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 On 03/10/2013 at 03:14 AM by Halochief90 See More From This User » |
I often find myself with the urge to replay games over and over and usually this isn’t because I want to re-experience a story, but instead re-experience its world. When I remember a game, specific areas usually flash through my mind. When I actually do replay many games, I usually realize those great areas were actually pretty few in number... but that doesn’t mean I can’t blog about those (cities to be specific).
Hyrule Castle Town (Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time)
Zelda has some awesome towns, but Ocarina’s Castle Town takes the cake with the trifecta of having a massive bridge entrance, a bazaar, and hell, two versions (present and future). A ton of great minigames and night/day modes only add to make great variety of this town.
The Slums of Midgar (FFVII)
Midgar is clearly an inspiration of Blade Runner’s Los Angeles: beautiful, futuristic glow above, filth and poverty below. Still, the Slums take on a life of its own. Specifically, the Wall Market area beams with character – from graffiti to mobsters to an adult-club. What’s more is the slum citizens all give off that weak and angry attitude of the poor (and it kinda of reminds me of my childhood).
Ravenholm (Half-Life 2)
How can one go through the best towns in gaming without mentioning a zombie-infested one? Unlike the other towns in this list, Ravenholm’s purpose wasn’t to give the player a rest; it actually had the opposite effect. Ravenholm was chilling and frightful right until you left the area. Best of all, it felt like a place where people actually once existed.
Rabanastre (FFXII)
Is there something about Bazaar’s that are so appealing in towns? Nah. Much like Midgar, Rabanastre is memorable because the creators keep you in the city for so long. Unlike the former city though, you actually have reason to come back to Rabanastre with it surrounded in the other areas and contains the awesome Clan Centurio’s headquarters. The European architecture vibe doesn’t hurt either.
The City of Bale (Legend of Dragoon)
Legend of Dragoon is one of my favorite games ever. I would say it even approaches the quality of FFVII. It’s a shame then that I rarely find the opportunity to even mention it on a blog. I was going to go with the interstitial community of Lohan, but it’s hard to top the classic medieval city that is Bale - complete with a massive castle and gorgeous artwork throughout.
Laila Belle (Wild Arms 5)
What I think I liked so much about this place was that it was a futuristic city that wasn’t so damn depressing. As much as I like those kind of places (Blade Runner again), playing games to immerse in a fantasy is ultimately what I’m there for.
Honourable Mentions: Nibelhiem (FFVII), Windfall Island (Zelda: Wind Waker), Kingdom of Zeal (Chrono Trigger), Alexandria (FFIX), Bhujerba (FFXII), Argonia (Dragon Quest VIII), Narshe (FFVI), Clock Town (Zelda: Majora’s Mask)
Note: there are many places like Silent Hill, Bioshock's Rapture, or Halo ODST’s New Mombasa that sound like they should be included, but these areas take up more or less the entire game so I don’t think they count.
Midgar is my favorite video game city of all time, and Rabanastre is a pretty good locale as well. I prefer the Twilight Princess version of Castle Town over the Ocarina version.
Since I started Ni no Kuni, I'd have to add Ding Dong Dell and Hamelin to my list of favorite gaming cities.
I don't know if I can choose a favorite, I like all these cities but they each do something special for me. I didn't like TP version of Castle Town nearly as much, but that might have something to with the fact that I was quite disappointed with that game.
Ding Dong Dell would probably go on my honorable mentions, however since this is an old blog, it wouldn't be right to go back and change it. I also realised I completely forgot about Termina from Chrono Cross!
hey great idea for a blog, man! this is really neat. All of your selections (that I know of) are perfect, and the ones I didn't make me want to play those games. I downloaded Dragoon recently and am going to play it soon!
I'm glad you enjoyed it, I always thought it was an interesting idea. I really hope you like Dragoon. Even on my second play through that game blew my mind. I might just pop in a disc to relive some memories.
Our Special Place in Silent Hill 2....You promised to take me there again, one day.
Yeah, Silent Hill is a pretty great town... or world which ever you consider more accurate.
It's been so long since I played FFXII, I forgot all about Rabanastre. I want to go back to that place.
FFXII has at least three really good cities. You rarely get that much detail in other games. Rabanastre is like the hub city and easiest to navigate so I had to choose that one.
Midgar is still my all time favorite. But for some reason....(this is gonna sound absolutely insane), Palumpolum from Final Fantasy XIII is a highlight for me as well. I know, I know, it shouldn't actually qualify as a Final Fantasy town, but I love it's design. The underground tunnels, the huge vistas, the city shopping area, the brilliant lighting effects. The whole Palumpolum arc is my absolute favorite part of that game. It's packed with action, character development, and some cool battles. Strange choice, I know haha
Palumpolum did have a really good design. I don't remember much else about that section of the game. It is hard to see that as a FF town as we've been accustomed to. It is pretty similar to Ravenholm though in a sense that it is really another level in the game.
One of my favorite citys strangely enough was on Tales of Vesperia the city in that game was huge but, also one from Skyrim called Markarth was absolutely amazing I will never forget my first play in skyrim and I saw this town carved into the side of a mountain absolutely gorgeous city, of course Midgar was cool in FF to but Markarth was my favorite.
I haven't played either of those, but a town carved into a mountain sounds absolutely epic. Reminds of another town from FFVII, Rocket Town. Without the rocket that was just another town, but having that decaying rocket there really sets the mood and make it stand out.
well if you play skyrim check out Markarth incredible city
Is this new, or was this part of the game a day challenge a few years back on 1up? Cause I remember "favorite towns" being one of the days, and you doing one. (Ed: I now see "1up Repost," and am not rushing to the gym, never mind lol)
In any case, I think Ravenholm sounds like a great concept for a gaming town.
It's neither. I didn't know there was a game a day challenge involving favorite towns. I did write this one a while ago though and you did comment on it way back then.
My favorite City was Vane from the Sega CD version of Lunar. I really loved the music and I just loved the way the city looked.
Lunar is one of those games I've always wanted to play. It looks pretty cool, even I ever pick up the PSP version I'll be looking forward to that place.
It's truly an awesome game. I wish they remade the second Lunar for the PSP as well because it's just as great.
Favorite towns....
Santa Destroy, kind of bland but hides a colourful underworld of crime and dangerous assassin game.
Silent Hill- get over your personal demons will enjoying a amusement park and beautiful lake.
Both of those towns are more what I would consider game worlds rather than game towns. They are good choices though for a response off the top of your head.
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