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[EdwardTeach]

If we can argue that vault 101 is a prologue, then megaton is the starter town and a prity unique one (conceptually) at that.

 

[SolVanderlyn]

This is a nice topic.

Indeed, reading through almost every post has me smiling with nostalgia.

Midgar is the best, I think, simply because of how fleshed out it is compared to most starter towns (even if you never explore 90% of it!) The entire Midgar segment feels distinctly unique among RPGs with its gritty modern aesthetic, even when compared to the rest of the game it's in.

I know this doesn't really count, but Dolanaar from World of Warcraft was really nice back in the day. A little hamlet tucked away in an enchanted forest, surrounded by furbolgs and patrolled by ancients, with the promise of a vast world ahead of you to explore... nothing will compare to that feeling ever again. It sounds stupid, but picking herbs, talking to the townsfolk, and investigating the nearby Starbreeze Village are some of the most nostalgic memories I'll ever have.

 

[Peltz]

I agree with others that nothing really compares to Seyda Neen from Morrowind. And I'm not normally a fan of WRPGs. But this was something special:

 

[Dicktatorship]

White Orchard from TW3 reeks of melancholy, and the people there were such grounded and believable characters too.

 

[Chocolate & Vanilla]

Alexandria by a country mile

 

[DarkTom]

I'll go with the FFXII one. FFIX is very charming but you don't stay in very long, quite the opposite for FFXII as it stays a really important place with a lot of things to do during all the game.

 

[Darrenf]

Onett from Earthbound.

 

[Garlador]

Chrono Cross, for sure.

Honorable mentions:
Xenoblade's Colony 9

Final Fantasy XIV's Limsa Lominsa

Final Fantasy VI's Narshe

 

[dlauv]

Flotsam

 

[DEO3]

Seyda Neen

Great choice.

 

[OverturePT]

That's easy (from Terranigma):

So many memories...

 

[Dangansona]

It's so hard to choose, starting towns are often my favorite parts of the game. Zelda (yes including TP haters), FF (Gridania might be my favorite), Tales, and even Paper Mario are all good examples.

SMTIV does not make the list.

 

[Canucked]

Narshe from FFVI. Great atmosphere and really set the stage. Also Umaro! And returning there to fight dragons.

 

[bishopcruz]

Trinsic from UO.

FTFY. Had forgotten about UO, it is a tough choice though with Vesper and Skara Brae also being awesome.

 

[Sheriff_Battlesnake]

If we're counting this little guy...

if not I'm with the other brilliant people.

 

[Unmoses]

I second Sigil. When first playing it I certainly felt like I was in the city of doors

 

[-tetsuo-]

Sigil easily

 

[Hella Lugosi]

Tazmily Village from Mother 3. The way you see the town develop as the game progresses stirs up a lot of emotions. As someone who grew up in a small rural town that gradually fell victim to over-development I found it very relatable.

 

[Enduin]

While I like the starting Island as a whole, I still found the first town in Baten Kaitos, Cebalrai, to be great. It really gives you that sense of wonder about the world. The prerendered backgrounds are just beyond beautiful, but the way they're animated really is amazing.

Then when you hit the capital city Pherkad you can't help but be blow away completely. Shit is too gorgeous. But Cebalrai is definitely no slouch either. I want a sequel so bad.

 

[super-famicom]

Onett from Earthbound.

I agree.

 

[hersheyfan]

Rabanastre, definitely.

That shit was amazing at the time, it really felt like a living place, and absolutely sold the point that FFXII was a different beast.

 

[Timeaisis]

Alexandria from FFIX. Hell, all of FFIX's towns are the best towns.

Second would be Onett from Earthbound because it has a lot of character.

 

[Pinky]

Narshe (FFVI)

Midgar (FFVII)

Rabanastre (FFXII)

Leene's Square (Chrono Trigger) - Not really a town, but the first highly populated area you get to explore after leaving Crono's house.

Onett (Earthbound)

Aliahan Castle (Dragon Warrior III)

 

[StereoVsn]

I am taking Sigil (Torment) and Inaba (P4) out of the running as both games take place in starting towns, so with those two out, Morrowind's Seyda Neen, FFVII Midgar and BG2's Athkatla take the prize, although I must admit that Fable 1 starting town holds some nostalgia values as well.

 

[Peltz]

FF6's and Terranigma's are also fantastic choices.

 

[Aurongel]

Palm Brinks in Dark Cloud 2

 

[cireza]

Balamb Garden in FF VIII is great because it has such a relaxing atmosphere and so many things to do (like playing Triple Triad lol)
Chrono Trigger
Terranigma
Saraband from Shining Force III, sets up very well the background of the game
Parm from Grandia

 

[Theanine3D]

For me it's easily the Mushroom Kingdom from Super Mario RPG. I have so much fond nostalgia for it that I spent several months remaking it in HD. I love everything about the town, especially the background music.

 

[Curry-Hakase]

The march on Narshe(FFVI) and the Midgar(FFVII) bombing mission are amazing intros.

 

[batrush]

Arroyo

 

[souffe]

Destiny islands Kingdom hearts, soooooo pretty

 

[Sanctuary]

The Citadel.

 

[banefirelord]

Agree with everyone who said Seyda Neen. That place is magical.

 

[Dangansona]

Didn't the fable games have good starting towns?

 

[sugarless]

For me it will always be camp narache, the tauren starting area from WoW.

I didn't even really think of WoW for this topic but now you mention it those areas have a special place in one's heart. I only played WoW for 6 months but the undead starting area, Deathknell, is pretty atmospheric and cool.

 

[TokiDoki]

Balamb Garden , easily .

 

[antitrop]

Couldn't possibly be anything other than Midgar for me.

 

[Sheriff_Battlesnake]

For me it's easily the Mushroom Kingdom from Super Mario RPG. I have so much fond nostalgia for it that I spent several months remaking it in HD. I love everything about the town, especially the background music.

boing! boing! boing! boing! boing! boing!

also, who can forget this moment:

 

[Brawly Likes to Brawl]

Aspertia City from Pokemon Black & White 2. Stands out among the other starting towns in Pokemon since it's a decently sized city instead of tiny town and has its own Gym and Training School.

 

[westman]

Radiata City (from Radiata Stories) is my favorite JRPG town, period. It's so big and alive, with lots of things to do, secrets, people to recruit, and buildings to explore. The game starts there, but I guess it's not quite what OP thought of as a starter town, since you use it as a base for much of the game (

Spoiler

all of it, or half of it, depending on a big choice halfway into the game

).

 

[Myriadis]

Valkyrie Profile 2: Silmeria.

That's a good one.

Another one:

Rabanastre from Final Fantasy XII is one huge and beautiful town that really feels alive.

 

[Dr.Wampe]

Seyda Neen

Give this man a Medal!

I think Midgar follows second.

i know iam going to get killed for it, but i count Majula too.

 

[Vital Tundra]

Pallet town from pokemans

This for me. Starting with the beautiful themed music to the asshole Blue choosing the Pokemon yours is week against. Everything is perfect.

 

[Thanatos451]

Midgar, absolutely.

 

[lookf4r]

Alexandria! Probably helps that you keep coming back there for important story events.

 

[JCX]

Arni Village, from Chrono Cross.

Came to post this.

It's weird how Xenoblade's is so bad, but part of me thinks it is drab to make the initial steps into Gaur Plain that much more breathtaking.

 

[PSqueak]

Truce from Chrono Trigger
Onett from Earthbound
Rogue Port from Paper Mario The thousand year Door
Twilight Town from KH2

 

[Denton]

Santa Monica from Vampire the Masquerade: Bloodlines, one of the most atmospheric games ever:

White Orchard for the peaceful, rural atmosphere:

 

[Triggerhappytel]

Palm Brinks in Dark Cloud 2

Yes, that's the name of it! It's lovely. I especially like the harpsichord music. Feels very charming and European. Probably French.

 

[JinjoUnchained]

No love for Skyloft from Skyward Sword? The colors, the pinwheels, the music, the pumpkins! It's definitely my favorite starter town aesthetically.

Besides that my top 3 would be:
Crysta from Terranigma
Colony 9 from Xenoblade
Kakariko Village from Link to the Past