Video games have given players some of the most memorable cities in recent years, with epic fights and compelling narratives only made better by these well-designed sprawling metropolises. Some of these locations would actually make great places to live in, but other cities should be totally avoided if players don’t want to end up in a waking nightmare.
The best video game cities to move to have stunning sights, sound infrastructure, friendly citizens, and preferably, any monstrous creatures under control. On the flip side, the worst cities - that players should avoid at all costs - are almost always overrun with nightmarish creatures, made up of mostly crumbling ruins, and only have running and hiding as their main attraction.
Don’t Want: Dunwall City – Dishonored
The industrial hell that is Dunwall City has been taken over by an oppressive regime – shadowy figures responsible for the assassination of the city’s Empress and her daughter. As the last bodyguard left standing of the fallen Empress, players must find a way to work with the loyalists to overthrow this new government.
While it would be thrilling to be Dishonored's protagonist Corvo, it’s not as exciting to be an average citizen. Aside from regular abductions and torture by the Tallboys, there’s also an unstoppable plague that’s turning citizens into weepers – mindless and violent creatures who cry tears of blood. Anyone who’s lucky enough not to become a weeper will most likely be stuck in a dead-end job in a drab factory, producing the city’s prized resource, whale oil.
Want: Beauclair City – The Witcher 3
At the heart of sunny Touissant is the capital city of Beauclair, known for its stunning architecture, well-designed districts, and lush vineyards. The city is teeming with life, what with travelers and traders always passing through and happy citizens going about their busy lives.
Beauclair took the wine part of the Blood and Wine expansion for The Witcher 3 and turned it into a whole city. There always seem to be people drinking and laughing in this vibrant setting. This fairytale-like city even has a grand palace that can be seen from the farthest corners of the map, framed by mountains covered with verdant forests.
Don’t Want: Moscow Metro – Metro Exodus
In Metro Exodus, it’s 2035 and the earth is in shambles after a nuclear war. Players must help Artyom navigate the Moscow Metro and uncover the secrets that can potentially save the last of humanity. The few remaining citizens of Moscow either live in dingy underground settlements or are tasked with protecting the camps aboveground; it’s not a pleasant existence either way.
If players are thrust into this world as guards who spend most of their time aboveground, they have to endure the harsh nuclear winter that has taken over the entire city. Of course, there are also the mutated creatures that occasionally show up to maim and murder. Living underground is not much better, as the claustrophobic pathways that are covered with blood and grime don’t exactly make it the ideal home. Don’t forget that everyone is slowly dying from exposure to radiation, too.
Want: Evermore Kingdom – Ni No Kuni II
In Ni No Kuni II, King Evan Pettiwhisker Tildrum and his group of loyal friends set out to create the best kingdom in the world. His goal is to make this new kingdom, Evermore, a peaceful place where no wars ever take place.
Evermore is the ideal place to live for players who have always dreamed of moving to the countryside, thanks to its lush gardens and its proximity to the forests. Thanks to Ni No Kuni II's several side quests, King Evan has carefully selected citizens who are all good people, so no one ever has to worry about heinous crimes. Perhaps the best part of living in Evermore is that each citizen is assigned to their ideal job based on their interests and skills – job satisfaction levels must be through the roof!
Don’t Want: City 17 – Half-Life 2
The Combine-occupied City 17 looks normal from afar. Its impeccably designed European buildings look like they came straight out of a neoclassic history lesson. Things are far from normal for its citizens, however, who must now endure the brutal rule of the aliens, who have transformed this once livable city into a tightly controlled police state.
Unlike Half-Life 2’s protagonist Gordon Freeman, those who live there don’t have regular access to necessities like food and medicine. The citizens’ homes were ripped away from them as the Combine packed humans into inhospitable low-rise residential buildings, which are constantly raided by Civil Protection officers. The worst part for those who live here is seeing what life used to look like – the abandoned hospitals, restaurants, and movie theaters are a painful reminder of the once lively and safe City 17.
Want: Night City – Cyberpunk 2077
Cyberpunk 2077’s Night City is a sprawling metropolis with hundreds of skyscrapers and thousands of glowing screens. Its slogan “The City of Dreams” is what attracts people from all over the world to try and make a name for themselves in this overpopulated location.
While it’s not exactly popular among the people in 2077, an average joe from 2021 would find the numerous sights and activities in Night City absolutely jawdropping. From futuristic nightclubs to flying cars, this city is the place to be for those with cash to spend. Since Cyberpunk 2077 has been improved since launch, players don’t have to worry too much about their newly purchased cars glitching into thin air either.
Don’t Want: New Vegas – Fallout New Vegas
Fallout New Vegas’ post-war version of Las Vegas doesn’t have the same glitz and glamor as its real-life counterpart. Instead, it’s full of warring gangs and Securitron robots who can shoot citizens on sight.
While it’s definitely a better option than being stranded in the Wasteland, New Vegas’ factions and high levels of crime make it a terrible place to live in. The worst area to move into is undoubtedly Freeside, where thugs and raiders are constantly assaulting citizens and stealing their caps.
Want: Lindblum City – Final Fantasy IX
The powerful nation (also considered city) of Linblum sits atop a misty mountain, accessible via Air Cabs or the Airfleet. It’s the most technologically advanced city in Final Fantasy IX, thanks to its scientists’ discovery of steam power.
With its numerous shops and attractions, the citizens of Linblum are part of a thriving economy that is showing no signs of slowing down. It’s easy to imagine how fun it would be to wake up here and stroll through the bustling business district, perhaps making a quick stop at Polom's Action Figures or Pepe's Milk Shop. Given how FFIX has one of the best stories in the franchise, life won’t ever be boring for Linblum’s citizens.
Don’t Want: Raccoon City – Resident Evil 2
In 1998, the peaceful Raccoon City would be transformed into a hellish landscape full of cannibalistic monsters and mindless zombies. Thanks to the spread of the t-virus, hospitals became overwhelmed, people started turning on each other, and society began to crumble.
While Raccoon City is a terrible place to live in any of the difficult Resident Evil games, Resident Evil 2’s version is the most terrifying. One can imagine the sheer terror of experiencing the outbreak firsthand and watching the government slowly lose control. It doesn’t help that the last thing thousands of citizens see on TV is the president announcing that he’s decided to fire a thermobaric missile to destroy the city.
Want: New Donk City - Super Mario Odyssey
The most thrilling location in the heart of the Metro Kingdom is New Donk City, also known as “the city that never leaps.” Based on the real-life New York City, “New Donkers” live fast-paced lives and work hard to enjoy the many benefits of living in this vibrant community.
With its race tracks, slots rooms, and mazes, Super Mario Odyssey fans would undoubtedly have the time of their lives if they could live as New Donkers. There’s always fun to be had in this city, where grand festivals and musical performances seem to happen on a daily basis.