10 Tiny But Excellent Open World Maps In Video Games

5. Hong Kong - Sleeping Dogs

While admittedly not the smallest map on this list, it is only about the size of Grand Theft Auto Vice City and it probably only seemed big because it’s just so damn good.

Much like Deus Ex, we’ll stop talking about Sleeping Dogs when it stops being so necessary to talk about.

This game and its depiction of Hong Kong is almost universally beloved for a very good reason. Coming in at under 2 square miles, Sleeping Dogs does so much with its relatively small space. Given how much we’re cramming into just four districts, it creates a game world that’s incredibly detailed, a blast to explore, and just packed with all sorts of opportunities to engage. It combines with the enthralling narrative to create a city that’s both engrossing and immersive. So much attention was paid to ensuring the game authentically replicated Hong Kong, and it was praised by reviewers for retaining the real world soul and charm of the city.

Every street feels alive, the environment feels lived in, and it’s the perfect stage for Shen’s story.