Best Landmarks in Open-World Games

I absolutely love open-world games! For me, it’s all about being able to explore and truly feel free while I play, and so many of them have these gorgeous worlds. It seems like most developers really try to make a place you want to get lost in. What really makes a great open-world game, though, are those incredible landmarks. They’re not just pretty to look at – they help you get your bearings and learn the world without constantly checking the map, which is a huge help and makes the experience so much better.

Open-world games offer incredibly diverse settings. The wild destruction in Just Cause 3 feels very different from the more ordinary world of GTA 5. Prototype‘s New York City is a thrilling place to cause chaos, while The Division‘s version is bleak and abandoned. Some games, like Kingdom Come: Deliverance, focus on recreating the past, while others, like Cyberpunk 2077, imagine possible futures. Despite their differences, the best open-world games all feature memorable locations that make them unique.

10. inFamous 2

The Colorful New Orleans-Inspired New Marais

I really enjoyed the first InFamous game, but it came out in an era where everything felt…brown. The city, Empire City, was just this drab, dirty place. It didn’t really pop with color until you really leaned into being a hero or a villain – then the sky would turn blue or red, which was a cool touch. The sequel, InFamous 2, was a huge step up. They moved the action to New Marais, a city clearly inspired by New Orleans, and it was a much more vibrant and interesting place to play as Cole McGrath.

The game featured a much more vibrant and diverse world, including swampy bayous, streetcar lines, colorful flags, buildings with balconies, and impressive churches players could explore. Even the ruined, flooded houses, damaged by a hurricane, presented an interesting challenge for the hero. The only weak point was the final area, a rather bland industrial zone.

9. Saints Row 2

Despite Being Dangerous to Live In, Stilwater Offers Beautiful Locations

Stilwater was first featured in Saints Row 1, but many players feel it became truly great in Saints Row 2, offering better gameplay and more ways to be creative. The city’s different neighborhoods are so well-designed that you’ll quickly learn your way around – you might not even need the mini-map! You’ll recognize places by their unique details, like the fancy gates and buildings in Chinatown, and how they connect to other parts of the city.

For instance, people in Chinatown know the upscale university with its witty cheerleaders is a quick drive to the northwest. From there, a single highway trip north leads to a rundown trailer park, located just east of the suburbs where Johnny Gat’s girlfriend, Aisha, resides. This city is incredibly diverse, offering a richness that the more typical Steelport from Saints Row the Third and Saints Row 4 couldn’t match.

8. Grand Theft Auto: Vice City

Bringing the Decadence of 1980s Miami to the PS2

Choosing the best Grand Theft Auto game is tough. GTA 4 really improved on GTA 3 by realistically recreating and satirizing New York City. GTA 5‘s Los Santos has kept players engaged for over ten years with its diverse activities and sights. However, some fans still favor the version of the state in GTA: San Andreas, which offered more towns and a larger world to explore.

The series hasn’t quite recaptured the amazing atmosphere of Grand Theft Auto: Vice City. While GTA 6 will bring us back to Vice City, it won’t be for a while, and it will be set in the present day, unlike the 1980s setting of the original GTA: Vice City. That time period was a big part of what made Vice City so special – driving along the beaches with classic 80s music created a truly unique experience.

7. Yakuza Kiwami 2

Memorable Japanese Cities That Feel as Real as Their Counterparts

Choosing just one GTA game was tough, but it’s even harder with the Yakuza/Like a Dragon series. The games feature many memorable cities, though some have more activities than others. The series frequently returns to two main locations: Kamurochō in Tokyo, and Sōtenbori in Osaka, which first appeared in Yakuza 2.

The game’s cities are modeled after real Japanese locations: Kabukichō and Dōtonbori. You’ll recognize familiar landmarks like the cinemas in Kabukichō and the Kani Doraku crab restaurant in Dōtonbori. While the remake, Yakuza Kiwami 2, expands on the world, the original Yakuza 2 deserves credit for featuring Shinseicho, which is based on Osaka’s Shinsekai district. Shinsekai is known for its Tsutenkaku Tower, but neither the tower nor the district has been seen in the series since Yakuza 2.

6. Where Winds Meet

10th-Century China In All Of Its Evolving Beauty

Where Winds Meet is a relatively new live-service game, meaning it’s still being updated with fresh content. It launched in China in early 2024, but wasn’t fully released globally until November 2025, so players in Western regions are receiving updates a little later. The game, developed by Everstone Studio, is free-to-play and is expected to be actively developed and popular for years to come.

Whether you prefer playing alone or with others, you’ll be captivated by the stunning scenery in this game, filled with beautiful buildings, lush landscapes, and culturally rich landmarks. Explore tranquil spots like the Bamboo Abode, admire the grand Jadewood Court, cautiously wander through the Ghostlight Market, or scale the heights of Crimson Cliff. Where Winds Meet uses these locations not just to guide you, but also to transport you to a fascinating and often overlooked period of history.

5. Marvel’s Spider-Man 2

Immersive New York City Landmarks, With a Marvel Twist

I’ve seen a lot of games set in versions of New York City, and even some that actually are New York City! But the Spider-Man games aren’t the first to do that. What I really like is how they get you to explore everything – all the famous landmarks, and even cool Marvel spots like the Avengers Towers – by taking pictures. It’s a fun way to earn experience points and hear Spidey’s witty comments while you’re at it.

Unlike the first game, Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 doesn’t have photo opportunities focused on taking pictures of scenery. However, it does feature even more iconic New York City landmarks to explore, now extending beyond Manhattan. Players can swing by places like Maimonides Park, the Coney Island Boardwalk, and Brooklyn’s historic brownstones, in addition to familiar spots like Madison Square Garden, Central Park, and the Guggenheim Museum, making a virtual trip to NYC feel more complete.

4. Red Dead Redemption 2

Explore an Expansive Frontier for Treasure and Natural Beauty

Games don’t require massive cities to be visually impressive, as demonstrated by the beautiful landscapes in Red Dead Redemption 2. The game’s Wild West setting features breathtaking views of lakes, rivers, and mountains that are rarely seen in other games. Even within the forests, you can find intriguing and mysterious sights, especially while completing the ‘Landmarks of Riches’ treasure hunt.

This quest gives players a good reason to explore the world beyond town, sending them on a hunt for treasure maps. The search will lead them to interesting locations like a small church east of Lakay, a cozy hillside home in Grizzlies East, and a sundial atop Mount Shann. Beyond the chance to earn some gold, the quest also serves as a tour of some of the most beautiful places in Red Dead Redemption 2.

3. Assassin’s Creed Origins

See Ancient Egypt’s Legendary Icons Before They Became Ancient

Most Assassin’s Creed games are great for virtually visiting famous historical landmarks. The Ezio Trilogy (Assassin’s Creed 2 through Brotherhood) provides a detailed experience of Renaissance Italy. Assassin’s Creed Valhalla lets you explore Dark Ages England, while Assassin’s Creed Odyssey vividly recreates ancient Athens and its ruins.

While the Acropolis looks beautiful recreated in the game, the scenery in Assassin’s Creed Origins is even more impressive. Seeing the Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx, especially with their golden details, is breathtaking and offers a great experience for those who may not be able to visit Egypt in person. AC Origins also features many other interesting locations, such as Krokodilopolis, Nitria, the Library of Alexandria, and Memphis, for players looking for variety.

2. Elden Ring

Fantasy Sights That Are Equally Beautiful as They Are Dangerous

FromSoftware’s Soulsborne games are known for their vast and detailed worlds, but they’re usually more unsettling than pretty. Even the most appealing areas have a dark or strange quality. However, Elden Ring breaks from this tradition, offering locations that are genuinely beautiful while still feeling otherworldly.

The Underground isn’t what you’d expect – instead of dark caves, it feels like a beautiful, ancient ruin under the stars. Liurnia of the Lakes is reminiscent of a classic Gothic story, filled with fog, castles, and rocky landscapes. And Limgrave stands out with its striking contrast between dark blue skies and golden trees. If you’re brave enough to explore beyond the main path, Elden Ring has a lot to offer.

1. Genshin Impact

Each Region Comes With Beautiful And Unique Landmarks

It’s hard to believe Genshin Impact has already been around for five years – it doesn’t feel like it was that long ago that it first became popular. Despite that, the game remains incredibly successful and shows no signs of slowing down. A major reason for this is the constant introduction of new characters, giving players something to look forward to. Equally important is the world of Teyvat itself, which features diverse nations, each with unique cultures, visuals, and locations. Every new region feels like a completely fresh experience, and miHoYo has done an excellent job of making places like Mondstadt, Inazuma, Sumeru, and Natlan feel truly distinct.

Instead of trying to be realistic, Genshin Impact fully leans into fantasy, creating a colorful world with incredible sights you won’t find in real life. There are so many amazing places to explore, but the Stone Forest, Tree of Dreams, Opera Epiclese, and Apam Woods are particularly stunning – and each one offers plenty to do.

2026-02-15 03:38