25 Best In-Game Photo Locations (Real-World Inspired)

From faithfully scanned city blocks to lovingly re-created landmarks, modern games pack in real-world sights that are perfect for virtual photography. Below you’ll find iconic spots inspired by actual places, plus quick tips on where to stand, when to shoot, and which in-game tools help you nail the shot. Each entry also notes the studio and publisher behind the game so you can track down the worlds responsible for these postcard moments.

‘Marvel’s Spider-Man 2’ (2023) – Brooklyn Bridge, New York City

Swing to the eastern span and perch on the suspension cables for a clear frame of the bridge with the skyline behind it. At golden hour, angle the camera west to catch warm light on lower Manhattan and the East River. Use Photo Mode’s Field of View slider to exaggerate the sweep of the cables, and toggle Depth of Field to keep Spidey sharp against the city. Developed by Insomniac Games and published by Sony Interactive Entertainment.

‘Assassin’s Creed Unity’ (2014) – Notre-Dame de Paris

Climb the south tower and align the spire with the Île de la Cité for a textbook cathedral portrait. Dawn and dusk minimize harsh contrast on the stonework and make stained-glass windows glow. Disable the HUD and use the tilt controls in Photo Mode to correct verticals for clean architectural lines. Developed and published by Ubisoft.

‘Ghost of Tsushima’ (2020) – Tsushima Island Coastlines

Head to Komoda Beach or the lighthouse cliffs and frame the shoreline with swaying pampas grass in the foreground. Switch weather to overcast for moody seas, or trigger a clear day to mirror the sky in tidal flats. Kurosawa Mode creates striking monochrome studies of waves and rock arches. Developed by Sucker Punch Productions and published by Sony Interactive Entertainment.

‘Red Dead Redemption 2’ (2018) – Saint Denis (New Orleans–inspired)

Stand at the streetcar tracks near the cathedral square to capture wrought-iron balconies and gaslit streets in one composition. Night rain adds reflective cobblestones, while high noon reveals the dense signage and shopfront textures. Use the Advanced Camera’s portrait lens for shallow depth of field on street life. Developed and published by Rockstar Games.

‘The Last of Us Part II’ (2020) – Seattle Waterfront

From the piers, frame the Ferris wheel and stadium roofs, then pan to catch ferries crossing Elliott Bay. Overcast weather softens shadows on glass buildings; storms add mist that layers the skyline. Photo Mode’s grain and filmic vignettes suit the game’s gritty Seattle textures. Developed by Naughty Dog and published by Sony Interactive Entertainment.

‘Forza Horizon 5’ (2021) – Guanajuato

Park above the city in the hillside overlooks to capture the maze of colorful houses and terraced streets. Late afternoon light rakes across façades and reveals the cathedral domes. Use Drone Mode to hover over alleys for leading lines, then switch to Photo Mode for shutter-speed blur on passing cars. Developed by Playground Games and published by Xbox Game Studios.

‘Watch Dogs 2’ (2016) – Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco

Set up on Battery Spencer to frame the bridge towers and the Marin Headlands beyond. Early morning fog creates dramatic layers—drop exposure a notch to hold detail in the reds. The game’s Photo Mode supports manual focus, handy for isolating cables or traffic trails. Developed and published by Ubisoft.

‘Yakuza 0’ (2015) – Kamurocho (Kabukicho, Tokyo–inspired)

Stand at Theater Square to capture neon canyons and crowded signage, then angle up for towering billboards. Nighttime is essential—bump ISO in Photo Mode and add a slight vignette for urban drama. Reflections on wet streets double your light sources after rain. Developed by Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio and published by SEGA.

‘Microsoft Flight Simulator’ (2020) – Paris & the Eiffel Tower

Spawn at a low altitude over Champ de Mars and circle to frame the tower with the Seine and Trocadéro gardens. Set live weather to clear for postcard blues, or choose broken clouds for volumetric depth in wide shots. Drone Camera with increased zoom yields compression that flattens the skyline pleasingly. Developed by Asobo Studio and published by Xbox Game Studios.

‘Horizon Forbidden West’ (2022) – San Francisco Ruins

Climb vantage points near the toppled bridge spans to frame skeletal towers against the bay. Fog presets add coastal atmosphere; midday gives bright aquas in shallow waters around submerged streets. Turn on Depth of Field and manual focus to isolate old-world relics from foliage. Developed by Guerrilla Games and published by Sony Interactive Entertainment.

‘Assassin’s Creed Odyssey’ (2018) – Acropolis of Athens

Approach from the southwest and align the Parthenon with the city sprawl for scale. Sunrise light cuts across the columns and reveals fluting detail; avoid noon to reduce glare on marble. Wide lenses exaggerate the steps and pediments—correct tilt afterward for straight lines. Developed and published by Ubisoft.

‘Assassin’s Creed Origins’ (2017) – Giza Plateau

Position Bayek on dunes north of the pyramids for clean silhouettes against the desert sky. Late afternoon gives long pyramid shadows; night shots under the Milky Way preset look spectacular. Use Photo Mode’s exposure compensation to protect highlights in the sand. Developed and published by Ubisoft.

‘Sleeping Dogs’ (2012) – Victoria Harbour, Hong Kong

Shoot from the promenade to frame skyline reflections and Star Ferry traffic. Evening blue hour balances neon signs with the last daylight—perfect for color contrast. Rain enhances puddle reflections under market awnings for street-level shots. Developed by United Front Games and published by Square Enix.

‘Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End’ (2016) – Antananarivo, Madagascar

From the hill roads, look back toward the terracotta rooftops and market sprawl for layered cityscapes. Dust in the air catches backlight near sunset, adding depth between buildings. Photo Mode’s motion blur on jeeps sells action while keeping the vista sharp. Developed by Naughty Dog and published by Sony Interactive Entertainment.

‘Death Stranding’ (2019) – Icelandic Highlands–Inspired Lava Fields

Find basalt outcrops and moss plains, then compose with rivers snaking to the horizon. Overcast weather is ideal for soft, even tones; timefall rain deepens greens and rock contrast. Try low-angle shots with wide lenses to emphasize lonely expanses. Developed by Kojima Productions and published by Sony Interactive Entertainment (505 Games on PC).

‘Hitman’ (2016) – Paris Fashion Show (Grand Palais–inspired)

From the balcony, frame the runway arch with the glass roof vaulting behind it for symmetrical lines. Wait for the show to start to capture crowd patterns and spotlight beams. Use manual exposure to avoid blown highlights on sequins and reflective floors. Developed by IO Interactive and published by Square Enix.

‘Hitman 3’ (2021) – Dubai Skyscraper (Burj-like tower)

Reach the exterior terraces to photograph cloud-piercing vistas and the desert beyond. Early morning light pools between towers, creating clean silhouettes. Photo Mode’s contrast and clarity sliders help define the geometric façade. Developed and published by IO Interactive.

‘Tom Clancy’s The Division’ (2016) – Times Square, New York City

Stand mid-intersection and compose with LED billboards stacked vertically for scale. Snowfall adds atmosphere and catches light from screens, while night shots emphasize color cast. Toggle the in-game filter set for cooler winter tones and subtle bloom. Developed by Massive Entertainment and published by Ubisoft.

‘Forza Horizon 4’ (2018) – Edinburgh Castle

Park on the Esplanade to frame the castle with Old Town masonry and the distant Firth of Forth. Autumn season brings warm foliage that complements the stonework. Use Drone Mode to drop behind statues for foreground interest before switching to Photo Mode. Developed by Playground Games and published by Xbox Game Studios.

‘Gran Turismo 7’ (2022) – Tokyo Expressway (C1 Loop–inspired)

Set a replay camera at an overpass to capture traffic streams and tower clusters. Night runs produce clean light trails—lower shutter speed in Scapes to stretch them. Wet pavement doubles the neon and adds clarity to lane markings. Developed by Polyphony Digital and published by Sony Interactive Entertainment.

‘Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth’ (2024) – Waikiki Beach, Honolulu

At sunrise, position on Kalākaua Avenue to frame palms, surf, and hotels in one sweep. Midday clarity gives turquoise water; sunset silhouettes outrigger canoes against the horizon. The in-game Photo Mode supports selfies with companions for travel-postcard compositions. Developed by Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio and published by SEGA.

‘Cyberpunk 2077’ (2020) – Japantown, Night City

Climb to pedestrian skyways to capture stacked signage and lantern alleys, nodding to Tokyo districts. Rain presets produce mirror-like streets that amplify neon colors. Use the chromatic aberration toggle sparingly and push focal length for compressed city layers. Developed by CD Projekt Red and published by CD Projekt.

‘Mafia III’ (2016) – New Bordeaux French Ward (New Orleans–inspired)

Shoot from balcony walkways to showcase cast-iron railings and gas lamps along narrow streets. Evening parades add motion and confetti for dynamic frames—freeze action with higher shutter. Foggy nights emphasize lamplight halos over cobblestones. Developed by Hangar 13 and published by 2K.

‘Assassin’s Creed Mirage’ (2023) – Round City of Baghdad

Climb the Palace of the Caliph and frame concentric streets radiating from the heart of the city. Morning light reveals stucco textures and blue-green tilework; dust storms add cinematic haze. Use Photo Mode’s focal distance to isolate domes and minarets across rooftops. Developed and published by Ubisoft.

‘Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 1+2’ (2020) – Venice Beach Skatepark, Los Angeles

Drop into the bowl and angle up to include lifeguard towers, murals, and palm rows. Late afternoon creates long shadows from rails and coping, perfect for graphic compositions. The replay camera lets you pause mid-trick and adjust FOV for dramatic lines. Developed by Vicarious Visions and published by Activision.

Share your own favorite real-world-inspired photo spots in games down in the comments!