The best sci-fi cities in movies and gaming

We all want to experience the future, and one thing that can give us a glimpse is the entertainment world. The industry has been entirely accurate about specific events. Remember the eerie Simpsons predictions? Sci-fi has been our friend when it comes to escapism. It's only human, though; no shame in that.

We all need to retire from hustling now and then. As humans, we always have that innate requirement of wanting to know what'll happen in the future. What would the world look like 50 years from now? So far, we've seen cities with flying cars and androids being part of our daily lives. As a cinephile, I want cinema to indulge me in a 360 experience that tells me all the enjoyable details I should be aware of to immerse myself fully.?

Let's dive into some of the best futuristic worlds for the love of sci-fi.?

Blade Runner 1982 - Los Angeles 2019?

Although we've already surpassed 2019, unfortunately, it was nothing like Blade Runner had envisioned. That said, we do have the technologies that surely did surprise us. We thoroughly understand what LA would look like if we had reached that point of technology. With the twinkling lights of these futuristic buildings and detail-oriented locales, Ridley Scott knew his perception of the future is that you can't recognize the city because it's so heavily modernized. You probably need a moment to take it all—Egyptian pyramid-looking buildings with unprecedented cars flying around. Explosions frequently happen due to the hyper-speed technological exhaustion surrounding the city. It has a doom-and-gloom sort of vibe but is addictive. It doesn't give you the vibe of an eco-friendly city. Nevertheless, the film and video game are one of the best examples of a futuristic city.?

The Fifth Element - New York City of 2263?

One of my favorite movies growing up. I never missed it whenever it was television. I loved everything about it, from the costumes, design, and futuristic world. I can't forget Milla Jovovich's infamous outfit, that striking orange hairdo. Honestly, this one had the closest interpretation of the future. Flying cars, bullet trains at the side of the buildings, and flying boats too! The plot sets the film in a fun and interactive environment, which you could easily see happening.

Showcasing how New York really is and potentially will be in the future; rushy with tall buildings. Sometimes it looks junky and dirty other times, it appears glamorous and full of spirit, exactly how a New Yorker would describe it. It's a fantastic experience of a film that you have to watch at least once in your life. It'll leave you wanting more with its colorful and comfy plotline. Did I mention it has Bruce Willis as the main lead??

Mass Effect - The Citadel?

The Citadel, the first of two Mass Effect games on this list, initially gives the impression of being more of a space fortress than a city. That is until you notice that the building's massive inner arms are lined with a metropolis. The fact that you visit new areas of the Citadel with each game in the series, yet it always seems fresh and thrilling, is more evidence of how expansive and diversified the fortress is. And it never gets old to offer several business owners "exclusive" endorsements of your company as the world's salvation in exchange for significant discounts.

Mortal Engines - Traction cities

This film has one of the coolest concepts regarding the future of cities. When I came across the trailer, I was glued to the screen because who would have thought of a lot with movable cities? Imagine London on wheels! The cities are inspired by the Steam Punk aesthetic (which I adore). Honestly, it also has a Mad Max appeal to it. Many hundreds of years from now, after an apocalyptic nuclear war, settlements have been rebuilt with a slight change.

Though it was intended to be a franchise in the making, the film did not perform so well at the box office due to its many plot holes. The cities named Traction Cities are vast metropolises built on tiers that move on gigantic wheels or caterpillar tracks. These cities hunt smaller cities (to tear them apart for resources and fuel) which in turn hunt towns which in turn hunt villages and static settlements. Aside from the gnarly hunts for resources, the concept sounds like an absolute thrill ride!?

Tomorrowland - City of Tomorrow?

With a push of a button, you're transported into the futuristic city of 2050, where people are having fun with jet packs. Imagine having disposable jet pack stations for anyone to use (I'll never be late to work). It's got flying trains that look like cute white caterpillars quickly moving through the city, floating like a butterfly. Everyone dresses up in a manner that a few say is high-fashion. Thankfully, there is color in the future, and the clothes don't look bleak.

This reminded me of the world in the animated film Meet the Robinsons . The world has no concept of rushy traffic ( New Yorkers, you'll love this). Another awesome fact about Tomorrowland is that you can simultaneously swim in these pools while jumping from one pool to another. The cars appear to be small, futuristically delightful helicopters. Overall, the world is lively, easy to navigate, clean and green, and most importantly, it doesn't have that sinister vibe. Fun fact, it took a team of 200 people to create the dazzling futuristic world in 'Tomorrowland.'

Deus Ex: Human Revolution

Another game influenced by Blade Runner is Human Revolution, which takes an existing metropolis and adds sci-fi ideas so that it teeters precariously on the edge of the familiar and the strangely foreign.

In this version of Detroit, the stunning and repulsive areas frequently coexist and sometimes merge. The amber glow of the city, which suggests that there is a soul beneath all this rot and machinery, is a surprisingly modest feature that distinguishes this place.

Bioshock - Rapture?

You probably already knew this one would be included because Bioshock is a culturally significant revolutionary game.

Nevertheless, it's hard not to like Rapture's Objectivist Atlantis as a setting to explore, whether you love the game or despise it.

A whole city submerged and left in ruins, with mutant drug addicts hiding out in demolished apartments, lamenting the deceased spouse one second and lunging at you to pull out your eyes the next, all the while whales float by outside.

Rapture is one of the most inventive and amazing fictional worlds ever created as a setting.

Too bad Columbia in Bioshock Infinite couldn't compete.

Final Fantasy VII - Midgar

Yet another from 1997! One of the most well-known gaming moments is the Final Fantasy VII opening cinematic that introduces Midgar.

Viewed from a distance, Midgar appears to be a bizarre and fascinating country, a mix of cutting-edge technology and glaring poverty that questioned the naive assumption that technology would make human life simpler. We're interested to see if the city will stay as sinisterly alluring in the upcoming Final Fantasy VII remake.

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