Exploring Post-Apocalyptic Metropolises: Top 10 Open World Games Set in Abandoned Cities
Experience the eerie beauty of abandoned cities in these 10 open-world games From the haunting landscapes of STALKER: Call of Pripyat to the post-apocalyptic ruins of Metro Exodus, these immersive adventures will leave you captivated Discover Metascores ranging from 45 to 87, ensuring a diverse gaming experience
Article Key Points
S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Call of Pripyat offers a truly horrifying experience in a devastated and creepy abandoned city, adding to the atmospheric survival horror gameplay.
The focus of INFRA is not just on an abandoned city but rather on the deteriorating infrastructure and the actions of players. These factors ultimately render the city uninhabitable by the end of the game, creating a thrilling experience.
Metro Exodus is renowned as the premier open-world game featuring abandoned cities. Its exceptional atmosphere and captivating world enable players to immerse themselves in the desolate Russian wasteland and extensively irradiated cities.
Numerous open-world games transport players to expansive, uninhabited landscapes, devoid of any signs of human presence for miles. Conversely, there are also countless games that immerse players in bustling cities or intricate worlds where characters are constantly bombarded with quests. However, there is an intriguing subset of games that captivate players by depicting abandoned cities.
This unique concept holds immense potential and deserves further exploration. Admittedly, many linear games briefly expose players to dilapidated cities and towns without much emphasis. However, achieving the right balance within an open-world game proves to be a challenging task. Hence, which games truly excel in showcasing abandoned cities, even if only partially?
10. S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Call of Pripyat
Metascore: 80
S.T.A.L.K.E.R. Call of Pripyat
Platform: PC
Release Date: February 2, 2010
Developer: GSC Game World
Genre: Survival Horror
S.T.A.L.K.E.R: Call Of Pripyat is set in a fictionalized depiction of the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone and the abandoned city of Pripyat. Throughout the game, players have the opportunity to explore the eerie deserted city. However, most of this exploration occurs after completing the main storyline. Beware, as mutants lurk around every corner and there are bandits roaming the area, making each step perilous. The city itself is in a state of complete devastation, contributing to the overall haunting atmosphere.
S.T.A.L.K.E.R: Call Of Pripyat is a truly horrifying experience, and the ghost city players traverse is one of the driving factors behind that.
9. INFRA
Metascore: N/A
INFRA
Platform(s) PCReleased January 15, 2016Developer(s) Loiste InteractiveGenre(s) Adventure, PuzzleSteam User Rating 89% (October 27, 2023)
The game INFRA is set in the fictional Scandinavian city of Stalburg. Players take on the role of a structural analyst tasked with documenting the condition of the city's infrastructure. As the game progresses, the infrastructure progressively deteriorates, leading to a visually decaying city. Players must solve puzzles, as failing to do so will result in catastrophic consequences for both Stalburg and its inhabitants. Although INFRA is not explicitly focused on an abandoned city, the combination of deteriorating infrastructure and player decisions can ultimately render the city uninhabitable.
8. Dying Light 2
Metascore: 77
Dying Light 2
Release Date: February 4, 2022
Platforms: PS5, PC, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, PS4, Switch, Xbox One
Publisher: Techland
Genre: Action, RPG
Dying Light 2 takes place 22 years after the original game and introduces a fresh protagonist for players to acquaint themselves with. Set in the fictional and desolate city of Villedor, this game offers a vast open-world for players to explore and traverse through parkour. Crafting and scavenging are crucial for survival as players confront terrifying zombies, especially during the treacherous night-time encounters.
This game is a continuation of the much-loved original game and offers an even bigger world and an even more run-down city for players to explore.
7. The Evil Within 2
Metascore: 82
The Evil Within 2
Platform(s) PS4, Xbox One, PCReleased October 13, 2017Developer(s) Tango GameworksGenre(s) Survival Horror
The Evil Within 2 excels in utilizing its semi-open world format, surpassing even some fully open-world games. Set in the dream-like city of Union, players assume the role of a detective in search of his missing daughter. Offering multiple eerie routes through the nightmarish city, this adds a thrilling element of suspense. The game further intensifies the horror by restricting the availability of resources. It is this combination of elements that truly sets The Evil Within 2 apart, making it a remarkable gaming experience.
While the open world in The Evil Within 2 may not be as extensive as in other games, the desolation within the city is truly haunting. With nothing but relentless monsters, determined to end the player's life, the atmosphere becomes even more immersive and terrifying.
6. The Sinking City
Metascore: 77
The Sinking City
Released on June 27, 2019, The Sinking City is a captivating game available on PS4, Xbox One, PC, Switch, PS5, Xbox Series X, and Xbox Series S. Developed by Frogwares, it falls under the genres of action and adventure. Drawing inspiration from the haunting writings of H.P. Lovecraft, this game offers a truly eerie experience. Set in the fictional city of Oakmont, Massachusetts, which is plagued by flooding, players embark on the role of Charles W. Reed, a private investigator. Their objective is to uncover the reasons behind the city's rapid descent into the depths. Exploring the open world reveals seven districts, each submerged to varying extents. To succeed in their quests, players must remain vigilant, as the contaminated water has the potential to damage both Charles' health and sanity unless he relies on a boat for navigation.
The Sinking City is a great and darkly quirky detective game for players to try out.
5. 7 Days To Die
Metascore: 45
7 Days to Die
Platform(s) PC, PS4, Xbox OneReleased December 13, 2013Developer(s) The Fun PimpsGenre(s) Survival, HorrorSteam User Rating 88% (October 25, 2023)
In 7 Days To Die, players are challenged to survive in an expansive, fictional country called Navezgane, located in Arizona. While the map is filled with cities brimming with valuable supplies for looting, the presence of numerous roaming zombies poses a constant threat. Navigating this open world requires players to make crucial decisions for their survival, where venturing into the cities is essential yet dangerous, particularly for inexperienced players.
4. The Walking Dead: Saints And Sinners
Metascore: 81
The Walking Dead: Saints and Sinners
Platform(s): Oculus Rift, Oculus Quest, PC, PlayStation VR
Release Date: January 23, 2020
Developers: Skydance Interactive, Skybound Entertainment
Genres: FPS, Survival Horror
Among the various games based on the popular comic and TV series The Walking Dead, Saints and Sinners stands out as a unique virtual reality experience. Set in the aftermath of the outbreak in New Orleans, players are immersed in a post-apocalyptic world. The game allows players to choose the gender of their character, known simply as "The Tourist." The storyline revolves around two rival factions vying for control of the city, which is swarming with undead creatures. Naturally, these factions prove to be hostile towards the player.
3. Fallout 4
The Walking Dead: Saints And Sinners offers an exhilarating experience for enthusiasts of zombie survival games. With its immersive VR component, players are fully immersed in the city and confronted with the terrifying realities that unfold around them.
Metascore: 87
Fallout 4
Platform(s) PS4, Xbox One, PCReleased November 10, 2015Developer(s) BethesdaGenre(s) RPG, Action
Known for its quirky Bethesda charm, the Fallout series is renowned for delivering exceptional RPG experiences. In this latest addition to the mainline series, Fallout 4, players are immersed in the post-apocalyptic setting of the greater Boston area. The once recognizable cityscape has been ravaged, leaving only a handful of familiar landmarks. Set within a baseball stadium, the main city of the game is inhabited by residents who have no knowledge of the sport itself. Offering a vast open-world to discover and numerous companions to encounter, Fallout 4 presents a captivating adventure in this desolate metropolis.
2. Tom Clancy's The Division
Metascore: 80
Tom Clancy’s The Division
Platform(s): PC, PS4, Xbox One
Release Date: March 8, 2016
Developer: Massive Entertainment
Franchise: The Division
Taking place in post-apocalyptic New York City, Tom Clancy's The Division follows the aftermath of a devastating viral pandemic. Players are tasked with uncovering the origins of the crisis and are equipped with a limited arsenal of weapons to aid them on their journey through the city. The immersive open-world environment feels incredibly realistic, thanks to the dynamic day and night cycle, which alters the behavior of certain enemies, as well as the vastness of the game world itself. Weather effects also play a crucial role, with storms affecting player visibility and accuracy.
1. Metro Exodus
Tom Clancy's The Division is a remarkable game that skillfully utilizes its expansive open world, providing players seeking a less horror-centric experience with a plethora of realism.
Metascore: 82
Metro Exodus
Platform(s) PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Xbox One, PC, StadiaReleased February 15, 2019Developer(s) 4A GamesGenre(s) FPS
Metro Exodus takes players on an immersive journey through various locations amidst a year-long in-game timeframe. While several locales form the backdrop, it is the cities that hold utmost significance. Beginning in a desolate Moscow during nuclear winter, players will traverse the expansive Russian wasteland. One standout metropolis is Novosibirsk, a vast and heavily irradiated city, virtually devoid of inhabitants. The game's atmosphere excellently captures the essence of abandoned cities, making it a remarkable open-world experience. Metro Exodus may not adhere to conventional open-world standards, yet the ingenious utilization of its open sections ensures an engrossing and epic continental adventure that players will undoubtedly cherish.
Editor's P/S
As a hard fan of open-world games, I am always on the lookout for new and exciting titles to explore. I am particularly drawn to games that feature abandoned cities, as they offer a unique and eerie experience that is unlike anything else. In this article, I will be discussing three of my favorite open-world games set in abandoned cities: S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Call of Pripyat, INFRA, and Dying Light 2.
S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Call of Pripyat is a survival horror game set in the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone. Players take on the role of a stalker, a person who illegally enters the zone in search of valuable artifacts. The game features a large and detailed open world that is full of danger and mystery. Players must be careful not only of the mutants and bandits that roam the zone, but also of the radiation that is still present.
INFRA is a puzzle game set in a fictional Scandinavian city. Players take on the role of a structural analyst who is tasked with inspecting the city's infrastructure. The game features a unique and challenging gameplay mechanic that requires players to use their engineering skills to solve puzzles. As the game progresses, the city's infrastructure begins to deteriorate, and players must make difficult decisions about which parts of the city to save and which to let go.
Dying Light 2 is an action RPG set in a fictional city called Villedor. The game features a large and detailed open world that is full of zombies. Players must use their parkour skills to traverse the city and avoid the zombies. The game also features a crafting system that allows players to create weapons and tools to help them survive.
