The Best Video Games for Architecture
If you’re looking for inspiration from video game architecture, I’ve picked out ten games that truly stand out from the crowd. These games take the principles of archviz seriously, as much as how gameplay is crafted, and make world building an aid to narrative and design.
The Best Video Games for Architecture
01. Sniper Elite 5
Did you know? Mont-Saint-Michel is the most visited tourist attraction in France outside Paris, attracting around 3 million visitors every year.
Sniper Elite 5 does an excellent job of creating authentic feeling locations in German-occupied France that are actually completely made up. Beaumont-Saint-Denis in mission 3 is a prime example.
Based on the real-life Mont-Saint-Michel in Normandy, this island-based level features a towering monastery, and not only does it look stunning, it provides for some exciting gameplay, with warrens of streets to explore and a pleasing sense of verticality. The follow-up game, Sniper Elite: Resistance, pulls a similar trick with a wonderful level set in the fictional walled town of St. Raymond, which is loosely based on Carcassonne.
02. Control
Did you know? The Dead Letters Archive in Control bears a striking similarity to Saint Francis de Sales Church in Michigan, an astonishing modernist building designed by Marcel Breuer.
The Oldest House – the home of the Bureau for Control – is one of the most memorable pieces of architecture in all of gaming, not least because it tends to shift around with a life of its own.
The overall aesthetic follows the Brutalist style, particularly the concrete, windowless profile of the building’s exterior, which is based on the AT&T Long Lines Building in Manhattan. But inside you can find a range of architectural influences, including references to work by Marcel Breuer, Kevin Roche, Tadao Ando, and many more.
03. Remember Me
Did you know? Director Jean-Maxime Moris has said the visual style of Remember Me was influenced by Akira, Ghost in the Shell and various other classic cyberpunk anime.
Dontnod is better known nowadays for the Life is Strange games, but this overlooked gem from the Xbox 360 era showcases the studio’s talent for cityscapes. We’re presented with a near-future, cyberpunk vision of Paris, in which the city’s Belle Epoque streets have been smothered with neon signs and futuristic street furniture, while the dome of the Sacre Coeur is juxtaposed against glittering skyscrapers.
04. Dishonored
Did you know? Dishonored’s visual designer, Viktor Antonov – who passed away in February 2025 aged just 52 – also designed Half-Life 2’s astonishing City 17.
The decaying whaling town of Dunwall is a delightfully miserable place to explore, and its architecture does a fantastic job of explaining the economics of this alternative world without saying a word. The sharp division between rich and poor couldn’t be more stark, with fancy soirees being held in beautifully appointed townhouses, while just down the street people live in squalor.
05. Alien: Isolation
Did you know? When we think of the design of Alien, H.R. Giger usually comes to mind, but Ron Cobb created some astonishing practical sets and props for the film, and Creative Assembly closely followed his designs and process.
The levels of dedication to world building in Alien: Isolation are off the charts. Creative Assembly set out to build on Ridley Scott’s 1979 movie, disregarding anything that was introduced in the Alien sequels, and the result is a refreshingly idiosyncratic world that’s anchored in futuristic 1970s technology, all chunky telephones and monochrome screens.
Conclusion
These games are not just visually stunning, but also demonstrate a deep understanding of architecture and its role in shaping the world and story of the game. They are a testament to the power of architecture in gaming and a reminder that, with creativity and attention to detail, even the most fantastical worlds can be brought to life.
FAQs
Q: What makes a good video game architecture?
A: Good video game architecture is all about creating a believable and immersive world that enhances the gameplay and story. It requires attention to detail, creativity, and a deep understanding of architecture and its role in shaping the world and story of the game.
Q: What are some examples of good video game architecture?
A: Some examples of good video game architecture include the levels in Sniper Elite 5, Control, Remember Me, Dishonored, and Alien: Isolation. These games demonstrate a high level of attention to detail and creativity in their world building, and showcase the importance of architecture in gaming.
Q: How can I get more inspiration for my own video game architecture?
A: There are many ways to get inspiration for your own video game architecture. You can explore real-world architecture, study the work of other game developers, and experiment with different styles and techniques. You can also draw inspiration from other forms of media, such as film and literature, and combine them with your own creativity and imagination.
