There is no place like home. It’s as true in video games as it is in real life.
Heroes deserve a rest between missions. After all, taking on huge, world-threatening menaces takes a heavy toll—one that can only be managed by walking around a familiar place, chatting with your friends, and maybe enjoying amini-gameor two.
We call these places “hub areas” or “hub worlds,” but our characters just call them “home.” We spend a lot of time there—sometimes just enough to hop into the next mission, sometimes longer, enjoying what the home base has to offer. Here are 10 of the best ones around.
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10The Hound Pits Pub
Dishonored
What’s better than a couple of drinks between assassination missions? Even better if you share them with your loyalist conspirators.
While not as large or rich in activities as some other entries in this list, the Hound Pits Pub wonderfully manages to create cohesion in the entireDishonorednarrative.
It functions as the main location for many story-related or world-building dialogues that can be enjoyed between missions.
The pub is a beautiful location, ripe with secrets for those who explore it—be they in the form of lore, dialogue, or even upgrades. Definitely a good way to kill time before diving back into the rat-infested streets.
9The Normandy
Mass Effect Trilogy
One of themost iconic vehicles in gamingis also one of the most beloved places to return to after a clash with the Reapers.
The Normandy is a constant element throughout the originalMass Effecttrilogy, and many gamers consider it an actual character in the game.
In this futuristic spaceship, Commander Shepard spends time getting to know the crew and growing closer to them, while exploring the many quarters and facilities available.
There’s something comforting about walking the corridors of the Normandy before heading to the Galaxy Map to select the next planet to zip toward through the mesmerizing void of space.
8The Avenger
XCOM 2: Enemy Unknown
In the desolate world ofXCOM 2, where aliens have conquered Earth, andhumanity’s remnants struggle to resist, the Avenger is a lifeline.
This hovering base, a massive alien ship retrofitted for human use, is more than a command center—it’s a beacon of hope for freedom fighters.
Here, the commander manages resources, researches alien technology, and recruits new soldiers, all to ensure the success of the next mission.
As the game progresses, each room in the Avenger feels increasingly essential, carrying the weight of the cause and evolving into more than just a physical space.
Over time, the Avenger becomes an invaluable ally, standing shoulder-to-shoulder with every soldier it carries into battle.
7The Gathering Hub
Monster Hunter World
When your job involves battling giant dinosaurs, flying dragons, and cranky unicorns, you’re bound to have some stories to tell. And what better place to share them than over a warm meal or while soaking in a hot spring with fellow hunters?
The Gathering Hub inMonster Hunter: Worldis the ideal spot to connect with other players. Here, you can gear up, arm wrestle, or just hang out until the urge for your next big hunt hits.
The hub offers all the essential services you’d find in the main town (whether Astera or Seliana) but with the added fun of seeing other hunters scurrying about. The perfect place to show off your new Nergigante Armor Set.
6House of Hades
Hadesis a game of cycles, with each new attempt beginning at the blood-filled fountain in the somber palace of the Underworld’s king. Despite its grim setting, the House of Hades is one of the most beloved home bases in gaming.
Every return to the House signifies another failed escape for Zagreus, yet the place is so filled with life—or rather, afterlife—that players can’t help but look forward to each visit to see what’s changed.
The game offerscountless dialogues with fascinating NPCs, rich world-building, and even the chance to customize the halls of the undead.
It’s so engaging that it might even make you question Zagreus’ determination to leave it all behind.
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5Homeworlds
Spyro 2: Ripto’s Rage
Spyro Reignited Trilogy
TheSpyroseries has always been defined by its whimsical charm and exhilarating, fun-filled platforming. The Homeworlds inSpyro 2: Ripto’s Rageare perfect examples of this philosophy.
Each Homeworld—Summer Forest, Autumn Plains, and Winter Tundra—is brimming with colorful characters, hidden secrets, and playful challenges.
These aren’t just bland areas for selecting the next level; instead, they’re engaging hubs where Spyro can interact with NPCs, test his skills, and fully absorb the beautiful atmosphere.
Whether it’s the serene waterfalls of Summer Forest, the golden leaves of Autumn Plains, or the frosty landscapes of Winter Tundra, each Homeworld offers a distinct experience between adventures.
Dark Souls 2
Dark Souls 2: Scholar of the First Sin
We all know thatDark Souls 2has shortcomings and is often viewed asone of the lesser entries in FromSoftware’s catalog.
However, there’s one aspect that nearly everyone can agree on: Majula stands out as one of the most stunning central hubs in the entire series.
Majula is a hauntingly beautiful refuge amid the relentless darkness of Dark Souls 2. Perched on the edge of a crumbling cliffside, this peaceful village overlooks an endless ocean, offering a rare moment of calm in a world filled with despair.
The soft, melancholic theme that plays here reinforces Majula’s bittersweet role as a sanctuary for weary travelers and lost souls.
Players can level up, upgrade gear, and meet a cast of broken yet compelling characters, each with their own stories of struggle.
Majula is a quiet reminder of hope, even in the bleakest of worlds.
3The Hunter’s Dream
Bloodborne
Two FromSoftware games on the same list? It’s more likely than you’d think!
The atmosphere ofBloodborne’s Hunter’s Dream is in stark contrast to Majula’s yet possesses its own eerie beauty.
This mist-laden garden, set apart from Yharnam’s horrors, offers hunters a brief respite from the nightmarish hunt—a place to momentarily set down their tools and bask in the haunting serenity of the place.
While the dream might offer temporary safety, each return will reveal more of its dark secrets. After all, it’s the creation of cosmic horrors, and eventually, the hunter mustconfront the unsettling truth behind it all.
Dragon Age: Inquisition
Perched high in the mountains, within the crumbling shell of a once-great fortress, lies the heart of the Inquisition. Skyhold serves as headquarters and sanctuary for an entire army fighting for the future of Thedas.
Dragon Age: Inquisitionplaces the player at the helm of this heroic band, entrusting them to cultivate and protect their home base.
Skyhold begins as an empty ruin but grows alongside the player, evolving with each new character that joins.
As the Inquisitor, you shape and customize the fortress, interact with companions, and make decisions that impact the world’s fate. Each hall, balcony, and war table meeting breathes life into your mission.
Watching your base expand and thrive over time is deeply satisfying, growing ever more meaningful and complex.
1Army’s Headquarters
Suikoden 2
Suikoden II
One of the most rewarding aspects of a game’s headquarters is watching it grow alongside the main character—watching it thrive and truly feel like your own. In this regard, few home bases compare to the Headquarters ofSuikoden 2.
Starting as a ruined, nearly empty castle with only a small tavern and a few quarters, the Dunan Army’s base slowly transforms into a bustling stronghold. Each NPC recruited brings new life, opening shops, restaurants, hot springs, and even adding minigames.
After each major event, players will eagerly explore to see what’s been added, always finding something fresh to enjoy.
This castle is the ultimate reward for the player’s efforts ofbuilding a resistance army from the ground up, embodying the spirit of unity amid the hardships of war.
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