10 Open-World Games Set in Real-Life Places

Gaming is currently sparking a lot of debate. Some players enjoy the trend of huge, open game worlds, while others prefer the tighter, more direct experiences of the past. This change, however, is encouraging game developers to get creative with how they design levels. Creating truly immersive open worlds requires them to feel vast and realistic, and that often means looking to real-world places for inspiration.

Game developers often build virtual worlds based on real-life places to make them feel more believable and engaging for players. Using recognizable locations can also make the design process easier and give players the excitement of exploring places they know. However, games rarely copy these places exactly. Developers usually make changes to fit the setting into the game’s story and overall atmosphere.

The Assassin’s Creed Series Takes Players Across The Worl

When talking about open-world games, Assassin’s Creed always comes up. The series has been incredibly influential in shaping the genre and has played a big part in its popularity. What makes it special is that each game lets you explore a different time period and location around the world, effectively offering a journey through history.

The latest installment, Assassin’s Creed Shadows, is set in feudal Japan during the Azuchi-Momoyama period, and Assassin’s Creed Mirage takes players back to 9th-century Baghdad. Ubisoft has a history of selecting fascinating settings for the Assassin’s Creed games, from the 18th-century Caribbean in Black Flag to revolutionary Paris in Unity.

Hogwarts Legacy Takes Fans To The Scottish Highlands

It’s no surprise that Hogwarts isn’t a real place, even though many fans still hope to receive an acceptance letter. The magical school has been recreated in countless ways – in the books, movies, theme parks, and now video games. While Hogwarts Legacy offers another version of the castle, the most impressive part of the game isn’t Hogwarts itself, but the detailed and immersive world surrounding it.

The world of Hogwarts Legacy is set in the Scottish Highlands and offers a beautifully imagined version of the real-life area. Players can fly over expansive forests and mountains. While it’s not a completely accurate depiction of Scotland – you won’t find any magical enemies there! – it’s a charming and respectful portrayal of the country as it was in the 1890s.

Yakuza 0 Recreates Japanese Cities

The Yakuza series is set throughout Japan, and Tokyo frequently plays a central role – it’s the country’s capital and a hotbed of criminal activity. But Yakuza 0 is a standout title in the series. It’s an exciting origin story that’s essential to understanding the larger Yakuza narrative. Beyond its fast-paced combat and gripping story, the game boasts incredible world-building. Though the areas you explore aren’t literal recreations, they’re wonderfully designed to feel like real places.

The game features two fictional districts inspired by real places in Japan. Kamurochō is modeled after Kabukichō in Tokyo, a historically rich and lively entertainment area. Sotenbori, in Osaka, is based on Dōtonbori, famous for its street food, nightlife, and energetic atmosphere. Players familiar with Japan will likely recognize these locations from Yakuza 0, though the game adds some fictional elements and sets the story in 1988.

Grand Theft Auto 5 Takes Inspiration From Southern California & Los Angeles

While a new Grand Theft Auto game is likely on the way, it’s still worth enjoying the current one. What makes the game so great is the incredible freedom it offers players. The expansive open world encourages both storytelling and chaotic fun. Rockstar Games clearly drew inspiration from a familiar setting – a city often seen in movies and TV – but they’ve presented it in a uniquely detailed and immersive way.

Grand Theft Auto 5 takes place in the made-up state of San Andreas, which is heavily inspired by Southern California, particularly Los Angeles. The game’s main city, Los Santos, is set against the more rural area of Blaine County. While the game features fictional elements, it also includes recognizable landmarks like Los Angeles International Airport, Mount Lee, and Ripley’s Believe It or Not!, all reimagined in a unique way.

Red Dead Redemption 2 Visits The Wild West

Rockstar Games is known for creating incredibly detailed open-world environments that feel both realistic and imaginative. This is particularly evident in Red Dead Redemption 2, which is set in a Wild West world. Like many Westerns, the game’s setting is based on a specific time and place – the late 1890s – and its landscapes are heavily inspired by the American West, Midwest, and South.

Although the game features made-up states like Ambarino, Lemoyne, New Hanover, New Austin, and West Elizabeth, each one is inspired by a real-world location. Players have noticed similarities to places like the Rocky Mountains, the town of Tombstone, New Orleans, the Oak Alley Plantation, and Blackwater. The game draws heavily from American history, but isn’t afraid to take creative liberties.

Horizon Zero Dawn Is Based On the US Southwest

I’ve played a lot of open-world games that are clearly based on real places, you can usually tell pretty quickly which city or town inspired the game’s setting. But Horizon Zero Dawn is different. At first, you think you’re exploring some totally new, post-apocalyptic world, but as you play, it slowly hits you – this is actually Earth! It’s really cool how they don’t just tell you, but let you discover it as you explore.

The world of Horizon Zero Dawn is based on the Southwestern United States, specifically drawing inspiration from Utah, Colorado, and Wyoming. As you explore the game, you’ll discover clues pointing to real-world locations. Familiar landmarks like the Golden Gate Bridge are present, alongside places like Cheyenne Mountain, Arches National Park, and Salt Lake City. Players who explore thoroughly might be surprised by how many recognizable spots they find.

Mad Max Heads Back To Australia

The open-world game Mad Max, released in 2015 and inspired by the popular films, doesn’t get the attention it deserves. Its combat is similar to the Batman: Arkham series, and it immerses players in the gritty, post-apocalyptic world seen in movies like Furiosa and Mad Max: Fury Road. Though set in Australia, the game depicts a desolate landscape, far removed from the country’s former state.

The world of Mad Max is central to the game, and the developers went to great lengths to capture the feeling of Australia, even recreating the Australian night sky. While not densely populated, the game’s open world uses the iconic oranges and reds of the outback, along with varied mountains and landscapes, to convincingly portray a futuristic version of the Australian environment.

Marvel’s Spider-Man Treats New York Like A Character

New York City has always felt like a central character in the Spider-Man games. While later installments like Spider-Man: Miles Morales and Spider-Man 2 featured bigger and changed maps, the original Marvel’s Spider-Man truly nailed the open-world experience. The developers put a lot of thought into every detail, making the city feel vibrant and full of life.

This version of New York City blends famous real-world locations—like Madison Square Garden, Times Square, and the Empire State Building—with fictional landmarks from the Marvel universe, such as Doctor Strange’s Sanctum Sanctorum and the Wakandan Embassy. Even a statue of Lockjaw, the Inhumans’ pet, makes an appearance. Using these recognizable places for Spider-Man’s battles helps maintain a consistent and grounded feel throughout the series.

The Crew Takes Open-World Racing Up A Gear

While not a huge number of games fit neatly into this category, it’s a challenging genre to define. These games typically combine driving on regular roads with off-road adventures, and feature timed races on dedicated tracks. To keep players engaged, they also need varied and interesting environments to explore. Some, like Mario Kart World, use fantastical settings, while others, such as The Crew and its sequels, are set in realistic, real-world locations.

Instead of a massive, sprawling map, The Crew offers a focused version of the United States, letting players experience a cross-country road trip without feeling lost. The game features famous cities like New York, Chicago, Miami, Las Vegas, and Los Angeles. Later games, such as The Crew Motorfest, build on this idea by adding even more realistic locations.

Ghost of Tsushima Honors The Japanese Island

As the title suggests, Ghost of Tsushima takes place on the Japanese island of Tsushima. The game’s story is set during the Mongol invasion of 1274, and authentically portrays the conflicts of that time. The samurai culture is central to the game, and the island itself has been carefully and accurately recreated. While the game does take some creative freedoms to enhance the story, players will recognize many real-world locations.

The game features real places from Japan, like Mount Shiratake, Kaneda Castle, and Komoda Beach, but reimagined within its world. This approach, similar to what was done in Tsushima, allows players to explore diverse Japanese landscapes, making it a truly immersive experience.

2025-11-02 06:48