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

[@TravisGafford]

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

[@Mahoneyyay]

Heyy you're the guy haha

[@zackjohnson8632]

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

[@cosmerejunkie7931]

😆

[@kunai92]

@@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]

your #4 was on point

[@FiIIerguy]

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

[@fightfordawn]

Again

[@Wayleran]

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]

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

[@stefus97]

Holy shit i just started playing KOTOR for the first time and this just made me even more excited!

[@jhank0cean]

If Disney could have just made a loosely based KOTOR Prequel Trilogy instead

[@skywriter9532]

Dishonored has massively underrated worldbuilding.

[@ceciliajohnson5139]

Yes! It would definitely make my list.

[@sefflikejeff1917]

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

[@joshsevers]

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

[@TheRASDEL83]

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

[@alicrastd3095]

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

[@timsloane]

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

[@mhelvens]

Glad that's resolved. 😎

[@herosmith5662]

Isn't that also a literal Feruchemical attribute?

[@timsloane]

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

[@lonsunocook]

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

[@Mathilde_Moksha_333]

I wholeheartedly agree!

[@godminnette2]

Learning that Brandon watches Dunkey is so funny to me

[@orinblank2056]

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]

Dunkey is ultra cringe

[@marky6456]

@@MFDOOOOM You just don't get satire.

[@MFDOOOOM]

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

[@gigawasian]

@@MFDOOOOM you are nitpicking and biased. i win

[@Prymalfire]

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]

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

[@nicklachen5060]

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

[@sawdust8691]

Returnal as well. Incredible game, though extremely challenging.

[@sterlingmuse5808]

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]

@@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]

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

[@rodm209]

Collaboration with fromsoftware studio just like George RR Martin

[@spencerurban1092]

I’m the same way.

[@obviousalias132]

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

[@Veirdonis]

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

[@Major98]

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

[@nintandao64]

i love that brandon immerses himself in storytelling from many other mediums and gives wonderful critiques on each of them without disrespecting the storytelling methods that aren't in bookform growing up i felt like every adult on the planet looked at video games, cartoons, movies, the arts in general as a waste of time and a distraction from your path to getting a 'real job' i REALLY wish i had a role model like brandon growing up that was living proof that you can be invested in these fantastical worlds and ideas and live a successful, fulfilling life completely based around your hobbies and passions

[@trevorcoen6273]

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

[@ramzes2624]

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

[@StarblindCelestial]

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

[@jalapenoofjustice4682]

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]

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]

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]

@@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]

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

[@DarksideGmss0513]

XC1 is my favorite simply because of the Bionis and the Mechonis

[@ravenlockewinds4374]

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

[@brandonprows]

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

[@sebastianmcc14]

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

[@JacksonOwex]

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

[@bullrun2772]

Tho someone is dreaming that up actaully

[@TaiSharTanner]

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

[@The_Blazelighter]

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

[@joshyaash]

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

[@thatcher174]

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

[@sysain6114]

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

[@thatgrimdude1453]

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]

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

[@thatcher174]

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

[@wavewithus4081]

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.

[@MitchWilcoxen]

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.

[@DuctTapeJake]

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]

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

[@DerekBarolet]

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

[@Draugo]

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

[@davidwilson6577]

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

[@orinblank2056]

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

[@jacobstamm]

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

[@CygnusRising]

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]

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]

@@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]

@@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]

​@@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]

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

[@saganage6779]

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.

[@MonkeyDPirateKing]

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

[@gustaveriksson113]

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]

@@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.

[@Ultr4l0f]

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]

@@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.]

Disco Elysium had some VERY talented writers.

[@GalaxyElfJess]

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]

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

[@onepresence9460]

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

[@rapha_spi]

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

[@jordonvh91]

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!

[@Pyridius]

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

[@BlueJayYT]

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

[@d3a06]

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.

[@atomsofstardust]

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

[@GrantParker]

Bless you.

[@TheDontwanttodothis]

Legend

[@karstenkutterer]

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]

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]

@@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]

@@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]

@@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]

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

[@linusgschonhowd2132]

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

[@redmatter20]

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

[@NameIess1ne]

what about outer worlds?

[@themris]

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

[@UnravelingthePattern]

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

[@rohanxdavis]

Pillars of eternity's world definitely makes my list!

[@petercoulier6939]

im literally playing this game rn! - great so far

[@Aldric524]

It's in my top 5 too probably.

[@rohanxdavis]

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

[@JohnnyDustwalker]

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

[@guruthosamarthruin4459]

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]

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]

Yes!

[@Stevintage]

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 😁

[@superfeng99]

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

[@JesusIzAPunkRocker]

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.

[@KnifeOfK]

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]

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]

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

[@rahulpuppala9571]

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

[@ewatsupofficial]

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

[@aneonfoxtribute]

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]

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

[@aneonfoxtribute]

@@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]

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]

@@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"

[@AnakinTheWeird]

My list: 5: Aselia. (Tales of Symphonia/Phantasia) Mostly personal preference. They were some of my first video games and they're what made me learn to love worldbuilding. 4. Azaroth. (World of Warcraft) A solid lore background expanded over decades of additions and expansions. Each race has its own background, agenda, and role in the story. 3. Hallownest. (Hollow Knight) The best job any game not made by FromSoftware has come to capturing the Dark Souls feeling of a world in ruin. 2. The Lands Between. (Elden Ring) Enormous world filled to the brim with hidden details and environmental storytelling. Great use of abstract concepts. George outdid himself. 1. Elder Scrolls. (The Elder Scrolls) The best use I've ever seen in my life of both the unreliable narrator in worldbuilding, and the idea of faith making reality.

[@kamikazezebra]

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

[@dazt6h]

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]

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.

[@irwinwinaris9800]

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

[@daveb4293]

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

[@Newindianclassic]

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.

[@Gx3Tri]

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.

[@ErelasInglor]

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.

[@LRTableTop]

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

[@michaeloconnor1281]

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

[@The_Supervillain]

Wow that's super funny about Brandon's experience with Mass Effect, I had the exact experience of going immediately from 1 to 2 in like 2010 and being super thrown off by the controls of 2 and how different combat handled. Thankfully, a good friend convinced me to continue! One game world that comes to mind for me is the world of Thief 1 and 2. Nowadays that choice is perhaps supplanted by Bioshock, or Dues Ex, or any number of immersive sims that were influenced by Thief; the OG still holds a special spot for me. Stephen Russell's voice acting as Garret is reason alone to revisit the series.

[@tristandukes5548]

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

[@serqet42]

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

[@TheePterrordactyl]

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

[@mercharris5266]

The cutscenes were ahead of their time

[@RobinsMusic]

Some parts of the story are amazing some are boring or even bad but overall the world building is amazing I agree

[@davidrich27]

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]

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]

Yeah Legend of Zelda should be in a top 5

[@proteuswest1084]

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.

[@havenschade8174]

Outer wilds, by far my favorite game and world

[@skyorrichegg]

Great lists! I like my video games with worldbuilding that immerses me in a world that feels completely foreign to me and for most of that to occur through environmental and mechanical storytelling. My favorite games because of their world building are: 1. Heaven’s Vault 2. Banner Saga 3. Disco Elysium 4. Outer Wilds 5. Fallen London-verse Honorable mentions, for me, that I did not hear mentioned by them: Gorogoa, the Blendo-verse, Subnautica, Half-Life-verse, Rain World, Journey, and Papers, Please

[@NimicNOR]

Outer Wilds, oh boy. I can't hear the name without immediately hearing the soundtrack, and I can't hear the soundtrack without immediately becoming intensely nostalgic for a game that isn't even very old.

[@herrschneider5310]

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.

[@aikan7457]

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

[@EmpoleonGaming]

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

[@conorlaithe7980]

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

[@FreedSamurai]

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.

[@13cazz13]

I feel like Xenoblade deserves a mention. Very unique setting. Awesome world building. Also FF9

[@danboom101]

Xenoblade Chronicles 1 and Chrono trigger have by far the best world building of any of the games I've played honestly.

[@UvaroviteKing]

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

[@Bus00]

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!

[@michaelwilson7435]

Travis is who’s gotten me into reading the cosmere, only 3 books to go! (Mistborn is goat)

[@xyr3s]

I'm sorry but mistborn is not the goat lol. The stormlight archive is the goat :p

[@michaelwilson7435]

@@xyr3s I’ll have to take your word on it for now, still have to finish Oathbringer and Rhythm of War

[@xyr3s]

@@michaelwilson7435 I haven't read rhythm of war yet either lol. Oathbringer was awesome. Or did I get that the otherwise around? I read the first 3 haven't read 4 yet.

[@Monsteretrope]

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.)

[@DrKingsleyRoberts]

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

[@dominiccenteno1233]

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).

[@jaredadams989]

god I love how serious brandon takes his list making

[@Behradsa78]

It's crazy how much brandon is into games!

[@KingdomsTV]

Great guest and great lists! Mine would be: 5) Bioshock 4) Fallout 3) Persona 5 2) Mass Effect 1) Baldur’s Gate

[@chrisbenson6753]

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

[@SomeTomfoolery]

You are filled with determination ❤️

[@frankjohnson123]

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.

[@Chumblechap]

Final Fantasy X is my all time favorite Final Fantasy! I was immediately hooked by the opening cutscene.

[@isaacberger2561]

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.

[@ferdk16]

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.

[@m0ntaukTV]

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

[@jtillman8251]

The best writing in the Mass Effect games were the ambient conversations you'd hear walking around the stations. I have a million gripes about all three of those games and the writing of the main quests, but I'll always fondly remember the pair of Krogan's speculating about whether there was fish in the Citadel's water reservoir, or the Salarian with the Asari spouse trying to pick out the perfect keepsake to give to his daughter (who would outlive him by like a thousand years) to remember him by. That stuff was the heart of the game for me.

[@IHSchwingo]

For me it was Archimedean Dynasty and later on Aquanox. That world completely captured me, from the story, the plot and the language. I do understand, though, that it was quite niche.

[@andreasbuehler1821]

Aquanox was great and it's a shame it was kind of forgotten.

[@kreol1q1q]

No mention of the Dragon Age series? I find it to be by far the best "standard" fantasy game world around, especially with Inquisition's Trespasser DLC. The world, the politics, the characters, everything just fits extremely well for me. The way in which they keep exploring, illuminating and even subverting the ancient lore of the setting, presented all the way back in the first game always conquers my attention. Honestly, now that I think about it, it does some very similar things to what Stormlight Archive does with how the lore around the Voidbringers and the Radiants is first represented in WoK (as the truth/religious dogma/commonly accepted history) and then subsequently explored, filled in and often times flipped on its head in later entries.

[@lucasgilmore9068]

Well put! Definitely an amazing world and game that is underrated

[@GarryDaltona]

Yes much better than Elder Scrolls tbh.

[@PedroGomes-cx7ku]

@@GarryDaltona Hard disagree. I find Dragon Age to be generic fantasy elevated by some good characters and stories, The Elder Scrolls is a lot more unique and nuanced.

[@GarryDaltona]

@@PedroGomes-cx7ku Funny, cause I would say the opposite. TES ist the most generic fantasy world out there.

[@BrionTheTired]

4 of mine were on the lists--Final Fantasy 9 and 10, Elder Scrolls, and Warcraft. But my 5th is Skies of Arcadia. Sky pirates sailing around the world to take down an evil empire. That should be all that you need to know!

[@sawdust8691]

I'm gonna recommend Returnal. Hearing Brandon saying how cool it is for a game to make everything, including deaths, really part of the game makes me think of it. Returnal is an INCREDIBLE game. The way its story unravels, the challenge, the alien world, and awesome concepts. Returnal is one of the most memorable games I've ever played. It's an amazing game. And it sounds like something Brandon might enjoy if he's up for a challenge.

[@que127]

Great idea and execution. Thanks for putting this out there

[@jordansandoval7097]

I was delighted to see League get an honorable mention. I don’t know if I’d say it ought to be in any top five, per se, but I believe the writers have done an excellent job creating a vast, fascinating and vivid world that, hopefully, will get to shine if that mmo pulls through

[@kylekittle8046]

I’m so glad Mass Effect was mentioned and discussed. ME1-3 is a magical journey that is so rewarding to complete. And I agree - ME1 will feel dated but the other two are still fantastic/top tier.

[@jean-francoisroux7064]

33:15 You can hear Travis shouting inside "How my god Brandon! EVERYTHING you want is in ME 2 and ME 3!!! Stop arguing and go play it!!" :D

[@suzu8253]

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

[@antoyal]

The _Myst_ / _Riven_ setting and timeline are fascinating and far more fleshed out than I expected them to be when I first played Myst. _Star_ _Control_ _2_ has an *amazing* game world and background lore, as the Mass Effect creators would no doubt agree. :P

[@leediamond2315]

"I've watched the Dunkey videos about it." a surprise to be sure, but a welcome one

[@chrisbaygin8914]

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

[@SeanVallely]

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

[@whatyouknowaboutthat2546]

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.

[@Dennis_The_Peasant]

I kinda forgot about travis after kicking my LoL addiction a few years back. Cool to see him popping back up in the Sanderson multiverse.

[@theyruinedyoutubeagain]

Brandon watches Dunkey, this made my day!!