London is a tremendously popular choice for animated pictures, appearing as a recurring backdrop in many Disney classics like Peter Pan, Mary Poppins, and the 101 Dalmatians. Likewise, there is no shortage of London movies immortalising the city’s highlights on the big screen. When it comes to video games, however, the Capital is much less of a popular pick than pop-culture hotspots like NYC and Tokyo. Still, London has inspired a great deal of developers and studios over the years. So, let’s hop on a virtual trip across London.
The Great Ace Attorney Chronicles
Set during the Meiji Era, The Great Ace Attorney Chronicles follows rookie attorney Ryunosuke Naruhodo as he navigates his new and unplanned career at the Old Bailey in London. Loosely inspired by the adventures of Sherlock Holmes, this visual novel puts its own spin on iconic locations like Baker Street. While the game can be quite stereotypical in its depiction of British tropes – we’re looking at you fish-and-chips-eating detective – it still pays heartfelt homage to Victorian London and its inhabitants.
Throughout this duology, our exchange law student comes across many colourful characters, from flamboyant actor William Shamspeare to sleepy-head London bobby Roly Beate. The game’s localisation further reinforces the Britishness of many protagonists, several of whom use Cockney slang instantly familiar to all East-Enders. A superb musical score only elevates this legal-mystery adventure, with several tracks evoking the foggy streets of London.
Sherlock Holmes: Crimes and Punishments
Generations after their publication, Arthur Conan Doyle’s crime-solving adventures continue to captivate readers and gamers alike. From the Great Ace Attorney Chronicles mentioned above to hidden object mobile titles, Sherlock Holmes has put the gaming industry under his spell. And The Great Detective strikes again in Sherlock Holmes: Crimes and Punishments.
This surprisingly engaging game comprises six compelling cases to solve, playing on the exceptional wits and investigative skills of the Sleuth of Baker Street. Whether they consist in locating missing persons or untangling gruesome murder mysteries, all cases go down in London and its surroundings. Players can use a deduction board to reach their own conclusions. However, broken logic can compromise an investigation, leading to faulty convictions – and adding much stake to this thrilling detective story.
Assassin’s Creed Syndicate
Assassin’s Creed has visited many cities and regions, from pre-revolutionary France and Ancient Egypt. In 2015, Ubisoft Quebec decided to explore the English capital. In this stealthy action-adventure set at the dawn of the Industrial Revolution, twin Assassins navigate 1868 London’s criminal underbelly to free the city from the cruel Templar control.
Syndicate takes the action to the Old Blighty in atmospheric fashion, with just as many wood-panelled pubs and Dickensian back alleys as one could hope for. Funnily enough, Charles Dickens himself bumps into the Frye twins at some point in the story. DLCs also introduces a string of real-life figures, from a young Arthur Conan Doyle to the grim Ripper. Syndicate sticks the landing by recreating London with immense personality and incredibly accurate style, offering what may be one of the most believable cities in the franchise.
Watch Dogs: Legion
Next up is another Ubisoft hit. Only this time, the game doesn’t revisit ancient London but offers a dystopian vision of the city. Set within a futuristic Capital, Watch Dogs: Legion follows a hacker syndicate seeking to clear its name after being wrongfully accused of terrorist bombings that transformed London into a surveillance state under a private military company, Albion. While attempting to unravel this conspiracy, players actively try to liberate London and its citizens from this oppressive grip.
Eight of London’s boroughs made it to the game’s open-world map, allowing players to roam around a dystopian Westminster or Camden, where even your typical English pubs might hold a few secrets, allowing players to catch a break by playing darts or trying their luck at machine slots. Legion doesn’t involve any other gambling-themed activity, though. To shoot their shots, card sharks can turn to online platforms. Newcomers may grab casino welcome bonuses upon creating an account. Specialised websites list hundreds of sign-up deals for gamers to compare. Filters help users browse all options with one click. Plus, comprehensive guidelines break down the process of claiming the freshest offers.
If you’re willing to explore London digitally, many video games do a great job of capturing the city’s vibe, past, present, and dystopian. Other titles deserve an honourable mention, from steampunk action-adventure The Order: 1886 to GTA-like title The Getaway.
