Beautiful Game Worlds That Make Earth Look Ugly In Comparison

People who love the outdoors know there’s more to life than material possessions. Whether it’s hiking in national parks or surfing the ocean, the world is full of incredible natural beauty. However, traveling to experience these places can be costly, and unfortunately, not everyone has the means to do so.

Video games offer a fun way to escape reality, transporting players to incredible places – from fantastical worlds to realistic recreations of the past and present. Some games feature environments so stunningly beautiful, they can even surpass the beauty of the real world, making everyday life seem less vibrant in comparison.

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt

Horrors Everywhere, But Beauty Underneath

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt is an open-world fantasy game with a setting inspired by European myths and legends. Players battle a variety of monsters in exciting, visually impressive combat – especially when using magic. The game features a realistic day-night cycle, and some of the most beautiful views can be found while exploring on horseback at sunset.

This world features vibrant forests filled with mysterious creatures, bustling towns full of people, and dramatic cliffs that drop down to endless, clear blue oceans. Its colors are so rich and inviting, it feels more immersive than simply traveling through Europe.

Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth

Life Outside Of Midgar

Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth is an open-world action game divided into distinct areas, each with its own special feel. The game begins in a region with grassy plains and dramatic ocean cliffs. Players will also explore a coastal city with a ruined shipyard, a vibrant beach town reminiscent of the Bahamas, a fun-filled amusement park with lots of mini-games, and many other diverse locations.

The game world is incredibly detailed, from the environments to the characters, who look remarkably lifelike. It blends fantasy and science fiction seamlessly, creating a unique Earth-like setting that feels both recognizable and alien.

Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart

Breaking Reality

Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart is the newest game in the popular Ratchet & Clank action platformer series. In this installment, Ratchet and Clank team up with their counterparts from another dimension, Rivet and Kit, to save the multiverse from destruction. The game is also a stunning demonstration of the PlayStation 5’s capabilities, seamlessly transporting players between diverse planetary environments without any loading screens.

Similar to other games in the series, players will explore a variety of amazing planets beyond Earth – places we can only imagine visiting in space. The game focuses on jumping and moving through these environments, letting players fully appreciate the beautiful scenery, including lush plants, stunning skies, and futuristic cities. Plus, the animation is incredibly high-quality, almost like a Pixar movie.

God Of War Ragnarok

Behold, The Rainbow Bridge

God of War Ragnarok is the newest installment in the God of War series. The series originally drew inspiration from Greek mythology, but this game – and the previous one from 2018 – focuses on Norse mythology. Players will revisit locations from the 2018 game, though the environments have changed due to the coming of Ragnarok, the Norse apocalypse.

The game lets players journey through the frozen landscapes of Midgard – forests, lakes, and valleys – and also offers a portal to explore nine other unique realms. These areas range from dark, mushroom-filled forests and deep caves, to a stunning climb up the mountains of Asgard. Seeing classic Norse gods and monsters reimagined visually is another highlight.

Kena: Bridge Of Spirits

Reforming The World

Kena: Bridge of Spirits feels similar to a Pixar movie, just like Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart. You play as Kena, a spirit healer, and team up with adorable creatures called Rot to explore a beautiful fantasy world and heal a forest that’s being overtaken by a mysterious corruption.

While the game’s environments aren’t hugely diverse, this particular forest is stunning, filled with bright greens and sparkling blue rivers. As you play as Kena, you’ll explore, solve puzzles, and battle creatures to bring the forest back to its original beauty. It’s a world so captivating, you might even wish you could magically fix the real world – though unfortunately, that’s not possible.

Shadow Of The Colossus (2018)

Empty, But Mesmerizing

Shadow of the Colossus takes place in a vast, but desolate and decaying world. Players control Wander, whose quest is to defeat 16 massive Colossi to save a girl named Mono. The game focuses entirely on exploration and epic boss battles, with no other enemies or characters to encounter.

The game features a huge, mysterious world filled with wide-open spaces, deep valleys, and ancient ruins, creating a sense of isolation as players try to understand where they are. The most impressive part of the game is the Colossi themselves – massive creatures that take the form of beasts, fish, and birds. It’s a truly unique experience, unlike anything else in gaming or found in the real world, full of wonder and enigma.

Horizon Forbidden West

The Future Is Grim And Green

Horizon Forbidden West takes place in a post-apocalyptic world inspired by our own. Centuries after a disaster caused by robots, most of humanity is gone, but small groups of people have survived. The land has begun to recover, though dangerous robotic creatures still wander the Earth.

The first game was set in Colorado, and this one moves the action to the West Coast – which explains the title. It’s a unique take on a post-apocalyptic world, showing how resourceful humans can be. The robotic creatures are both scary and cleverly designed. Seeing iconic landmarks like the Golden Gate Bridge overtaken by nature is truly amazing.

Assassin’s Creed Odyssey

A History Lesson

The Assassin’s Creed games are known for their detailed recreations of important historical periods, like ancient Egypt, Japan, and Italy. While it’s not actual time travel, the series offers players the most immersive way to experience these periods—even if with a fictional twist—in a video game. Assassin’s Creed Odyssey is set primarily in ancient Greece, a fascinating Mediterranean world around 400 BC.

While there are plenty of interesting towns and coastal villages to discover, the real highlight of the game is sailing the open sea. The water effects are some of the most beautiful ever seen in a video game. Diving underwater to find treasure and the added mythological content, like the story of Atlantis, make Assassin’s Creed Odyssey a particularly captivating game, even beyond its core assassination missions.

2026-01-20 14:38