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[Nankatsu]

Title says it all.

For me it's gotta be the Oldest House, from Control, a game for which whatever reason I don't know, completely flew under my radar since it's launch back in 2019, and I only got a chance to play it very recently.

Without getting into much spoilers, it's a fantastic environment to explore and interact with, that borrows so much to the game's narrative itself.

It completely drifts away from the most typical scenarios / world settings and for that reason it really stood out for me thanks to it's refresh take.

That Ashtray Maze sequence...sweet mother of videogames. Absolutely great.

What other settings / scenarios did knock you out of the park recently? I feel that nowadays, most games don't try to take it up a notch when it comes to this, they are pretty similar to each other.

 

[kanjobazooie]

Hitman 3: The train level. I think it's one of my favorite final levels of all time.
I wish the other levels in the game were as refreshing as that one. It felt unique and really blew my caveman mind.

 

[cireza]

Dark Rift in Skies of Arcadia. Currently replaying the game.

 

[Trogdor1123]

The ocean depths in subnautica count? Looked amazing and still managed to scare the hell out of me. Loved it

 

[Con-Z-epT]

The Manifold Gardens

Since it is a puzzle game it is not exactly a super unique setting but the incorporation of infinite architecture into the process of solving puzzles did feel very refreshing and mesmerizing to me.

 

[tommib]

Atropos, of course.

 

[Guilty_AI]

A minecraft map actually... based on another game

 

[MonkeyClaw36]

Maquette on PS5.

 

[Fbh]

Probably Outer Wilds.
You basically get a small solar system to explore, with each planet having its own unique characteristics and puzzles. The way the levels are constructed and the way progression is achieved by learning and observing more about the world instead of traditional game mechanics like upgrades and gear was truly amazing.

 

[TintoConCasera]

El Shaddai.

 

[Cert.in.Death]

The Pathless
Suicide of Rachel Foster
Maquette
Control
Death Stranding

 

[Pejo]

The beautiful and varied settings and locations in Genshin Impact are pretty much the entire reason I play the game. They've got a massive range of different environments with lore, puzzles, and enemies tied to each one.

 

[Happosai]

Title says it all.

For me it's gotta be the Oldest House, from Control, a game for which whatever reason I don't know, completely flew under my radar since it's launch back in 2019, and I only got a chance to play it very recently.

Without getting into much spoilers, it's a fantastic environment to explore and interact with, that borrows so much to the game's narrative itself.

It completely drifts away from the most typical scenarios / world settings and for that reason it really stood out for me thanks to it's refresh take.

That Ashtray Maze sequence...sweet mother of videogames. Absolutely great.

What other settings / scenarios did knock you out of the park recently? I feel that nowadays, most games don't try to take it up a notch when it comes to this, they are pretty similar to each other.

Recently I've been going back to my PS3 library and have found a few in there which were both mesmerizing and relaxing.

Journey - PS3



Ico - PS3 (HD remaster)



From other platforms recently:

Okami - PS2 original release (I'd like to play the remaster for PS4 too)

 

[ProgenitorCastle]

Resident Evil Zero: train with it's animated pre rendered BGs is worth it on it's own. They are a work of art:

 

[TheInfamousKira]

If I've been playing newer games a lot, I like to start up a SNES game. Something about the vibrant colors, charming sprites and old synthesized music acts like a time machine for me, and puts me in this nostalgic state of mind. Favorites being Super Metroid or ALTTP.

 

[Happosai]

Resident Evil Zero: train with it's animated pre rendered BGs is worth it on it's own. They are a work of art:

Great one and still love RE: Zero. Another one I remember Capcom is the atmosphere and piano playing in Clock Tower 3.

 

[Magic Carpet]

The Gunk, Most recent, 'Neat, look at that'.

 

[CZY]

lttp on Nier Automata, and while it’s kinda dark & bleak and not exactly slow-paced, the vibe is just incredible — relaxing af imo.

 

[ProgenitorCastle]

Great one and still love RE: Zero. Another one I remember Capcom is the atmosphere and piano playing in Clock Tower 3.

Clock Tower 3 and Haunting Ground are GOATed Capcom horror games!

 

[kingpotato]

Honestly, the deserts of Sable have been interesting so far. I have a lot of issues with the game but the world building/setting isn't one.

The unique visual style helps quite a bit.

 

[TexMex]

Helios.

 

[Danjin44]

Scarlets Nexus environments might not be big or that much to explore but they sure look interesting.

 

[T0minator]

Atropos, of course.

Sometimes I just boot up Returnal slap on the headphones and go at it...I still think about the experiences in that game to this day

 

[Putonahappyface]

Gaurdians of the Galaxy has pretty impressive unique landscapes.

 

[01011001]

Title says it all.

For me it's gotta be the Oldest House, from Control, a game for which whatever reason I don't know, completely flew under my radar since it's launch back in 2019, and I only got a chance to play it very recently.

Without getting into much spoilers, it's a fantastic environment to explore and interact with, that borrows so much to the game's narrative itself.

It completely drifts away from the most typical scenarios / world settings and for that reason it really stood out for me thanks to it's refresh take.

That Ashtray Maze sequence...sweet mother of videogames. Absolutely great.

What other settings / scenarios did knock you out of the park recently? I feel that nowadays, most games don't try to take it up a notch when it comes to this, they are pretty similar to each other.

I would also say The Oldest House... such a fucking cool concept.

 

[paparazzo]

RDR2 gripped me like nothing else has in 10+ years. I don’t want to start anything else out of fear it won’t be as polished, haha. Finished it months ago but I boot it up every now and then for an hour or so and still find new stuff.

 

[rofif]

obra dinn came to mind.
But most recently for sure the forgotten city

 

[synchronicity]

RDR2 gripped me like nothing else has in 10+ years. I don’t want to start anything else out of fear it won’t be as polished, haha. Finished it months ago but I boot it up every now and then for an hour or so and still find new stuff.

I'm playing it for the first time right now, and yeah the world is utterly amazing. I know some are turned off by the pace and animations, and the controls can be rather unintuitive, and certainly take some getting used to. But, man what a world! I'm just lost in the fantasy of being a cowboy. I don't even need the main narrative to be satisfied with all the other stuff on offer. For all their faults, R* sure as hell knows how to build a believable, fascinating and incredible setting. So easy to surrender to fantasy with a world so detailed. I shudder to think of the man hours.

 

[Ozzy Onya A2Z]

Destiny 1 & 2. Beautiful environments to play in.

Honestly there are too many to post. Wonderful art by Bungie.

 

[ReBurn]

Tetris Effect Connected on Quest 2. Pure catharsis.

 

[Warablo]

I dont know about recently but, Hitman games, Bioshock infinite, and Far Cry 5.

 

[01011001]

Upper Latria is fucking amazing in the Demon's Souls remaster

this screenshot doesn't do it justice either. playing that on a 55" tv with HDR in a dark room is breathtaking

the whole 3rd world is stunning IMO, including the Prison if you walk around on the outside wall... that shit is so fucking beautiful

 

[Tschumi]

Had a glut of these experiences recently...

Kena
Returnal
Demon's Souls remake
Horizon Zero Dawn
Cyberpunk on my new computer
Dishonored 2, average character models, but the world is absolutely gorgeous
Sekiro
Jedi Fallen Order
Tom Clancy's Wildlands (the world not the game)
Assassin's Creed Unity

Of course as with most categories Witcher 3 is the beginning and end of this conversation for me


Game worlds that surprisingly haven't got me yet:
Red Dead Redemption 2
Bloodborne
The last of us
Deathloop... It's just dreary, so far, despite being a flawless elaboration on dishonored 2

 

[FloatingIslands]

House Beneviento in RE Village

 

[Drac84]

Deep Rock Galactic's various biomes

 

[Imru’ al-Qays]

Disco Elysium

 

[Raven117]

Last area in Ffxiv endwalker.

Amazing

 

[Pantz]

A Plague Tale: Innocence. All the parts without the rats had beautiful scenery and ambiance. I took my time walking through those parts.

 

[Danjin44]

Sekiro

Sekiro has amazing locals, It feels like I'm looking at a painting, this why I actually like Sekiro's visuals over Ghost of Tsushima.

 

[01011001]

Sekiro has amazing locals, It feels like I'm looking at painting, this why I actually like Sekiro's visuals over Ghost of Tsushima.

true. absolutely stunning at times. the Fountainhead Palace is my favorite

 

[lastmessiah]

Luigi's Mansion 3. Hotels/mansions with multiple floors are a great device for video games.

 

[a multicultural team of v]

obra dinn came to mind.
But most recently for sure the forgotten city

Obra Dinn doesn't get enough recognition period despite being one of last gens best games.

 

[WoodyStare]

Going through the Hitman Trilogy right now (just finished the first, currently a few missions into the second) and I’m completely in awe of the level design. Every single mission is meticulously detailed and gorgeous.

 

[Laptop1991]

I'm playing The Siege of Paris, dlc for Valhalla, right now, some nice landscape's and areas in the dlc.

 

[Tschumi]

Sekiro has amazing locals, It feels like I'm looking at a painting, this why I actually like Sekiro's visuals over Ghost of Tsushima.

100% sooth

 

[ViolentP]

Night City

 

[Vaelka]

Sekiro has amazing locals, It feels like I'm looking at a painting, this why I actually like Sekiro's visuals over Ghost of Tsushima.

Sekiro felt HUGE for a Souls game imo.
It made them feel tiny by comparison.

 

[Kagey K]

The Artful Escape.

If you just want to chill and enjoy the scenery this is the game.

 

[Danjin44]

Sekiro felt HUGE for a Souls game imo.
It made them feel tiny by comparison.

Not only Sekiro's world felt huge but it was also really fun to traverse, god I LOVE this game.

 

[Billbofet]

The Artful Escape.

If you just want to chill and enjoy the scenery this is the game.

This ^^^