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.
9. TimeSplitters: Future Perfect
Released in 2005 on Gamecube, Playstation 2 and Xbox, TimeSplitters: Future Perfect is a first person shooter which sees players take on a mission on the fictional Scottish island of Urnsay. Part of its story campaign, the chapter takes place in 1924 and is titled “Scotland the Brave”. | Free Radical Design
10. A Highland Song
A Highland Song is a 2023 narrative adventure game that puts players in the shoes of 15-year-old Moira McKinnon. Having lived with her mum in a small house in the Highlands, Moira has never seen the sea before and she runs away from home to travel to her Uncle Hamish’s lighthouse. Gameplay asks players to explore, time their actions to music – created by Laurence Chapman alongside Talisk, and Fourth Moon – and uncover a number of secrets along the way. A Highland Song is available on PC and Nintendo Switch. | Inkle
11. Counter-Strike 2
Free-to-play tactical shooter Counter-Strike 2 includes a variety of maps in game, one of which is heavily inspired by the Scottish capital. Originally created as a community map by players, developer Valve added the Edin map to the game in an update in 2024. Initially launched in 2023, CS2 is available to play on PC. | Valve
12. Battlefield 2042
First person shooter Battlefield 2042 also includes a Scottish map, this time located in the Hebrides. Set in the not-too-distant future, Redacted is an old bunker which was turned into a biotech base which has been attacked. With the game released in 2021, Battlefield 2042 is available on PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S and PC. | DICE / EA