Most Ambitious Video Game Worlds of the Last 10 Years

The gaming industry is currently filled with sequels, remakes, and reboots – just consider highly anticipated titles like Grand Theft Auto 6, The Elder Scrolls 6, The Witcher 4, and Resident Evil Requiem (which is actually the ninth game in the series). Because of this trend, truly original new games are uncommon, and those that create expansive and promising worlds are especially rare.

Despite the feeling that everything in gaming has been done before, new titles constantly emerge that redefine what’s possible. These games create rich, detailed worlds with compelling stories that immediately feel new and visually impressive. We’re exploring the most innovative and expansive video game worlds of the last ten years. You’ll find a fantastic variety below, spanning grim fantasy landscapes, realistic modern cities, and surprisingly deep futuristic wastelands.

Warning! Major lore-related Spoilers Ahead!

Elden Ring

The Lands Between

When people think of recent games with incredibly detailed and original worlds, Elden Ring often comes to mind. Its setting, The Lands Between, is truly unmatched, a spectacular fantasy universe brought to life by the talents of Hidetaka Miyazaki and George R.R. Martin. Elden Ring is famous for its mysterious story and the deep history players uncover as they explore. Players slowly piece together the complicated relationships between powerful demigods, the origins of the world’s creatures and races, and the subtle impact of powerful cosmic forces.

Even before its release, Elden Ring generated a lot of excitement, with fans eagerly speculating about its story and world, anticipating something truly remarkable. The final game exceeded even those high expectations, offering a stunningly beautiful and diverse open world teeming with unique creatures. Every detail feels carefully considered and purposeful. Given the success of Elden Ring Nightreign, it’s clear this universe has a lot more to offer, and it will be interesting to see what comes next.

Horizon Zero Dawn

31st-Century Earth Post-AI Catastrophe

From the moment it was revealed, Horizon Zero Dawn felt incredibly original – not just within the open-world game genre, but as a game in general. Its unique and beautiful visuals instantly set it apart, creating a world where futuristic technology like AI and plasma weapons coexist with tribes of people rediscovering their history. But Horizon Zero Dawn is more than just a visually stunning game; it boasts a surprisingly deep and captivating story. As you unravel the game’s secrets, the world becomes even more believable and complex.

After the success of Horizon Forbidden West, Guerrilla Games expanded its sci-fi world, revealing some story details while also introducing new puzzles for fans. Exploring the aftermath of the AI disaster was exciting, but Forbidden West took things further by adding the surprising element of humans from another star system. With both games being so well-received, players are anticipating a third installment that will finally provide the answers they’ve been waiting for and bring a satisfying conclusion to this unique and ambitious series.

Pillars Of Eternity

The World Of Eora

The world of Eora, first seen in Pillars of Eternity, quickly became one of the most beloved fantasy settings in gaming. It was also a significant achievement for Obsidian Entertainment, as it allowed them to create their own original universe after years of working on established franchises like Star Wars, Neverwinter Nights, and Fallout. Eora is a deeply detailed world filled with fascinating races and intricate relationships, a unique system based on souls, and a wealth of lore that players can spend countless hours discovering.

The world of Eora is a rich tapestry woven from ancient mythology, the idea of rebirth, diverse cultures, and different kinds of magic. It tackles complex themes like prejudice and the impact of colonialism (especially in the sequel, Deadfire), while still feeling familiar to fans of classic role-playing games. Pillars of Eternity builds on established genre conventions with stunning visuals and a strong sense of adventure, creating a unique experience where both technology and magic are powerful forces. The Eora universe now spans three games, with Avowed being the latest effort to explore its potential, though reception has been varied. Only time will tell what the future holds for Eora and its dedicated fanbase.

Control

The Oldest House (Remedy Connected Universe)

As a huge fan, I have to say Remedy’s Connected Universe is one of the most creative and exciting things I’ve seen in gaming lately! It really kicked off with Control, and it was awesome how quickly they started connecting it to the original Alan Wake. Even just exploring the Oldest House in Control – this crazy building that’s always changing and is the headquarters for the FBC – felt really special. But it turned out to be so much bigger than I expected! It’s all part of this incredible vision Sam Lake had, and was just the beginning of it all coming together.

Games like Alan Wake 2 have greatly broadened the Remedy Connected Universe, establishing the Federal Bureau of Control (FBC) as a long-standing, all-seeing organization that investigates paranormal events. This has also added layers of complexity to the universe’s story and mythology. The RCU is a captivating world filled with strange objects, unexplainable forces, and a unique storytelling approach, where anything feels possible. The next installment, Control Resonant, aims to build on this even further, and is shaping up to be Remedy’s largest and most ambitious project yet, featuring a more open-ended gameplay experience.

Final Fantasy 16

The World Of Valisthea

The Final Fantasy series is known for creating completely new and imaginative worlds with each main game, then moving on to a different one for the next installment. Over the last ten years, Final Fantasy 15 and Final Fantasy 16 have both introduced their own unique universes: Eos and Valisthea, respectively. While fans have their favorites, Final Fantasy 16 was generally better received, and its world stands out even within the series for being particularly unusual.

Nearly every Final Fantasy game includes recurring themes and elements, and Final Fantasy 16 continues that tradition. The game features a continent powered by Mothercrystals and scarred by battles between powerful beings called Eikons – a setting longtime fans will recognize. However, FF16 presents a more realistic and gritty world, heavily inspired by Western fantasy series like Game of Thrones. This shift has sparked debate among fans, but it also made the game accessible to new players. FF16 successfully blends familiar Final Fantasy elements with fresh ideas, all within a large-scale story that explores complex moral questions.

Death Stranding

United Cities Of America (UCA)

Following years dedicated to the Metal Gear series, fans were eagerly anticipating Hideo Kojima’s next original game. The first trailer for Death Stranding was a huge surprise, so strange that many thought it might be a hidden message rather than a genuine game reveal. The finished game lived up to the hype, delivering a uniquely ambitious and surreal experience. It portrays a fragmented, post-apocalyptic America (referred to as the UCA) haunted by mysterious creatures called Beached Things, and further solidified Kojima’s reputation as a visionary game creator.

Death Stranding is a remarkably original game, blending imaginative science fiction with surprisingly human stories. It expertly combines bizarre concepts – like the world-altering ‘Death Stranding’ event, strange rain called timefall, and unique technologies – with deeply personal narratives told from various viewpoints. The game’s world, brought to life by stunning designs from Yoji Shinkawa, is both captivatingly mysterious and incredibly detailed in its history and mythology. The upcoming sequel, Death Stranding 2: On the Beach, expands on everything players loved about the first game, taking the action to new locations in Mexico and Australia.

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33

The Continent (Painted Lumiere)

The world of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33’s, called The Continent, isn’t trying to be the most expansive world out there, but it stands out for its unique style. It’s a painted world, and the creators use that freedom to build a truly imaginative place, much like the classic Final Fantasy games, without being limited by strict rules or a consistent aesthetic.

Each new region in the game feels completely unique, and the creatures you meet change dramatically as you explore. While Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is at its heart a personal story, the world itself is full of interesting details. It’s inspired by the Belle Époque era and features events like the yearly Gommage, where anyone reaching a certain age mysteriously vanishes. You’ll also encounter fascinating races like the Nevrons and the Gestrals, who resemble living brushes. As you uncover the tragic history of the Dessendre family, the game’s world starts to come together, and even the fact that it’s deliberately a fictional universe adds to its charm and makes it a memorable experience.

2025-12-30 02:38