The best games set in the United States

3 months ago, by Enzo

From the endless avenues of Los Santos to the wild plains of the Far West, the United States has always been a major source of inspiration for video games. Its geographical diversity, cultural significance, and founding myths provide the perfect backdrop for rich, immersive, and often critical experiences. After traveling to many parts of the globe, here is our selection of the best games set in the United States and what they have to say.

Swinging at full speed between two buildings, our first stop is in Manhattan to meet Peter Parker from Marvel's Spider-Man. Between skyscrapers, iconic neighborhoods, and even dense urban life, New York is represented in all its glory. Still in the same city but with a darker reinterpretation, GTA IV reflects a colder urban atmosphere, marked by loneliness and corruption. GTA V, one of the must-play video games of the decade, takes place in a fictional region inspired by Southern California.

There's a radical change of atmosphere with Days Gone, which depicts rural, marginalized America. Set in a post-apocalyptic Oregon, we venture onto winding back roads patrolled by bikers and a few million zombies. Still featuring charming infected creatures, the various installments of The Last of Us take us to ruined cities and deserted avenues where nature has reclaimed its rights.

Now let's return to the world of crime with some dark titles: L.A. Noire, set in Hollywood, and Mafia: Definitive Edition, inspired by Chicago. In the former, we travel through the 1940s and the corruption of the time, while in the latter, we dive into the heart of the 1930s and the world of gangs. There's also the unmissable Red Dead Redemption 2, with its unique and extremely realistic take on the American Wild West.

Let's leave adventure games behind for a moment and move on to management and strategy titles: Cities: Skylines and Civilization VI. In the latter, you can play as the United States as a civilization, highlighting values associated with American history: territorial expansion, culture, diplomacy, and global influence. A strategic and idealized vision of American power.

Finally, and this is our favorite, Alan Wake 2 is an exceptional game set in Bright Falls, a fictional town in the northwestern United States. Dark forests, close-knit communities, and buried secrets: the game exploits the aesthetics and codes of the American thriller through a unique style. A true masterpiece, not to be missed!

In conclusion, we can see that through these titles, the United States appears as much more than just a backdrop for video games. It becomes a subject in its own right, sometimes idealized, sometimes criticized, sometimes deconstructed. From the American dream to its collapse, from big cities to the wilderness, these games offer a multifaceted view of American identity.