Fantasy novels aren’t the only place to discover new worlds. Here are a few video games that helped shape my writing, worldbuilding, and storytelling.

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Dragon Age: Inquisition

• Mages
• Knights
• Diplomacy
• Complex Geopolitics

The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild

• Environment-First World
• More Nature than People

Journey

• Solitude
• Pilgrimage
• Wild Landscapes

Assassin’s Creed (Unity & Black Flag)

• Secret Societies
• Rebellion Against Tyranny
• Rich History

The Witcher 3: The Wild Hunt

• Ancient Magic Systems
• Moral Dilemmas
• Powerful Sorceresses

Horizon: Zero Dawn

• Emotional Storytelling
• Epic Heroes
• Environmental Themes

Final Fantasy (VII & XIV)

• Friendship and Loyalty
• Anti-Corporatism
• Crystal Mythology
• Elemental Forces
• Enchanted Creatures

No Man’s Sky

• Wanderlust
• Strange New Worlds
• Endless Exploration

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Have you played any of these? Which games are on your list?

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