Summary
North America is perhaps the most popular setting for games to explore, with some of the best games out there choosing a city or location within North America to allow players to explore. This exploration can come within the open-world design of the areas available, or simply from the large-scale areas that players will venture through to see bold, iconic, or recognizable sights.
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Many of these games set in North America take place in various cities and towns, some, more fictional than others. However, they all strive for an element of realism, even if they are not within such iconic locations as New York City. The ability to explore these city-scapes adds to the immersion.
8The Last Of Us
When a fungal virus infects humanity, reducing them to zombified states, the world falls into ruin and is overtaken by nature inThe Last of Us. During the game, players will develop emotional bonds with the characters of Joel and Ellie as they venture across North America in search of the Fireflies, a group of freedom fighters that could potentially create a vaccine to stop the virus decades after it destroyed society.
ThroughoutThe Last of Us, players will not only experience thrilling combat,nail-biting scares, and an intense story, but they will venture across North America through a variety of locations, such as Massachusetts, Pittsburgh, and Colorado.
7Fallout 4
Being the Sole Survivor of Vault 111, players embark on a journey through the apocalyptic wasteland of Boston, centuries after the atomic bombs ravished the war in a world long gone.Fallout 4isn’t shy todedicate itself to its roots, and plenty of real-life Boston locations feature in-game, providing some interesting and detailed landmarks for players to explore.
Players will also be faced against many adversaries in this sprawling open-world game from Bethesda, with Super Mutants, bandits, and even Snyths causing a ruckus in the new Boston. There was even a resurgence of Minutemen for the Commonwealth in the late 23rd century.
6Infamous Second Son
Getting superpowers never felt so good asInfamous Second Son. The game features Delsin Rowe, a Conduit who has recently discovered his new abilities as a superhuman. Players can use these powers for good, or for bad, or even a little bit of both as they explore Seattle. There are some great locations brought to life from Seattle, including the Space Needle observation tower.
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Not only are the sights and graphicsimpressive for this early PS4 title, butInfamous Second Sonfeatures a great cast of characters, and a thrilling enhancement of a story, considering players make life-changing decisions based on their preference of play, affecting the people and city around them.
5Grand Theft Auto 5
Although mostGrand Theft Autogames take place in North America, it is perhapsGrand Theft Auto 5that is the most defined by its location.Grand Theft Auto 5is unapologetic about Los Santos being a fictional parody of Los Angeles, with many real-life locations from Los Angeles still causing some impressive surprises amongGrand Theft Auto 5players when they see the real counterpart to this day.
Grand Theft Auto 5prides itself on satire of American culture, and where better to do it than in Hollywood? Or, asGrand Theft Auto 5calls it, Vinewood. There’s a lot to love aboutGTA 5. Whether it’s in thefreedom to commit endless crimesor to explore its vast North American open-world map.
4Assassin’s Creed 3
Assassin’s Creed 3exists in an interesting time amongst the flagship Ubisoft franchise. It had to impress, considering it was coming hot off the heels of the conclusion of the iconic Ezio Trilogy.Assassin’s Creed 3may not be everyone’s favorite, but it’s hard to deny the experience of the American Revolutionthrough the eyes of Connor Kenway, a Native American Assassin.
Assassin’s Creed 3takes place near Boston and New York, covering perhaps the most important period in American history with the war for independence that took place between 1775 and 1783. The American Revolutionary War takes center stage, but players can easily get lost in the developing cities and snowy forests of North America.
3Cyberpunk 2077
Taking place in the heart of California, Night City is a place where everyone wants to leave, but no one can escape inCyberpunk 2077. This futuristic dystopia shows a worlddependent on consumerism and technology, and players can walk the streets of Night City, not knowing if a rogue bullet from a gang member, or a stab wound from a Cyberpsycho will take their life too soon.
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Cyberpunk 2077is a great game, with a great location to explore. Players can get lost in the somewhat claustrophobic and bustling cityscape of Night City, in which corporations seem to have infinite and intimidating power. Even looking up in Night City, there seems to be no end to the greed that plagues it.
2Death Stranding
After a cataclysmic event severs the connection humanity has with one another, Sam Porter Bridges is tasked with the impossible mission to embark across America, to deliver hope once again. Sam’s mission inDeath Strandinginvolves traversing the harsh terrains and environments of the United States of America, connecting the survivors and their shelters to try andreunite the world one step at a time.
Although there is combat inDeath Stranding, the center stage belongs to the mission to connect humans, and try and bring light back to a shattered world. AcrossDeath Stranding, players will see the ruins of America, as well as the landscapes that made it such a desired frontier to begin with.
Being an outlaw in the Wild West has never been so inviting thanks toRed Dead Redemption 2. Players will follow the story of Arthur Morgan and the Van der Linde gang, a family of misfits, on the run from federal agents as they rob, steal, scam, and fight their way through North America to find the peaceful life that they want whether that’s harboring more cash than the military, or eating mangos in the sun.
Red Dead Redemption 2contains 5 states for players to explore. Although these are fictional states, they do take real-life inspiration. The states of West Elizabeth, New Austin, Ambarino, New Hanover, and Lemoyne are all explorable, with different gangs, settings, and themes for each one, providing players with an immersive sense of exploration.
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