Best Games Set In Italy
There are many video games out there and in this era of mobile and home-based gaming, the choices have never been greater. So how do you cut through the noise and find the “Best of” for any chosen topic?
Well, we’re here to help celebrate and shine a spotlight on some of the latest, greatest, and unforgettable games through the years.
For our ongoing series of articles depicting the best video games, our attention this time turns to games set in Italy. From intense FPS titles to adrenaline-pumping action-adventure games, you have a lot of games to whet your appetite.
Of course, if we’ve missed any of your favorites, feel free to comment below and we’ll get them added on!
10,000 Bullets
10,000 Bullets is a third-person shooter game developed by Blue Moon Studio. It follows an elite hitman named Crow. He can manipulate the flow of time in battle and works for an Italian mob family. The game is chaotic, silly, and fun. 10,000 Bullets plays into its time-warping mechanics heavily, as you’ll be using it to dodge through many hazards and enemy bullets.
Despite having a lackluster premise and poor camera, many adored the game for its off-the-wall action segments. For those curious, the game was released on the PlayStation 2 in Europe and Japan. It’s a third-person shooter with action elements and has you battling enemies and bosses in distinct environments.
The cinematography is akin to what you’d find in The Matrix but resembles Dead to Rights and Max Payne’s gameplay to a tee. The game features fun special attacks, acrobatic evasion skills, and upgrades you can purchase to make your experience easier. 10,000 Bullets has four playable characters to choose from who come with unique abilities. However, don’t expect much story-wise from this one. However, if you’re looking for a third-person shooter with enticing gameplay, this should satisfy you.
Sniper Elite 4
Sniper Elite 4 is a fantastic shooter that will put you in the mindset of an established sniper. It takes place in 1943 and places you near the aftermath of Sniper Elite III’s story. The Royal Navy sends the freighter Orchidea to San Celini island to gather information about a new Nazui weapon. The story contains delightful action sequences that will keep you on your toes.
This game includes more open environments for players to roam and develop intricate strategies. These locales have open-ended objectives and you can complete than in any manner you deem necessary. They’re overloaded with enemies, so it’s best to put on a strong guard before rushing into a fight. This game retains Sniper Elite’s trademark X-ray kills for those curious.
These shots help the Sniper Elite series stand out from other shooter games. If you’re looking for a fabulous war-themed shooter with captivating game mechanics, check this out.
Assetto Corsa Competizione
Assettio Corsa Competizione is a racing simulation game with a strong esports following. In it, you’ll race against AI opponents offline or can test your skills with real-life opponents online. The game includes a fun career, custom championship, custom race, and special event gameplay modes for you to indulge in.
If you find yourself needing to leave an online racing session, don’t fret. Competizione allows players to save their races mid-session, allowing you to continue where you left off offline when you’re not busy anymore. The game features a variety of cars from the GT3 and GT4 selections for you to use. Each car feels different from a physical and sound perspective.
The game features a small number of racetracks and cars compared to most racing titles. However, the circuits and cars they offer should entice you to continue playing the title. If you’re looking for an authentic racing experience, check this one out.
Assassin’s Creed 2
Assassin’s Creed 2 is a remarkable entry in the Assassin’s Creed series. It follows the series’s protagonist Desmond as he relives the memories of his ancestor Ezio Auditore via the Animus. By traveling through Ezio’s memories, Demond hopes to bring an end to the Assassin-Templar feud for good. Not only that but players get to experience Ezio’s tale, which is more engaging.
Ezio’s on the hunt for the people responsible for murdering his brothers and father. He’ll sneak, trail, and assassinate everyone who stands in his way while working with the talented Italian polymath Leonardo da Vinci. As with other Assassin’s Creed games, the second entry emphasizes stealth and action. You’ll want to trail your enemies from a close distance without being seen.
Getting caught results in you failing the mission and having to repeat it. Ezio has many more tricks up his sleeve than Desmond’s previous ancestor, Altaïr like his brutal attitude to his weaponry. If you’re looking for an Assassin’s Creed game set in Renaissance Italy, then give the second entry a shot.
Ryse: Son of Rome
Ryse: Son of Rome is a story-driven action-adventure game. It revolves around the life of a Roman centurion named Marius Titus. After seeing his family get slaughtered by a barbaric force, Marius embarks on a quest for vengeance while ascending the Legion ranks. Only then, can he restore honor to his family’s name and make their perpetrators suffer for their crimes.
As you advance in Ryse, you’ll obtain useful weapons to help defend yourself from multiple enemies. Common weapons like swords and shields are items fans can expect to obtain during their adventure. You’ll attain other weapons like javelins and spears to avoid the game feeling stale or repetitive as far as the action goes.
Ryse’s locales are just as terrific as you’d expect from ancient Rome. You’ll find yourself immersed in the level of detail that went into the game’s architectural and natural landscapes. The characters are voiced well and have fluid animations. This is most apparent during the game’s combat segments. The game features some multiplayer functionality, allowing you to team up with others to fight enemies. If you’re a fan of hack-and-slash titles with gorgeous visuals, give Ryse: Son of Rome a try.
The Forgotten City
The Forgotten City is an excellent adventure game with fabulous time-travel elements. It harbors a gripping, interchangeable narrative where your decisions impact its direction. You’ll travel 2,000 years into the past to relive the remaining days of a cursed Roman environment. While the game gives you the option to fight, it’s in your best interest to settle matters peacefully.
To solve its deepest mysteries, you must carefully examine many characters, exploit your time-looping abilities, and make challenging moral decisions. The Forgotten City offers an expansive world to explore brimming with historical artwork, architecture, costumes, and other beloved sceneries. The game’s characters have incredible personalities and things to share.
The Forgotten City gives you free terrain to solve issues in any matter you deem necessary. However, it’s important to think before you act because it could lead to amazing solutions or brutal consequences. If you’re looking for an immersive mystery and story-heavy game with neat imagery and gameplay, check this out.
The Hand of Glory
The Hand of Glory is a point-and-click adventure game with incredible mystery and thriller components. After a serial killer affects detective Lazarus Bundy’s career, he decides to investigate the disappearance of Kathrin Mulzberg to return to his former glory. Lazarus will travel through many illustrious locations to discover the truth behind Kathrin’s kidnapping.
This game features fun comic-like graphics and a full English voice-over. These will help people stay immersed in the game’s beautiful surroundings and gripping storyline. It promises players over 15 hours’ worth of puzzle-solving shenanigans and engaging story beats. The game’s conclusion feels a bit rushed and jarring. Some characters’ designs stand out poorly compared to others.
Aside from its rushed ending, the story contains great plot twists that will keep you hooked. If players get stuck on a puzzle, there aren’t any hints that will lead them to its solution. Despite its minor issues, The Hand of Glory is a phenomenal point-and-click adventure game with a narrative that rivals others in its genre.
Vampire Survivors
In need of a bullet-hell action roguelike title with vampires then look no further than Vampire Survivors. The premise involves players blasting their way through many nightmarish creatures to survive until the sun rises. It has a neat gothic horror aesthetic with 2D pixelated graphics. As you mow down endless enemy mobs, you’ll be able to gather gold.
Gathering gold allows players to buy upgrades that will assist them in their endeavors. Players will enjoy this game for its action-packed gameplay rather than its graphics. The game’s set in rural Italy which is being overrun with monsters summoned by the evil Bisconte Draculó. The Belpaese family and other heroes join forces to hunt and defeat Draculó to stop this madness from continuing.
If you’re fine with roguelike titles that excel at delivering addictive gameplay over beautiful graphics, then Vampire Survivors should thrill you.
Isonzo
Folks who adore tactical FPS games will enjoy their time with Isonzo. This game is set on the Italian Front during WWI and emphasizes teamwork, strategy, and competition. It’s inspired by the Battles of the Isonzo which took place on the real Italian Front between 1915 to 1917. The maps, uniforms, equipment, and weapons are accurate to the time period.
The injuries the characters sustain are highly-detailed and the maps bode the same experience. The game supports up to 48 players on PC and 40 on consoles. Players can choose from numerous classes, each harboring different weapons, equipment, and perks. The main mode, Offensive mode, is the ideal way to play Isonzo.
It involves one team attempting to capture locales and destroy objectives while another team assumes a defensive role. Isonzo has great graphics and players will adore its genuine WWI atmosphere thanks to its map, weapon, and uniform design. If you’re looking for a team-based shooter with a historical Italian twist, check Isonzo out.
The House of the Dead 2
Who doesn’t love arcade shooters? If you happened to stop by a restaurant with an arcade, you’d likely come across a machine with gameplay similar to The House of the Dead series. These games have decent graphics, but addictive shooter gameplay and compelling zombie designs. The House of the Dead 2 takes place in Italy where a massive zombie outbreak occurs.
It picks up one year after the previous game’s events. It follows multiple AMS agents as they embark on a mission to locate the outbreak’s source and a missing agent named G. Like the previous installment, you’ll spend time watching the game’s events unfold as you shoot your way through a menacing zombie and monster hordes.
You’re also given opportunities to save people from danger. Saving them can net you more health, but the game offers several health packs if you want to be a menace and not save lives. The House of the Dead 2 offers branching paths for those who like to have different experiences from their friends. However, this sequel also offers new stage layouts for those who want to branch off from the usual path. For those wanting to relive their classic arcade adventures, consider picking up The House of the Dead 2.
So, there we have it, our pick for the best video games set in Italy through the years!
What do you think of our picks? Do you agree? Are there any notable omissions? Let us know in the comments below!