Five Favorites: Video Game Worlds w/ Travis Gafford and Brandon Sanderson

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  • Опубліковано 2 лют 2023
  • Travis Gafford and Brandon Sanderson sit down to talk about their top five favorite video game worlds.
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КОМЕНТАРІ • 802

  • @TravisGafford
    @TravisGafford Рік тому +2134

    I was like "ooh, new Brandon video just dropped!... Oh wait"

    • @Mahoneyyay
      @Mahoneyyay Рік тому +61

      Heyy you're the guy haha

    • @zackjohnson8632
      @zackjohnson8632 Рік тому +42

      Pro: you got to get a nice boost, professionally and emotionally
      Con: no food heist.

    • @cosmerejunkie7931
      @cosmerejunkie7931 Рік тому +4

      😆

    • @kunai92
      @kunai92 Рік тому +22

      @@zackjohnson8632 My metric for all videos nowadays is if they teach me about a food heist. Needless to say I have a very difficult time finding quality content.

    • @NickBaccala
      @NickBaccala Рік тому

      your #4 was on point

  • @FiIIerguy
    @FiIIerguy Рік тому +349

    "Kotor did more (world-building-wise) for SW than the movies ever did."
    You just became my favorite author.

    • @fightfordawn
      @fightfordawn Рік тому +5

      Again

    • @Wayleran
      @Wayleran Рік тому +7

      Yes! :D And let's not forgot that aside from some weaker episodes the same can be said about the animated series (Clone Wars, Rebels and Bad Batch)... But indeed Brandon is awesome and KOTOR was amazing!

    • @raider363
      @raider363 Рік тому +1

      Yea this resonated so hard with me... I absolutely loved kotor by the movies just feel hollow by comparison.

  • @skywriter9532
    @skywriter9532 Рік тому +605

    Dishonored has massively underrated worldbuilding.

    • @ceciliajohnson5139
      @ceciliajohnson5139 Рік тому +19

      Yes! It would definitely make my list.

    • @sefflikejeff1917
      @sefflikejeff1917 Рік тому +49

      Dishonored has massively underrated everything, the first game is almost a masterpiece imo

    • @joshsevers
      @joshsevers Рік тому +1

      100%! Loved getting lost in the lore of those games.

    • @TheRASDEL83
      @TheRASDEL83 Рік тому +12

      Totally agree and I kinda always recommend it to people that liked Mistborn 😂

    • @alicrastd3095
      @alicrastd3095 Рік тому +2

      I don’t like it that nobody is a good guy in dishonored, but I do agree that the world is cool.

  • @timsloane
    @timsloane Рік тому +485

    Seeing Brandon and Travis forget the key word from Undertale fills you with DETERMINATION ;-)

    • @mhelvens
      @mhelvens Рік тому +22

      Glad that's resolved. 😎

    • @herosmith5662
      @herosmith5662 Рік тому +8

      Isn't that also a literal Feruchemical attribute?

    • @timsloane
      @timsloane Рік тому +9

      @@herosmith5662 Hah! They forgot to wear their copperminds.

  • @godminnette2
    @godminnette2 Рік тому +124

    Learning that Brandon watches Dunkey is so funny to me

    • @orinblank2056
      @orinblank2056 Рік тому +5

      I know, I also kinda cracke dup about that. Like it's not super surprising, but just not something I had ever even remotely considered

    • @MFDOOOOM
      @MFDOOOOM Рік тому +2

      Dunkey is ultra cringe

    • @marky6456
      @marky6456 Рік тому +15

      @@MFDOOOOM You just don't get satire.

    • @MFDOOOOM
      @MFDOOOOM Рік тому

      @@marky6456 lmfao Dunkey has the most generic cookie clutter jokes you pseud

    • @lukecardoza1103
      @lukecardoza1103 16 днів тому +1

      @@MFDOOOOM you are nitpicking and biased. i win

  • @lonsunokrogan
    @lonsunokrogan Рік тому +221

    Thank you Travis for being a proponent of Mass Effect for Brandon it's a awesome thing to see.

  • @TaiSharTanner
    @TaiSharTanner Рік тому +118

    It blows my mind that Brandon has never played Outer Wilds. I feel like it would become his favorite single player game ever

  • @Prymalfire
    @Prymalfire Рік тому +257

    With the mention of 'diagetic death' I was hoping Outer Wilds would make the list. I would love to have Brandon play Outer Wilds and share their experience

    • @thatcher174
      @thatcher174 Рік тому +21

      I came here to mention Outer Wilds. It's just so unique and beautiful

    • @nicklachen5060
      @nicklachen5060 Рік тому +17

      Yes; I suspect Brando would very much enjoy Outer Wilds.

    • @sawdust8691
      @sawdust8691 Рік тому +2

      Returnal as well. Incredible game, though extremely challenging.

    • @sterlingmuse5808
      @sterlingmuse5808 Рік тому +4

      I think he mentioned it on his top ten video games list a while ago, so I think he has played it and enjoyed it.

    • @Prymalfire
      @Prymalfire Рік тому +8

      @@sterlingmuse5808 On the top 10 games video, he mentioned owning and being keen to play The Outer Worlds, not Outer Wilds. Easy mistake to make!

  • @cosmerejunkie7931
    @cosmerejunkie7931 Рік тому +270

    I'm not a gamer BUT...
    If Sanderson does a Cosmere game I am all in!

    • @rodm209
      @rodm209 Рік тому +21

      Collaboration with fromsoftware studio just like George RR Martin

    • @spencerurban1092
      @spencerurban1092 Рік тому +4

      I’m the same way.

    • @obviousalias132
      @obviousalias132 Рік тому +3

      I’d love to see the worldbuilding for that given Sanderson’s enthusiasm for diagetic system

    • @Veirdonis
      @Veirdonis Рік тому +6

      I know Sanderson said that if anybody wanted to make a Mistborn game he would happily allow it

    • @Major98
      @Major98 Рік тому +4

      His worlds are so expansive he could do anything. Shardbearers and Stormlight, Mistborn Allomancers, the color magic from Warbreaker, hell I'd be down for Sando to write a Wheel of Time game

  • @DuctTapeJake
    @DuctTapeJake Рік тому +113

    Building on the Mass Effect discussion, I really think the Dragon Age world building is amazing. The history of different cultures and races, how dangerous magic is and how magic users are treated, the blending of history and religion. It's all so well done.

    • @Undone545
      @Undone545 Рік тому +11

      Dragon age:origins Is a game that has always stuck with me. Just a fantastic game I never thought I would like

    • @DerekBarolet
      @DerekBarolet Рік тому +6

      Origins is one of my go to games, and I even loved DA2

    • @Draugo
      @Draugo Рік тому +5

      Dragon Age starts basically as Wheel of Time though, it's hard to give it too much credit

    • @davidwilson6577
      @davidwilson6577 Рік тому +1

      First game yes, and inquisition sort of but not so much. The second was bare and dull.

    • @orinblank2056
      @orinblank2056 Рік тому +1

      @@Draugo What? How does Dragon Age feel like The Wheel of Time in any way? I'm very confused by your comment

  • @The_Blazelighter
    @The_Blazelighter Рік тому +50

    From now on, I will always picture Adolin as Tidus laughing

  • @ravenlockewinds4374
    @ravenlockewinds4374 Рік тому +44

    Brandon Sanderson mentioning Undertale was not something I expected, but it’s pretty cool.

    • @brandonprows
      @brandonprows Рік тому +2

      He also placed it on his list of the greatest video games ever made.

  • @thatcher174
    @thatcher174 Рік тому +93

    Outer Wilds from 2019 is hands down the most innovative and beautiful world building of all time. No contest for me

    • @sysain6114
      @sysain6114 Рік тому +5

      I was so sad Outer Wilds didn't appear here, it sounds like a game Brandon would really love

    • @thatgrimdude1453
      @thatgrimdude1453 Рік тому +2

      I love Outer Wilds, but I wouldn't necessarily think of it when I think of my favourite "game worlds". That implies something more... robust and defined than Outer Wilds' charming pocket solar system.

    • @FelixLess
      @FelixLess Рік тому +1

      I agree that it's probably my favourite video game of all time, but not necessarily the best world building

    • @thatcher174
      @thatcher174 Рік тому +1

      @@FelixLess I get it. But I didn't say it was the best. I said it was innovative and was my favorite.

    • @wavewithus4081
      @wavewithus4081 Рік тому +2

      He'd appreciate the format of the story for sure and the way in which the player really has to 'experience it for himself' by just heading in a direction and learning how the world operates.
      It's not hard detailed worldbuilding perse, but I'm sure he'd appreciate the true journey aspect of it and the way the story is (not) written.

  • @ramzes2624
    @ramzes2624 Рік тому +82

    Look how far Travis Gafford Industries has come. New favorite duo

    • @StarblindCelestial
      @StarblindCelestial Рік тому +2

      He has interviewed Brandon before in case you didn't know. It was for the release of Rhythm of War I think.

  • @MonkeyDPirateKing
    @MonkeyDPirateKing Рік тому +185

    Disco Elysium is a masterpiece of world building in a non generic sci-fi/fantasy I can't recommend it enough

    • @gustaveriksson113
      @gustaveriksson113 Рік тому +2

      As a guy who hates "mandatory" side quests, as in I miss too much lore/story/character beats without sidequests, should I play Disco Elysium? I basically want few relevant sidequests or none at all. Let's just say I can't play Witcher 3.

    • @maninblack3410
      @maninblack3410 Рік тому +2

      @@gustaveriksson113 I’m very early on and there’s just something about the fact that I know time is marching on and things happen at certain times that I feel like I’m gonna miss, to me it’s more pressure than majora’s mask because I know at any point in MM if I mess up I can always grab it next cycle.
      I absolutely love the writing so far, but that pressure has been keeping me away. I really should bite the bullet and get over that fear of missing out, and maybe it’s not even as bad as I feel like it is, but if you’re the same way that might give you some insight.

    • @tommyakesson8858
      @tommyakesson8858 Рік тому +10

      It took me until Sanderson talked about Undetale and in game mechanics existing in the world.
      And then it hit me like BOOM.
      Disco Elysium. My #1 pick
      But not just because of that.
      It realy feels like a slice of an entire, belivable, world. Which combines woth the visual and musikal aestehtics just hits so precise.
      And when you find the hole in the church ... oh man. It just fits so well into the story.

    • @floriandolder8111
      @floriandolder8111 Рік тому +9

      @@gustaveriksson113 Imo Disco Elysium is a pretty "tight" game in that way. You are a detective who is tasked with investigating a murder, so by design, you will be talking to a lot of characters and getting them to cooperate with you which leads to branching quests, most of which are in the service of the main narrative. There are also some less relevant side stories but they are the minority.

    • @CoronaryArteryDisease.
      @CoronaryArteryDisease. Рік тому +8

      Disco Elysium had some VERY talented writers.

  • @rapha_spi
    @rapha_spi Рік тому +50

    Bioshock was my immediate pick for No1 when they introduced the subject. Such an amazing experience

    • @jordonvh91
      @jordonvh91 6 днів тому

      I a few years late to the party but I'll never forget getting home from work, throwing on headsets and playing that first game in a dark room. So good!

  • @sebastianmcc14
    @sebastianmcc14 Рік тому +28

    Elder Scrolls always shocks me with the world building and lore. Its nearly endless

    • @JacksonOwex
      @JacksonOwex Рік тому +2

      Plus you can NEVER go wrong with Lusty Argonian Maids! lol

    • @bullrun2772
      @bullrun2772 10 місяців тому +1

      Tho someone is dreaming that up actaully

  • @celebalert5616
    @celebalert5616 Рік тому +4

    My top 5 favourite video game worlds :
    1. Lego: Jurrassic World
    2. Lego City Undercover
    3. Lego: Indianna Jones The Original Adventures
    4. Lego: Indianna Jones The Adventure Continues
    5. Lego Batman: The Video Game

  • @karstenkutterer
    @karstenkutterer Рік тому +63

    I can’t believe Dragon Age didn’t make either one’s list. The world building and lore in that series is huge and unique and fascinating!

    • @terencebad7009
      @terencebad7009 Рік тому +12

      It’s so generic 😅 all the places you go look like places you’ve been in a million other games and even the classes are mage, rogue and warrior. Never seen that before

    • @hellokittykillz5636
      @hellokittykillz5636 Рік тому +13

      @@terencebad7009 maybe on the surface for sure. But the deeper you go in the lore (especially with the books), you get pretty intricate and unique histories, cultures, and the like that are very fleshed out over thousands of years.

    • @karstenkutterer
      @karstenkutterer Рік тому +17

      @@terencebad7009 we are talking about world building here. Elder Scrolls, Dark Souls, League of Legends, etc. do the same basics of warrior, mage, rogue too. But Dragon Age, like those games, builds an interesting and unique world with interesting cultures and history. Then there are the blights and darkspawn, the fade and it’s approach to demons/spirits/mages. Like those other games, they create unique classes of warriors, mages and rogues too. If you are basing world building on class choices, mass effect let’s you choose to specialize in this generic gun or that generic gun or maybe some psychic/magic stuff, but that’s really only a tiny portion of the world it has built.

    • @joemoe650
      @joemoe650 Рік тому +1

      @@karstenkuttererI think the best way to describe DA is cool twists on classic concepts. But there isn't much that I haven't seen elsewhere . Now to be fair, I have only played inquisition, and I don't count the books (not to say can't , I am just considering how well the game uses its media to build its world).

    • @MaddyGatzka
      @MaddyGatzka Рік тому +4

      @@joemoe650 oof, definitely play Origins to get a better grasp on the world building. It makes everything feel so storied and alive.

  • @trevorcoen6273
    @trevorcoen6273 Рік тому +21

    I’ve never felt more torn. I NEED BS to write stormlight 5. But I also NEED him to finish the Mass Effect series.

  • @jalapenoofjustice4682
    @jalapenoofjustice4682 Рік тому +26

    The Xenoblade Chronicles games have some great worldbuilding. The sense of scale is incredible, and there's a lot of creativity in there. Every game in the series has its strengths in this department, I particularly enjoy the setting of X where humans have been forced to relocate to a distant planet and other species of aliens gradually start joining their new society.

    • @TheScar3cro
      @TheScar3cro Рік тому +2

      And also how the worlds from XC1-3 are interconnected is really great from a worldbuilding perspective.
      I'm not sure how X fits in there, but I think it's implied, that X is the continuation of the timeline in which Klaus was working and some humans escaped, which would be cool to integrate into the series in the future

    • @SpinnerEunieSimp
      @SpinnerEunieSimp Рік тому +1

      I hope he mentions it. There are a lot of similarities between the main Xenoblade series and Stormlight Archive. It's weird how similar they are for being developed and written around the same time.

    • @jalapenoofjustice4682
      @jalapenoofjustice4682 Рік тому

      @@TheScar3cro you should warn people of spoilers here (and I'm about to spoil some stuff as well). I don't think what we see in XCX really jives with what we see in the other games, 2 especially what with the Land of Morytha. I'm pretty sure it's just its own thing.

    • @andrewgreenwood9068
      @andrewgreenwood9068 Рік тому +1

      The way the worldbuilding of thos games backs up the themes it great

  • @joshyaash
    @joshyaash Рік тому +19

    Would have definitely placed Hollow Knight on mine. Glad to hear the honorable mention!

  • @jacobstamm
    @jacobstamm Рік тому +6

    Does my heart good to see Brandon’s honorable mention of KOTOR

  • @CygnusRising
    @CygnusRising Рік тому +191

    Mass Effect is an absolute masterpiece. I would watch the heck out of Brandon playing through Mass Effect. I think it's fairly common-knowledge that the ending of 3 is 'controversial' and hearing what Brandon thinks of it, if he would change it and if so how would be fascinating.

    • @christaylor7079
      @christaylor7079 Рік тому +16

      I hadn’t played it until Legendary Edition came out and I found the ending super underwhelming. And then my friends told me that this was an improvement over the even vaguer, even less impressive ending it originally had.
      To put that much effort into potentially hundreds of hours of storytelling and fail to stick the landing is one of the biggest “oof”s I’ve ever seen

    • @L00rdAjduk
      @L00rdAjduk Рік тому +8

      @@christaylor7079 imo the ending of ME is perfect! People complain that none of your decisions matter at the end, that it was all pointless and underwhelming, BUT that's the point! That's the message that the game slams you over the head in the last part, your resistance against the Reapers, your alliances, your decisions are, at the end of the day, pointless. They can't change what is to come.
      The pick a color nonsense was bad, that I agree on.

    • @dlon9067
      @dlon9067 Рік тому +3

      @@christaylor7079 Agreed. Hate the ending. Mass Effect Happy Ending Mod or the one that turns the ending into the Citadel party improves the game so much, in my opinion.

    • @CygnusRising
      @CygnusRising Рік тому +5

      ​@@christaylor7079 I agree that it's underwhelming, but I would raise two points -- I think they set themselves up for failure. No 'ending' to a game that spans essentially 100+ hours of real content is going to feel satisfying. Mass Effect was just *too big* . The attachment you grow with *your* incarnation of Shepherd, the crew of the Normandy, and the world you so heavily influenced is just... impossible to address the nuance of the bespoke journey that *you* specifically just experienced across three entire games. Could they have done *better*? Sure, not going to contest that the ending as most see it is vague and dissatisfying. But I think even had they done better it would still have felt that way, if not to so many at least to some.
      A friend also suggested that what we see as 'the ending' of Mass Effect 3 isn't really as contained within the 'climax' of the game-ending sequence of events. This game is *over 100 hours long* at this point. The ending really more like the last several *hours* of the game, and the part people complain about is really just the final chunk of that.
      I personally thought the epilogue was beautiful.

    • @christaylor7079
      @christaylor7079 Рік тому +3

      @@CygnusRising are you basically saying “Journey before Destination”?

  • @EmpoleonGaming
    @EmpoleonGaming 21 день тому +1

    Thank you very much for supporting League eSports! Love your books :)

  • @MitchWilcoxen
    @MitchWilcoxen Рік тому +10

    Elder Scrolls has an interesting approach to their lore. Within the many books and notes, there are usually more than one imperfect, sometimes contradictory accounts of the same event, leaving the player to decide what they believe actually happened.
    Not something I've seen in other games, but I really appreciate how it allows for even more player freedom in how they experience the world.

  • @GalaxyElfJess
    @GalaxyElfJess Рік тому +26

    I just finished reading my first Brandon book, The Final Empire, and all I can say is it definitely needs to be a video game. There's so much to it that would be great as a game, especially Vin and Kelsier running/jumping through the city. I desperately want to experience this.

    • @ivanjelenic5627
      @ivanjelenic5627 Рік тому +1

      oh wait until you finish the first trilogy :) (next 2 books)

    • @onepresence9460
      @onepresence9460 Рік тому

      Mistborn would be a perfect video game to play for sure.

  • @Pyridius
    @Pyridius Рік тому +20

    So cool to see Travis end up on Brandon's channel, can't wait to finish this video!

  • @guruthosamarthruin4459
    @guruthosamarthruin4459 Рік тому +23

    The Trails series (Trails in the Sky, Trails From Zero, Trails of Cold Steel, etc) has some of the best world-building and lore, ever.

    • @kaimcdragonfist4803
      @kaimcdragonfist4803 Рік тому +7

      I've been playing Cold Steel 1 and it really is a step beyond what I've come to expect in JRPGs. Super cool.

    • @grandgb99
      @grandgb99 Рік тому +1

      Yes!

    • @mc9723
      @mc9723 Рік тому +1

      This. I am embarrassed I didn't think of this. Very few games have me wanting to talk to everyone and read everything

  • @UnravelingthePattern
    @UnravelingthePattern Рік тому +36

    Bioshock and especially Bioshock Infinite absolutely deserve the top spot. Was getting nervous it wouldn't even be brought up! Brandon has good taste.

  • @saganage6779
    @saganage6779 Рік тому +4

    One of my favorite games from worldbuilding standpoint is Horizon. At first I thought Horizon looked silly with the robotic dinosaurs, but as you come to learn about the doomsday event that ended the world, the purpose of the variety of robotic animals around the world, and best of all how humanity rebuilt itself into these stone age tribes that built religions and systems of worship in reverence of ancient history (which was actually just modern human society as we currently know it), it became one of my favorite stories and settings in gaming.

  • @rohanxdavis
    @rohanxdavis Рік тому +30

    Pillars of eternity's world definitely makes my list!

    • @petercoulier6939
      @petercoulier6939 Рік тому +2

      im literally playing this game rn! - great so far

    • @Aldric524
      @Aldric524 Рік тому +1

      It's in my top 5 too probably.

    • @rohanxdavis
      @rohanxdavis Рік тому

      @@petercoulier6939 awesome! I'm replaying POE 2 deadfire right now as well 👌🏽

    • @JohnnyDustwalker
      @JohnnyDustwalker Рік тому

      I found it a bit forgettable? It didn't stick with me as much as the Baldur's Gate worldbuilding...

  • @ewatsupofficial
    @ewatsupofficial Рік тому +23

    This is great. I freakin love the content Brandon is posting.

  • @strawberryastronaut
    @strawberryastronaut Рік тому +3

    Horizon Zero Dawn and Horizon Forbidden West have some of the best worldbuilding in modern gaming IMO, they're so underrated and good!

  • @rahulpuppala9571
    @rahulpuppala9571 Рік тому +2

    Travis was the one who put me onto BrandoSando, and now hes my favorite author. Amazing to see them collaborate.

  • @michaeloconnor1281
    @michaeloconnor1281 Рік тому +4

    Replaying Final Fantasy 9, right this very second. The game is pure magic.
    "You're not alone"

  • @BlueJayYT
    @BlueJayYT Рік тому +4

    I literally clapped when Brandon said "Bioshock" for his number 1
    I also love the Portal/Half-life world
    Elden Ring
    Elder Scrolls
    Dishonored

  • @Newindianclassic
    @Newindianclassic Рік тому +3

    Whoa! I know Travis and Mark Z have talked about Sanderson before on one of their shows but to see the two of you on screen together is wild! This is an awesome collaboration.

  • @themris
    @themris Рік тому +6

    I think "Outer Wilds" tells its story in a really interesting and unique way. Can't recommend it highly enough!

  • @KnifeOfK
    @KnifeOfK Рік тому +9

    One of my personal favorite worlds are those of the Xenoblade Chronicles series. Such incredible stories, and the world itself just fells so… well, alive

    • @jabariwiththebois5765
      @jabariwiththebois5765 Рік тому +1

      THIS!!! The original is one of the greatest games ever made period, and I'm currently playing through 2.
      Not as good as one, but they still knock it out the park with the world

    • @andrewgreenwood9068
      @andrewgreenwood9068 Рік тому +2

      I especially love 3. It backs up the themes so well.

  • @mick16wtf
    @mick16wtf Рік тому

    Will watch later . Excited :D

  • @linusgschonhowd2132
    @linusgschonhowd2132 Рік тому +22

    I'd be really interested to hear Brandon's take on Outer Wilds. Amazing world and game

    • @redmatter20
      @redmatter20 Рік тому +2

      I was just thinking this! My favorite game of all time

    • @NameIess1ne
      @NameIess1ne Рік тому

      what about outer worlds?

  • @robhort2828
    @robhort2828 Рік тому +1

    Dude that was an unexpected crossover. Love it!

  • @que127
    @que127 Рік тому

    Great idea and execution. Thanks for putting this out there

  • @freighttrainusa
    @freighttrainusa Рік тому

    Amazing to see this! Both very respectable list.

  • @DrKingsleyRoberts
    @DrKingsleyRoberts Рік тому

    Woo! Great video. I screamed YES! when Travis revealed his number 1 because I was really worried it wouldn't be on either list.
    Truly fantastic world building. It was one of the first games that popped into my mind when hearing the prompt. Fantastic

  • @superfeng99
    @superfeng99 Рік тому +4

    I feel so validated that Brandon had the same exact experience as I did when starting Mass Effect 2 from Mass Effect 1. I had to wait so many years before starting again, but when I eventually did, I really enjoyed it. It's definitely worth continuing

  • @Stevintage
    @Stevintage Рік тому +4

    Oh my goodness, I’m so glad Travis mentioned mass effect, because I was going to be in shock if it wasn’t top 5 on someone’s list. I also love how passionate Travis is for mass effect 😁

  • @SomeTomfoolery
    @SomeTomfoolery Рік тому +2

    You are filled with determination ❤️

  • @havenschade8174
    @havenschade8174 Рік тому +5

    Outer wilds, by far my favorite game and world

  • @BLaacKj4cKK
    @BLaacKj4cKK Рік тому

    Travis doing great things as always. Congratulations brotha.

  • @conorlaithe7980
    @conorlaithe7980 Рік тому +3

    Dragon age and mass effect are some of my favorites. I believe Gears of War is a good mention also.

  • @ErelasInglor
    @ErelasInglor Рік тому +3

    Excellent takes and tastes, the addition of Mass Effect was exceptional in my book, very glad they discussed it and Brandon was encouraged to continue that game journey. Also very glad to hear the mention of KotOR, my favorite game/lore of the Star Wars universe.

  • @dazt6h
    @dazt6h Рік тому +7

    Pillar of Eternity is probably one of the games that kept me around just for the way the world developed around your actions and it's pretty fucking cool concept with really interesting characters.

    • @dazt6h
      @dazt6h Рік тому

      Nier Automata is another one that felt quite unique in the part of populated yet extremely quiet world that you can just dive deep into.

  • @proteuswest1084
    @proteuswest1084 Рік тому +3

    There are so many great games out there that it's not surprising to hear two very different lists, but both of them completely valid. I very much enjoy the world of Thedas in Dragon Age as well, with lots of interesting conflicts, interesting history, and detailed cultures.

  • @kamikazezebra
    @kamikazezebra Рік тому +3

    I actually found Brandon through Travis' videos. Have followed Travis for years because of League of Legends - he's great!

  • @serqet42
    @serqet42 Рік тому +20

    I was hoping FFXIV would be on one of their lists because the story and world are so amazing.

    • @TheePterrordactyl
      @TheePterrordactyl Рік тому

      I imagine if they went through FFXIV or FF Tactics they would have made the list.

    • @mercharris5266
      @mercharris5266 Рік тому

      The cutscenes were ahead of their time

  • @JesusIzAPunkRocker
    @JesusIzAPunkRocker Рік тому +4

    Mass Effect is an easy #1 for me. I wrote a term paper for a college course (heroines and heroic tradition) on the Asari. I loved learning about the tensions between the Geth and Quarians, Krogans and Salarians! How their cultures are so diverse and well defined. What a masterclass in world building.
    And Travis is so on point about how the permeance of your choices is an incredible part of the game. it's the future of videogames, where your relationships and decisions have lasting repercussions.
    Brandon had a Great answer too, God I loved traveling through Rapture.

  • @d3a06
    @d3a06 Рік тому +3

    Adolin as Tidus is information that connected with me on a visceral level.
    FFX is my favorite game of all time, and Adolin is my favorite Stormlight(2nd favorite book series of all time) character.
    I was listening to this while driving and literally yelled “YES!” at the top of my lungs.

  • @Behradsa78
    @Behradsa78 Рік тому +2

    It's crazy how much brandon is into games!

  • @tristandukes5548
    @tristandukes5548 Рік тому +7

    I'm really surprised Dishonored didn't make the list. The setting of the games is exceptional

  • @chrisbaygin8914
    @chrisbaygin8914 Рік тому

    I love these merging of my 2 favorite hobbies reading (anything Brandon Sanderson of course among others..) and gaming ;)). Such a fun conversation to listen to! I really wanna hang out with these guys haha

  • @LRTableTop
    @LRTableTop Рік тому +5

    I loved the level/world design on Ghost of Tsushima. Just the colour and movement of the world dazzled me. But most of all the story, the end had me in tears, was so emotional.
    But I also agree with Cyber punk very under rated.
    And I really love Fallout world building, especially in 3. I found that I was always looking at the horizon and thinking 'whats that over there'. Mixed in with fun/silly world building, like the plungers on the ceiling, really adds to the experience

  • @frankachille6076
    @frankachille6076 Рік тому

    Awesome!!

  • @isaacberger2561
    @isaacberger2561 Рік тому

    The only thing better than seeing Travis Gafford in one of Sanderson's videos is seeing Travis in the comments as a fan of Sanderson's content.
    Freaking love these guys.

  • @aneonfoxtribute
    @aneonfoxtribute Рік тому +11

    In terms of video game worldbuilding, two big ones come to mind for me. Xenoblade and the Kiseki series (Trails in the Sky, Trails of Cold Steel, etc). I heavily recommend them

    • @micah4797
      @micah4797 Рік тому +1

      I second Trails! The way that series tells its story actually reminds me a lot of the Cosmere.

    • @aneonfoxtribute
      @aneonfoxtribute Рік тому

      @@micah4797 Yeah definitely, except it's a lot more linear. They're both long series with a bunch of subseries, but there's very little room to deviate in Trails. In cosmere, you could do, like, Mistborn, then Warbreaker, then Stormlight, then Elantris. Maybe read a few short stories in there, and you're bouncing all around the timeline. But with Trails, it's a very straightforward narrative. All of the games take place back to back, the only narrative trickery is a few games happening simultaneously, and you can't really jump around freely without spoiling yourself, so you almost have to play in order.

    • @frankjohnson123
      @frankjohnson123 Рік тому

      I gave Xenoblade 2 a chance, but I felt like it got too anime for me around the first major plot twist. I completely get why it's great, but I don't think I would enjoy going back to it.

    • @aneonfoxtribute
      @aneonfoxtribute Рік тому +1

      @@frankjohnson123 Which first major plot.twist, because that can mean a lot of things and a lot of those things I can respond with "please play more it's really good"

  • @aikan7457
    @aikan7457 Рік тому +5

    Looking forward to Sanderson doing appreciation/commentary clips on Mass Effect like he has done for Elden Ring.

  • @whatyouknowaboutthat2546
    @whatyouknowaboutthat2546 Рік тому

    Wow wasn't expecting to end up watching the entire video. Loved the discussion. I completely forgot how great the Bioshock games were until Sanderson mentioned them.

  • @m0ntaukTV
    @m0ntaukTV Рік тому

    First ff was 8! Same!! Still have a place in my heart for it.

  • @chrisringrose02
    @chrisringrose02 Рік тому +2

    I really recommend checking out the Kiseki/Trails series. It's a Japanese RPG series spanning 12 games with each game taking place the same continent separated into different arcs, with characters frequently crossing over into the other arcs. It has what I would consider one of the best worlds in video games period as they go into really deep detail to inform the player of the relationships and actions of each country and their characters with a nice overarching villain topping off the whole thing. The thing Trails does that I love most is that almost every single NPC is named and have a character and sometimes relationships with other NPCs. These NPCs all have dialogue that will update very frequently as the story progress and it becomes a sort of visual novel side experience checking in on these NPCs to see how their lives are playing out.

  • @FreedSamurai
    @FreedSamurai Рік тому +6

    I bought cyberpunk in 2020 and held off on playing it until I was able to buy a PS5. I was not able to until this year, after the PS5 upgrade was free for those who bought the PS4 version. After playing it, it blew me away.

  • @atomsofstardust
    @atomsofstardust Рік тому +126

    Timestamps:
    Brandon’s 5th: 1:51
    Travis’ 5th: 4:52
    Brandon’s 4th: 6:32
    Travis’ 4th: 8:22
    Brandon’s 3rd: 10:37
    Travis’ 3rd: 15:46
    Brandon’s 2nd: 18:44
    Travis’ 2nd: 21:15
    Brandon’s 1st: 24:30
    Travis’ 1st: 27:20

  • @Bus00
    @Bus00 Рік тому +2

    I really struggled with my first play through of Mass Effect one but went back and played the it after the trilogy addition came out and the aspect of the choices carrying over into 2 and into 3 were awesome! Excellent games and world building!

  • @asteroidmonger
    @asteroidmonger Рік тому

    I love your discussion of videogames in general and would be interested in hearing more of your experiences, conjectures and hot takes. Starting with a whole video on Diablo 2 please!
    It's just awesome that I love your books and we love some of the same games!

  • @Gx3Tri
    @Gx3Tri Рік тому +3

    Happy to see Bioshock make the list. I'm not a shooter fan by any stretch of the imagination but those games are SO much more than a shooter. Fantastic worlds and ambiance.

  • @three9855
    @three9855 Рік тому +2

    When it comes to leveraging the medium of video games to deliver world building I can’t recommend Outer Wilds(Outer Wilds not Outer Worlds! Many people mix them up!) enough, it’s in a class of its own. Everyone reading this should play it and go in completely blind. You won’t regret it if you’re looking to scratch this itch.

  • @ferdk16
    @ferdk16 Рік тому +1

    Brandon picking my favorite game as his #2 made my day. They absolutely nailed the world building in that game which is why they got away with the linearity that people would complain about in later entries of the series.

  • @katiep349
    @katiep349 Рік тому +5

    Came here for Brandon to say Animal Crossing is his #1. What’s all this triple A game nonsense?? Also, jk, nice interview Travis!!

  • @jkf-gamer2324
    @jkf-gamer2324 Рік тому +38

    Cyberpunk is so underrated, the release killed it but its so good now

    • @zephyrfaeborn4768
      @zephyrfaeborn4768 Рік тому +1

      I can't wait to get a series x so I can try it again, since I sold my Xbox one almost a year ago

    • @jkf-gamer2324
      @jkf-gamer2324 Рік тому +2

      @@zephyrfaeborn4768 I play it on ps5 and it's beautiful I rarely if ever get bugs in the game. Story is amazing

    • @zephyrfaeborn4768
      @zephyrfaeborn4768 Рік тому +1

      I loved the story when I played it before, I just had stopped Playing my Xbox and needed cash for rent

    • @jkf-gamer2324
      @jkf-gamer2324 Рік тому +1

      @@zephyrfaeborn4768 I understand, best of luck to you, I hope you get to finish it

    • @apeflight5553
      @apeflight5553 Рік тому

      It's... fine.

  • @irwinwinaris9800
    @irwinwinaris9800 Рік тому +7

    Brandon should try out Outer Wilds, it's a great take on a timeloop concept and how to use it for worldbuilding

  • @davidrich27
    @davidrich27 Рік тому +1

    I’m in the same boat as Brandon. Never got around to Mass Effect 2/3, but always meant to. Maybe this episode will give me that push. But Bioshock is an incredible world and series!
    So happy that Hollow Knight got an honorable mention though! I’ve heard people write it off because the premise is a little silly, but the lore is incredible and if you invest in it it makes the story so much more resonant!
    My honorable mention is Final Fantasy Tactics. Admittedly the world is very classic medieval fantasy, but the story and world are a beautiful complex story of politics, class, and religion. It really was Game of Thrones before Game of Thrones (the first ASOIAF novel came out less than a year earlier, but you get my point).

  • @2ZH
    @2ZH Рік тому +9

    This was really fun to listen to both top 5s !
    I will say I'm a bit surprised to not hear any talk about the legend of Zeldas, pretty much each one had its own world and they all are really interesting and unique
    Flip side I bounced off all mass effect really hard and didn't enjoy them, so to each their own

    • @ambbb4691
      @ambbb4691 Рік тому +2

      Yeah Legend of Zelda should be in a top 5

  • @chrisbenson6753
    @chrisbenson6753 Рік тому +2

    Final Fantasy IX is so often overlooked, but to me it's a masterpiece

  • @WubdoR
    @WubdoR Рік тому

    My #2 and #1 are the same as Travis'! I was so happy he brought up Mass Effect and I hope Brandon will give them another chance and talks about them on the channel.

  • @burningpuppy476
    @burningpuppy476 Рік тому

    Good stuff. Brandon I would love to watch you take your Mass Effect Journey! Keep making vids as you go through it!!

  • @frankjohnson123
    @frankjohnson123 Рік тому +2

    For me it's Zelda because it's a multidecade evolution of the depiction of Hyrule where every game has its own perspective and art style that adds depth to the overall lore. My favorite polarized examples are Wind Waker and Twilight Princess; the former is the fun cartoony world while the latter is darker and more dramatic, but Wind Waker has moments of dread while Twilight Princess has moments of levity that somehow feel appropriate.
    I think it's such a brilliant choice that, even though the games take place in the same world, there are always inconsistencies from one game to the next because what you know about Hyrule from other games is so far removed in time that it's now legend for this world. What's great is that every game you play feels like the real Hyrule while you're playing it.

  • @calebmauer1751
    @calebmauer1751 22 дні тому

    This was a good one!

  • @daveb4293
    @daveb4293 Рік тому

    I was look how have they not mentioned Mass Effect yet!? ... Glad Travis brought it up. You're my hero for that.

  • @canondocre8650
    @canondocre8650 Рік тому

    I keep going back to Final Fantasy 4 and 6 (or 2 and 3 in the States on the snes). Those games were so magical and special to me back in the 90s when I discovered them.

  • @Monsteretrope
    @Monsteretrope Рік тому +3

    When I found out that the stars in elder scrolls are holes in the world and the light is magic shining through the holes.... Damn that's so simple but so incredibly creative. (Or at least its one of the theories or whatever, still cool.)

  • @dominiccenteno1233
    @dominiccenteno1233 Рік тому +1

    Mass Effect and Elder Scrolls for me. Tons and tons of stories inside my head just because of the rich lores behind those two franchises. I forgot about Bioshock though. Really liking this Sanderson guy I think our tastes align so much, can't wait for my Elantris to be delivered (the first Sanderson novel I will read).

  • @herrschneider5310
    @herrschneider5310 Рік тому +1

    Those are all very good pics, but my personal favorite will always be the worldbuilding and, to be honest, mostly the design of Dishonored 1 & 2. Really felt lived in and believable and there is so much potential to tell more stories in this world apart from the known characters.

  • @Abundy
    @Abundy Рік тому

    This is a crossover I ddin't know I needed

  • @UvaroviteKing
    @UvaroviteKing Рік тому +2

    Absolutely LOVE LOVE LOVE the worlds of Dark Souls and Cyberpunk 2077!!! Some of my favorites as well!

  • @kevinbrowne9407
    @kevinbrowne9407 Рік тому

    Right answer on your #1, Travis!

  • @darlhiatt8136
    @darlhiatt8136 Рік тому +1

    For Mass Effect, I'm with Brandon on this one, at least from a gameplay perspective. I vastly prefer the combat in 1 for how it used its world building to inform the unique aspects of its gun mechanics. I have played them all though, and do agree he's missing out on a great story for not playing 2 and 3.

  • @SeanVallely
    @SeanVallely Рік тому

    I love that Brando mentioned elder scrolls and DnD together. My main DnD campaign that I run is set in Skyrim and I've adapted it to DnD races and lore. Such a fun world to run games in

  • @Andrew_Bradshaw
    @Andrew_Bradshaw Рік тому +1

    And the word of the day is... diegetic!

  • @suzu8253
    @suzu8253 Рік тому

    Oh man, last time I was Travis he was still doing interviews of LoL pro players. He has come far!

  • @onepresence9460
    @onepresence9460 Рік тому

    Amazing video, Mr. Sanderson. Keep up the great work. I love video games so much. It’s my personal favorite medium for storytelling and entertainment (Right next to animation)
    My five favorite video game worlds are:
    1) Mass Effect
    2) Fallout
    3) The Elder Scrolls
    4) Dishonored
    5) The Outer Wilds