9 Best Games Based In Middle America

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It’s worth mentioning that a large number of highly-acclaimed video games depicting America tend to be situated along its coastal regions, often in places like California, New York, or other notable cities frequently featured in popular movies.

Due to its vast size, the United States can be most conveniently categorized into five distinct areas: the Northeastern, Southwestern, Southeastern, Western, and Midwestern regions.

Each region not only varies significantly from the others, but also boasts its own unique geographical features, tales, and cultural idiosyncrasies.

It seems that there’s a notable scarcity of video games, aside from those involving hunting, fishing, or occasional racing/stunt driving, that are set in the American Midwest region.

It may seem like the Midwest doesn’t have much to boast about when it comes to intriguing attractions, but as my colleague Elena points out, there is more to discover in the Midwest than what meets the eye.

Here is a selection of games that predominantly unfold in the Midwestern region of the United States, which is somewhat scarce, but still worth exploring:

1. The Last of Us (2013) – An action-adventure game set in a post-apocalyptic Midwest where a fungal infection has transformed humans into monstrous creatures.

2. Red Dead Redemption II (2018) – A prequel to the original Red Dead Redemption, this game takes players through the vast plains and forests of the Midwestern United States during the late 1800s.

3. The Long Dark (2014) – An open-world survival simulation set in a snowy Midwestern landscape where players must contend with cold, starvation, and other harsh realities to survive.

4. Rusty Lake: Roots (2015) – A mystery adventure game that takes place in the fictional town of Cube, which is located somewhere in the Midwest.

5. West of Loathing (2017) – A comedic stick-figure RPG set in a fictionalized version of the American Old West, which includes parts of the Midwestern region.

6. North and South (1994) – A real-time strategy game that focuses on the American Civil War, with battles taking place across various regions including the Midwest.

Any game set within, or close to, the regions of the United States states identified as the Midwest by the Census Bureau, namely Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, and Wisconsin.

9. Portal 2

Somewhere In Upper Michigan

Although it may seem unusual given that Portal 2 is set entirely within enclosed spaces, you might recall that at the conclusion of both the initial game and its sequel, you manage to break free from the Aperture Science facility following your victories against the main antagonists.

In Portal 1, following the explosion of GLaDOS, the protagonist, Chell, collapses unconsciously at the entrance to the Aperture Science parking lot.

In contrast to Portal 2, Chell manages her escape from the facility by boarding a long elevator ride and being accompanied by hundreds of singing turrets. This melodious chorus guides her journey until she reaches a door that grants her release into an endless cornfield, symbolizing freedom.

The setting for the games, known as the Aperture Science Enrichment Center, is situated in Upper Michigan, as suggested by a news article featured within the games. This center serves as the main base of operations for Cave Johnson’s company.

8. Red Dead Redemption 2

Blackwater, Missouri

In the two-part narrative of “Red Dead Redemption,” the story unfolds in a make-believe depiction of America during the late 1800s and early 1900s, where you assume the role of a gun-toting outlaw. Given this setting, it’s not unexpected that one of the states from the Midwest would be chosen as a location.

Blackwater stands out as one of the country’s more notorious spots, not just because it’s heavily industrialized, but because it poses a significant threat to the Van der Linde gang. This danger arises from a botched bank robbery that ended tragically in this town before the storyline of Red Dead Redemption 2 unfolded.

Dutch’s plan failed, probably because he didn’t have enough money.

In the game, Arthur Morgan faces certain death when entering this region unless it’s a part of the game’s storyline that has already unfolded or if you are playing Red Dead Online.

As a gamer, I’ve noticed that the game world of Blackwater carries a striking resemblance to the vibrant city of St. Louis, another town known as “The Gateway to the West.” Just like St. Louis, Blackwater is a bustling port city where travelers would gather supplies before embarking on their western adventures.

7. Resident Evil 2

Raccoon City, Missouri

Without a doubt, Raccoon City stands out as the quintessential setting in the Resident Evil series, boasting over a dozen games that unfold within its fictitious Midwestern urban landscape.

Additionally, it serves as the focal point for the most notorious events linked to Wesker and the t-Virus in the first and second installments of the Resident Evil series.

The town nestled in the fictitious Arklay County bears a striking resemblance to the mountainous landscapes surrounding Raccoon City, similar to the Ozark range found in Missouri.

Although there’s no definitive evidence in official records, it appears that fans generally believe Raccoon City shares a resemblance with cities in Missouri, particularly Springfield.

Because of the Umbrella Corporation’s research into biological weapons, it was a tragic event that led to Raccoon City being devastated when the t-Virus outbreak ensued. This resulted in the U.S. government resorting to bombing the city to complete destruction.

6. Project Zomboid

Louisville, Kentucky

In simple terms, “Project Zomboid” is an open-world, isometric survival game set in Knox County (formerly known as Knox County), which has been sealed off due to a zombie outbreak. You assume the role of one of the survivors left behind.

The focus of the query is not on whether you will eventually perish, but rather on predicting the time of your demise. The game itself hints at this as well. In essence, survival boils down to postponing an unavoidable fate, regardless of how powerful your equipment.

Project Zomboid’s Knox County is actually situated in the state of Kentucky, not to be mixed up with other counties bearing the same name in Tennessee, Ohio, Indiana, or Maine. Kentucky, geographically speaking, is located more towards the upper part of the American South, sharing its borders with Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, and Ohio.

To put it another way, the aesthetic of the Midwest is particularly noticeable in the down-to-earth, city, rural, and small-town atmospheres that are strongly felt within the game, Project Zomboid.

5. Robocop: Rogue City

Detroit, Michigan

Although Detroit has been making strides in lowering its crime rate lately, it continues to be known as one of the nation’s riskier cities.

In Detroit, there’s a well-known saying or internet meme that humorously suggests nothing is safe from being taken, not even something as simple as a porch.

This reputation was frequently reinforced by the mainstream media, as they tended to focus their crime-centric shows and thrillers on Detroit, given its significant struggle with poverty.

One well-known artifact of pop culture set in Detroit is the ’80s series “Robocop.” Although it has led to various sequels, adaptations, and video games, the latest related game was 2023’s “Robocop: Urban Chaos.

In the game “Rogue City,” developed by Teyon and published by Nacon, players are immersed in an unique narrative that unfolds within the setting of historic Detroit. The game offers a thrilling power fantasy, allowing you to assume the role of a tough, cybernetically-enhanced law enforcement officer, who has the ability to take down criminals without discrimination.

Although its graphics and narrative aren’t top-notch, this game offers enjoyable gameplay that has earned it generally positive reviews, making it worth giving a try.

4. Deus Ex: Human Revolution

Detroit, Michigan

It’s likely you’ll observe that Detroit, a city often associated with crime, serves as the backdrop for numerous crime-themed games on this platform, and Deus Ex: Human Revolution is one of them that doesn’t deviate from this trend.

Detroit, where main character Adam Jensen resides, is also a significant location to explore. It’s characterized by the presence of Sarif Industries Headquarters. This city, unfortunately, is deeply divided along economic lines, with a wide gap between the rich and poor, leading to widespread poverty.

In the game Deus Ex: Human Revolution, the two distinct regions within the fictional Detroit are designed to reflect class differences through environmental design and NPCs. This division serves to intensify the socio-economic problems that the city grapples with in the grim, cyberpunk dystopia portrayed in the game.

3. Watch Dogs

Chicago, Illinois

In the Midwest, Chicago ranks as the third-biggest city in Illinois and the nation, and it’s often the backdrop for numerous works of popular culture.

Two films that immediately pop into my head are “Independence Day” and the “Transformers” series by Michael Bay.

Of course, it’s hard not to recall “Watch Dogs,” the engaging hacking crime game developed by Ubisoft, a company renowned for its efforts to realistically depict the cities that serve as the backdrop for their games.

Although some Chicago residents may dispute the accuracy of the depiction in “Watch Dogs”, many would concur that it successfully captured the atmosphere and popular tourist destinations of the city.

Gladly, I found Ubisoft got their act together in the sequel, delivering a far more authentic representation of San Francisco – a gaming experience that truly felt like being there!

2. Far Cry 5

Hope County, Montana

The majority of games within the Far Cry series are set in locations that are commonly perceived as exotic, such as the tropical islands of Far Cry 3 or the Kyrat region inspired by Bangladesh and Tibet in Far Cry 4.

In an unusual twist, the game Far Cry 5 sets its narrative squarely within a fictional representation of what could be considered a Midwestern region, given its geographical position near the Dakotas and its placement within the Great Plains.

In an uncommon portrayal of rural America typically absent from video games, Far Cry 5 delves into a homegrown setting by depicting a chaotic and threatening nation, represented as the mind-controlled Hope County in Montana, ruled by cult leader Joseph Seed and his three deputies.

In a refreshing change, Far Cry 5 offers a more lively backdrop that resonates deeply with many American players due to its authentic rural Americana setting, complete with fishing, hunting, and perhaps a hint of religious undertones evocative of some conservative upbringings.

Although Far Cry 5 draws inspiration from real-world events, the unconventional and destructive ending in its storyline results in a nuclear catastrophe, paving the way for Far Cry: New Dawn, which portrays a post-apocalyptic Montana that mirrors the twisted vision of the Seed cult.

1. Detroit: Become Human

Detroit, Michigan

Regardless of some viewers finding David Cage’s storytelling mannerisms peculiar or overly explicit, it’s undeniable that “Detroit: Become Human” has become one of the most celebrated and widely-played video games in recent times, albeit with its share of critics.

In a future Detroit that mirrors stories like “Klara and the Sun” and “Westworld,” the game “Detroit: Become Human” allows you to control three different androids as they navigate their roles in a society where androids are gaining consciousness. The narratives of these characters unfold simultaneously, creating a rich tapestry of interconnected events.

Become Human” quite enjoyable overall, but I felt that the civil rights allegory in Markus’s android rebellion storyline was somewhat feeble and heavy-handedly executed. As for Kara’s journey to Canada, it can be considered satisfactory depending on your particular playthrough.

Nevertheless, due to the widespread image associated with Detroit, the most compelling narratives frequently center on police investigations, such as Connor’s narrative, which seems to exude a distinctly Detroit ambiance more than any other among the three.

Additionally, it boasts an exceptionally crafted narrative enhanced by the impressive acting skills of Bryan Dechart and Clancy Brown.

Or, in a more conversational style:
Not only does it offer a top-notch storyline, but the performances by Bryan Dechart and Clancy Brown truly elevate it to another level.

Or, for a short and snappy version:
The storyline is stellar, and the acting of Bryan Dechart and Clancy Brown takes it to new heights.

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2025-03-27 17:42