Action Games Edward Collins

Best Action Games for Fans of Urban Exploration

Urban exploration, or urbex, captivates adventurers with its blend of history, adrenaline, and mystery. For gamers who love delving into the hidden corners of sprawling cities, action games can offer a similar thrill. Whether navigating abandoned buildings, uncovering hidden secrets, or battling urban adversaries, these games provide an exciting escape into the world of urbex. From breathtaking cityscapes to intricate underground networks, the best action games for urban exploration fans are immersive, challenging, and packed with heart-pounding moments. Dive into our top picks that bring the allure of urban exploration to the digital realm, ensuring endless hours of captivating gameplay.

Best Action Games for Fans of Urban Exploration

Exploring Cityscapes: A Thrill of Verticality

Fans of urban exploration will appreciate games that offer detailed and expansive cityscapes. Titles like Mirror’s Edge and Dying Light are excellent for players who revel in the vertical freedom of parkour and rooftop hopping. These games provide a rich playground of urban architecture to traverse, offering both thrilling movement mechanics and environmental storytelling through urban decay and vibrant city life.

Engaging Storylines Set in Urban Environments

Urban exploration in games isn’t just about the physical act of traversing the city; it’s also about the narrative context. Games like Watch Dogs 2 and Spider-Man (2018) have robust storylines embedded within their urban settings, making the player’s journey through the city intricately tied to the unfolding plot. These narratives often explore themes of surveillance, technology, and social dynamics within the urban sprawl.

Dynamic Open Worlds with Urban Settings

For those who appreciate a living, breathing city, games like Grand Theft Auto V and Sleeping Dogs offer dynamic open worlds. These cities are teeming with life, complete with pedestrians, traffic systems, and various interactive elements. The interactivity and detail in these worlds make every street corner a potential avenue for discovery and action.

Urban Combat and Stealth Mechanics

The urban environment often lends itself to unique combat and stealth mechanics. Batman: Arkham Knight and Assassin’s Creed Syndicate are prime examples where the architecture of the city integrates seamlessly with the game’s combat and stealth systems. Players can use rooftops, alleyways, and even underground networks to their advantage, creating a more tactical and engaging combat experience.

Atmospheric and Immersive Urban Settings

Atmosphere plays a significant role in urban exploration games. Titles such as The Division and Deus Ex: Mankind Divided excel in creating atmospheric urban environments that feel lived-in and authentic. The attention to detail in these settings, from graffiti on the walls to the ambient sounds of the city, contributes significantly to the immersive experience.

Game Title	Notable Feature	Mechanics
Mirror’s Edge	Parkour Movement	High-speed traversal, first-person perspective
Watch Dogs 2	Hacking and Surveillance	Open-world exploration, hacking mechanics
Grand Theft Auto V	Dynamic Open World	Diverse activities, detailed city environment
Batman: Arkham Knight	Urban Stealth and Combat	Stealth mechanics, hand-to-hand combat
The Division	Atmospheric Urban Setting	Third-person shooter, detailed urban environment

FAQs

What are some of the best action games that feature urban exploration?

Several action games are highly acclaimed for their inclusion of urban exploration elements. Titles such as Assassin’s Creed series, particularly Assassin’s Creed Syndicate and Assassin’s Creed Unity, allow players to navigate through historically accurate cities. Watch Dogs and Watch Dogs 2 offer modern urban environments where hacking and surveillance play crucial roles. The Division is another excellent choice, providing a post-apocalyptic New York City for players to explore. Finally, Spider-Man for PlayStation offers an immersive experience of swinging through the streets and rooftops of New York City.

What makes a game good for fans of urban exploration?

For a game to appeal to fans of urban exploration, it needs to offer a detailed and immersive environment that mimics or creatively interprets real urban landscapes. Interactive environments are crucial, as they allow players to engage with the world more deeply. Additionally, having a variety of activities such as climbing, parkour, and puzzle-solving within the urban setting enhances the experience. Visual and auditory elements like realistic graphics and sound design further contribute to making these virtual cities feel alive and captivating.

How do action games integrate urban exploration into their gameplay?

Action games often integrate urban exploration through free-roaming mechanics that permit players to traverse the cityscape in various ways. Features like climbing, hacking, and parkour are commonly included to provide different methods of navigation. Side missions and collectibles scattered throughout the city encourage players to explore different areas. The integration of dynamic environments that change according to the player’s actions or the time of day also enhances the sense of exploration. In many cases, the storyline itself is intertwined with the urban environment, making exploration a key part of progressing in the game.

Are there any upcoming action games that focus on urban exploration?

Yes, there are several highly anticipated action games that promise to focus on urban exploration. Dying Light 2 is one such game, offering an expanded take on parkour and survival in a vast, open-world cityscape. Cyberpunk 2077, despite its mixed launch, continues to receive updates and expansions that enhance its urban exploration elements in the sprawling Night City. Another game to watch is Hogwarts Legacy, which, while not entirely urban, offers exploration of the castle and its surrounding areas. Fans keen on futuristic settings might also look forward to Starfield, which blends space exploration with detailed planetary urban environments.