Los Angeles has long been the center of American entertainment (sorry, New Yorkers), whether it’s on the silver screen or major stages. However, there is more to the City of Angels than just Hollywood, and the following games demonstrate precisely that.

On top of its vast beaches, palm-shaded avenues, and high-value property, LA is also home to plenty of California’s diverse subcultures, ranging from artistic communities in Venice Beach and Little Tokyo to notorious criminal gangs in Compton and Inglewood.

As the home of entertainment itself, it is little surprise that the city has become such an iconic fixture in popular media. With that being said, it’s quite rare to see LA take center stage as a video game setting.

The following games all depict La La Land from their own unique perspectives, but all do so masterfully to the point that the city will be easily recognized and appreciated. So, roll out the red carpet for these, the very best games set in Los Angeles.

8 Midnight Club: Los Angeles

A Street Racing Classic

Inspired by the likes of Midtown Madness, Rockstar’s Midnight Club: Los Angeles is an open-world racing game which managed to stand out even in the PS3 era of Need for Speed, Burnout and Test Drive Unlimited.

Considering it was created in 2008, the in-game city looks incredible both at night and during the sunset, and the various track layouts will ensure that you get to see all of it at various stages.

Don’t expect a highly realistic Assetto Corsa style experience here though, Midnight Club Los Angeles is primarily about fun, arcade-style racing and exploring the detailed open world.

The game also features some very impressive and extensive vehicle customization, the likes of which are rarely seen even in modern racing games.

7 True Crime: Streets of LA

Retro Double Agent Action

The True Crime series is known for its great story, intense action sequences and its combination of hard-hitting martial arts, solid gunplay and violent car chases.

Despite being relegated to the list of old-gen classics, True Crime: Streets of LA certainly left a great impression on many of us who played it back in the day.

Created by many of the same developers as Sleeping Dogs, True Crime Streets of LA is an action-packed, story-driven adventure where you play as a double-agent caught between organized criminals and the law.

Combining cinematic fistfights and gun battles with intense driving and a meaningful story, True Crime: Streets of LA really stood out even in an era dominated by great action titles.

While not quite enough to rival the likes of GTA or Saints Row, the True Crime series can be compared to the likes of the Driver or Max Payne series and certainly holds its own against its contemporaries.

6 Parasite Eve II

A Tech Leap

Originally released in 1999, Parasite Eve 2 was ahead of its time in many respects, and showcases Los Angeles in a different light to most other titles. The sci-fi action adventure sees players take on the role of Aya Brea as she investigates an outbreak of deadly mutants which have escaped into the city.

Utilizing a fixed-camera perspective, the game provides a cinematic experience story-driven experience which is quite linear in nature, but nonetheless packed with action sequences and mysteries to uncover.

In terms of its horrifying and relatively gruesome content, Parasite Eve 2 was well ahead of its time, and the way different 2D elements combine with 3D models is very impressive to see even now.

Although the game is graphically dated and hard to acquire these days, it is fondly remembered as a groundbreaking title of the early PlayStation era.

5 Vampire The Masquerade: Bloodlines

A Bloodthirsty RPG Masterpiece

One of the very best early open world RPGs is the legendary Vampire The Masquerade: Bloodlines. Set in LA, this complex vampire game thrusts players into a world of warring factions, vampire races and blood-sucking drama.

The game features plenty of its own extensive lore unique to the Vampire The Masquerade universe. Several iconic locations such as Santa Monica, Hollywood and Downtown will be recognizable, even though you’ll only be able to explore them at night.

Although the original game might be quite dated now considering it was released back in 2004, some mods have managed to bring it up to date slightly. A highly-anticipated sequel is also scheduled for the near future which may serve to reinvigorate the franchise.

What makes this title particularly special, in addition to the detailed world building, is the in-depth character creator and RPG mechanics. The different vampire clans and character builds ensure that every player has a unique experience.

4 Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas

A Love Letter To LA’s Underworld

For many fans of the Grand Theft Auto series, San Andreas represents the peak of a golden era of PS2 gaming. With an interesting story and a large map which spans not just Los Angeles (Los Santos) but also San Francisco (San Fierro) and Las Vegas (Las Venturas).

As the returning Grove Street gangster, CJ, you embark on an epic journey spanning three cities, encountering all manner of characters from corrupt cops to Triad leaders.

The original San Andreas perfectly captures the 90s culture of the city, with everything from giant advertisements going up to specially selected tracks on each radio station contributing to the overall atmosphere.

A remastered version of the game is also available as part of the recently released Grand Theft Auto Definitive Edition Trilogy, which features some improved visual and gameplay refinements.

3 Dead Island 2

Zombie-Mashing Mayhem

Deep Silver’s Dead Island 2 was originally supposed to release back in 2015. However, the extra time taken to refine it was certainly worth the wait. The game’s beautiful recreation of modern Los Angeles is truly a sight to behold, and many iconic landmarks and locations are available to visit.

Some notable locations include the Beverly Hills Hotel, Venice Beach, and Hollywood Boulevard, all of which are uncannily lifelike in their appearance.

As for the zombie-slaying action, it is truly elevated to another level compared to the first game. The FLESH system in particular ensures that every encounter feels unique and the force of each weapon is demonstrated to the goriest extent.

The game certainly puts the emphasis on melee combat, which often feels more satisfying than using some of the firearms, nonetheless, there is still plenty of freedom to play how you want and utilize whichever weapons you please.

2 L.A. Noire

A Retro Detective Masterpiece

Rockstar’s 1940’s open world detective story L.A. Noire showcases the city of Los Angeles in a light we rarely get to see elsewhere.

As Cole Phelps, you’ll go from a fairly ordinary beat cop to one of the city’s leading detectives, tackling increasingly more serious crimes as you go. In addition to car chases, gun fights, and clue hunting, the game also features a unique and highly entertaining interrogation mechanic.

While the open world may leave something to be desired in terms of side quests and interactivity, it is certainly a detailed environment and worth exploring for its unique 1940s atmosphere.

In addition to the retro charm, L.A. Noire has a gripping story and lots of interesting cases to resolve. As far as detective games go, it is one of the best out there, and the open world element only acts as a net positive overall.

1 Grand Theft Auto 5

A Masterful Recreation of The City of Angels

Arguably, the magnum opus of LA-based games is Grand Theft Auto 5. Released back in 2013, the game has gone on to accumulate over 200 million sales, in part thanks to its online features.

The continued success can largely be attributed to the regular content updates which have been implemented over the years, with an Enhanced Edition most recently being added for PC players.

The story follows a group of modern-day bank robbers, all from vastly different backgrounds, who unite to pull off some daring and impressive heists across the city of Los Stantos. Overall, it is arguably the most detailed and faithful recreation of the city inside any video game to date.

In addition to the city itself, a vast area surrounding it is also open to explore and features just as much detail as the city itself. From wildlife that interact with one another to a fully populated seabed underwater, GTA 5 really goes the extra mile to immerse you in its simulation of California and LA in particular.