8 Best Open-World Games Set In Fictional Cities

It’s really satisfying to explore cities and towns in open-world games. Reaching Whiterun in *The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim* is a great example – it’s the first big city you encounter and unlocks a lot of new gameplay options. Some games don’t have huge open worlds, but they make up for it with interesting cities that add depth and personality instead of just vast landscapes.

Many video game cities feel like characters themselves, boasting unique atmospheres and cultures on every corner. While some draw inspiration from real places, they’re still distinct and memorable. We’ll be focusing on cities that are genuinely fun to explore and really enhance the overall game experience – including a few based on existing licenses.

Willamette (Dead Rising)

Let’s Go Shopping

Willamette is the fictional city in Colorado that serves as the main setting for most of the *Dead Rising* games. Fans especially love the original game and its recent remaster because it features a massive, explorable mall – the Willamette Parkview Mall – where players control photojournalist Frank West as he battles to survive using a variety of unusual weapons.

The game’s setting, Willamette, felt more like a backdrop for the Willamette Parkview Mall than a fully realized place, which is a small weakness. However, the aerial view of the town in the opening sequence was stunning, with beautiful mountains providing a perfect backdrop. Quiet, small towns are ideal locations for zombie games like this one.

Pacific City (Crackdown)

It’s Orbin’ Time!

The city of Pacific City serves as the backdrop for the first two *Crackdown* games, with the original being the most beloved installment. Players take on the role of an enhanced soldier working for The Agency, a group dedicated to maintaining order at any cost.

In the game, players roam the city, gather orbs, and become incredibly powerful, experiencing what it’s like to have superpowers. Whether it was easily defeating enemies or jumping across buildings, simply moving around Pacific City in the original Crackdown on the Xbox 360 was a major part of the fun.

Gotham City (Batman: Arkham City)

The Dark Knight Returns

For Batman fans, Gotham City is instantly recognizable. It’s always been inspired by real American cities like New York and Chicago, but exists within the DC Universe. While a fictional place, Gotham City is technically located in the U.S., and the game Batman: Arkham City captures its atmosphere better than any other.

When prisoners break out of Arkham Asylum, Gotham City goes into lockdown, and it’s up to Batman to restore order. While fighting criminals is always enjoyable in the *Arkham* games, exploring Gotham itself – using tools like the grappling hook and gliding – is especially rewarding. The city feels a little empty because you can’t interact with regular citizens, but it remains a memorable and impressive open-world environment.

Greenvale (Deadly Premonition)

Small Town Energy

Greenvale, the setting of *Deadly Premonition*, is a loving tribute to small-town America, much like the fictional town of Twin Peaks-which inspired the game-from David Lynch’s *Twin Peaks* series. FBI agent Francis York Morgan arrives in this quiet town to solve a murder, but quickly realizes something unusual is happening.

Traveling around Greenvale and its rural areas can be frustrating, but that’s not why people play *Deadly Premonition*. The game’s charm comes from its quirky residents and engaging story, which are the real highlights.

South Park (South Park: The Stick Of Truth)

Friendly Faces Everywhere

Several *South Park* video games came before *South Park: The Stick of Truth*, but this one was special. It was the first to let players freely explore the entire town of *South Park*, Colorado, and the areas around it. It was a dream come true for fans, packed with references and jokes that only longtime viewers would understand, including the return of some major characters – though mentioning them might spoil things!

The humor in the game was spot-on, and the gameplay was surprisingly fun. It really offered something for all types of players, and it’s likely the most complete and accurate depiction of the world of *South Park* we’ll ever see.

Steelport (Saints Row: The Third)

One Of America’s Oddest Cities

Steelport is a key city in the Saints Row games, and many fans especially love Saints Row: The Third. Unlike the Grand Theft Auto series, which became more realistic over time, Saints Row: The Third really leaned into over-the-top, comedic action.

Players have a lot of freedom to get around, choosing from cars, motorcycles, or even jets. The game lets you do some truly bizarre things – you can even experience life as a toilet through VR – and offers a wide range of weapons, from realistic guns to more outlandish options. You can also pull off scams, like faking car accidents to get money from unsuspecting people. Plus, the game is even more fun when played with a friend, making Steelport a great place to explore together.

Night City (Cyberpunk 2077)

Claw Your Way To The Top

Night City is almost a character itself in Cyberpunk 2077, a vibrant and bustling place full of life. There’s a huge gap between the wealthy and the poor, with many struggling to make ends meet through hard work or resorting to risky schemes just to get by. Players take on the role of V, someone trying to survive in this tough city.

Despite being set far in the future, the game still reflects issues we face today, making the city of Night City feel surprisingly realistic, even with all its advanced technology and intense violence.

Los Santos (Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas)

Welcome Home, CJ

Los Santos was first featured as a large city in Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas, inspired by places like Los Angeles, California. It became even more detailed in Grand Theft Auto 5, though many still consider San Andreas to be the stronger game overall.

The game let players experience life as a 90s gangster focused on providing for his family. A unique feature was the ability to claim and defend territory in Los Santos with your gang, which really made players feel connected to the city and helped turn the game into a classic on the PlayStation 2.

2025-09-14 13:36