Cities in video games are more than just backdrops. They exist as living environments that define tone, atmosphere, and gameplay, and the best urban settings invite exploration, revealing stories hidden in alleys, neighborhoods, and crowded streets, shaping the player’s journey as much as any companion or antagonist.
8 Best Games That Let You Build Your Own Medieval City, Ranked
These games allow players to build and manage their own Medieval cities to become the Kings and Queens they deserve to be.
From futuristic metropolises filled with neon light to gritty interpretations of real-world neighborhoods, there have been many great games that showcase how developers can use large cityscapes to immerse players in rich, dynamic worlds worth getting lost in.
The Last Of Us Part 2
Overgrown Ruins Both Beautiful And Frightening
The Last of Us Part 2
- Released
- June 19, 2020
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Nudity, Sexual Content, Strong Language, Use of Drugs
- Developer(s)
- Naughty Dog
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5
- OpenCritic Rating
- Mighty
Seattle serves as a haunting centerpiece in The Last of Us Part II. The city is inviting yet desolate, with overgrown streets, crumbling landmarks, and echoes of a past that cannot be returned to. Exploring its districts reveals hidden stories through environmental details and collectibles that bring the city’s tragic history to life.
The setting is more than a battleground, becoming an emotional landscape where every corner adds to the atmosphere. It feels alive despite its collapse, and with so much danger all around, both human and infected, players never feel truly alone.
InFAMOUS Second Son
Taking Superpowers To The Skies
inFAMOUS Second Son
- Released
- March 21, 2014
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- T For Teen due to Blood, Drug Reference, Language, Sexual Themes, Violence
- Developer(s)
- Sucker Punch
- Publisher(s)
- Sony
- Engine
- Havok Engine
Infamous Second Son takes a traditional open-world city environment and transforms it into a playground for superhuman powers. From the bustling downtown to the neon-lit nightlife districts, the city is built for vertical exploration and creative freedom, turning the environment itself into part of the gameplay.
7 Best Games Set In Washington D.C.
From Fallout 3 to The Division 2, there are many unique games set in the iconic city of Washington D.C.
Exploring this urban setting emphasizes scale and spectacle. The city reacts dynamically to the player’s choices, reflecting whether the hero embraces chaos or justice. This interplay between morality and exploration makes the cityscape feel responsive, offering one of the most engaging urban sandboxes of its generation.
Cyberpunk: 2077
A Neon-Filled Futuristic Playground
Cyberpunk 2077
- Released
- December 10, 2020
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Nudity, Strong Language, Strong Sexual Content, Use of Drugs and Alcohol
- Developer(s)
- CD Projekt Red
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch 2, PC
- OpenCritic Rating
- Strong
Night City really is Cyberpunk 2077’s true protagonist. Towering skyscrapers, glowing advertisements, and dense backstreets create a layered megacity filled with culture and corruption. Exploration reveals countless details, from underground clubs to corporate fortresses, each district reflecting the game’s themes of technology, inequality, and excess.
The density of the city is staggering. Verticality plays a key role, with rooftops, apartments, and hidden passages offering secrets beyond street level. Despite its chaos, Night City thrives as one of the most ambitious virtual cities ever designed, rewarding exploration with both narrative depth and breathtaking spectacles.
Disco Elysium
Political Dispute In The Midst Of Decay
Disco Elysium
- Released
- October 15, 2019
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M For Mature 17+ due to Blood, Sexual Themes, Strong Language, Use of Drugs, Violence
- Developer(s)
- ZA/UM
- Genre(s)
- RPG
- Platform(s)
- PC, PS5, PS4, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Stadia
- OpenCritic Rating
- Mighty
Revachol, the decayed city of Disco Elysium, is not a glittering metropolis but a broken remnant of revolution. Its streets are filled with crumbling architecture and weary citizens, and exploration feels less about geography and more about uncovering the soul of a city in decline.
Every dialogue and landmark ties into Revachol’s identity. The city breathes through its people, its past, and the choices the player makes while wandering its neighborhoods. The city stands as one of gaming’s most unique cityscapes, proving that emotional depth can be just as compelling as physical scale.
Vampyr
Darkness Hiding In Every Shadow
Vampyr
- Released
- June 5, 2018
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M For Mature 17+ Due To Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Sexual Themes, Strong Language, Use of Drugs
- Developer(s)
- Dontnod Entertainment
- Genre(s)
- Action RPG
- Platform(s)
- Nintendo Switch, PC, Xbox One, PlayStation 4
- OpenCritic Rating
- Fair
Set in 1918 during the Spanish flu pandemic, Vampyr casts players into a foggy, plague-stricken London, divided into distinct districts, each struggling with illness, poverty, and violence. Exploration reveals how fragile each community is, and player choices directly affect whether they thrive or fall into ruin.
7 Best Fantasy Games That Take Place In A Large City
From Dishonored’s Dunwall to Jak 2’s Haven City, these fantasy games immerse players in magical urban areas filled with culture, intrigue, and danger.
London’s atmosphere is rich with gothic unease. Dimly lit alleys, crumbling docks, murky waters, and looming cathedrals evoke a sense of dread and beauty. As both doctor and vampire, the protagonist navigates the city’s fragile balance, making decisions that tie into how the world itself evolves.
Grand Theft Auto 5
Freedom To Explore However You Choose
Grand Theft Auto 5
- Released
- September 17, 2013
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M For Mature 17+ due to Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Mature Humor, Nudity, Strong Language, Strong Sexual Content, Use of Drugs and Alcohol
- Developer(s)
- Rockstar North
- Genre(s)
- Open-World, Action
- Platform(s)
- Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Xbox One, Xbox 360, PC, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5
- OpenCritic Rating
- Mighty
Grand Theft Auto V remains one of the most expansive and detailed games in all of gaming. Inspired by Los Angeles, it offers bustling streets, luxurious mansions, sprawling suburbs, and a vibrant downtown, all of which can be explored by car, plane, or on foot, with countless activities woven into the city fabric.
The immersion is unparalleled. From random encounters to hidden secrets, the city is alive with unpredictability. Its attention to detail makes every return trip rewarding, cementing it as a gold standard for urban exploration in the open-world genre.
Sleeping Dogs
A City Of Life And Crime
Sleeping Dogs
- Released
- August 14, 2012
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- Mature 17+ / Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Sexual Content, Strong Language, Use of Drugs
- Developer(s)
- United Front Games
- Genre(s)
- Open-World, Action
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 4, PlayStation 3, Xbox One, Xbox 360, PC
Sleeping Dogs recreates Hong Kong with a stunning blend of realism and cinematic flair. From bustling markets to neon-lit nightclubs, the city pulses with energy, inviting exploration both on foot and by vehicle, and the density of its streets ensures every corner feels distinct and full of activity.
The city is also tied deeply to gameplay. Street chases, martial arts battles, and undercover missions all unfold across Hong Kong’s varied districts. The atmosphere captures the blend of tradition and modernity, making the city incredibly enticing and rewarding to explore.
Stray
Exploration From A Different Perspective
Stray
- Released
- July 19, 2022
WHERE TO PLAY
Stray presents a unique perspective by letting players explore a cyberpunk city as a stray cat. Its alleys, rooftops, and neon-lit pathways are designed for feline agility, offering a fresh take on vertical exploration. The city feels massive yet intimate, filled with small details visible only from a low vantage point.
What makes the setting memorable is its atmosphere. The city is populated not by humans but by robots, creating an uncanny world of silence and melancholy. Exploration is central to the narrative, with curiosity guiding discovery, and it really is a city best experienced through the quiet wonder of simply wandering.
New Game is Like GTA, But Set in London
Fans of the Grand Theft Auto franchise may want to keep an eye on this upcoming title that takes places in the gritty streets of London.