Video Games That Inspire Travel

As the best video games of the third quarter of 2014 made it to print and online media, it got me thinking about the inherent attribute of travel in most video games. Since my meeting with Tetris, I have been hooked on this alternative reality. Here is a list of my top 5 video games that have forced me to clutch and drop my controller:

Watch Dogs

If I had to rename this game, I would call it Revenge across Chicago. You enter the world of Aiden Pearce, a grey hat hacker, who is set on a path of revenge after his niece is killed. As the game progresses, you see the sights of Chicago through Pearce’s eyes; grey and emotionless. As Aiden turns on roadblocks, explodes electronic devices and automatically views citizens’ entire personal information, you get to see the Willis Tower, May Stadium, Ambrose Theatre and many other sights of Chicago.

Watch Dogs is a mixture of odd paced moments with sights of Chicago which look as real as they are in real life.

The Getaway

After being a part of many discussions whose subject was the similarity of this game to Grand Theft Auto, I can say that the similarity is superficial. The gameplay switches between two major characters in the game, Mark Hammond and Frank Carter. Hammond is a criminal, while Carter, a hot headed cop. The intersecting storylines of the characters makes the game interesting.  While playing the game, you don’t get many chances to come close to London’s attractive locations.

However, you can unlock the free roam mode after playing the game for 15 hours and get a hall pass to see the sights of Westminster, Soho, Bloomsbury and other London attractions.

Assassin’s Creed II 

Nothing is true; everything is permitted. If you are a fan, you know what I am talking about. The second edition of this memorable game is bigger, better and more beautiful. This edition is set in the most interesting phase of European history; Renaissance. The cities you explore, Florence, Venice and others are more detailed. The cityscapes inspire you to travel to the places featured in the game. Forgot to mention what the game is about, it is about the oldest motifs of humans; revenge.

Assassin’s Creed II is more than just a game. It's an escape to a place and a time that feel so welcoming.

GTA IV

Stepping off the boat as an illegal immigrant and on to the shores of Liberty City (a version of New York City, Niko Bellic is the main protagonist of this video game that starts off with a bang. You can explore the boroughs of New York while you are running missions for criminals, taking part in street races, stealing cars to order, or randomly causing trouble. You can also look at the Empire State Building, Chrysler Building, Flatiron, Brooklyn Bridge and many other New York attractions while you are being chased by the police or criminals.

There’s a lot to see in Liberty City, so you'd best get started.

FIFA 14

Cheering fans, gravity-defying kicks and over 32 real world venues. What more does one want? FIFA 14 takes virtual football closer to the game. The players, kits and venues are faithfully re-created with great attention to detail. Venues featured are from across the world; you get to play at Old Trafford, Camp Nou, King Fahd International Stadium, Allianz Stadium and many other arenas.

As every fictional story has its roots in reality, this alternative world gives me a reason to pack my bags and see the world. And, they said video games are a waste of time. It is your turn now; tell us which game gave you the travel bug?