While Scotland is the birthplace of one of the most iconic video game franchises of all time, the country and its history with the industry is less likely to be recognised within gameplay.
That being said there are a number of games which feature Scottish locations or that have been set in Scotland from across the years.
There’s recent titles such as the oil-rig horror Still Wakes The Deep or narrative adventure A Highland Song, and then older and, perhaps less accurate, representations of the country in games including TimeSplitters.
But whether you’re a fan of realism who enjoys exploring the country by playing various simulators or you’re an avid fan of first person shooters such as Counter-Strike 2, here are 15 video games set in Scotland.
5. Hogwarts Legacy
This will hardly come as a surprise to Harry Potter fans but Hogwarts Legacy is, in fact, set in Scotland. The 2023 action RPG is primarily set within the grounds of the magical school, located in the Scottish Highlands, though the fictional town of Hogsmeade and the Forbidden Forest can also be explored. It is available on PC, PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One and Nintendo Switch. Outside of Hogwarts Legacy, pretty much any Harry Potter game – such as early 2000 titles released for the Nintendo DS or Game Boy – are also set in Scotland. Lego Harry Potter too. | Warner Bros. Games
6. Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice
Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice first came out in 2017, quickly immersing players in a dark fantasy world inspired by both Norse and Celtic mythology. While the action-adventure game is inspired by Scottish culture – with Senua described as a Pict – the actual setting is less clear, with her journey leading her to Helheim. That being said, Senua’s home village is implied to be in Orkney. Hellblade can be played on PS4, PC, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch and Xbox Series X/S. | Ninja Theory
7. Ryse: Son Of Rome
Released in 2013, Ryse: Son Of Rome is an action-adventure game set in an alternate version of Rome. During the story, players take on a quest in Caledonia which quickly goes awry when the party is ambushed. Men are taken hostage and the player must fight through the Scottish enemy camp to rescue their fellow party members from being burned alive inside a giant Wicker Man. The game is available on Xbox One and PC. | Crytek
8. The Bard's Tale IV: Barrows Deep
Dungeon crawler The Bard's Tale IV: Barrows Deep came out in 2018, continuing on the original trilogy of games. Set two centuries after those events, the fourth instalment in the series is set primarily in a fantasy version of Skara Brae, in the wider land of Caith. In reality, Skara Brae is located on Orkney. The game is available on PS4 and Xbox One, as well as PC, Mac and Linux. | inXile entertainment