Unleash Urban Adventures: Top 10 Open-World Games with Massive Cities

Summary

Several open-world games are set in real-world locations, like Athens, Honolulu, and New York City.
Watch Dogs Legion features a futuristic London with recruitable civilians & major tourist attractions.
CD Projekt Red’s Cyberpunk 2077 and The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt have beautifully designed cities full of activities and vibrant characters.

Delving into an unfamiliar urban landscape never fails to be thrilling, sensing its overall ambiance, stumbling upon notable sites, and uncovering hidden gems at every turn. This rings particularly true when it comes to video games, becoming even more captivating if the environment is expansive, enabling players to roam freely in any direction they desire and engage in a myriad of activities according to their whims, much like we do in real-world exploration.

In various video game scenarios, certain urban landscapes are sprawling, teeming with intriguing characters to interact with, entertaining tasks to accomplish, and additional leisure activities to savor during leisure hours. Here’s a list of some top-notch open-world games boasting colossal cities, compiled based on a blend of the game’s general excellence, the appeal of exploration, and the depth of experiences offered within these urban locales.

8. Marvel’s Spider-Man 2

Web Swinging Through New York City

In the vein of its successful predecessors, Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 offers an expanded experience with numerous new skills and a more extensive city map. This game allows both Peter Parker and Miles Morales to move gracefully across New York City’s various boroughs. By smoothly transitioning between the two incarnations of the web-slinging superheroes, soaring through the skies of New York is an exhilarating experience.

In a nutshell, Web Wings transform gameplay by enabling players to soar through lower-level landscapes, including over open water to reach other islands. Moreover, the super slingshots and wind tunnels provide an added boost of speed at certain spots, making traversing the expansive map swift yet engaging since it’s seldom monotonous.

7. Watch Dogs Legion

Futuristic, Dystopian London

In the face of criticisms regarding gameplay and story aspects found in Watch Dogs Legion and its forerunners, it’s hard to deny that their environments are truly captivating. The setting of Legion, specifically the futuristic London cityscape, takes a significant leap, as each civic resident has a role, offering the possibility of being recruited to DedSec and controlled by the player.

Eight London boroughs are showcased, covering a significant portion of the British capital and boasting numerous popular tourist destinations. Although the driving mechanics in this game might not be perfect, it’s enjoyable to traverse these digital locations and compare them to real life, appreciating all the minute details that give this virtual city such a lively feel.

6. Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas

Three Large Cities Based On Real World Locations

In comparison to maps in later Grand Theft Auto games, which might be larger and more intricately designed, Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas stands out with an unmatched level of ambition. This game is set within the state of San Andreas, where three significant cities are compactly situated along its expansive island perimeters. Each city was modeled after real-world locations and possesses a distinct character.

In San Andreas, the fictional city of Los Santos serves as the starting point for CJ’s adventure, mirroring Los Angeles. From there, he travels to San Fierro, resembling San Francisco, and Las Venturas, similar to Las Vegas. With each street bustling with activity and gang conflicts adding a sense of significance to every district, it’s not surprising that San Andreas is often hailed as one of the greatest games ever created.

5. The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt

Three Major Cities Feel Alive

More than a decade since its debut, “The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt” remains captivating for newcomers and sparks discussions among enthusiasts. One aspect that’s consistently agreed upon is the outstanding craftsmanship of the three primary cities: Oxenfurt, Novigrad, and Beauclair, along with numerous smaller settlements dotting the different regions.

Each player might prefer different ones, but cities like Novigrad and Beauclair seem vibrant and brimming with either work opportunities or entertaining activities for Geralt. Notably, these two cities are quite expansive and have an allure that is hard to resist. It’s almost impossible for Geralt to stroll through these bustling metropolises without bumping into another Gwent player eager for a quick game of cards.

4. Sleeping Dogs

Gritty Undercover Police Drama In Beautiful Hong Kong

Among many reasons to adore “Sleeping Dogs”, its setting in Hong Kong stands out. This bustling cityscape provides an ideal contrast to the intense and weighty narrative about Wei Shen, an undercover officer attempting to penetrate the criminal network on the island. Hong Kong offers fleeting moments of tranquility and awe, creating an impression that it’s a vibrant, active society.

In addition to various activities, Sleeping Dogs offers an array of engrossing side quests, such as those involving police and gangs, exhilarating races on the island’s curvy roads, and even underground fighting arenas. Despite the lack of a long-awaited sequel, Sleeping Dogs continues to captivate players with its timeless appeal, making it an excellent choice for revisiting – especially to delve into the sprawling cityscape and savor some mouthwatering pork buns along the way.

3. Cyberpunk 2077

The Thrills Of Night City

Although Cyberpunk 2077 initially faced some turbulence at launch, it has since received numerous positive updates and fixes, transforming it into a robust game. However, there’s no denying the exceptional quality of its backdrop, Night City. This sprawling, futuristic metropolis flawlessly embodies the spirit of the cyberpunk genre, blending stunning technological progress with dark, dystopian undertones.

As a fan, I’m absolutely captivated by Night City! It’s a bustling metropolis teeming with missions for me and an array of fascinating characters to engage with. This sprawling urban jungle is divided into six unique districts, each with its distinct personality – from towering skyscrapers and vibrant nightspots to shantytowns and territories ruled by gangs. Inequality is rampant here, but that’s part of what makes Night City such an intriguing place to explore!

2. Like A Dragon: Infinite Wealth

Cities In Japan And Hawaii

In a fresh departure for the Yakuza/Like A Dragon series, Like A Dragon: Infinite Wealth ventures beyond Japan’s borders, setting its action in Honolulu City, Hawaii. While it offers a stylized portrayal, the game skillfully captures the city’s intricacies, showcasing not only its breathtaking natural scenery but also delving into its less glamorous aspects such as crime and poverty hidden beneath its surface.

Indeed, fans can rest assured that significant portions of the game continue within Isezaki Ijincho and Kamurocho, which are fictional representations of actual districts in Yokohama and Tokyo respectively. Similar to previous installments, there’s an abundance of side activities available in these cities – from delivering food for Crazy Eats in Honolulu to scavenging cans in Yokohama.

1. Assassin’s Creed Odyssey

The Many Cities Of Ancient Greece

Nearly any game from the Assassin’s Creed series could fit this list, given that each installment features a substantial and meticulously replicated real-world city. The standout example is Assassin’s Creed Odyssey, which daringly incorporated 28 city-states, each of which pledged loyalty to either Athens or Sparta during the Peloponnesian War within the game.

In these cities, there’s a wealth of activities for players to engage in, whether they’re part of the primary storyline or side missions such as eliminating leaders of city-states. Some cities share similarities with their real-world counterparts, but the main cities and legendary Atlantis are awe-inspiring and teeming with life.

2025-03-21 19:56