Many open-world titles are set in medieval villages, futuristic cities, or fantasy worlds that are nothing like the real one. This has resulted in many wonderful games over the years.
Yet, they aren’t the only types of worlds games can be set in. There have also been a bunch of open-world titles set in more recent times. They often include modern cities with modern vehicles and tech. Some are even based on real places. For instance, many open-worldgames have been set in New Yorkor a fictional version of it, such as Liberty City fromGTA. However, the following examples are the best of all the open games with a contemporary setting.
While Far Cry 6 takes place on a fictional island named Yara, it’s still set in the modern world. In fact, all the events of the game happen in 2021. These events mostly revolve around your protagonist, Dani Rojas, joining the revolution against Yara’s dictator, Anton Castillo.
At the start of the game, the revolution is in no shape to take Castillo on. So, you spend the game going to different regions and recruiting new groups to join your cause. In the process, you do various missions, which mostly involve shooting people or sneaking past them.
In Infamous 2, your open world is the city of New Marais, which seems to be inspired by New Orleans. The game doesn’t make it abundantly clear what year it takes place, but it’s clearly set in modern times.
Yet, it doesn’t quite feel like the real world since you’re playing as a former bike messenger who now has electrical superpowers. You use these special abilities to both fight your enemies and traverse the city. Whether you use them for good or evil is up to you, as the game’s karma system plays a large part in the overall experience.
Sleeping Dogs is set in modern-day Hong Kong. You play as Wei Shen, who is a Police Officer going undercover as a member of the Triads. While there are many open-world third-person action-adventure titles, this one is very different.
Part of this is because of the setting, as there aregames set in ancient Chinabut few in the modern-day version of the country. Plus, unlike most titles in the genre, there aren’t many guns in the game. So, most battles revolve around using your stylish martial arts skills.
It doesn’t always feel like Watch Dogs 2 is set in modern times since the tech used in this title is mind-blowing. This is because you play as an incredibly skilled hacker who’s part of an equally skilled hacker group known as DedSec, and you go against a highly advanced tech corporation. Therefore, some of the gadgets you see in the game seem futuristic.
The main one you use, though, is just your smartphone, as you may use it to hack into all sorts of items. This can help you sneak past or fight your enemies in this third-person action-adventure title.
4Saints Row: The Third
Saints Row: The Third is a third-person action-adventure game set in the fictional city of Steelport in the mid-2010s. While it does take place in the modern-day world, it’s a very wacky take on that world. After all, a former street gang is now a media empire that sells energy drinks and makes movies while still participating in gang activity.
You are the leader of the said gang, and you must take the fight to other organizations that are trying to bring you down, both criminal and government ones. You do this by completing a litany of wild, action-packed missions.
Lost Judgment primarily takes place in two Japanese districts, known as Kamurocho and Ijincho. They’re fictional, but they’re inspired by real places. You control private detective Takayuki Yagami, who gets wrapped up in a compelling investigation featuring things like bullying, attempted suicide, and murder. You can also delve into some side content, which is equally captivating.
Whatever you’re doing, though, you’re eventually going to have to get your hands dirty. In these moments, you make use of Yagami’s excellent martial arts to take down multiple foes at once. It’s one ofthe best games to take place in Japan.
Two Spider-Men feature as protagonists in Spider-Man 2, as both Peter Parker and Miles Morales are operating in modern New York City. This means you can swing around as either of them and take a look at some famous New York landmarks, from Madison Square Garden to the Empire State Building.
However, what you’ll mostly be doing is stopping crime and fighting supervillains with your array of Spidy powers. Both characters have some different abilities that make them feel distinct to play as.
The Grand Theft Auto series is one ofthe most influential ever, particularly when it comes to modern-day open-world games. Yet, those early titles aren’t exactly set in contemporary times anymore because they came out so long ago.
GTA 5, though, is certainly set in today’s world, and it doesn’t hide that fact. The game contains so much social commentary regarding things like social media and modern tech. That said, the main story is more about three criminals pulling jobs and shooting many people while trying to avoid being killed by the feds.
