10 Open World Games Set In New York City

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It’s not surprising that New York City, the largest city in the US, has been featured in countless video games. Its famous skyline, tall buildings, busy streets, and diverse culture make it a fantastic setting, especially for open-world games. These games let players experience and learn the city’s landmarks from home, highlighting the power of video games to create immersive experiences.

Games like Alan Wake II and The Wolf Among Us have shown us different versions of New York City, but it’s the open-world games that have really made the city feel alive and integral to the stories they tell.

10. LEGO Marvel’s Avengers

Released in 2016, LEGO Marvel’s Avengers is an action-adventure game developed by Traveller’s Tales. It’s the second game in the LEGO Marvel series and lets players control a variety of Marvel superheroes while completing missions throughout a LEGO version of New York City. Seeing the entire city constructed from LEGO bricks is visually striking and offers a fresh take on a well-known location. And, it’s worth mentioning, Thor’s hair and beard look particularly impressive in LEGO form!

9. Tom Clancy’s The Division

Ubisoft

Set in a near-future New York City, Tom Clancy’s The Division drops players into a post-apocalyptic Manhattan and parts of Brooklyn during a harsh winter. While the game’s version of New York isn’t exactly the city we know today, it’s clear Massive Entertainment drew heavy inspiration from the real location. After a devastating viral outbreak, New York has descended into chaos as people fight for survival. With its huge population, the Big Apple feels like the ideal backdrop for this kind of story. Even though some players find the game itself just okay, its setting is truly exceptional.

8. Assassin’s Creed III

Ubisoft

While not the first game people think of when it comes to open-world New York, Assassin’s Creed III definitely offers a unique experience. The game takes place before the city was famous for skyscrapers and bright lights, showing it as a busy port town focused on trade. Players get to explore this historical version of New York as Connor, offering a fascinating glimpse of how much the city has changed over time. With British soldiers constantly posing a threat, this version of New York truly immerses you in the revolutionary era.

7. Marvel’s Spider-Man

Although many Spider-Man games are set in New York City, Insomniac Games’ Marvel’s Spider-Man (2018) really captured the essence of the city. The game features a detailed, open-world version of Manhattan, and Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 expands even further to include Brooklyn and Queens. Players can swing Peter Parker past famous locations like the Empire State Building, Times Square, and Central Park while battling Marvel’s villains. For me, Marvel’s Spider-Man was the first game to really showcase the vastness of New York, which makes sense since you spend so much time viewing the city from above the skyscrapers.

6. The Godfather

EA

Let’s take a look back at The Godfather, the 2006 action-adventure game based on the famous movie series. Created by EA Redwood Shores, the game retells the story of the first film but is set in the 1930s, rather than 1945 like the movie. The game’s open world is a 1930s version of New York City, including neighborhoods like Little Italy and Brooklyn – a design choice that was planned from the beginning, according to executive producer David De Martini (as reported by GameSpot).

We took a straightforward approach to this project. First, we focused on building a fantastic open-world game that would be enjoyable on its own, regardless of the Godfather branding. Once we had a truly innovative game, we planned to layer in all the elements that make the Godfather universe so special, creating an even more immersive experience.

5. The Crew 2

While many racing games have included New York City, The Crew 2 from 2018 really makes it shine. Published by Ubisoft, the game lets you race across the entire United States, from Miami to Los Angeles and beyond, but New York boasts one of the most memorable tracks. Players can drive cars or speedboats and explore famous landmarks like the Statue of Liberty, the Empire State Building, and the Brooklyn Bridge. It’s a fantastic way to experience the city!

4. Driver: Parallel Lines

Released in 2006, Driver: Parallel Lines is the fourth game in the Driver series. Unlike previous installments, this action-adventure title is set entirely in New York City, spanning both 1978 and 2006. Players take on the role of TK, a getaway driver wrongly accused of murder and imprisoned for 28 years, who is now seeking revenge. The game features a fully open-world recreation of Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, and parts of New Jersey, offering a vibrant depiction of New York City. While the graphics may appear dated now, they still capture the energy and feel of the city during those eras.

3. Mafia 2

Though the game takes place in the made-up city of Empire Bay, Mafia 2, released in 2010, is clearly based on New York City. The game tells the story of Vito Scaletta, a Sicilian-American gangster and veteran, as he navigates a dangerous conflict between the city’s Mafia families. With a strong influence from 1940s and 50s New York, the game recreates famous landmarks and immerses players in a lively, expanding post-war American city.

2. Prototype

Originally launched in 2009, with a follow-up in 2012, Prototype is an action-packed adventure game. Players control Alex Mercer, a character who has lost his memory and can change his shape, as he tries to prevent a viral outbreak that endangers all of Manhattan, turning people into dangerous creatures. Prototype was groundbreaking when it came out, surpassing even the Infamous series in some ways, and quickly became a hit, leading to a sequel. Like Tom Clancy’s The Division, the game takes place in New York City, a common setting for stories about viral outbreaks. It’s easy to see why a densely populated city like New York would make such an outbreak especially frightening.

1. Grand Theft Auto IV

Similar to Mafia 2, Grand Theft Auto IV isn’t actually set in New York City, but its Liberty City is clearly based on it. With recognizable landmarks like a version of Times Square, Central Park, and the Statue of Liberty, the game’s inspiration is obvious. Released in 2008, Grand Theft Auto IV still offers one of the most realistic depictions of New York City’s boroughs. Even though landmarks have different names – like the Statue of Happiness and Broker Bridge – the overall feeling of playing the game is distinctly New York.

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2026-02-16 20:33