I hate that word — “comfy” — but it does get the point across: cozy couches, soothing saunas, welcoming worlds, relaxing rooms, etc.
There’s plenty of comfortable places in videogames and it’s always magic when a few polygons can convey serene thoughts like “wow, I wish this location was real”, or “I want to live there!”
And that’s exactly today’s topic! So grab your favorite beverage and let’s delve together into the pleasant side of level design.
20. Skyline Beach from The Urbz: Sims In The City
I’m not a great fan of The Sims — nor the pompous, ubiquitous hip-hop from The Urbz — but Skyline Beach is a fine example of cozy scenarios in videoludism.
It’s a simple open-air solarium but the premise of chilling in a sauna with your friends, surrounded by stars and skyscrapers, is a good starting point for this list.
19. Iwatodai Dorm from Persona 3
Another classic example. Nothing too fancy, yet the fact that this is the only safe haven from a town bustling with coffins and strange creatures makes it a fitting entry for the list.
It’s undeniable however that all the nostalgia for this location comes mostly from the soundtrack alone… (And there goes my credibility, talking shit about hip-hop while I link that exact genre).
18. The Seaside from Out Run
Cruising near the sea with a babe, a Ferrari Testarossa and some soothing tunes made with a synthesizer can be only one of two things: you’re either in Miami Vice or in Out Run. Eitherway, you’re in for some deep, relaxing moments.
17. The Ranch from Monster Rancher 2
When someone mentions Pokémon, I laugh in Monster Rancher 2.
You see, in this game the bond with your monster goes way further compared to the monotonous fights you have in the former. You can play with them, feed them, fusion them, buy and find new ones, make them travel in order to find new items (or to get more experience, which translates into more powerful skills), and last but not least, watch them die of old age…
The fights on the other hand are in real time and are way more immersive. You actually feel frightened of the very palpable possibility of losing, since you’re not just renouncing to the prize money but also the longevity of your monster itself.
But now I’m digressing; the ranch from Monster Rancher is located in what could be described as a valley surrounded by hills, forests and even a little stream. In real life, there would be plenty of places like that, with the only small difference that the fauna isn’t as badass as the one from Monster Rancher.
16. Planet Undertow from Ristar
Slowly but steadily we’re moving away from mundane settings, and in my opinion there’s no better way to do so than to mention Ristar, one of the most underappreciated platformers ever made.
Overshadowed by Sonic, Ristar is a brilliant game in which you explore a variety of different planets, such as the colorful jungle of Flora and the aforementioned Atlantis-style sea world: Undertow.
15. Jolly Roger Bay from Super Mario 64
There’s not much to say about this one, other than it would be perfect if it weren’t for a fucking gargantuan sea monster concealed in the darkness.
14. Coral Capers from Donkey Kong Country
If I were a fish, I would like to inhabit the pristine waters found in Coral Capers, Donkey Kong Country. With the Aquatic Ambiance song played on loop. Forever.
13. Palmtree Panic from Sonic CD
I know, it’s a Green Hill knock-off… But for some reason, I find it more aesthetically pleasing. Perhaps it’s due to the fact that it’s from my favorite Sonic game, or because I adore palm trees… Maybe it’s because the transition from past, present and future gives the level more personality;
Most likely however, it’s thanks to the music theme.
12. Band Land from Rayman
Remembered by fans for the difficulty curve getting way more steep in this chapter of the game, Band Land is nonetheless a fascinating level in platform games… If you want to live there however, be sure to bring some earplugs for when you desire to sleep.
(Honorable mention goes to both Rayman 2 and Rayman 3, with their countless amazing worlds).
11. Hong Kong from Deus Ex
Deus Ex is my favorite RPG for a lot of reasons, one of which is the setting.
To put it simply, it engulfs you: it’s maniacally detailed and crammed with interesting characters. The best example is undoubtedly Hong Kong, with its dark alleyways, the crowded black market, the less crowded canals, the traditional temples, the chic Tonnochi Road and the shady Lucky Money.
It’s not exactly the safest place on Earth, but it does feel pretty cozy there, especially the Luminous Path headquarters.
10. The Security Hut in Marseilles from Broken Sword II: The Smoking Mirror
Ok maybe you didn’t see this one coming but hear me out for a moment…
It’s 4:00 AM. The town is silent, apart from the gentle waves caressing the docks. It’s cold outside, but luckily you have an old fashioned stove inside your security hut, with which you can also cook beans with tomato sauce — one of your favorite, if humble dishes.
You pat the hound guarding the pier along with you, throwing a bone for his good work; then you go back to the hut in order to check the beans. The smell reminds you of simpler times, but it’s also useful since it covers the stench of dead fish permeating the outside breeze.
You sit on the couch, signing today’s paperwork: in a few hours your turn will be over, and tomorrow is another day.
9. Sandover Village from Jak and Daxter
Remember when Naughty Dog was one of the undisputed kings of platformers instead of LGBT rights? Good times.
Sandover Village is one of the most iconic locations in the genre, and a place you would probably want to live in.
8. Astera from Monster Hunter World
This was a tough one considering that every Monster Hunter has a town or a village brimming with personality (like Sunsnug Isle from MH4), but overall Astera is a good choice when it comes to locations you wish you could live in.
7. Jowai Resort from Ratchet & Clank
It’s clear by now: I like tropical areas in my videogames. And planet Pokitaru from the very first entry of the beloved franchise developed by Insomniac is a great contender for that.
6. Ocean View Hotel from Grand Theft Auto: Vice City
Initially I was conflicted between the Tiki Bar
and the stilt houses
but then I settled with the good old hotel — you really can’t go wrong with that, it’s one of the hallmark of GTA, along with Grove Street… And when you hear the muffled tune of La Vida Es Una Lenteja, you know you’re at home and no cop can touch you.
5. Summer levels from Duke Caribbean: Life’s A Beach
One of the best addons I’ve ever played, Duke Caribbean: Life’s A Beach is an underrated additional campaign for the renowned FPS ‘Duke Nukem 3D’.
Everything is summer themed and there’s really not much to say about it other than “it’s great”… It manages to be relaxing despite the frantic gameplay.
4. Ghost Island from Pac-Man World
Perhaps I should rename this “Top 20 Tropical Places in Video Games”… Just listen to the soundtrack — it makes you forget everything, you can really picture yourself lying down on the sand of a deserted island, under the shade of a palm tree and with a cocktail in hand.
When I was a kid I used to wander this small hub world and role-play as an illegal immigrant, diving into the pixelated sea and firing that glorious cannon. Things were so innocent back then.
3. N.Sanity Beach from Crash Bandicoot
If you’re a fan of this website, you probably already know what games are in the third and second place… What can I say — I’m a sucker for low poly, videoludic, tropical islands.
The memories I have wandering N.Sanity Beach are ones I’ll cherish until I die. On my death bed, I’ll be thinking about this place and how much of a fucking asshole was the person who came up with the times you need to beat in order to get the platinum relics.
2. The Homeworlds from Spyro 2: Gateway to Glimmer
(aka Spyro 2: Ripto’s Rage)
Summer Forest, Autumn Plains and Winter Tundra: the triad of maximum comfiness… Jesus Christ, this sentence reeks of reddit.
But anyway, since I had N.Sanity Beach here, I just couldn’t pass on Spyro; the honorable mention goes to Spyro 3: Year of the Dragon: the hub worlds in that game are also fantastic.
Special thanks to Neil deGrasse Tyson for perfectly describing the song collection posted above with a simple GIF.
1. Scabb Island from Monkey Island 2: LeChuck’s Revenge
I always felt like the saying “it’s not a game, it’s an experience” was something pretentious, something you tell yourself in order to justify buying an expensive game, or maybe something you tell other people so you can overshadow the shortcomings of that same title.
And maybe that’s the same for Monkey Island — I mean, nobody cares about the point ‘n’ click genre nowadays, especially old dusty ones launched on dated machines.
However, this is a game I’m not nostalgic for, since I’ve first played it when I was 18 or something. And that’s the beauty of it: it transcends time.
The puzzles are ingenious, the soundtrack is stellar, the setting is engrossing, the writing is phenomenal and hilarious. You may struggle a little with the gameplay at first (which is fun considering it came out exactly because other graphic adventures at the time were too hard and punishing), but beneath the surface you’ll find… Ugh, yeah. An experience.
…And if you really can’t stand the old graphics, take another look to the images I posted above: luckily for you, there’s a special edition on Steam featuring voice acting, new hand drawn graphics, hint system, orchestrally revamped soundtrack and the option to say “screw all that, I want to play the original BUT with the new OST and voice acting”.
Find out more on my topic called: “So, what’s the Secret of Monkey Island?”
That’s all for today. I know there’s lots of recurring themes here and there, as well as many missed oppurtunities to mention more great games… That’s why I ask you! What are your favorite “comfy” places in videogames?