In this article, I will take a look at some of the most beautiful locations in video games. I will also explore the pros and cons of heading there on holiday if there were real-life locations you could visit.
I sit here indoors in my dressing gown nursing a mug of hot chocolate with just a dash of spiced whiskey thrown in for good measure. Outside, something rattles against the window. Is it hail or snow? I daren’t look and neither option would be a positive one anyway. Checking the temperature online, my suspicions are verified: the temperature has just dropped to below freezing my balls off levels.
Needing a break from it all, I scroll though sunny holiday locations for February. Maybe New Zealand would be nice or the Maldives. Or I could head back to Belize! I check the price of each of them, then check my bank balance. Damn - looks like I won’t be going on holiday after all. Maybe I should just invest in a decent winter coat? I double-check my bank balance. No, I won’t be buying that today either. I start to regret that I opted to buy the Star Lord replica leather jacket instead of something warmer and more practical.
Anxious for an escape, I start to daydream about beautiful locations I’ve visited in games. If only I could head there in real-life too…
1) High Hrothgar/Throat of the World, Skyrim
In the brochure, it stated that there are 7,000 steps to get to the top of High Hrothgar. Not exactly wheelchair friendly then. I wouldn’t know for sure how many steps there are though, as instead of climbing any steps I urged Shadowmere onward, climbing and jumping his way up sheer surfaces until we both stood on top of the Throat of the World mountain. Wow, what a view! you may almost see the whole ofSkyrimfrom up here!
PROS:Excellent view from the top of the Throat of the World. The monks in High Hrothgar seem friendly enough…albeit a little pretentious.
CONS:It’s still freezing! And all those steps! Why can’t somebody build a lift to the top?
2) Lake Hylia, Zelda: The Twilight Princess
Riding through Hyrule, you will be met with some beautiful sights. You will also be met with a large number of fantastical creatures who want you dead. Of all the locations in Hyrule, my favourite is Lake Hylia. It’s partly the beautiful crystal-clear waters of the lake itself. It’s also the impressive bridge which spans from one cliff to another. And then there’s the tasty fish.
PROS:It’s a beautiful spot for catching fish.
CONS:Lots of monsters. The threat of Ganondorf sending the world into eternal darkness hanging over Hyrule.
3) Anor Londo, Dark Souls
Wow, now architecturally, this city is astounding! I can see why it was called the city of the gods. With its tall, thin spires and cathedrals plus the imposing sight of the main castle looming large over the city, there’s certainly a lot to see. Now, if only I could find my hotel. Ah, there’s one of the locals. Maybe he’ll be able to direct me to it. “I say! Would you please be kind enough to direct me to the…wait, what are you doing? No…no…NOOOO!”
PROS:Impressive, imposing architecture plus beautiful skies, due to the dramatic permanent sunset (unless you have killed Gwynevere, in which case it will be a dark, dismal night instead).Dark Soulspresent many locations that are as beautiful as they are bleak but this is one of my personal favourites.
CONS:You will die.
4) Besaid Island, Final Fantasy X
Now, this is more like it! Besaid Island is one of the first locations you visit in Final Fantasy X. I love the golden sand, the clean blue sea and the hot sun. Perhaps I’ll watch the local Blitzball team in training whilst I’m here. There’s a small village for stocking up on supplies and even a temple in case I’m in need of some sanctimonious hypocrite to remind me what a terrible sinner I am. Speaking of sin…
PROS:A typical holiday destination. Sun, sea and sand. Plus, the Besaid Aurochs such so bad that you may be able to teach them a thing or two…like how to catch a ball.
CONS:Sin could appear at any moment and wipe the place out.
5) Shambhala, Uncharted 2
Shambhala - the mythical kingdom. It’s name means peace, tranquillity and happiness. With mountains to climb and ancient shrines to explore, there’s certainly a lot to take in.
PROS:Feel like a real explorer as you travel around this beautiful location, which has remained virtually untouched by mankind for centuries.
CONS:The ogre-like Shambhala Guardians make it very clear that tourists are not welcome here.
6) Thessia, Mass Effect
Here’s one for culture lovers to consider visiting. It’s known as “crown jewel of the galaxy,” the “apex of democracy,” and the “beating heart of galactic love.” Its republics have an extremely low rate of war, disease, violent crime and famine. And both the alien architecture and the locals are beautiful. Another one fromMass Effectworth visiting is Sur’Kesh, the Salarian’s jungle-covered homeworld. I wonder if I can get a shuttle there from Thessia? There are so many beautiful locations to consider in the Mass Effect series.
PROS:Fantastic alien architecture. Expand your mind in the cultural centre of the galaxy. Beautiful locals who are open to romance with virtually any race or gender, so long as your favourite colour is blue and you don’t mind head tentacles.
CONS:A high likelihood that you may be considered to be the dumbest being on the entire planet.
I hope that you enjoyed reading this article about beautiful locations from games. What are your favourite beautiful locations from games and would you want to head there on a holiday?
If you liked this article, you could readConvergence of Mass Effect’s Single & Multiplayer Worldsnext. Alternatively, you could check out theUncharted: The Lost Legacy Collectables Guide.
