Summary
- British dystopian settings in games offer nail-biting moments, compelling stories, and memorable game worlds on the verge of collapse.
- These fantastical settings often combine horror with humor, creating fond and unforgettable experiences for players.
- Survival horror is a regular feature of this largely unexplored niche, which has heaps of potential for future games.
Britain has been the setting for some of the best dystopian novels ever written, including 1984 and A Clockwork Orange. Perhaps it's the British attitude of keeping a stiff upper lip no matter what events unfold which makes Britain a great setting for memorable dystopian worlds, whether it’s a nuclear disaster, a brutal regime, or a zombie apocalypse.
While some of these games were developed outside of the UK, all take place within Britain. Boasting gut-wrenching stories and often skilled at mixing horror with a biting sense of humor, these are some of the best examples of British dystopian settings in gaming.
9 Rule Of Rose
Proving Just How Cruel Playground Games Can Be
Rule Of Rose
- Released
- January 19, 2006
WHERE TO PLAY
- Genre(s)
- Survival Horror, Adventure
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 2
Survival horror throwback Rule of Rose sees players take on the role of Jennifer, a timid young woman in 1930s England. Similar to the classic dystopian novel Lord of the Flies, Jennifer finds herself trapped aboard an airship where she must adapt to a society ruled by a vicious gang of well-spoken schoolgirls who call themselves the Red Crayon Aristocrats.
Much like its contemporary Canis Canem Edit, the game was banned in several countries, including the UK, due to overblown concerns about violent content. As a result, copies of this treasured cult classic regularly sell for upwards of $350. With the game's incredible story let down by notoriously janky gameplay, it's a game best experienced through online Let's Plays rather than trying to track down a copy to own.
8 Amnesia: A Machine For Pigs
A Sequel Which Butchered Some Fans' Expectations
Amnesia: A Machine for Pigs
- Released
- September 10, 2013
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- The Chinese Room
- Genre(s)
- Horror
- Platform(s)
- PC, Nintendo Switch, PS4, Xbox One
Set in 1899, Amnesia: A Machine for Pigs sends players slinking through the rotting underbelly of London in the shoes of slaughterhouse owner Oswald Mandus, trying to prevent a catastrophic event that would see the world overrun by grotesque human-pig chimeras.
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Often slated as a poor sequel to its smash-hit predecessor and one of the scariest games of all time, Amnesia: The Dark Descent, fans were left disappointed by the stripping back of elements that made the first game such a smash-hit. However, the sequel's harrowing story makes it worthy of experiencing despite all its pig-related puns, with a climax which treats players to one of the best monologues in gaming.
7 Albino Lullaby
Superb Scares, No Gore
Albino Lullaby: Episode 1
- Released
- September 14, 2015
WHERE TO PLAY
Brought to life by Boston-based developers Ape Law, this 2015 stealth-based horror immerses players in a twisted Victorian wonderland ruled by grotesque maggot-like creatures known as The Grandchildren.
In spite of the game's deliciously over-the-top voice acting and candy-colored palette, Albino Lullaby is perfectly capable of making players squirm in terror. The game prides itself on having no gore or jump scares, relying on striking visuals and a great story to draw in players. This weird and wonderful episodic adventure is not yet complete, with fans still awaiting the release of its final installment.
6 Sir, You Are Being Hunted
Sir, You Are Being Hunted
- Released
- August 19, 2013
WHERE TO PLAY
This charming game from indie studio Big Robot Ltd is silly, scary, and, above all, fantastically British. Players scramble for survival as they are hunted through the procedurally-generated English countryside by a variety of mustachioed robots, with only the disembodied voice of their humble Butler, Walters, for company.
While the graphics have not aged too well since the game's 2013 release, the mad scramble for tea and poached pheasants, coupled with the game's infinite replayability, make it a gem of the genre.
5 We Happy Few
British Charm Served With A Smile
We Happy Few
- Released
- August 10, 2018
WHERE TO PLAY
Compulsion Games' We Happy Few plunges players into a technicolor reimagining of 1960's Britain where the allied powers lost World War Two. Grinning police officers patrol the streets dealing out 'Joy', a drug designed to erase the horrors of the war and keep everyone smiling—and subdued.
The game was criticized upon its release for having poorly implemented survival mechanics and a bloated runtime. Despite its flaws, We Happy Few deserves plenty of praise for its great story, unique aesthetic, and ability to balance a fantastic sense of humor with grim subject matter.
4 Atomfall
More Than Just A British Spin On The Fallout Franchise
Atomfall
- Released
- March 27, 2025
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Rebellion Developments
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Xbox One, PC
Brought to life by British team Rebellion Developments, Atomfall sees players exploring an alternate reality where the 1957 fire at Sellafield nuclear site has turned the North of England into a barely habitable wasteland. Players will encounter robots, cultists, and desperate outlaws as they craft and fight for survival in this unique post-apocalyptic world.
There is a great mystery element to the game. As players explore the lush green environments of the Lake District, they will eventually uncover the truth behind what led to the Sellafield disaster. With fun references to classic British media dotted around its gorgeous open world, Atomfall is distinctly British through and through.
3 Watch Dogs: Legion
Elevating The Role Of The NPC To New Heights
Watch Dogs Legion
- Released
- October 29, 2020
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Ubisoft
- Platform(s)
- PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Stadia
- OpenCritic Rating
- Fair
As the third game in the action-adventure Watch Dogs series, Watch Dogs: Legion puts players in the shoes of a group of hackers who are fighting back against the control of a corrupt militant company. The game takes place not too far in the future, in a glossy-but-gritty reimagining of London.
The game makes a bold choice by allowing players to recruit almost any NPC they meet to join the fight. Watchdog fans were divided on this feature, and in spite of its brilliantly realized environment, the game is generally seen a fun romp which doesn't quite hit the heights of the first two games.
2 ZombiU
Keep Calm And Carry On
ZombiU
- Released
- November 18, 2012
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Ubisoft Montpellier
- Genre(s)
- Survival Horror
- Platform(s)
- Nintendo Wii U
This 2012 first-person-shooter game was created for the often forgotten Wii U console, and treated gamers to an immersive, bloody romp through London's Zombie-infested streets. The game is packed with challenging survival elements and memorable moments, including the chance to face off against undead Beefeaters within the gilded halls of Buckingham Palace.
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ZombieU delivers a uniquely British flair from start to finish. It was well-received by critics and fans alike, though its 2015 Steam port, simply titled Zombi, suffers from launch issues, leaving it sadly inaccessible to many modern players.
1 Everybody's Gone to the Rapture
A Walking Simulator Done Right
Everybody's Gone to the Rapture
- Released
- August 11, 2015
WHERE TO PLAY
- Genre(s)
- Adventure
- Platform(s)
- PC, PlayStation 4
- OpenCritic Rating
- Strong
While most dystopias feature violence and brutal regimes, Everybody's Gone to the Rapture invites players along on an idyllic stroll through the sun-kissed British countryside and starlit streets. Everybody in town has vanished, and it's up to the player to figure out why.
While the game's limited interactivity won't be for everyone, this game from Dear Esther developers The Chinese Room is a stand-out of the walking simulator genre. Players will find themselves blown away by the beautifully rendered environments. The game even boasts what might be one of the most beautiful moments in gaming, all brought to life by a soul-elevating soundtrack from acclaimed composer Jessica Curry.
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