The Best Video Game City Destructions
Nov 4, 2008
Sometimes you just want to do a little damage. Sometimes, you want to do a lot. Thankfully, when it comes to video games, the world's not only your oyster; it can also be your playground of destruction. We've gathered our favorite city smashers, some recent and others upcoming, so that, when you're feeling the urge to witness the obliteration of man-made objects, you know which games you can count on.
Legendary
Location: New York City
Mythical beasts may be loose around the globe, trashing the Pyramids, Big Ben and whatever gets in their way, but we admit we have a soft spot for the wreckage that becomes New York City. When it comes to true carnage, hand it to Legendary's unrivaled assault on Manhattan. Buildings crumble, streets are ripped from the ground, and that's just within the first few minutes of the game. The worst is yet to come though, if you do nothing about it. Check out our Legendary launch central and see what we mean.
Fallout 3
Location: Washington, D.C.
It's been a while since we had to be afraid of a good old fashioned nuclear war. The good news is that Fallout 3 will re-ignite that fear to the max (maybe even, the "Mad" max) with its gritty post-apocalyptic portrayal of Washington D.C. The bad news is that, while you're out sight-seeing for the Capitol Building or the Washington Monument, you'll also be hunted down by mutants, irradiated ghouls, giant ants and the ultimate predator: Man! Or at least, man when ripped from his cushy couch and snack-filled fridge. We suppose we'd be ticked off too!
Mercenaries 2: World in Flames
Location: Venezuela... all of it
Okay, maybe not all of it, but if you feel like rolling up in a tank onto the lawn of the capital in Caracas, you can do so in Mercenaries 2. Or if you prefer, you can fly into Maracaibo in a nasty little gunship, and in both scenarios, you can shell or shoot the heck out of any building to knock it down to rubble. Don't want to get your hands dirty? Call in a surgical strike and stand back and watch the fireworks from a distance. Now that's progress.
Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare
Location: Unnamed Middle Eastern city.
Sure, the name of the Middle Eastern country may be intentionally vague in Call of Duty 4, but we can all guess where it may be taking place. Unfortunately, other than some rampant acts of violence from the safety of an AC-130 gunship, you won't be able to lay waste to much. Fortunately for this feature, there's one terrible nuclear detonation that levels a city, all while you're crash-landing in a helicopter. The aftermath is breathtaking and horrifying, even for a game in which you just spent the last few hours running and gunning.
Rainbow Six: Vegas 1 & 2
Location: Las Vegas
We realize terrorists are supposed to be evil, but blowing up a casino? Man, that's not legal. Yet, in both Rainbow Six: Vegas and its sequel, that's just what the bad guys are up to (and then some!). While some landmarks are fictional in the game, they are still familiar enough to Sin City fans; for example, the game offers missions at the Nevada Dam and Vertigo Spire instead of the Hoover Dam and Stratosphere, respectively. Just remember, whatever happens in Vegas, stays there. Please!
Godzilla: Unleashed
Location: Tokyo
When it comes to city destruction, there's only one true king: The king of the monsters himself, Godzilla. While there are many battle arenas to let your inner giant out, we prefer taking the big green meanie to the tsunami-affected streets of Tokyo so that we can get our smashy-smashy on his home turf. Best yet, since Godzilla Unleashed is a fighting game, you can take on up to three other monsters and duke it out. Just no fighting over what skyscraper to throw; there's plenty to go around.