Best RPG World Maps – Investment Policy

Since I haven’t been able to travel internationally, video games have been my main way of experiencing different cultures and stories from around the globe.

Interactive media, whether it’s based on real events or pure imagination, has consistently helped me see the world in new ways. This is especially true for stories that truly make you feel like you’ve been transported to another place.

Whether it’s stories set in the Middle Ages, the future, or today, the strength of these works really comes down to one thing: the setting. It’s the most important part.

There’s no better way to show my gratitude for the immersive worlds of video games than by sharing a list of the ten best RPG maps.

10. Black Myth: Wukong

The Greatness of Chinese Mythology

Setting aside the annoying limitations that keep you from wandering wherever you’d like, Black Myth: Wukong truly shines with its incredible world design – it’s hard to put into words just how impressive it is.

Okay, so the actual levels are pretty linear – basically one long path. But visually? Wow. It’s stunning. They’ve packed in so many different environments, and everything is just beautifully designed with a lot of meaning. Plus, the game clearly has a real appreciation for Chinese culture, and honestly, it’s breathtaking – it genuinely made me stop and just admire it.

Judging Black Myth: Wukong based on its artistry alone is tough – it’s stunning. Even the in-game map, which is meant to be practical, is beautifully designed and rivals the visuals in most games.

Despite lacking innovative gameplay, Black Myth: Wukong easily earns its spot here thanks to its stunning and breathtaking environments.

9. The Outer Worlds

Obsidian Doing Obsidian Things

Obsidian Entertainment is easily one of my favorite game developers, and a big reason why is their talent for building worlds that feel both incredibly creative and realistically believable.

Although I admit The Outer Worlds isn’t the team’s strongest game, it still showcases what I love about their work. I find its imaginative universe, plants, creatures, and the history of its people truly captivating.

This isn’t your average space adventure, even though it has some familiar elements. It aims to create a unique world that feels immersive both in its story and how you play, filling every area with small, interesting details that make the experience richer and more engaging.

Beyond its engaging gameplay, The Outer Worlds stands out because it cleverly examines themes like corporate greed, colonialism, and abuse of power. What I appreciate most is how the game doesn’t just tell a story – it holds a mirror up to our own world, prompting us to think about the issues we face today.

8. Diablo 4

A Heaven Full of Demons

It took a while, but I eventually noticed how much better the map design was in Diablo 4 compared to the previous game. It wasn’t just that the maps looked good – they were truly engaging.

I was really glad to see Blizzard listened to the feedback about the last game’s maps feeling too flat. They really went all out to make this one feel much more vertical and lively – it makes exploring so much more fun and rewarding!

Every part of the game world is now populated with enemies or events. If you find an empty space, it’s likely the entrance to a cave or dungeon. If there are no entrances anywhere, it means a special world event is happening. This version of the game ensures there’s always something going on, and it looks fantastic too!

I know this recent development has frustrated many fans, especially after their experience with Diablo 3. However, throughout my long history with this game, I’ve never felt so motivated to simply wander and discover things – not just to check them off a list, but because I genuinely wanted to explore.

7. Avowed

More Fantasy Than You Can Conceive

No matter what people think of the game Avowed, it’s hard to argue that it doesn’t have one of the best game worlds we’ve seen in the last ten years.

While the game isn’t groundbreaking in how much you can change things through role-playing, it more than makes up for it with incredibly engaging experiences that will make you want to explore every corner of the world.

Okay, so this game might not be super long compared to others, but honestly, every little thing you do feels amazing. And the world itself? It’s just packed with these huge, mysterious landmarks that you have to go check out. I found myself constantly dropping whatever I was doing just to explore and learn more about everything – it’s totally captivating!

The game really shines because it’s set in the detailed world of Pillars of Eternity. This allows it to create a captivating mythology filled with interesting locations, creatures, groups, and challenges that will keep you engaged throughout the entire story.

Without my small contribution, I believe everyone would already consider Avowed one of the best RPGs released so far, and that’s why I’m sharing my thoughts.

6. Dragon Age: Inquisition

Exploring Thedas Like Never Before

It’s impossible to create a list of top RPGs without including a game made by BioWare, and Dragon Age: Inquisition definitely deserves a spot.

Like Avowed, this game traded meaningful player abilities for impressive visuals and gameplay, but it’s incredibly immersive and captivating once you start playing.

I recall it being the first game that truly felt modern, packed with tons of things to do – objectives, collectibles, interesting characters, vibrant cities, and classic elements like dragons and dungeons – all contributing to a massive, immersive open world.

I understand some players were disappointed that the world map isn’t fully connected. However, I saw it as a way to highlight the strategic, military-like feeling of being part of the Inquisition – even choosing where to travel feels like a carefully planned operation.

Dragon Age: Inquisition truly brings the world of Thedas to life with incredible detail. From the starting area of The Hinterlands to locations like Val Royeaux, the Hissing Wastes, and Emprise du Lion, the game offers a massive and impressive experience.

5. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33

A Gorgeous Fragmented Canvas

The world of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is so visually striking – and, fair warning for those who haven’t completed it, reveals itself as a work of art – that any further explanation of why it belongs here feels unnecessary.

I tend to talk a lot, so let me explain why I included the amazing Lumière. The biggest reason is its incredible design – it’s truly unique, beautiful, and complex in a way that outshines almost anything we’ve ever seen.

Similar to Black Myth: Wukong, the game’s exploration is somewhat restricted by narrow pathways. However, it overcomes this by using a traditional overworld design – a throwback to older games with simpler, more open environments.

The game’s design creates visually and aurally impressive levels, even though they aren’t directly connected. It also effectively conveys a sense of vastness and achievement, constantly reminding you of both how much further there is to go and how much you’ve already accomplished.

This decade, one of the most memorable experiences has been flying aboard Esquie and seeing the broken, dreamlike Paris created for Expedition 33 – it’s a welcome and refreshing change of scenery.

4. Mass Effect 2

The Peak of Science Fiction

I love games that try something completely new, but I also admire those that perfect existing ideas. That’s what I think Mass Effect 2 does with science fiction – it takes everything that makes the genre great and makes it even better.

I used to think I just loved the galaxy map in this game because it reminded me of good times, but I recently realized BioWare was truly innovative in its world design. The way the gameplay and story connect is just amazing.

Mass Effect 2 excels at making you feel like a leader commanding a fleet and discovering new worlds. Its central hub feels natural, and the game boasts a huge range of diverse environments that truly immerse you in the role of an interstellar explorer.

Adding to all of this is one of the greatest supporting casts ever created, making you want to explore every part of the game world. This results in a truly exceptional campaign, start to finish, that remains unmatched even now, largely due to its clever use of space and how it guides players through the environment.

3. The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt

The Eponym of Medieval Fantasy

When it comes to games with incredibly detailed worlds, CD Projekt RED is in a league of its own. The challenge was deciding between their two masterpieces: The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt and Cyberpunk 2077.

I ended up choosing Geralt’s adventure over V’s. While V’s story is all contained within Night City, Geralt’s takes you everywhere. Seriously, the world is huge and feels incredibly detailed – I haven’t seen a game with this much interactive depth in a really long time. It’s a massive place to explore!

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It’s rare to find a game that creates such a convincing world like The Witcher 3. What makes it special is how your choices, even in small, remote locations, can have a real impact on quests much later in the game.

However, this is just one instance of a broader trend: the game aims to provide players with a huge number of options within a truly captivating and richly detailed medieval fantasy world – one of the best in gaming.

I haven’t even mentioned the expansions, which make The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt truly exceptional when it comes to stunningly beautiful game worlds.

2. The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim

Your Second Life’s Home

If you check out the first three items on this list, you’ll quickly realize I’m a huge fan of medieval fantasy. And if you love that genre, you absolutely have to play The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim.

We can easily appreciate a map’s beauty or how much detail it has, but Bethesda’s game goes above and beyond, offering reasons for its outstanding world design that go beyond the typical criteria.

You really understand how amazing a game is when you’ve spent hundreds of hours discovering everything it has to offer, when you choose to play without on-screen prompts because the world is so captivating, or when, even after years, you’re eager to start a new character and experience it all over again.

While the game’s technology definitely shows its age, its beautiful frozen worlds, creepy dungeons, strange palaces, hidden caves, expansive waters, and countless secrets are still just as exciting to explore now as they were when it first came out in 2011, and that’s what truly matters.

1. Elden Ring

An Incomparable World

I’ve mentioned several huge games with endless secrets – games you could play for years and still not discover everything. Elden Ring really stands out as a prime example of this kind of experience.

I’ve played a lot of video games over the past 15 years and thought I’d experienced everything. But the latest game in the Soulsborne style genuinely surprised me and evoked strong emotions, largely thanks to its incredible world, The Lands Between.

It might seem repetitive to keep saying it, but the feeling of finally reaching the Siofra River, discovering the lands of Liurnia after dozens of hours in Limgrave, or stumbling upon hidden areas cleverly concealed behind coffins or rings is just too amazing not to talk about.

Beyond the excitement of finding new things to do, the game is simply beautiful to experience. It leads you through its world so smoothly and expertly, it feels like the work of a true master.

Elden Ring’s world is filled with incredible sights – from castles and poisonous rivers to underground cities, tree-connected pathways, icy mountains, and twisted sewers. The game’s map design is remarkably imaginative and consistent, and I doubt any other game will be able to achieve the same level of quality.

2026-01-14 00:42