Video Games You Didn’t Know That Take Place In Texas
How many video games are based in Texas? In the world of video games, there are actually a lot of them. We already have a list of games set in El Paso but here's a list of 10 video games that take place in Texas; whether it's the whole game or features a Texas level.
NOTE: I'm not including simulation games (ex: Microsoft Flight Simulator) or racing games based around racing organizations (such as NASCAR, MotoGP, Indy) because that would be TOO easy. There is ONE racing game exception but we'll get to it.
1 .Take No Prisoners:
Back in 1997, Raven Software created PC game that took place in a post-apocalyptic San Antonio called Take No Prisoners. It's sorta like if Duke Nukem was in 3rd person. While it wasn't a particularly great game, it definitely had a charm if you're into 3rd person shooters. It even got a 7/10 on Gamespot. Not bad.
2. Beavis & Butthead video games:
Which one am I talking about? Well as we know that the tv show Beavis & Butt-Head was set in Texas, you can make the argument that ALL of their games are set in Texas. But if I had to pick one in particular that people remember fondly, it's Beavis & Butthead In Virtual Stupidity.
3. Pepsiman:
No this isn't a fever dream. There exists a game called Pepsiman & there IS a level set in Texas. The game only has 4 levels: San Francisco, New York, Texas & Pepsi City. Is the game good? Well if you're a Pepsi lover & you love wacky games that make you go "what the hell??" then yes. You'll love it.
4. Off Road Challenge:
Speaking of desert levels, this one is a trip. I remember owning this game for the Nintendo 64 & as a kid I'd always be excited when I noticed there was a level set in El Paso. The level itself is set in a old desert/western style, a nod to the cowboy culture. Plus... it's a racing game so the idea of driving fast trucks where I lived sounded sweet.
5. Dead State:
If you want a game set during a zombie apocalypse & you have the gather enough materials to survive that's set in the fictional city called Splendid, Texas... then you might enjoy Dead State. While it's not clear which city the game is based in, many sources say Central Texas. So that's good enough for me.
6. Fallout: Brotherhood Of Steel
Believe it or not, Texas has been mentioned quite a few times in the Fallout series; the most notable being in Fallout: Brotherhood of Steel as it takes place in Carbon, Texas (just north of Houston). There was even talks about ANOTHER Fallout game, this time in in EL PASO, called Fallout: Lonestar. Sadly it never became a reality but you can see a ton of work that was done on the game here.
7. Manos: The Hands of Fate
Remember the old 1966 film that was filmed in El Paso? Well NOW you can enjoy it as an 8 bit video game! And yes, just like the movie, the game was set in El Paso as well.
8. Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus
Fans of Wolfenstein will be happy to know that the game, and its main character B.B. Blazkowicz, was from Texas. The 2017 game Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus makes many references to Texas, including the main characters home being located in Mesquite.
9. The Last Of Us:
The Naughty Dog classic does indeed take part in Texas. While most of the game is set in a post-apocalyptic Boston, the prologue of the game is set in Austin. That's not the only time Austin would be the setting of The Last of Us, it's also in the HBO adaption for The Last of Us.
10. Interstate '76:
One of the combat games you've probably seen during the 90s; alongside Vigilante 8 or Twisted Metal. While the game's setting is not exactly stated, it does take place in the Southwest United States. There's some theories stating where EXACTLY the game takes place & even have evidence based on in-game & real map photos; including Seagraves, passing through Van Horn, Odessa & more.
Honorable Mention 1 - El Paso, Elsewhere:
It's been teased for a while, but we're expecting to see the Max Payne like video game, El Paso Elsewhere, in 2023. (and yes it's expected to take place in El Paso TEXAS). They did however make a spin off game called El Paso Nightmare that you can read about here.
So until the game comes out, it's an honorable mention here.
Honorable Mention 2 - Call of Juarez:
Yes it's not Texas, but anyone living in El Paso knows that Juarez is literally right next to us & it's impossible to NOT talk about Juarez when you live in El Paso. So I included it here as an HM as well.
If you're curious about other Texas video game material, here's a list of 20 video game developing studios founded in the state of Texas.
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Gallery Credit: Daniel Paulus