The best games set in the United Kingdom

4 days ago, by Enzo

The United Kingdom has always held a special fascination in the collective imagination. Its misty streets, green countryside, turbulent history, and iconic cities provide the perfect playground for developers. London, Scotland, and the landscapes of Yorkshire become the settings for epic tales, thrilling investigations, and frantic chases. In this article, we've chosen to highlight the best video games that come to life in the heart of this territory. These titles accurately capture its unique atmosphere while offering interesting experiences. Let our journey begin!

It's hard to start our selection without mentioning Assassin's Creed Syndicate. Developed by Ubisoft and released in 2015, this episode of the franchise transports players to London in the middle of the 19th century. Our mission is to guide our criminal organization through the industrial revolution. Two characters are playable, Jacob and his twin sister Evie, each with complementary fighting styles. From Buckingham Palace to Big Ben, you can cross swords and triumph in every corner of the vast open world of Victorian London. Staying with this franchise, we can also mention Assassin's Creed Valhalla, released in 2022. Much of the game takes place in 9th-century England, across the kingdoms of Mercia, Wessex, and Northumbria.

Now let's change the mood completely and move on to something more magical. Some of you may have already guessed that we're talking about Hogwarts Legacy. Based on the world of Harry Potter, the game is set entirely in Great Britain. It features the architecture, landscapes, and atmosphere typical of the Scottish Highlands, where Hogwarts is located. The surrounding villages, such as Hogsmeade, are directly inspired by small English and Scottish towns, with their stone houses, cozy pubs, and cobbled streets.

The next stop on our journey requires us to put aside third-person action RPGs and don our racing gear. Forza Horizon 4 is an open world set in a fictional version of the British countryside. In the same genre, DiRT Rally 2.0 and Gran Turismo also feature circuits located in the United Kingdom, such as Brands Hatch and even Goodwood. In a completely different genre, the horror game Maid of Sker is set in Wales and inspired by a local legend.

The last stop on our journey through the United Kingdom is narrative titles, and there are plenty of examples to choose from. Vampyr is a game in which you play a vampire doctor searching for a cure for the plague that is decimating the population... but the vampire within you demands the sacrifice of those you swore to protect. In The Order: 1886, you must uncover the darkest secret of the capital, transformed by science and industry, but living in fear of an ancient inhuman enemy. Finally, other games such as those in the Fable series and Watch Dogs: Legion are also worth mentioning. In the latter, the player is transported to a dystopian future set in an ultra-connected London.

In conclusion, and through the games mentioned above, we can see how the United Kingdom is an exceptionally rich setting. Whether through faithful historical reconstructions, bold futuristic visions, or entirely fictional worlds inspired by British culture, these titles manage to capture the soul of the country. See you soon for our article presenting the best games set in Spain!