The joy of the RPG genre is getting to explore various new worlds or even re-imagined places you may actually know. So what are your ten favorite worlds to explore?
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The joy of the RPG genre is getting to explore various new worlds or even re-imagined places you may actually know. So what are your ten favorite worlds to explore?
1: Skyrim
2: the milky way by mass effect.
3: Ivalice by FFxii
4: Sinnoh.
5: termina ( still on the "zelda is part rpg" team.)
6: I think ive ran out of rpgs.
10: FFX Spira
9: FFXII Ivalice
8: Kirkwall and the free marches
7: Evermore
6: FFVI world of Balance
5: Fereldan
4: Iverlace FF Tatics
3: MorrowWind
2: Earthbound World
1: Skyrim
A whole new world....♫
Ivalice (FFXII)
Spira (FFX/X-2)
World of Balance (FFVI)
FFV Merged World
FFVIII World
FFIX World
Chrono Trigger World
Chrono Cross World
Mario World
Hyrule
I can't do ten. There are only like 3 that I find good.
Gaia - FFIX
Ivalice - FFXII
Mushroom Kingdom - Super Mario RPG
I have a feeling Hyrule is going to be my forth once Breath of the Wild comes out. My gosh, I still can't believe it. Zelda is now a full fledged RPG.
Ten? Eesh. That's really tricky.
Spira, FFX
I don't like FFX all that much for a few reasons but Spira is freaking gorgeous. It's exotic, magical, mysterious, beautiful... such an incredible world to explore.
Gaia, FFVII
From just a world map point of view, I adore this world because it inspired me to make my own maps, something which I love doing. It had a varying technology, cultures and lifestyles. The materia/lifestream system fascinates me to this day. There are lots of little places in this world which I really enjoyed seeing and exploring.
World, FFVIII
A world with no name! This makes the cut for variety in towns/cities and the Shumi/Moomba species. Freaking love them, man. I also love the individual locations a lot, such as Deling City or Balamb.
Arcadia, Dreamfall/The Longest Journey series
A truly magical world, but with real world politics and all the beauties and horrors that combination allows.
Gran Pulse, FFXIII series
Utterly gorgeous. I really wish the new games heavily expanded on the background of the world because I would have loved to go back to the "old times" and see what life was like on this planet. Or explore the planet in new times to learn more of the past. The beauty of the world combined with the tragic fate it went through, and the huge potential for story that the mythology allows for... missed opportunity much!? Still, love it.
Hydaelyn, FFXIV
This world is utterly gorgeous and has a bit of everything. It has maps vast enough to really bring out the best in itself, and reward those who explore. And then you reach the more fantasy-like environments and yeah, it's just my kinda place. What a real fantasy world should be like.
Ivalice, FFT series/FFXII
Largely meriting it's place because of what we see and experience in FFXII. How come we don't see more games with seasonal landscapes and stuff like that!? I had so much fun wandering around this world. And the tribes, particularly the Bangaa, have always captured my imagination.
Nirn, Elder Scrolls series
God damn this world is massive and beautiful. Morrowind is the a treasure hoard of fantasy landscapes. Oblivion gets a bit samey but it's just one region. Skyrim really blooms. When I heard it was mountains and stuff I was skeptical because snow landscapes are very much not my bag. But then I explored the world and oh man, I really need to explore it more sometime, it's just got so much to offer.
Myst, Myst
I don't care, I'm going to pretend that this is an RPG. x( I mean it sort of is, right?
The last one? Eesh, really struggling at this point to pick which ones I like best. The likes of Vana'diel (FFIX), Gaia (FFIX), Cocoon (FFXIII), the worlds from Grandia and Fable... hard to figure out. I'm probably overlooking some other excellent ones, too.
EDIT: Oh, and I deliberately did not include MiddleEarth because I don't feel like it's fair to include worlds that I know primarily through books.
OK, so when it comes to how fun they are to explore, here's a couple in no particular order.
Xenoblade Chronicles, Bionis and Mechonis - aside from the fact that the concept itself is one of the most original in video game history (a world set on the bodies of two dead colossi? Been there, done that, eh?), it's just so huge, colorful, with fascinating eco-systems, weather, and views. Not to mention it's just filled with people who really make the worl worth exploring through quests, building town relationships, etc.
Final Fantasy XII, Ivalice - in a way, very similar in terms of exploring it to Xenoblade Chronicles, but it has the added layer of tons of history buried deep in the primer if you go out of your way to kill enough monsters. Easily the most grand and epic FF world to explore yet. Here's hoping FFXV can surpass it!
Dragon Quest VIII - as a response to Square saying a classic RPG world map can't be done with newer consoles, out comes DQVIII crafting some of the largest, most robust, and most sensible (biome-wise) worlds in RPG history. It's just so much fun, walking off the beaten path and finding a stunning view and a treasure chests! It's a perfect blend of old school RPG world map and more modern open worlds. Wish more games did this.
Morrowind - so I never beat the game because sadly it was making me feel sick when I played it, but the world of Morrowing is just incredibly detailed, unique, and feels really organic when you walk around it. It's all the more impressive when you consider how old it is. Tremendous effor!
Dragon Quest II - okay, so there's gonna be a couple DQs here, and really, I feel DQ is one of those series that consistently gives you worlds that are really fun to explore. DQ II is not a stand-out game in the series, but I really liked how you actually had to put in effort to figure out which paths to take and how to navigate it, which FFs have never really done. So it was very refreshing to me.
Dragon Quest III - there's just something to be said about worlds based on real-world geography and non-linear progression. Really, as soon as you get the ship, you get to go anywhere, and combine that with a map view that remains obscured until you visit a specific place and exploring these areas is extremely rewarding.
Dragon Quest VI - same as most DQs, only this time it's actually two worlds that you have to explore back to back, figuring out how they link to each other and abusing that. Really few games handle dual-world gameplay so well.
Dragon Quest VII - still working on this game, but I love how the world expands as you progress through the story and you bring the world back to its full glory landmass after landmass. So satisfying.
Golden Sun 2 - even though the two games are one complete story, I think the first game really has nothing on the second in terms of exploration. The reason I like is so much is pretty much the reason I like DQIII's world so much - it's based on Earth, with all the multiculturalism involved (as an added bonus, the continents are named after what the old continents pre-split were called), and once you get the ship, you can go wherever you want. And that's great.
Final Fantasy VI, World of Ruin - this one needs no introduction. FFVI was amazing in how it first guided you in a linear progression to later let you see the effects of the end of the world on every place you know for yourself. Finding all the characters, espers, dragons, etc. really incentivised you to just go out and explore for yourself.
In no particular order:
Hyrule - The Legend of Zelda series
So many different incarnations of this world to explore, but all so wonderful. My personal favorite is that of the Link to the Past and Link Between Worlds games. But just throw me into any of these worlds, and I'll have a blast. So much to look forward to exploring in Breath of the Wild as well.
Weyard - Golden Sun series
I love this world. So many wonders to explore, so many hidden details and puzzles. But, perhaps best of all, such a rich and diverse cast of NPCs. With dialogue from serious and somber, to amusing or touching, you always want to talk to (and Mind Read) every NPC in the game. And find every lost Djinni.
The Net - Megaman Battle Network series
Browsing the internet is always fun. But browsing the internet as Megaman, with countless secrets to uncover, busting viruses, and fighting bad guys all the way? Tearing into the dark recesses of the Undernet? Fixing broken down code and having it affect the world outside? I love it all. Not your typical RPG world, but very worth exploring. Up until Battle Network 4 killed it.
The Planet - Chrono Trigger
How many worlds do you get to explore and see grow and change across their entire history? It should be no surprise that the best game of all time makes this list. This world is simply amazing. So much to explore and learn about as you travel it through time and space.
Rune - Shining Force series
Most tactical RPGs have you bounce from location to location, engaging in battles and not much else. Shining Force eschewed that tradition in exchange for letting you explore the world as a standard RPG overworld, finding useful hidden items, or even hidden characters, as you go. A wonderful world brought to us by Camelot, the same designers behind Golden Sun, who now obsess with making sports games instead of more incredible RPGs.
Adonea - Rune Factory series
Okay, maybe not a "world", so much as "a countryside around a handful of towns". But few towns have felt so alive to me as those in Rune Factory. With characters that feel like real people, with constantly changing day-to-day dialogue, their own friendships and stories, and tons of events to explore with them all, I can never wait to return to Norad and help fight the evil Sechs Empire while maintaining one of the most productive farms in gaming.
Septerra - Septerra Core: Legacy of the Creator
Seven shells, surrounding a single core. Their own cultures, peoples, and unique geography. Although the game has shown its age, the concept itself felt ahead of its time, and it's a truly unique RPG that I really wish would get an update for modern systems. But, hey, at least you can buy it on GOG for 6 bucks or Steam for 5. And oh, boy, you should.
The World of Pokémon - Pokémon series
Yes, I need a ton of HMs to fully explore this world (at least, until Pokéride replaces them). I don't care. There are wonderful little critters waiting to befriend me, great NPCs to talk to, fantastic items to find, and such a beautiful world that I thoroughly enjoy every minute in it. While I may not like every region equally, I am always looking forward to returning to the world to explore a new one, or an old one, again.
Gaia - Final Fantasy VII
How much detail do I need to give about this one? A vast, varied, and incredibly fun to explore world, filled with great characters, fun minigames, awesome vehicles, and tons and tons of FF goodness.
Ivalice - Final Fantasy Tactics series
I have my issues with FFXII, but the world is not one of them. Ivalice is, for me, one of the greatest worlds Square has made. And, coming from the guys who made FFVII and Chrono Trigger, that's saying something. A rich history, and so many little things to do an explore. From exploring the hidden lore and history in quests, to meeting legendary swordsman, to rounding up some loose cluckatrices, to stopping plots for world destruction or domination, Ivalice is a truly amazing world to explore.
Luxendarc - Bravely Default series
Can one feel nostalgia for a new game? I did for Bravely Default. Bringing back everything that used to be great about Square, this world shackled exploration somewhat, but made up for it in its characters, incredible lore and history, and, of course, it's music.
That's 11, but I do feel like I've just scratched the surface, and I'm probably forgetting plenty that bear mentioning.
Ahhh okay
In no particular order:
1. Suikoden V (Falena)
2. Eternal Sonata
3. Xenoblade
4. Final Fantasy VIII
5. Tales of Xillia (Rieze Maxia)
6. Trails of Cold Steel
7. Tales of Vesperia
8. Final Fantasy IX
9. Chrono Trigger
10. Wind Waker (Hyrule)
1. Xenosaga
Tamriel
Thedas
Azeroth
Ivalice
Spira
Sanctuary
Post-apoc California and the Mojave
Koprulu Sector- oops forgot this thread is exclusive to RPGs
Various Pokemon Worlds - Kanto and Johto are probably my faves, though
The Underground or whatever the Undertale world is called
...running out of ideas, I'll get back to you
Tamriel (Most especially Resdaynia) - The Elder Scrolls
Ivalice - Final Fantasy
Thedas - Dragon Age
Post-nuclear southwest - Fallout 1, 2, New Vegas
Spira - Final Fantasy
Azeroth/Outland - Warcraft
Toran/Dunan/Grasslands/Islands Federation/Falena - Suikoden
The Milky Way - Mass Effect
New England - Cataclsym: Dark Days Ahead
Qud - Caves of Qud
I'll put this into 3 as I haven't played all that much RPG's, and some I don't care for at all. All belong to FF.
1. Spira (FFX) - Final Fantasies most magical world. I'm slightly biased as well because I love the music in this game, and when I hear it's music I think of the area.
2. World (FFVIII) - It's so otherworldly yet so peacful in places like Balamb & it's Garden, Dollet, & Deling City.
3. Ivalice (FFXII) - Place was just beautiful.
I meant to do a write up for each entry, but I'm feeling a bit lazy lately.
Vortex World (SMTIII:Nocturne)
Chrono World (Chrono Trigger)
World of Balance and Ruin (FFVI)
The Main Planet (Xenogears)
Bionis (Xenoblade)
The 22nd and 23rd Century (Front Mission)
Eastern Kingdom of Mikado and Domed, Infernal, and Blasted Tokyo (SMTIV)
Suikoden World (Suikoden I-V and Tactics)
Ivalice (FFTactics, XII, TA series, and Vagrant Story)
The Underground (Breath of Fire V)
Final Fantasy VII Universe
Final Fantasy XIII Universe
Pokémon Universe
Drakengard Universe
Kingdom Hearts Universe
Silent Hill Universe
Final Fantasy IX Universe
Bayonetta Universe
Zelda Universe
Why is Pokemon one of your favorite?
File Island, Digimon World
I know this place better than my neighborhood. And it's always been in my head of what the Digital World would be.
Hydaelyn, FFXIV
What BoB said. Such a pretty world.
Gamindustri, Neptunia
It's video game world.
Asuka and Amaterasu Servers, Digimon World 3
They were fun places to explore and had a lot of neat stuff. I kept getting lost in the tunnels though.
NIER's world
It's so pretty and the music is outstanding.
You get to run around, befriend every critter you meet, make money by playing games, and the biggest threat to prosperity are bumbling fools that go away after you win at a battle.Quote:
Originally Posted by Depression Moon
I only have a couple true favourites:
1: Spira (FFX)
2: Lordran (Dark Souls)
3: Whatever the world Okami is set in, if that even counts as an RPG
4: Lea Monde (Vagrant Story)
5: Pokémon Blue, forgot the name