The best games set in Spain

Spain is not only a dream destination: it is also a setting of choice for many memorable video games. Faithfully recreated or freely reinterpreted, the Iberian Peninsula inspires worlds with plenty of color, history, and emotion. Moorish architecture, local traditions, contrasting landscapes, and festive atmospheres are just some of the elements that give the works set there a strong identity. In this article, we take you on a video game journey through Spain, discovering the best games that exploit this unique setting, each in its own way, to offer experiences that are as exotic as they are unforgettable.

Let’s start our selection with a recent game from an extremely popular franchise: Resident Evil 4 Remake. Released in 2023, it builds on the excellence of the original title released in 2005 on older consoles, in a completely redesigned and updated version. We follow Leon Kennedy, one of the most iconic protagonists in the series, in an isolated rural area on a Spanish island, where he faces a local cult and those infected with the Las Plagas parasite. An Iberian atmosphere, stone villages, and strong European influences await.

Staying with single-player adventure games, Assassin’s Creed II offers a version of Spain as seen through the ramifications of the Spanish Inquisition and the influence of the great Iberian families of the Renaissance. Although Ezio Auditore’s adventure is mainly set in Italy, Spain plays a key role in the political and religious intrigue, reinforcing the historical credibility of the narrative.

Let’s now move on to games with a much more historical theme. Age of Empires II allows players to take control of iconic civilizations such as the Goths or the Spanish, with campaigns directly linked to the Reconquista. In Total War: Medieval II, Spain becomes a veritable battleground for conquest and diplomacy, at the heart of conflicts between Christian kingdoms and Muslim powers. The game depicts the Iberian Peninsula as a major strategic area, with crusades and dynastic rivalries. Finally, Europa Universalis IV further explores this dimension by offering a global view of Spain from the late Middle Ages to the modern era. Players can forge the Spanish Empire, manage the unification of the country, the exploration of the New World, and religious tensions, making Spain one of the pillars of world history and strategic gameplay.

With Blasphemous, Spain becomes a dark and mystical source of inspiration, deeply rooted in Andalusian imagination and religious folklore. The game takes place in the world of Cvstodia, a fictional universe that draws heavily on the architecture, iconography, and traditions of Catholic Spain, particularly processions and Baroque art. This oppressive and symbolic aesthetic gives the game a unique identity, where each setting evokes a Spain distorted by the sacred and suffering. In contrast, Gris offers a poetic and emotional vision, inspired by Spanish Mediterranean art and landscapes. Developed by a Barcelona-based studio, the game stands out for its delicate artistic direction, reminiscent of watercolors and modernist architecture.

The latest additions to the franchise, Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, openly embrace their inspiration by featuring the region of Paldea, largely based on Spain and the Iberian Peninsula. From sunny towns to vast plains and rocky coastlines, the game invites players to explore a colorful and vibrant reimagining of Spain through the lens of the Pokémon universe.

Whether based on faithful historical reconstruction, artistic reinterpretation, or freer inspiration, video games set in Spain demonstrate the richness and diversity of this unique setting. Through them, the Iberian Peninsula stands out as a major source of inspiration for video games, capable of leaving a lasting mark on the imagination of players.