Everyone is talking about the recent released Amazon Prime series “Fallout”, based on the Bethesda game franchise of the same name. Some fans may not know though that Team Folon are creating a DLC-sized Fallout 4 mod based entirely within London.
“Fallout: London” was originally scheduled for an 23rd April release, but with the announcement of the next gen update from Bethesda it has been delayed, however, this doesn’t mean gamers will have to miss out playing in the capital. Currys, gaming and tech retailer, conducted a study which looked at the UK locations most loved by game developers, and unsurprisingly, the capital was the most popular location.
But which games feature the city as a prominent location? Currys have put together the top 10 highest-rated video and PC games which feature London, according to both their Metacritic critic score and user score. In reverse order:
10. Hellgate: London
“Hellgate: London” is an action role-playing game released in 2007, developed by Flagship Studios. The game is set in a post-apocalyptic version of London which has been invaded by demonic forces, it combines elements of first-person shooters and hack-and-slash RPGs. Players take on the role of a customisable character, battling through the ruins of London to uncover the mystery behind the demonic invasion.
Although it was initially released only on PC, the game was later ported to the Xbox 360.
As the title suggests, London features as the main location in the game, or a version of it at least, with prominent landmarks such as the Tower of London and the Underground stations transformed into battlegrounds against the demonic hordes. Players will need to navigate through the city’s streets and underground tunnels while fighting off terrifying creatures from the depths of hell.
Metacritic Metascore: 70
Metacritic User Score: 6.9
9. Vampyr
“Vampyr” is an action role-playing game released in 2018 by developers Dontnod Entertainment. Set in a fictional version of London during the early 20th century, the game follows the story of Jonathan Reid, a doctor turned vampire who must navigate the moral dilemmas of his newfound condition. Players must balance their thirst for blood with their desire to save the city from a deadly epidemic and various supernatural threats. The game features a branching narrative with choices that impact the storyline and characters.
The game is available to play on PlayStation 4 (PS4), Xbox One, and Microsoft Windows platforms.
London serves as the atmospheric setting with detailed recreations of historical and notable locations such as Whitechapel and the West End. The city’s foggy streets, gothic architecture, and bustling districts provide the perfect setting for the game’s vampire lore.
Metacritic Metascore: 70
Metacritic User Score: 7.1
8. The Getaway
“The Getaway” is an action-adventure video game released in 2002, developed by Team Soho for the PlayStation 2 (PS2). Set in a gritty rendition of London, the game follows the intertwining stories of a former gangster named Mark Hammond and a detective named Frank Carter as they navigate the criminal underworld of the city. Players switch between controlling both characters, engaging in intense gunfights, car chases, and stealth missions across various London districts.
The game’s realistic portrayal (for the time) of London includes iconic landmarks such as Tower Bridge, Buckingham Palace, and the streets of Soho, offering players thrilling gameplay in the heart of London’s criminal underworld.
Metacritic Metascore: 72
Metacritic User Score: 7.5
7. Sherlock Holmes: Crimes & Punishments
An obvious addition to the list, “Sherlock Holmes: Crimes & Punishments” is a 2014 release and a detective adventure game developed by Frogwares. It’s available on multiple platforms including PlayStation 3 (PS3), PS4, Xbox 360, Xbox One, and PC.
The game invites players to put on the shoes of the legendary detective Sherlock Holmes as he investigates a series of complex cases in Victorian London. Players must gather clues, interrogate suspects, and use Holmes’ keen observational skills to solve puzzles and uncover the truth behind each mystery.
The game features various iconic London locations, from foggy streets to lavish mansions, all meticulously recreated to capture the atmosphere of 19th-century England. With its engaging storytelling and challenging puzzles, “Sherlock Holmes: Crimes & Punishments” offers players an immersive and thrilling experience as they step into the world of the famous detective.
Metacritic Metascore: 73
Metacritic User Score: 7.2
6. Watch Dogs: Legion
“Watch Dogs: Legion” is an action-adventure game developed by Ubisoft Toronto and released in 2020. It’s available a range of different platforms such as PS4, Xbox One, PC, and Google Stadia, as well as next gen consoles like PlayStation 5 (PS5) and Xbox Series X/S.
The game is set in a “near-future” version of London. In “Watch Dogs: Legion,” players join the ranks of DedSec, a hacker collective fighting against an authoritarian regime that has taken control of the city. What sets this instalment apart is its unique “Play as Anyone” feature, which allows players to recruit and play as any character they encounter in the game world, each with their own skills, abilities, and backstory.
London serves as the sprawling playground for players to explore. Players can roam the city’s streets, hack into various systems, and engage in both stealthy and action-packed missions to liberate London from tyranny.
Metacritic Metascore: 76
Metacritic User Score: 6.2
5. Assassin’s Creed Syndicate
“Assassin’s Creed Syndicate,” released in 2015, is an action-adventure game developed by Ubisoft Quebec which is set in Victorian-era London during the Industrial Revolution. The game follows twin assassins Jacob and Evie Frye as they fight against the oppressive Templar rule and seek to liberate the city from corruption. Players can switch between the two protagonists, each with their own unique abilities.
The game is available on PS4, Xbox One, and PC, and features a detailed open-world recreation of London in that time period. Players will also be able to pick out famous spots that stand today like Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abbey, and the Thames River. They’re able to explore London’s neighbourhoods, engage in rooftop chases, and participate in historical events while unravelling the conspiracy at the heart of the Templar Order’s control over London.
Metacritic Metascore: 76
Metacritic User Score: 6.9
4. ZombiU
“ZombiU” is a 2012 survival horror game developed by Ubisoft Montpellier. As the name suggests it was initially released for the Nintendo Wii U, but it was later ported to other platforms such as PS4, Xbox One, and PC.
The game is set in a zombie-infested London following a mysterious virus outbreak. Players must navigate through the city’s streets, landmarks and underground tunnels while fighting off hordes of the undead. A unique and difficult element of the game is the fact that death is permanent and will result in the player respawning as a new survivor, losing all previously gained inventory.
England’s capital features as the main and sole location for all of the game’s terrifying encounters, showcasing landmarks such as Buckingham Palace and the Tower of London – only they’ve been transformed into grim and desolate buildings, ravaged by the undead.
Metacritic Metascore: 77
Metacritic User Score: 7.7
3. Resistance: Fall of Man
“Resistance: Fall of Man” is a first-person shooter developed by Insomniac Games and released in 2006 as a PS3 exclusive. The game is set in an alternate history where Earth is invaded by a hostile alien race known as the Chimera during the 1950s. Players assume the role of American soldier Nathan Hale as he battles against the alien threat across various European locations, so although not solely set in London, a significant portion of the game is set in a dystopian version of the city.
The game involves a face-off against hordes of Chimera soldiers and towering mechanical monstrosities in the war-torn cityscape of London. Players can even battle in famous sightseeing spots such as Big Ben and Tower Bridge.
Metacritic Metascore: 86
Metacritic User Score: 7.6
2. Medal of Honor: Underground
In second place with the highest user score is “Medal of Honor: Underground”. This first-person shooter, developed by DreamWorks Interactive, was released all the way back in 2000 for the PlayStation, and later for the Game Boy Advance.
This title serves as a prequel to the original “Medal of Honor”, and it follows the story of Manon Batiste, a French resistance fighter, as she undertakes various missions against Nazi forces during World War II. While the game takes place across various European locations, a large part of the gameplay is set in London, depicting the city during the Blitz and its resistance movement against German occupation.
Players navigate through bombed-out streets, underground tunnels, and iconic landmarks such as Westminster Abbey and the Tower of London.
Metacritic Metascore: 86
Metacritic User Score: 8.7
1. Uncharted 3
The highest-rated game featuring London as a setting is “Unchartered 3”, which had the highest critic Metascore and an admirable user score too. This game is the third instalment in the Naughty Dog “Unchartered” franchise, released in 2011 exclusively on the PS3.
The game follows treasure hunter Nathan Drake as he embarks on another globe-trotting adventure, this time to uncover the lost city of Ubar, also known as the Atlantis of the Sands. While much of the game is set in various worldly locations such as the Rub’ al Khali desert and the streets of Yemen, a portion of the game features scenes set in London. During these scenes players navigate through the city’s streets, landmarks and even a good ol’ British pub, in this case the Pelican Inn in which Victor Sullivan and Nathan Drake encounter Charlie Cutter and some thugs sent by Katherine Marlowe.
“Uncharted 3: Drake’s Deception” offers players an unforgettable adventure in the heart of one of the world’s most iconic cities.
Metacritic Metascore: 92
Metacritic User Score: 8.4
Although most game releases seem to be set in Asia, the USA, and in fictional lands, there are a healthy number that fly the flag for the UK.