Exploring new and diverse worlds is one of the most captivating aspects of fiction, and the realm of video games is no exception. These immersive experiences allow players to transcend ordinary life on Earth and dive into novel environments characterized by unfamiliar climates, landscapes, and even laws of physics.
From the enchanting realms steeped in ancient magic to cutting-edge, artificial worlds, video games invite us into a multitude of alien settings. Over the years, an abundance of planets have been introduced in the gaming universe, yet certain ones have carved out a lasting impression on players.
1 Planet Popstar
Kirby Series
Planet Popstar serves as the vibrant backdrop for the beloved Kirby series. It’s the residence of well-known characters like Kirby, King Dedede, and Meta Knight. Though it may appear as a large, yellow star from afar, Popstar boasts a rich variety of environments including tranquil grasslands and arid deserts.
Interestingly, despite its simple charm, this celestial body frequently becomes the target for a plethora of extraterrestrial and extradimensional threats, such as Nightmare and Dark Matter. Given Kirby’s extraordinary prowess, its allure for powerful beings is perhaps unsurprising; anyone who has dared to challenge Kirby has quickly learned the futility of that endeavor.
2 Pandora
Borderlands
Pandora forms the chaotic landscape of the Borderlands series. The setting is often likened to a dystopian slum, filled with treacherous creatures and fluctuating natural and supernatural events. Devoid of any warmth, Pandora is characterized by breathtaking danger, attracting adventurers driven by the legends surrounding the elusive Vault.
While frequently joked about in comparison to the lush Pandora of the “Avatar”films, players enjoy the humor in referencing the two different worlds within the game, particularly in light-hearted moments found in titles like Telltale’s Poker Night 2.
3 Oddworld
Oddworld Series
The Oddworld series is set on a single planet known as Oddworld, uniquely distinguished by its extreme climatic conditions, ranging from scorching deserts to dense rainforests. Most games traverse the continent of Mudos, inhabited by a variety of intelligent species alongside some rather unpleasant creatures.
Notably, various species within Oddworld are imbued with mysticism and spiritual significance, exemplified by the Mudokens and Gabbits. Once themselves spiritual beings, the Glukkons embraced industrialization, causing environmental degradation and showcasing a stark contrast between the ancient and modern values within this universe.
4 Zebes
Metroid
Planet Zebes, a significant location in the Metroid series, is where bounty hunter Samus Aran was raised following her tragic childhood experiences. It was also the site where the foundations of the ominous Metroids were laid via the malevolent Mother Brain. Although primarily cave systems and subterranean forests comprise Zebes, its significance is highlighted through Samus’s multiple confrontations with the Space Pirates.
The planet met its demise due to the actions stemming from Samus’s heroic undertakings, showcasing the perilous balance between valor and catastrophe in this expansive universe.
5 Corneria
Star Fox
Corneria, the fourth planet in the Lylat system, serves as the heart of the Star Fox series. This lush world is a vibrant mix of urban centers and pastoral communities, sustaining the majority of the intelligent life in the Lylat system.
The planet plays a central role in space exploration and colonization efforts by the Cornerian government, emphasizing its importance for the expansion of civilization into the cosmos.
6 Timber Hearth
Outer Wilds
Timber Hearth represents the only truly habitable planet within the Outer Wilds solar system. Its hospitable environment, filled with lush vegetation and flowing waters, offers a stark contrast to its neighboring planets plagued by storms and barren landscapes.
However, looming threats like the Dark Bramble and eventual cosmic events remind players of the transient nature of civilization, encouraging exploration and curiosity among the game’s inhabitants.
7 Will be
Gears Of War
The planet Sera is the foundation of the Gears of War series, displaying both similarities and unique characteristics when compared to Earth. It sustains humanity along with abundant natural resources but harbors a lurking menace beneath its surface: a network of underground creatures.
These beings have significantly influenced the ecosystem of Sera, leading to human discoveries that would forever alter the fate of the planet, particularly with the emergence of the Locust Horde and the ensuing war.
8 Installation 04
Halo
The Halo series features various installations, including Installation 04, often debated as to whether they should be classified as “planets.” Despite being synthetic constructs, they provide a planet-sized realm that mimics terrestrial landscapes with diverse climates and topography.
Installation 04, prominent in Halo: Combat Evolved, consists of oceans and green islands yet faces unique environmental conditions dear to the franchise’s identity.
9 Veldin
Ratchet And Clank
Veldin appears in the Ratchet and Clank series, serving as Ratchet’s nostalgic home that he visits between adventures. This desert planet, akin to Tatooine, offers a barren yet secure environment where Ratchet dreams of exploring the stars.
Clank’s unexpected arrival on Veldin transformed their fate, prompting Ratchet to embark on a cosmic journey while maintaining a connection to his roots.
10 Super Earth
Helldivers
Super Earth is the fictional home of the Helldivers Corps within the Helldivers series. Though it may share a name with our Earth, Super Earth embodies a utopian vision where a singular government reigns following the resolution of a monumental conflict.
While players don’t deeply interact with Super Earth, its presence is a constant reminder of the overarching narrative, providing the foundation for a sprawling federation composed of 260 planets. Helldivers willingly risk their lives in defense of this idealized reality.
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