Favourite Locations in Games
Hubs, levels or what have you, these are some of my favourite locations in any video game. This isn't necessarily my favourite locations from my favourite games but it will probably pan out that way since you're of course more likely to remember and adore locations from a game you love.
31 Games
Zora's Domain
I'll never forget when I randomly stumbled across this giant place the first time I played the game, so magical.
I'll never forget when I randomly stumbled across this giant place the first time I played the game, so magical.
City of Tears
Simply beautiful.
Simply beautiful.
Celeste Mountain... Okay, I'll be more creative and say: Celestial Resort
Probably my favourite individual level in the game but it has been quite awhile.
Probably my favourite individual level in the game but it has been quite awhile.
Wet-Dry World
I don't like a lot of 64's levels but Wet-Dry World is a massive exception. I love how weird the level is, it doesn't feel completely real... I guess I really like dreamlike locations in my platformers. The skybox, underwater city, none of it makes sense which is what makes it so fun to explore.
I don't like a lot of 64's levels but Wet-Dry World is a massive exception. I love how weird the level is, it doesn't feel completely real... I guess I really like dreamlike locations in my platformers. The skybox, underwater city, none of it makes sense which is what makes it so fun to explore.
The Observatory
Is this a better hub than what Sunshine had? Absolutely not... But I like it better, so atmospheric... The nostalgia is strong with this one.
Is this a better hub than what Sunshine had? Absolutely not... But I like it better, so atmospheric... The nostalgia is strong with this one.
Coconut Mall
Look, it is a classic for a reason, I just love how much it really feels like a mall, I like to imagine this place really exists on Isle Delfino or on one of the islands next to it.
Look, it is a classic for a reason, I just love how much it really feels like a mall, I like to imagine this place really exists on Isle Delfino or on one of the islands next to it.
Mount Coronet
Perhaps my favourite location in Pokemon, I love how you go through it multiple times throughout the adventure before climbing it, makes it feel so satisfying when you do reach the top. Wish they didn't ruin it in Arceus but oh well...
Perhaps my favourite location in Pokemon, I love how you go through it multiple times throughout the adventure before climbing it, makes it feel so satisfying when you do reach the top. Wish they didn't ruin it in Arceus but oh well...
Tall Trunk Galaxy
SLIDE! SLIDE! SLIDE!
SLIDE! SLIDE! SLIDE!
Delfino Plaza
The perfect hub for any platformer, no notes.
The perfect hub for any platformer, no notes.
Jubilife Village
Amazing hub, love the theme. Just feels so safe, so nice.
Amazing hub, love the theme. Just feels so safe, so nice.
Press Garden Zone.
Both acts are great but the second one is especially perfect. With levels as beautiful as this, it makes it extra unfortunate that we got so few new levels but I'll take what I can get.
Both acts are great but the second one is especially perfect. With levels as beautiful as this, it makes it extra unfortunate that we got so few new levels but I'll take what I can get.
Star Light Zone
I always really liked Star Light Zone. It just as this beatufiul, freeing atmosphere that is probably enhanced due to all the bad levels between it and Green Hill Zone, just makes getting to this zone more rewarding.
I always really liked Star Light Zone. It just as this beatufiul, freeing atmosphere that is probably enhanced due to all the bad levels between it and Green Hill Zone, just makes getting to this zone more rewarding.
Wrecked Ship
The absolute dread trying to navigate this area and defeat this boss without a single save point, so good.
The absolute dread trying to navigate this area and defeat this boss without a single save point, so good.
Casino Night Zone
The definitive casino level in Sonic, so much fun, why wasn't this the Sonic 2 representation for Sonic Generations? It makes way more sense than Chemical Plant.
The definitive casino level in Sonic, so much fun, why wasn't this the Sonic 2 representation for Sonic Generations? It makes way more sense than Chemical Plant.
Sky Sanctuary
I didn't even realise this was from Sonic 3 when I first played Sonic Generations as a stupid kid, the level just seemed too big, too magical for that. I of course like the original too but for me the version in Sonic Generations is just perfect. It is a strange choice of stage to represent Sonic 3 but I'm glad they picked it.
I didn't even realise this was from Sonic 3 when I first played Sonic Generations as a stupid kid, the level just seemed too big, too magical for that. I of course like the original too but for me the version in Sonic Generations is just perfect. It is a strange choice of stage to represent Sonic 3 but I'm glad they picked it.
Overworld
Is it cheating to put almost the whole game in this slot? Who cares, my list. Exploring the overworld is so much fun in this game.
Is it cheating to put almost the whole game in this slot? Who cares, my list. Exploring the overworld is so much fun in this game.
Egg Fleet
Badass end to the game, so fun to rip apart Eggman's forces.
Badass end to the game, so fun to rip apart Eggman's forces.
Rogueport
What an inspired idea for a hub, especially after the first game had the most typical possible idea for a main hub in an RPG Mario. Rogueport is so great, who wouldn't love a noose right in the center of the main town of a Mario game? I also love how disconnected everything is. Toad Town from PM64 had mostly very clear entrances to all the areas of the game while Rogueport had none, it is completely disconnected walking wise which gives it a much different vibe even aside from visually.
What an inspired idea for a hub, especially after the first game had the most typical possible idea for a main hub in an RPG Mario. Rogueport is so great, who wouldn't love a noose right in the center of the main town of a Mario game? I also love how disconnected everything is. Toad Town from PM64 had mostly very clear entrances to all the areas of the game while Rogueport had none, it is completely disconnected walking wise which gives it a much different vibe even aside from visually.
Emerald Coast
This is simply the perfect opening for a Sonic game, you feel so free, so excited just to dash around the relaxing beach of Emerald Coast. I know I've said this a million times for these entries but the vibes here are truly unmatched.
This is simply the perfect opening for a Sonic game, you feel so free, so excited just to dash around the relaxing beach of Emerald Coast. I know I've said this a million times for these entries but the vibes here are truly unmatched.
Shooting Star Summit
SMRPG and Paper Mario both have these star themed areas but Paper Mario means so much more to me, I love this place.
SMRPG and Paper Mario both have these star themed areas but Paper Mario means so much more to me, I love this place.
THE WHOLE OVERWORLD
Here I go cheating again... I LOVE IT ALL and technically it is all one big world, okay? What do you want from me?
Here I go cheating again... I LOVE IT ALL and technically it is all one big world, okay? What do you want from me?
Tidal Tempest
Atmosphere perfection! I love the music here so much... Well the EU/JP one, sorry but the US one is just inferior. Yeah I'm absolutely shocked that a 2D Sonic water level is here but it is a whole lot of fun.
Atmosphere perfection! I love the music here so much... Well the EU/JP one, sorry but the US one is just inferior. Yeah I'm absolutely shocked that a 2D Sonic water level is here but it is a whole lot of fun.
Water Palace
Huh... maybe Sonic water levels aren't as bad as I thought, the vibes are just great here.
Huh... maybe Sonic water levels aren't as bad as I thought, the vibes are just great here.
Fruit Factory
I don't think I've ever seen another platformer do theming this well, just wow.
I don't think I've ever seen another platformer do theming this well, just wow.
Eggman Land
This was a tough one, there's so many great levels here but Eggman Land is just unmatched. There's no other level that truly showcases Eggman as a villain like this level, they went all out and I'm super glad they didn't pull any punches with the finale, makes for such a thrilling end to the game.
This was a tough one, there's so many great levels here but Eggman Land is just unmatched. There's no other level that truly showcases Eggman as a villain like this level, they went all out and I'm super glad they didn't pull any punches with the finale, makes for such a thrilling end to the game.
Tallon Overworld
I actually get tears in my mind thinking about this, there is nothing quite like landing here, listening to that beautiful music and just watching the rain pour down Samus, absolutely breathtaking.
I actually get tears in my mind thinking about this, there is nothing quite like landing here, listening to that beautiful music and just watching the rain pour down Samus, absolutely breathtaking.
Cyberspace
Awesome level, love how all the upgrades are only given if you reach the end fast enough, gives it a unique vibe. Mega Man has always dabbled into Cyberspace but this is one of the coolest examples of it.
Awesome level, love how all the upgrades are only given if you reach the end fast enough, gives it a unique vibe. Mega Man has always dabbled into Cyberspace but this is one of the coolest examples of it.
Hub
Always got to love an interactive hub. I've just had so much fun playing around here inbetween matches. BFN also has a similar hub but I don't think it is nearly as fun.
Always got to love an interactive hub. I've just had so much fun playing around here inbetween matches. BFN also has a similar hub but I don't think it is nearly as fun.
Kattelox Island
Few locations can bring me as much joy as this one...
Few locations can bring me as much joy as this one...
Internet
Some of the stuff you make you do on the internet really sucks but overall I still really love them. BN1's internet has my favourite theme but BN3's is overall the best, just got to love the vibes and the ability to actually navigate.
Some of the stuff you make you do on the internet really sucks but overall I still really love them. BN1's internet has my favourite theme but BN3's is overall the best, just got to love the vibes and the ability to actually navigate.
Vista Point
It was pretty disappointing to see that this location didn't appear in any other Star Force game, since I do think it is very important to Geo's character, just seems weird.
It was pretty disappointing to see that this location didn't appear in any other Star Force game, since I do think it is very important to Geo's character, just seems weird.