Journeying around the globe to explore foreign lands does have its value. So does money. The same trip taken through a console that’s already sitting in the living room is far less inexpensive. Chances are that this virtual world doesn’t include the crowds found circling around overrated tourist attractions either. Travelers who seek out a full-body experience will still choose real life every time. They may not realize virtual worlds have a secret weapon which makes them totally unique.
They benefit from artistic interpretation. Fantastical elements elevate the most boring landscapes. Hand-picked color schemes transform the mood of unappealing destinations. When paired with an enthralling storyline or addictive mechanics, these lands develop meaning. These components help to make the landscapes of video games more impactful than those of the real world.
10 All Of Europe Stitched Into One Universe
Nailing down just one country or culture that Trine 4 has pulled from is impossible. Though its architecture is reminiscent of the remaining renaissance buildings in Europe. Character designs fit the same style. The addition of magic makes for more dramatic landscapes than could’ve been witnessed in those times or even now.
9 Witness Japan Of The Past in Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice
The legendary sites of Japan are part of what attracts its visitors. Though it’s no longer possible to witness these historical districts without the interference of modern additions. Except in Sekiro, a game that takes place in the Sengoku period when the world looked like the above.
8 Deserts In Journey Are Strawberry-Pink
The graphics in Journey don’t come close to mimicking real life. That’s a good thing. Simplicity erases the hostile conditions present in an actual desert. The artists went for whimsy instead. Smooth, sloping dunes and light mists fill the minds of players with a sense of peace instead of panic.
7 Iceland's Behemoth Natural Structures Captured In Their Entirety
The negative classification of Death Stranding as a walking sim is a positive as far as this list goes. It means that the game's developers spent much time on creating landscapes stunning enough to make its long hours spent running up and down hills visually breathtaking.
6 We've Never Seen New York Look Like This
New York City looks the way most people would expect it to at the start of Control. All that recognizability goes out the window when things get trippy and superpowers come in to play. It’s a representation of New York City that has people unsure they are even on Earth.
5 No Need To Endure The Desert Heat For This View
Red Dead Redemption 2 is another game that captures a world that no longer exists. The Wild West is gone. What’s left are long highways and power lines stretched across uninhabited plains. Big fans of Westerns will still find these locations interesting, though hollow without western architecture or characters to fill it.
4 Madagascar Seems Utopian In Uncharted 4
Uncharted 4 is an action game as long as players can tear their eyes away from the view long enough to play it. These landscapes are real, but Responsible Travel admits to travel difficulties in Madagascar. Untamed forests and hostile cliffs are no problem for a fearless treasure hunter though.
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3 Actual Outer Space Could Never Be This Cute
Space colonization may sound romantic, but it’s much more likely to involve a lot of hot days trudging across dusty plains. Astroneer sweeps all of that away with gorgeous low-poly landscapes that eliminate the harsh reality. We like it better this way.
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2 Horizon Zero Dawn's Yellowstone Park Isn't The One We Know
The future depicted in Horizon Zero Dawn is neither that of grey skyscrapers or dilapidated ruins. It's somewhere in between. That mix of heavy machinery and unfiltered nature transforms every landscape into something otherworldly. An actual road trip through its locations in Arizona, Utah, and Colorado wouldn’t be the same.
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1 The Deep Sea Doesn't Look So Scary In Abzu
A dive in Abzu is a soothing experience that immerses the player in its surroundings. Which can be true of dives in the real world, just not for the majority of people. Looming fears of shark attacks and the darkness of the ocean depths make it frightening for the average person.