian Lister
I love scientific picture books and have a weakness for anything National Geographic or Smithsonian related. Someone gave this book to me as a gift and I find myself flipping through it occasionally after initially reading it cover to cover. Mammoths are typically a staple creature in any prehistoric novel or game so this nonfiction guide to understanding the mysterious mammoths can lift the veil of time and show you the different species of mammoths, their unique environments, and their eventual demise after coming into contact with early humans.
Also included are the archaeological finds and discussions and disputes on the study of mammoths and the possibility of reviving the species through recently obtained genetic material. If you are interested in the species, this is a must-have for your GeekShelf. So grab a beer and a spear and…
Story Quest Decoded 