Summary
Video game hubs tend to come in one or both of two forms. First, these areas often serve as centralized locations from which to launch your various adventures. But they can also function as a place of gathering, letting you catch up with all those party members you keep forgetting you have.
But among the moreiconic hub areas in gaminglike the Normandy in Mass Effect and Peach’s Castle in Super Mario 64, many other games boast spots that are just as comforting to return to between quests. They may not receive the same recognition, but they’ve got it where it counts.
10Boyfriend Dungeon - Verona Beach
Few games are as satisfyingly validating asBoyfriend Dungeon, and a small part of that is its main setting of Verona Beach. You stay there for the summer while you’re simultaneously fighting with and dating a series of weapons (it’s an… unconventional roguelite).
Over time, you find yourself checking out every little point of interest in the little oceanside town. As you grow closer to its characters, you’ll begin to form happy memories in each of these locations, making your return after inevitably getting wrecked in a “dunj” all the more comforting.
9Mass Effect: Andromeda - The Tempest
Those who took the time to play the excellentMass Effect: Andromedawere treated to a genuinely gorgeous and comfy hub by way of the game’s main ship: the Tempest. Whether you’re chatting up your squadmates or trying to find the alien rodent that snuck aboard, you’ll be doing it in style.
Sporting an exterior design similar tothe Normandy from the Mass Effect trilogy, the Tempest’s interior feels far more enjoyable to simply exist in. Its soft blue lighting and easily navigable layout make for the perfect downtime location. just make sure you don’t miss out on movie night.
8Yakuza: Like A Dragon - Survive Bar
This hub is just of the “catch up with your friends” variety, but it’s probably some of the most fun you’ll have inYakuza: Like a Dragon. Eventually, after exploring around Isezaki Ijincho and fighting randos for a while, you find a regular hangout spot at Survive Bar.
Not only can you level up your bonds with your party members, but perhaps most importantly, it’s in this cozy little bar where you’re able to sing karaoke to your heart’s content. Sure, Ichiban’s family issues may affect the whole city, but Nanba needs to sing Baka Mitai for the 12th time.
7The Simpsons Game - Springfield
Often seen as the lesser little sibling toThe Simpsons: Hit & Run, The Simpsons Game, is well worth your time in its own right. Aside from its genuinely hilarious writing and arguably fun gameplay, it also gives you a sprawling version of Springfield to romp around in between levels.
The game lets you explore the city and its most famous locations from the show and adds plenty of collectibles around. (Hey, it’s a video game.) There really is something special about actually traveling through Springfield to get to the next level, even if it’s that Space Invaders one.
6Marvel’s Guardians Of The Galaxy - The Milano
This hero team has always seemed like they’d be fun to chill with between all the bickering and occasionally intentional explosions. InMarvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy, you can do just that on their honestly pretty spiffy ship, the Milano.
Most of your time between game chapters sees you returning here for some downtime, and you’ll always find something new on each trip. Talk to Rocket for some upgrades, chat with everybody, and enjoy the game’s delightful writing, or just see how long until you realize the fridge door will never stay closed.
5Psychonauts 2 - Motherlobe And Surrounding Areas
Psychonauts 2may have outdone its predecessor’s still-beloved Whispering Rock Psychic Summer Camp hub. In this sequel, you start in the Motherlobe, the headquarters for the brain-wrangling (sometimes literally) Psychonauts organization, but you’ll soon begin exploring other spots.
This includes the run-down roadside attraction The Questionable Area and the hauntingly beautiful Green Needle Gulch. Each one contains plenty of the game’s dependably odd characters and game levels, plus some environmental storytelling to keep you immersed in this world of disembodied brains and whatever the Sassclops are.
4Donkey Kong 64 - DK Isles
WhenDonkey Kong 64 isn’t serving as a charity streaming endurance test, it’s actually pretty fun on its own. Its design has you starting every play session at the game’s hub, but luckily, you’ll probably be cool with it.
Dk Isles is a group of islands you’ll always find yourself on when you load the game. Fortunately, it’s fun to navigate with new areas opening up as you continue to hoard the game’s various collectibles, so it’s a good thing the music is nice because you’ll become intimately familiar with its first few notes.
3Mass Effect 3 - Silversun Strip
The Mass Effect games have their fair share of incredible hubs aside from the Normandy and Tempest, from space stations to, well, other space stations (it’s a space game, give them a break). ButMass Effect 3’s Citadel DLC introduced something truly special.
Rather than serving as a tactical base to launch your missions, the Silversun Strip is purely for fun. This glitzy stretch of storefronts lets you enjoy various pastimes like an arcade, hang out with your buddies, and even help with a minor heist or two; after the emotional gut punch of the rest of the game, players definitely earned this.
2Marvel’s Midnight Suns - The Abbey
InMarvel’s Midnight Suns, you play as a resurrected ancient hero brought back to help defeat your demonic mother. So naturally, your home base should be similarly brought up to snuff, specifically with a pool and a game room.
The Abbey is where you return to after every mission, and you’re encouraged to hang with all of the beloved Marvel superheroes who keep joining up. you may train up your abilities, search the grounds for collectibles, and have a book club with Wolverine; why didn’t more people buy this game again?
1Dragon Age: Inquisition - Skyhold
As if to flex its massive scale after the rather limited scope of its predecessor,Dragon Age: Inquisitionjust keeps hitting you with big areas one after another. This even extends to its main hub Skyhold, a mountaintop fortress that holds your forces and contains plenty of hidden corners for smooching (it’s a BioWare game, remember).
Skyhold may as well be one of the game’s open levels itself, as exploring it will take you literal hours, but you’ll love every minute, from the guarded ramparts to the cozy library. Plus, your trips around the grounds become much more entertaining once you realize Skyhold has no fall damage.
