10 Iconic Video Game Starter Towns

Every good tale must begin at some point, be it within the protagonist’s personal space like their bedroom, or right smack in the heat of a fierce fight.

In various video games, the action often commences within a settlement like a town, hamlet, or urban area. This initial location may not necessarily be large or small; it serves as the point where the narrative unfolds entirely or gains significant momentum.

These towns serve as both familiar and comfortable havens for you and the game’s main character, offering a safe retreat where you can consistently find tranquility.

In numerous beginner towns, you’ll find essential facilities such as stores and taverns, plus non-player characters (NPCs) who are crucial to the storyline and may require you to revisit them to advance the plot.

10. Kokiri Forest

The Legend Of Zelda: Ocarina Of Time

Have you ever thought about leaving your current living situation for a life in a treehouse nestled within a woodland similar to that of the Kokiri Forest in The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time? In essence, this is what your life might resemble if you were to make such a move.

The forest resembles a peaceful, non-chaotic version of Lord of the Flies. Here, the inhabitants, the Kokiri, possess an air of childlike innocence, mostly preoccupied with their days filled with play and mischief, using slingshots and Deku Nuts to tease one another.

As I step into Link’s virtual boots, there’s a strange sensation, like no one else among the Kokiri quite gets where I’m coming from. Maybe it’s intentional, since, after all, Link isn’t really one of them – he’s an outsider in the forest.

Exploring the heart of Hyrule becomes all the more enticing when you find the dense woods a touch confining due to limited space and amenities, stirring an irresistible desire to venture further into its expanses.

9. Cornelia

Final Fantasy

Corneria, sometimes referred to as Cornelia in the initial Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) version, serves as the first town you explore in the original Final Fantasy game.

To put it simply, when you begin playing, you’ll find yourself instantly at the entrance of the very first location, making it your initial destination.

As a gamer, I must admit that Cornelia doesn’t stand out much at first glance. It’s your typical JRPG town, complete with a grand castle looming over the landscape. Nothing too extraordinary about it, but who knows what secrets lie beneath?

The ordinary feel of the story’s plotline makes its climactic surprise all the more intriguing. At first glance, it appeared as if you were merely completing a routine task for a king in any other role-playing game, slaying a common knight. However, unbeknownst to you, your actions ignited a chain of events leading to an epic confrontation with the very embodiment of chaos itself.

8. Toad Town

Paper Mario

In Paper Mario, Toad Town serves as the main gathering spot. Originally, this was where Peach’s Castle stood before Bowser blasted it off into the upper atmosphere.

Despite various opinions regarding the Toads of the Mushroom Kingdom’s ability to protect their royalty, there’s no denying that they excel at constructing infrastructure for themselves.

In a straightforward and conversational manner, one could rephrase it as: Toad Town appears to be quite an appealing place to reside, boasting conventional amenities such as stores and inns, alongside unique establishments like a martial arts studio and a fortuneteller’s abode.

Initially, the town seems quite expansive upon your release following the game’s opening chapter, and its dimensions grow even richer as the game progresses, revealing additional locations.

This town isn’t simply a starting point; it feels more like a unique character that evolves alongside Mario’s personal journey.

7. Pallet Town

Pokemon Red & Blue

Pallet Town serves as the archetypal beginner’s city, marking the initial step in the first Pokémon video games.

Red’s hometown is also where Ash Ketchum resides in the anime series, making it a significant location in both the original games and the animated adaptation.

In the games, this town is quite diminutive. It’s almost minuscule, consisting merely of three buildings. One of these structures belongs to Professor Oak, who’s a well-known figure here. There are only two exits from this town, and one of them demands a Pokemon capable of swimming and carrying you – a rare find in the area.

In the anime, it’s portrayed as a much larger, yet still fairly rural farming community.

Regardless of your choice, this location seems to inspire the exclamation, “Oh boy, I can hardly wait to be somewhere else, capturing any other Pokemon other than Pidgeys.” It might be its charm that makes it an ideal starting point for a novice’s Pokemon adventure.

After exploring the quaint little town thoroughly, take the route towards Viridian City instead. You might even encounter a few friendly faces on your journey.

6. Traverse Town

Kingdom Hearts

Following the enshrouding of the Destiny Islands with darkness at the onset of Kingdom Hearts, Sora is unexpectedly left in the secluded corners of Traverse Town.

The enchanting ambiance of Traverse Town is strangely soothing, with its myriad glowing neon signs casting a gentle twinkle and the endless night overhead providing tranquility following a distressing experience.

It’s interesting to note that the town we see is intentionally designed. In subsequent games, it’s hinted that Traverse Town mysteriously materializes as a refuge for those who survive a world’s plunge into darkness.

Should an unexpected abyss engulf your entire existence, Traverse Town stands ready as a refuge for you to find solace in, until a child wielding the necessary key resolves the predicament.

5. Onett

Earthbound

Onett is the first town of Earthbound, and yes, that’s pronounced “o-net,” if you were wondering.

Ness and his loved ones reside at the town’s edge, regrettably with the bothersome character, Pokey Minch, as their neighbor.

This game, Onett, seems to capture rather uniquely the quirky essence of suburban middle America, ironically given its Japanese origin.

Here you have a mix of disrespectful critters roaming about, idle townsfolk more interested in spreading rumors than productive work, a group claiming to be bikers who seem less interested in actual motorcycles, and a law enforcement team that’s aggressively setting up roadblocks left and right, seemingly on a mission to break some sort of record.

Depending on the location of your childhood, the feeling of recognizing a place like Onett might vary. However, for those hailing from a quiet, small town, Onett could evoke a strangely comforting ambiance.

4. Megaton

Fallout 3

Instead of considering Vault 101 as the “starter town” in Fallout 3, one might view it more accurately as a learning ground, where you get familiarized with game mechanics rather than having access to services or shops typically associated with towns.

As I ventured deeper into this post-apocalyptic world, the very first sizable community I stumbled upon was none other than Megaton – a sprawling settlement with a peculiar claim: it’s nestled around a supposedly dormant nuclear bomb.

In comparison to other post-apocalyptic settlements, Megaton can be quite pleasant, although it may not match the luxury enjoyed by individuals such as Allistair Tenpenny or Mr. House who possess vast amounts of caps.

Megaton stands out uniquely among other locations in Fallout 3 as it serves as a sorting factor for players. Deciding to either ignite the slumbering nuke for amusement or choosing not to can significantly shape the course of your gameplay experience throughout the campaign.

3. The Citadel

Mass Effect

Mentioning that Mass Effect’s Citadel is merely a “town” might be slightly misleading, given its massive scale as a colossal space station.

Instead of being just a small town, it resembles more of a whole county, with numerous city-like districts spread out, and the main hub, or Presidium, is centrally located.

Regardless, it serves as an appropriate sanctuary for civilization, and following your initial encounter with the Geth on Eden Prime, you’ll appreciate its presence all the more.

If you’ve resided in a bustling urban area brimming with individuals from diverse backgrounds living closely together, the atmosphere at the Citadel is reminiscent of that experience.

You could rephrase it as: Absolutely, you need to swap “individuals from various backgrounds” for “extraterrestrial beings hailing from every nook and cranny of the cosmos, perhaps even beyond our current understanding.” In essence, it’s like comparing apples to oranges.

2. Riverwood

The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim

The initial settlement you come across following your successful evasion of execution (and a subsequent dragon assault) in Skyrim is known as Riverwood.

Despite being significantly smaller in size compared to the neighboring Whiterun Hold, it exudes just as much bold Nordic spirit as a large metropolis does.

Frankly, it’s quite remarkable; the inhabitants of Riverwood are generally able to look after themselves, mainly due to their thriving fishery by the river. This means they can largely avoid the chaos surrounding the Stormcloaks, except for the occasional encounter with a traveling highwayman.

Depending greatly on your gaming style, deciding to stay in Riverwood for the long haul can be influenced by various factors. However, if you’re uncertain about navigating situations once the main storyline starts, this robust settlement offers valuable abilities and tools that can help you get accustomed to the environment.

1. Kamiki Village

Okami

In Kamiki Village, which serves as the beginning of Okami, a stone wolf statue revered by the locals is where the divine manifestation of Amaterasu takes place.

The image depicts a minuscule Edo-period Japanese hamlet, isolated amidst towering cliffs and the seafront.

Or:
The scene showcases a small Edo-era Japanese village nestled in an uncanny location, surrounded by steep cliffs and the seashore.

Both sentences convey the same meaning but with slightly different styles.

This location might not attract much interest otherwise, but due to its association with malevolent beings such as Orochi and the past form of Amaterasu known as Shiranui, it has become significant.

In any case, the inhabitants of Kamiki Village hold dogs and wolves in high esteem due to Shiranui’s brave actions. A town where people appreciate dogs is certainly a town worthy of admiration, period.

2025-02-21 17:41