Many video games are defined by their location. Especially with immersive open world titles, the cities that you explore are just as important and fleshed out than the characters themselves (and sometimes even more so). These virtual destinations all have rich histories, districts with their own inhabitants, distinct landmarks, memorable shops and other establishments, and so much more to satisfy the tourist within.
Rockstar Games has made some of the most detailed of these digital municipalities in the Grand Theft Auto and Red Dead franchises. Of course Liberty City, Vice City, Los Santos, Saint Denis, Blackwater, and their other urban areas are all based on real world locales, but they add just enough creative flair to separate them from their inspirations.
Horror games also often have some of the best (and creepiest) cities you can visit in game form. Silent Hill, Raccoon City, Rapture, and even Half-Life 2‘s Ravenholm are some of the most memorable places in gaming. Horror titles force the player to delve deeper than they often would like, thus the player will usually uncover the city’s deepest, darkest secrets. Also, because the streets are filled with things that want to see you dead, it’s easy to think of the city itself as the main antagonist and the root of all evil.
RPGs are certainly no stranger to wonderfully constructed cities, either. Final Fantasy VII’s Midgar, the eponymous Baldur’s Gate, Rivet City from Fallout 3, any number of cities in the Elder Scrolls games, Beauclair in The Witcher 3… I could go on. Just as with their games, these RPG locations usually have deep stories to experience, side quests to complete, and curious individuals to meet with.
We want to know what your favorite cities are in video games. Perhaps your fond of Night City in Cyberpunk 2077, or the slice of Gotham we get in Batman: Arkham City. Maybe it’s Bloodborne‘s Yharnam and it’s hauntingly beautiful architecture, or Mass Effect‘s Citadel and it’s many alien races living in unison, or even the “whale punk” aesthetics’ of Dishonored’s Dunwall. There is a near endless list of places to choose from, so let us know where you’d most like to visit and why in the comments below and on official Discord server!
Sources: Digital Trends, Square Xtreme
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