
I’ve always found it fascinating how video games love exploring the darker side of the afterlife hell, underworlds, and demonic realms are everywhere. But what about heaven? Finding games that actually let you explore the pearly gates and celestial realms is surprisingly rare, which makes them all the more special when you discover them.
After spending countless hours researching and playing through various titles, I’ve compiled this definitive list of the best games where you go to heaven. Whether you’re looking for breathtaking celestial visuals, thought provoking religious themes, or just want to see how different developers imagine paradise, these games deliver divine experiences you won’t forget.
In this guide, I’ll walk you through 12 incredible games featuring heaven settings, explain what makes each one unique, and help you decide which heavenly adventure suits your gaming style. From classic RPGs to modern indie gems, there’s something here for every type of gamer seeking a more ethereal gaming experience.
Before diving into my top picks, it’s worth understanding why games with heaven settings are such a rarity in the gaming industry.
Hell makes for great gameplay demons to fight, fire and brimstone visuals, and clear conflict. Heaven, on the other hand, presents unique challenges for game developers. How do you make paradise interesting without making it boring? How do you create conflict in a place meant to be perfect?
The games on this list have cracked that code, each in their own creative way. Some reimagine heaven as a whimsical cloud kingdom, others explore the political intrigue of divine beings, and some use heaven as a stark contrast to darker realms you’ll also visit.
Valheim’s entire premise revolves around Norse mythology and the journey to Valhalla the hall of the slain where fallen warriors feast with Odin. As a Viking warrior who died in battle, you’ve been brought to the tenth realm to prove your worth.
What Makes It Special:
While you’re technically in a realm between life and Valhalla, the game brilliantly explores Norse concepts of the warrior’s paradise. The entire gameplay loop is about proving yourself worthy of entering the great hall. The atmospheric Viking aesthetic and exploration make this one of the most immersive afterlife experiences in modern gaming.
This is perfect for survival game fans who want their heaven themed experience with crafting, building, and cooperative gameplay. The Norse mythology backdrop adds incredible depth to every mechanic.
This 1996 LucasArts classic puts you directly in charge of creating both Heaven and Hell. As a Demiurge (a semi omnipotent being), you’re responsible for building the entire afterlife infrastructure for a planet’s population.
What Makes It Special:
In Afterlife, you’ll zone areas for the Seven Deadly Sins and their corresponding Virtues, construct the Pearly Gates and Fiery Gates, and manage the flow of souls through your afterlife system. You’re literally the architect of heaven, deciding how paradise functions, where angels work, and how souls are rewarded.
The game balances dark humor with surprisingly deep strategy. You’ll deal with divine disasters, soul traffic jams, and even infernal zoning disputes. It’s SimCity meets the afterlife, with LucasArts’ signature humor throughout.
This is ideal for fans of simulation and strategy games who want complete control over heaven’s design. If you enjoy management games, this offers a unique twist you won’t find anywhere else.
Bayonetta’s Paradiso is heaven reimagined as a realm of light and angelic warriors but don’t expect fluffy clouds and harps. This heaven is militant, aggressive, and absolutely stunning visually. You’ll spend significant time fighting through this celestial realm.
What Makes It Special:
Paradiso in Bayonetta challenges traditional “heaven is always good” narratives. The celestial realm is locked in eternal conflict with the demonic Inferno, with the human world caught between. You’ll fight your way through clouds, battle massive angelic beings, and discover that heaven’s forces aren’t necessarily heroic.
The angel designs are creative, bizarre, and sometimes disturbing combining biblical imagery with body horror and avant garde art. The game’s version of heaven feels alien and dangerous rather than peaceful and comforting.
Perfect for action game enthusiasts who want a non traditional, combat focused heaven experience. The stylish combat and wild storytelling make this heaven unlike any other. If you’re into character action games, Bayonetta’s Paradiso is unmissable.
Diablo III takes you directly to the High Heavens in Act IV, where you storm the gates of paradise itself to stop the demon lords and fallen angels threatening to corrupt the Crystal Arch heaven’s source of creation.
What Makes It Special:
The High Heavens in Diablo III is one of gaming’s most impressive depictions of heaven under siege. The pristine white architecture, crystalline structures, and glowing pathways create a realm that feels both sacred and vulnerable. You’re not visiting heaven during peacetime you’re defending it during its darkest hour.
Fighting through the Silver City, crossing the Diamond Gates, and ascending toward the Crystal Arch provides some of the most epic moments in the entire franchise. The contrast between heaven’s beauty and the demonic corruption threatening it creates incredible visual drama.
This is essential for ARPG fans who want their heaven experience with fast paced combat and endless loot. The endgame content means you’ll revisit these celestial zones repeatedly, making them some of the most memorable locations in the game.
Skyrim’s Sovngarde is the Nordic afterlife where brave warriors feast in the Hall of Valor for eternity. This realm serves as the climactic location for the main questline, where you face the dragon Alduin in his own domain.
What Makes It Special:
Sovngarde captures the essence of Norse mythology’s vision of paradise. The journey through the mist, crossing the whale bone bridge, and entering the Hall of Valor where heroes eternally feast creates one of gaming’s most memorable heaven sequences. The perpetual twilight and misty atmosphere give it a dreamlike quality.
Fighting Alduin in heaven itself, with legendary Nordic heroes at your side, provides an incredibly satisfying conclusion to Skyrim’s main story. The realm feels both peaceful and prepared for eternal battle a perfect warrior’s paradise.
Perfect for open world RPG fans who want their heaven experience grounded in mythology. The attention to Nordic cultural details makes Sovngarde feel authentic and powerful. This pairs well with other fantasy RPG experiences.
Neon White offers one of the most unique takes on heaven in modern gaming. You’re a soul reaper pulled from Hell and given a chance to compete for permanent residence in Heaven by exterminating demons for angels.
What Makes It Special:
Heaven in Neon White is sterile, perfect, and almost corporate in its efficiency. The angels run it like a business, trading demon extermination services for potential residency. This cynical take on paradise asks uncomfortable questions about who deserves heaven and what you’d sacrifice to get there.
The visual design is striking clean white architecture, geometric precision, and splashes of vibrant color. Heaven looks like a high end modern apartment complex, which creates fascinating contrast with the hellish demons you’re hunting.
This is perfect for speedrunning fans and players who want their heaven themed game with incredibly tight, skill based gameplay. The movement feels amazing, and chasing leaderboard times becomes genuinely addictive.
Super Paper Mario’s version of heaven, called “Overthere,” is one of the most charming and accessible depictions of paradise in gaming. This cloudy realm serves as a stark contrast to “Underwhere” (the game’s hilariously named underworld).
What Makes It Special:
The Overthere perfectly captures that classic “clouds and halos” imagery we all associate with heaven, but adds Nintendo’s signature whimsy. You’ll meet angelic characters, float through ethereal landscapes, and experience a version of paradise that feels genuinely joyful rather than preachy.
The relationship between the Overthere and Underwhere creates great gameplay variety. You’ll need to travel between both realms, solving puzzles that span life and death. The writing manages to be funny and heartwarming simultaneously.
If you’re looking for a lighthearted introduction to games featuring heaven, this is your perfect starting point. The gameplay is accessible, the visuals are beautiful, and it’s suitable for players of all ages. Great for families wanting to experience Nintendo classics together.
Final Fantasy II takes a more serious approach to heaven through its “Soul of Rebirth” post game content. After defeating the hellish version of The Emperor in the main story, this expansion reveals that his light half ascended to the heavenly realm of Arubboth.
What Makes It Special:
In Arubboth, you’ll discover that even heaven can have conflict. The Emperor’s light form seeks to dominate the celestial realm just as his dark half tried to conquer the mortal world. This philosophical take on heaven asks interesting questions about the nature of good and evil can absolute good become its own form of tyranny?
The dungeon design and boss battles are challenging, proving that paradise can still offer compelling gameplay. Playing as the fallen heroes from the main story adds emotional weight to every encounter.
This is perfect for RPG fans who want their heaven experience with substantial gameplay and story depth. The game doesn’t shy away from complex moral questions, making it one of the most thought provoking heaven depictions in gaming.
While Greek mythology’s concept of the afterlife differs from traditional Judeo Christian heaven, Olympus serves as the divine realm where gods reside. Kratos’ multiple journeys to this mountaintop paradise are some of the most memorable moments in gaming.
What Makes It Special:
Mount Olympus in God of War represents the ultimate power fantasy storming heaven itself to confront gods. The architecture, scale, and sheer spectacle of these sections set new standards for environmental design in action games. You’ll climb for what feels like hours, fighting through increasingly divine enemies.
The throne room of Zeus, Hephaestus’ forge, Aphrodite’s chambers, and Hera’s gardens all showcase different aspects of divine paradise. Each god’s domain reflects their personality and power, creating diverse environments within heaven.
Perfect for players who want their heaven experience with explosive action and mythological reimaginings. If you enjoy the most popular video game characters, Kratos’ assault on Olympus is unforgettable.
Valhalla explores the Norse concept of the afterlife through Asgard and other divine realms from Viking mythology. These aren’t traditional heaven, but they represent the ultimate paradise for Norse warriors the home of the gods themselves.
What Makes It Special:
In Assassin’s Creed Valhalla, the afterlife segments aren’t just brief visits they’re substantial story arcs that explore Norse beliefs about death, honor, and what awaits warriors after battle. You’ll literally walk among gods, participate in divine conflicts, and explore Asgard’s golden halls.
The visual design is breathtaking, mixing historical inspiration with fantasy elements. The Bifrost bridge, Odin’s throne room, and the views from Asgard looking down on Midgard create truly magical moments.
This is excellent for open world fans who want to explore heaven at their own pace. The integration of afterlife themes with Viking culture creates a unique perspective on paradise. Perfect pairing with other Viking games.
While Dante’s Inferno is primarily known for its brutal journey through the nine circles of Hell, the game also features glimpses of Paradiso (Paradise) that are absolutely breathtaking. Though brief, these segments provide crucial context for the entire journey.
What Makes It Special:
The heaven sections in Dante’s Inferno serve as brief but powerful moments of respite and beauty. These ethereal sequences provide context for Dante’s redemption arc and showcase some of the most technically impressive environments of the PS3/Xbox 360 era. The contrast makes hell feel darker and heaven feel brighter.
Your glimpses of Paradiso motivate the entire hellish journey you’re fighting through damnation to save your beloved and reach paradise. The game’s interpretation stays relatively faithful to the source material while adding action game intensity.
Perfect for fans of action adventure games who want a more mature, literary take on heaven and hell. The boss fights and mythology make this an unforgettable experience.
While Hades primarily takes place in the Greek underworld, its portrayal of Olympus and the divine gods provides insight into the game’s version of heaven. The Olympians watch from above, intervening in Zagreus’ escape attempts throughout the entire game.
What Makes It Special:
Olympus in Hades isn’t somewhere you physically visit in the first game (though this changes in the sequel), but it’s a constant presence. The gods’ personalities, their boons, and their commentary create a vivid picture of life in divine paradise complete with family drama and petty squabbles.
Each god’s chamber has distinct visual theming when they appear to offer boons. Aphrodite’s roses, Zeus’ lightning, Poseidon’s waves, and Athena’s wisdom all manifest visually, giving you tastes of their heavenly domains.
Perfect for roguelike fans who want afterlife themes woven into addictive gameplay loops. The writing and character development make the divine feel personal and relatable. This is among the best indie games that influenced modern game design.
Several other games feature brief heaven sequences or heaven adjacent themes worth mentioning:
When choosing a game featuring heaven, consider these factors:
Art Style & Atmosphere: Does the game’s visual interpretation of heaven match what you’re looking for? Some go for traditional clouds and gold, others reimagine paradise entirely. Neon White’s minimalism versus Diablo’s gothic grandeur shows the range.
Gameplay Integration: Is heaven just a backdrop, or are there meaningful gameplay mechanics tied to the celestial setting? The best heaven games make the setting matter to gameplay like Afterlife’s management sim or Bayonetta’s angel combat.
Narrative Approach: How seriously does the game take religious or mythological themes? Some are reverential (Final Fantasy II), others irreverent (Super Paper Mario), and many find middle ground (Diablo III).
Cultural Perspective: Different mythologies have different versions of paradise. Greek Elysium, Norse Valhalla, Aztec Mictlan, and Judeo Christian heaven all offer unique takes. Consider which cultural lens interests you most.
Time Investment: Some games offer brief heaven sections (Dante’s Inferno, Skyrim), while others make it central to the experience (Afterlife, Bayonetta). Choose based on how much time you want to spend in paradise.
Game | PC | PlayStation | Xbox | Nintendo | Mobile |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Valheim | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ |
Afterlife | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ |
Bayonetta | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ |
Diablo III | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ |
Skyrim | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ |
Neon White | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ | ❌ |
Super Paper Mario | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ (Wii) | ❌ |
Final Fantasy II | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ |
God of War | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ |
AC Valhalla | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ |
Dante’s Inferno | ❌ | ✅ (PS3) | ✅ (360) | ❌ | ❌ |
Hades | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
1. Start With Your Preferred Genre Don’t force yourself into genres you don’t enjoy just for heaven content. Love survival games? Start with Valheim. Prefer fast action? Try Bayonetta or Neon White.
2. Research Before Playing Some games handle religious themes in ways that might not align with your beliefs. Reading reviews helps set expectations, especially for games like Bayonetta that portray heaven controversially.
3. Appreciate the Art Direction Heaven sections often feature the most visually impressive environments. Take time to appreciate the artistic vision Diablo III’s Crystal Arch and Skyrim’s Sovngarde are worth savoring.
4. Consider the Whole Journey Many games contrast heaven with hell or the mortal world. The complete experience often matters more than individual sections. Dante’s Inferno only makes sense experiencing hell first.
5. Explore Mythology Games based on specific mythologies offer great opportunities to learn about different cultural beliefs about the afterlife. Valheim and Valhalla both teach authentic Norse concepts.
6. Don’t Expect Literal Interpretations These are creative works, not theological texts. Enjoy them as imaginative explorations of divine themes rather than accurate religious education.
Heaven’s relative rarity in gaming makes these appearances more meaningful. While hell has become almost routine in game design, developers who tackle heaven must balance reverence with entertainment, creativity with sensitivity.
The games on this list represent different approaches to this challenge. Some use humor to diffuse potential controversy (Super Paper Mario, Afterlife). Others ground their heavens in specific mythologies to sidestep modern religious debates (Valheim, God of War, Skyrim). Still others treat the concept philosophically rather than religiously (Final Fantasy II, Hades).
This diversity shows gaming’s maturity as a medium. We’ve moved past shallow depictions of good versus evil to explore nuanced questions about morality, belief, and what paradise might actually look like. Neon White’s cynical corporate heaven and Bayonetta’s militaristic Paradiso challenge players to think critically about traditional assumptions.
The technological evolution also matters. Compare Afterlife’s 1996 sprite based heaven to Diablo III’s modern High Heavens the visual storytelling capabilities have exploded, allowing developers to create truly breath taking divine realms.
Hell provides clearer gameplay opportunities enemies to fight, obstacles to overcome, and visual spectacle through fire and destruction. Heaven’s peaceful nature makes conflict harder to justify, though creative developers have found ways around this through political intrigue among divine beings (Final Fantasy II), invasions of heaven (Diablo III), or moral ambiguity in celestial forces (Bayonetta). Additionally, religious sensitivity makes heaven more controversial to depict than hell.
This depends entirely on the individual game and your personal beliefs. Some games treat religious themes respectfully (Final Fantasy II, Skyrim), others use humor (Super Paper Mario, Afterlife), and some challenge traditional interpretations significantly (Bayonetta, Neon White). Research specific games and their approaches before playing if religious accuracy matters to you. Most use mythology or fantasy rather than attempting literal religious depiction.
This is subjective and depends on your aesthetic preferences. Diablo III’s High Heavens are frequently praised for gothic crystalline grandeur and technical achievement. Bayonetta’s Paradiso offers unique, stylized beauty mixing religious and Japanese art. Valheim provides stunning procedural Nordic landscapes. Super Paper Mario delivers charming, whimsical cloud realms. Modern games like Assassin’s Creed Valhalla showcase heaven with current gen graphics, while classics like Afterlife charm through creativity rather than technical prowess.
Yes! Many titles on this list are available on current platforms. Hades, Diablo III, Skyrim, and Bayonetta are all playable on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and Nintendo Switch. Valheim is on Xbox and PC. Check the platform availability table above for specific details. Classic titles like Super Paper Mario require original Wii hardware unless future remasters are released, though Afterlife runs on modern PCs via GOG or Steam.
Several games on this list offer multiplayer components. Valheim supports up to 10-player co-op as you work toward Valhalla together. Diablo III features 4-player co-op through the High Heavens. However, heaven settings remain rare in competitive multiplayer games, as these sections typically serve narrative rather than competitive purposes. Most games on this list are single player or cooperative experiences.
Greek mythology focuses on Olympus and Elysium as divine realms (God of War, Hades), portraying gods as flawed beings in a paradise of power and politics. Norse mythology features Valhalla and Asgard (Valheim, Skyrim, Assassin’s Creed Valhalla) emphasizing warrior honor and eternal feasting. Western/Christian imagery influences games like Diablo III, Super Paper Mario, and Afterlife with angels, clouds, and moral judgment. Japanese games often mix multiple traditions creatively (Bayonetta, Final Fantasy II). These cultural variations provide fascinating perspectives on paradise.
Not all afterlife games feature heaven specifically. Many explore purgatory, limbo, or neutral afterlife states. Heaven typically refers to positive, reward based afterlife realms, whether culturally specific (Valhalla in Valheim, Sovngarde in Skyrim) or more general (the Overthere in Super Paper Mario). Some games use “heaven” to mean divine realms where gods live (Olympus) rather than where mortals go when they die. The distinction matters for gameplay and narrative tone.
Yes! While this list includes several indie titles (Neon White, Hades, Valheim started indie), many other smaller games explore afterlife themes. “Spiritfarer” explores ferrying souls with cozy management gameplay. “Before Your Eyes” examines life review before entering the afterlife. “The Cosmic Wheel Sisterhood” touches on divine themes. The indie scene often tackles these themes with creativity and emotional depth that larger studios might avoid due to controversy concerns.
Start with your preferred genre. For survival fans: Valheim offers accessible Viking mythology. For RPG players: Skyrim’s Sovngarde is part of an epic you’ll already be invested in. For action lovers: Bayonetta or Diablo III provide intense combat in heaven. For casual players: Super Paper Mario is family friendly and charming. For strategy minds: Afterlife lets you build heaven yourself. For speedrunning enthusiasts: Neon White offers tight, skill based gameplay. Match the game to your interests rather than forcing yourself into unfamiliar genres.
Finding games where you go to heaven requires more searching than finding hellish adventures, but the journey is absolutely worth it. These twelve titles offer incredibly diverse interpretations of paradise from Valheim’s misty Nordic battlegrounds to Neon White’s sterile corporate heaven, from Afterlife’s humorous management sim to Bayonetta’s militant Paradiso.
I’ve found that heaven settings in games offer unique emotional experiences that other settings can’t replicate. They provide moments of beauty and peace in otherwise action packed adventures, raise interesting philosophical questions about morality and belief, and showcase some of the most creative art direction in gaming. The contrast between Diablo III’s besieged High Heavens and Super Paper Mario’s whimsical Overthere shows the incredible range developers bring to divine themes.
What strikes me most about these games is how they use heaven to explore deeper questions. Neon White asks who deserves paradise and what you’d sacrifice for it. Final Fantasy II examines whether absolute good can become tyrannical. Bayonetta challenges the assumption that heaven is inherently benevolent. These aren’t just pretty backdrops they’re settings that make you think.
Whether you’re interested in mythology, looking for visually stunning environments, curious how different developers imagine paradise, or just want fresh settings for your favorite genres, these games deliver memorable experiences you won’t find elsewhere in the medium.