5 Best Video Games To Play During The Fourth Of July

July 4, 2026 - 12:37

Whether you are looking for a historical reenactment or a dose of over-the-top Americana, these five games deliver the energy and themes of the Fourth of July.

First up is "Assassin's Creed III." Set during the American Revolution, it puts players in the boots of Connor, a Native American assassin fighting alongside George Washington. The game's sprawling frontier and bustling colonial cities are steeped in the tension of a nation being born. The Boston Tea Party and the Battle of Bunker Hill are not just cutscenes but playable missions, making it a deep dive into the birth of the United States.

For a more explosive take, "Team Fortress 2" offers a unique "Soldier" class who is a jingoistic, flag-waving patriot. The game's annual "Scream Fortress" events aside, its core aesthetic is pure American cartoon violence. The Soldier's rocket launcher and shovel are tools of absurd, bombastic combat that feels like a fireworks display gone wrong. It is chaotic, loud, and unapologetically silly.

If you prefer a quieter, more reflective experience, "Red Dead Redemption" captures the fading spirit of the American frontier. While set in the early 1900s, its vast open world of deserts and small towns feels like a living monument to the values of independence and self-reliance. The game's sunsets and campfire scenes evoke a sense of freedom that is central to the holiday's meaning.

"Fallout 4" offers a twisted version of Americana. Its retro-futuristic 1950s aesthetic is filled with star-spangled billboards, patriotic robots, and a soundtrack of classic American tunes. The game's world is a bombed-out wasteland, but its core theme of rebuilding a community from scratch echoes the pioneering spirit of the nation's founders.

Finally, "Destroy All Humans!" lets you play as a sarcastic alien who invades 1950s America. You can vaporize patriotic picnics, abduct flag-waving citizens, and cause general mayhem. It is a satirical, comedic take on American culture that celebrates the holiday's love for spectacle and fireworks, albeit from the perspective of the one causing the explosions.