Summary
The sea is more than just gorgeous scenery. It’s been a source of life for countless civilizations. An untameable wellspring of food, transportation, and trade. Some of history’s greatest and wealthiest cities and kingdoms are planted right along the shoreline.
Video games love to include seaside locales. Many times, it’s just to add some new visual flair. But for open-world games, seaside settings take on even more meaning. The sea perfectly represents both the beauty and danger of exploration, and coastal towns/cities can make for great central hubs for trading and side quests. These open-world games know how to make their settings thrive along the seashore.
Not every seaside view is pleasant. This post-apocalyptic modern classic takes place hundreds of years after a nuclear catastrophe. The Sole Survivor emerges from naptime in cryogenic stasis to find their once idyllic suburban landscape is now a radioactive hellscape. Alternative history aside, if players squint hard enough at their surroundings, they might just recognize the city of Boston, along with some of its most famous landmarks.
However, the main “sea” thatFallout 4deals with is the Glowing Sea, a massively irradiated nuclear detonation site. The player character needs to pack plenty of gear (and plenty of RadAway) before accepting any quests set in that ocean of glowing green death. Of course, Boston Harbor itself shouldn’t be taken lightly either, as it’s home to all sorts of nasty enemies.
Sailing marks the veins through which the lifeblood flows throughout the Caribbean. Exploration and trade across the Caribbean Sea is what connects its many islands, each relying on the other for various resources. No video game explores that history quite likeAssassin’s Creed 4: Black Flag.
Taking a chip off the shoulder of thePirates of the Caribbeanfranchise,Black Flaglets players explore the high seas for some action-packed adventuring. Various real-world seaside towns from various islands in the West Indies make an appearance, like Nassau and Kingston. Piracy and assassinations aside, it’s lovely to see the Caribbean in all its tropical glory.
Similar to the Caribbean, Japan is another real-life example of island cultures growing and thriving on the sea. And while the West Indies hasBlack Flagto let players explore its waters, the islands of Nagasaki haveGhost of Tsushima.
Jin Sakaiwanders the beautiful landscapes of Tsushima Island, struggling to maintain his code of honor in a time of war. Plenty of quest locations bring him to the shoreline, like the Beachside Camp or Azamo Bay. Players can take a break from worrying about the Mongol invasion and just take in the view.
Horizon Zero Dawnpresented one of the most beautiful post-apocalyptic open worlds players had ever seen. Robotic animals roam the earth as nature reclaims the fallen cities of the Old Ones. Although the names of US states have long been forgotten, the game was speculated to largely take place in Colorado, featuring vast red deserts and canyons.
The sequel,Horizon Forbidden West, lives up to the original in just about every way, continuing Aloy’s journey in what was once known as California. This change of scenery was a brilliant move, allowing for underwater exploration andmore unique designsfor the hostile machines. Several settlements that Aloy encounters on her adventures are located by the sea, offering plenty of captivating views.
Many of the United States' biggest cities are located near the coast. It’s largely because that’s where the Europeans first landed, setting up shop and expanding inward from the coastlines. Fast forward to the modern day, and those little log cabins have become bustling, smoggy cities like Los Santos,the main setting ofGTA 5.
Grand Theft Auto 5is widely regarded as one of the best open-world games ever made for many reasons. Its setting is an important one. The beautiful beaches of Los Santos and the countryside of San Andreas perfectly encapsulate the urban landscape of Southern California. And all of its many, many problems.
Veteran fans of theBaldur’s Gateseries and newcomers alike knew this entry was coming.Baldur’s Gate 3was the undisputed smash hit of 2023, with both impressive storytelling and gameplay to keep players hooked for multiple playthroughs. The game spends its first two acts hyping up its titular city, the jewel of the Sword Coast. And by the timeAct 3 rolls around, it doesn’t disappoint.
Returning players were thrilled at seeing their beloved Baldur’s Gate rendered so beautifully, a sprawling metropolis pockmarked with danger and intrigue. The seaside cityscape is the perfect setting for the game’s climactic final battle. Sunset over Gray Harbor is always beautiful, even witha giant Netherbrain floating above it.
