20 Games With The Coolest Hub Worlds

Many great games, from traditional action RPGs to huge open-world adventures, feature a central location where key elements connect – things like character upgrades, quests, story details, and quick travel options. Here are twenty of the most impressive ‘hub worlds‘ that serve as the heart of their games, along with the development teams that created them.

‘Dark Souls’ (2011)

Firelink Shrine is the main hub in the game, connecting different areas with elevators, gates, and warp points as you progress. Here, you can level up your character, improve your healing flask (Estus), and access a blacksmith after unlocking it. Many character storylines come together at Firelink Shrine, with characters appearing and leaving depending on your choices and which bosses you defeat. Created by FromSoftware and published by Bandai Namco Entertainment, it’s the central location for exploring the game in the early and middle stages.

‘Bloodborne’ (2015)

The Hunter’s Dream is a secure haven where players can grow stronger, improve their weapons, and organize their items. You can quickly travel to previously discovered areas using headstones, and the Insight system unlocks new abilities and allows you to summon help. The Workshop lets you enhance your weapons with upgrades, runes, and gems, letting you fully customize your playstyle. This hub serves as your base of operations between each hunt, and was created by FromSoftware for Sony Interactive Entertainment.

‘Elden Ring’ (2022)

Roundtable Hold is a special area you can access after a certain point in the game, once you’ve met Melina. It’s where you can upgrade your weapons and armor to the highest levels. You’ll also find several merchants, a way to duplicate remembrance items, and opportunities to continue quests with NPCs after defeating major bosses. New areas and features within Roundtable Hold become available as you progress through the story, and it’s also where you might encounter invasions or special events. The game was created by FromSoftware and published by Bandai Namco Entertainment.

‘Destiny’ (2014)

The Tower is the central hub where players can get gear, turn in reputation tokens, and complete weekly challenges. It also houses important services like the Postmaster, Vault, and Eververse store. Players can accept quests from NPCs, unlock rewards from engrams with the Cryptarch, and start special events like Iron Banner. From the Tower, you can launch into various activities – from quick matches and raids to strikes – using the Director. Bungie created and continues to update the game with ongoing content centered around this hub.

‘Destiny 2’ (2017)

The Tower has been redesigned to be the main place for seasonal shops, improving your gear, clan activities, and accessing the items you’ve already earned. A separate area, the H.E.L.M., offers rotating seasonal challenges, materials for crafting, and story updates. You can also manage your gear, customize your appearance, and track your progress with different factions through terminals and characters found in these hubs. Bungie continues to update the game with new content and evolving hub spaces as a live service.

‘Borderlands 2’ (2012)

Sanctuary serves as the main hub, offering missions, shops, and a black market where you can upgrade your gear using Eridium. It’s also where you’ll find important characters for the story and can quickly travel back to from anywhere on Pandora using the fast travel system. You can earn new gear through the Golden Chest and by redeeming shift codes as you play. The game was created by Gearbox Software and published by 2K Games.

‘Borderlands 3’ (2019)

Sanctuary III is a spaceship that acts as your central base in the game. Here, you can buy things, get back lost items, upgrade your ship’s storage, and complete crew challenges. As you progress through the story, new areas of the ship will open up, bringing new characters, side missions, and features like Moxxi’s slot machines. The Galaxy Map lets you choose planets and quickly travel to locations you’ve already discovered. The game was created by Gearbox Software and published by 2K Games.

‘Monster Hunter: World’ (2018)

Astera serves as the central base where players can craft and improve gear, prepare meals for boosts, grow plants for resources, and pick up quests. From here, players handle investigations, bounties, and customize their armor’s appearance. Delivering resources unlocks upgrades for the base itself. The Gathering Hub also allows players to team up with others and participate in arena challenges. Capcom created and released the game, and later added Seliana as a larger hub area in the Iceborne expansion.

‘Monster Hunter Rise’ (2021)

Kamura Village is the central hub for many activities. Here, you can upgrade your gear at the Smithy, manage your Palico and Palamute companions at Buddy Plaza, enjoy helpful buffs at the canteen, and pick up side quests from the villagers. The Hub Quests track your progress in multiplayer. You can also passively gather materials using the Argosy and Meowcenaries. The game teaches you how to use Wirebugs and switch skills through training and by visiting vendors. Capcom created and released this game on both Nintendo Switch and PC.

‘Mass Effect 2’ (2010)

The Normandy SR-2 acts as the player’s central base of operations, offering access to research, squadmate interactions, and galactic travel. Players invest resources into ship and weapon improvements, which are crucial for surviving challenging missions later in the game. Building crew loyalty through missions initiated onboard the Normandy also enhances their combat skills. BioWare created the game, and Electronic Arts released it.

‘Dragon Age: Inquisition’ (2014)

Skyhold serves as the Inquisition’s base of operations, providing a War Table to manage missions, workshops for crafting, and a throne room where your decisions impact the world. Players can send advisors on timed quests and improve Skyhold with renovations, unlocking features like gardens and stronger defenses. Skilled characters help you create powerful gear with special resistances. The game was created by BioWare and published by Electronic Arts.

‘The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword’ (2011)

Skyloft is the central base of operations in the game. Here, you can upgrade your items at the Scrap Shop, store things with the Item Check, and take on side quests by collecting gratitude crystals. You use your Loftwing to fly down to the surface, and finding Goddess Cubes will lead you to hidden treasure. The time of day changes what characters do and what activities are available, and you can advance time by sleeping. Nintendo originally created and released the game for the Wii, and it has since been updated and re-released for the Switch.

‘The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom’ (2023)

Lookout Landing serves as a starting point where you can upgrade your Purah Pad, activate the Skyview Tower, and begin exploring regional quests. As you progress in the story, shops, a place to rest, and armor-upgrading services become available. You’ll also meet characters who offer side quests that connect to the main story and the world around you. Nintendo created and released this game for the Nintendo Switch.

‘Star Wars Jedi: Survivor’ (2023)

As you play, Rambler’s Reach Outpost on Koboh grows as you invite new characters who offer shops, gardening, and ways to customize your gear. The cantina’s message board provides hints and rumors, leading you to hidden dungeons and collectibles. You can quickly travel around the planet using waypoints, meditation spots, and fast travel options, all connected through the outpost. Respawn Entertainment created the game, and Electronic Arts published it.

‘Horizon Zero Dawn’ (2017)

Okay, so Meridian is basically the main city in the game – it’s where you go to meet merchants, pick up side quests, and really get into the big story about all the diplomacy going on. I can also craft ammo and traps there, which is awesome, using parts I find out in the wild. Plus, it’s connected to a bunch of different areas and settlements through the quests, so it’s a central spot for everything. Guerrilla Games made the game, and Sony published it, if you were wondering!

‘Assassin’s Creed II’ (2009)

In Assassin’s Creed II, Monteriggioni’s Villa Auditore serves as a home base that players can upgrade to earn more money and access new shops. The villa also keeps track of collected items and armor sets. It’s a convenient central location with fast travel and services like a blacksmith, tailor, and art dealer to help you progress in the game. Ubisoft Montreal created the game, and Ubisoft published it.

‘Nier: Automata’ (2017)

The Resistance Camp is a central hub early in the game, offering shops, side missions, and ways to improve your weapons. Once you activate them, special points around the camp let you quickly travel to different areas and save your progress. Friendly characters at the camp, like the shopkeeper and weapons expert, will provide better gear and upgrades as you advance. The game was created by PlatinumGames and published by Square Enix.

‘Hollow Knight’ (2017)

Dirtmouth is a peaceful central area where merchants appear after you save people within the game, offering services like map updates, charm management, and access to key items. Fast travel points, called Stag Stations, connect to the underground world, making Dirtmouth a common place to visit for upgrades and completing quests. You can also change your charm setup and save your progress at benches located nearby. The game was created and released independently by Team Cherry.

‘Genshin Impact’ (2020)

Mondstadt serves as the first major city in the game, offering quests from the Adventurers’ Guild, blacksmithing services, and a way to manage collected items. You can travel from the city to other areas using Statues of The Seven and waypoints, and build your reputation by completing bounties. The city also hosts visiting characters and temporary shops during game updates. This game is developed and published by HoYoverse.

‘Diablo IV’ (2023)

Kyovashad is one of the first major cities you’ll find, and it acts as a central hub. Here, you can access your stash, trade with vendors, and meet the Occultist to customize your equipment. The city also provides quick travel points to dungeons, world events, and the challenging Helltide zones. You’ll receive quests and clues from characters within the city, helping you progress. Plus, Kyovashad has crafting stations to help you improve your gear as you level up through the game’s different tiers. The game was created and published by Blizzard Entertainment.

Share your favorite hub world details and why it works so well for you in the comments!

2025-11-13 08:47