Video games have the power to take players around the world—sometimes without straying too far from reality. Many games recreate real-life cities, landmarks, and cultural settings with stunning accuracy, blending digital escapism with authentic geography.
Whether it’s navigating the bustling streets of Assassin’s Creed’s historical cities or racing through Forza Horizon’s breathtaking landscapes, these virtual worlds offer a unique way to experience familiar places from a fresh perspective. Here are ten incredible video games that bring real-world locations to life in stunning detail.
Hong Kong (Sleeping Dogs)
Hong Kong’s bustling streets, neon-lit markets, and towering skyscrapers come to life in Sleeping Dogs. The game’s faithful recreation captures the city’s unique blend of traditional and modern elements, from the chaotic Temple Street Night Market to the serene Man Mo Temple. Exploring Hong Kong feels eerily familiar to fans of the game, with its dense urban landscapes and vibrant atmosphere mirroring reality.
Hollywood, California (Overwatch’s Hollywood Map)
Overwatch’s Hollywood map captures the essence of Tinseltown with striking accuracy. From the iconic Hollywood sign to the star-studded Walk of Fame, players can experience a virtual tour of the real Hollywood. The map even features a fictional movie studio, mirroring the numerous production lots scattered throughout the actual city.
Tashirojima, Japan (Genshin Impact’s Asase Shrine)
Tashirojima, Japan’s “Cat Island,” inspired Genshin Impact’s Asase Shrine. With a feline population outnumbering humans 3:1, this real-life cat paradise mirrors the game’s virtual feline sanctuary. Visitors can explore the island, interact with numerous cats, and experience the unique cat-centric culture that captivated game designers.
Santorini, Greece (Overwatch’s Ilios Map)
Step into the vibrant world of Overwatch’s Ilios map by visiting Santorini, Greece. With its iconic white-washed buildings, blue-domed churches, and stunning Aegean Sea views, Santorini perfectly captures the essence of the game’s Mediterranean paradise. Explore winding cobblestone streets and cliff-top villages that mirror Ilios’ picturesque setting.
Washington D.C. (The Division 2)
Ubisoft’s The Division 2 meticulously recreates Washington D.C., featuring iconic landmarks like the White House, Capitol Building, and Lincoln Memorial. Players can explore a post-apocalyptic version of the city, with stunning attention to detail in architecture and layout. The game’s accuracy allows fans to compare in-game locations to their real-life counterparts, creating an immersive gaming experience.
Seattle, Washington (The Last of Us Part II)
Seattle’s iconic landmarks are faithfully recreated in The Last of Us Part II, offering fans a post-apocalyptic tour of the Emerald City. From the towering Space Needle to the bustling Pike Place Market, players can explore familiar locations like the Seattle Great Wheel and Lumen Field, now repurposed as a militia headquarters. The game’s attention to detail makes wandering through Seattle’s overgrown streets an eerily immersive experience.
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Paris, France (Assassin’s Creed: Unity)
Explore revolutionary Paris in Assassin’s Creed Unity, where iconic landmarks like Notre-Dame Cathedral, the Bastille, and Luxembourg Palace are meticulously recreated. While the game’s layout is compressed for gameplay, it captures the city’s essence, allowing players to experience 18th-century Paris’s grandeur and tumultuous atmosphere firsthand.
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Venice Beach, Los Angeles (Grand Theft Auto V)
Venice Beach’s vibrant boardwalk, with its colorful street performers, muscle-bound bodybuilders, and eclectic shops, feels like stepping into GTA V’s Vespucci Beach. The game’s developers meticulously recreated iconic landmarks, including the famous skate park and Muscle Beach gym, capturing the essence of this lively coastal neighborhood.
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