Western RPG games that feel like real places where you can live

There are plenty of worlds in Western RPGs that are expansive and fun to explore. For example, Fallout 4 has an impressive world with lots of abandoned buildings to check out from the past, but it's post-apocalypse, which means it's also pretty scary. While not expansive, it would be cool to live in a world of superheroes that Marvel's Avengers, too, but not everyone is guaranteed a superpower.

While there are bonuses to both of these games, there are many better examples out there with games that have better established worlds that are beautiful. They may not be for everyone, but it's easy to think about settling into these Western-made RPGs.

The legacy of Hogwarts

Become a witch or a wizard

The legacy of Hogwarts technically set in the real world, although it is a period piece set before the events Harry Potter books, which occurred in the 90s. Hogwarts is a school that exists in a parallel dimension, accessible only to the magically gifted, located near London.

At Hogwarts, specifically in the game, players can be sorted into one of four houses and then attend classes to learn everything from magic spells to alchemy. Players can then take what they've learned and apply it to the real world as they explore the Hogwarts area. Since 1997, each Harry Potter hell have dreamed of going to a magical school like Hogwarts, which still involves school work, but when magic is involved it's much more appealing to live in a side reality to Earth like this.

Star Wars: Knights Of The Old Republic

The sci-fi franchise

A universe as big as Harry Potterif not greater, must be Star Warswhich has existed since the 70s. The growing number Star Wars video games, like Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republiclet players live out their sci-fi fantasies. This one is specifically about a silent protagonist with amnesia who is taken by the Jedi and becomes an honorary member because they are gifted in the force.

Being a Jedi is the ultimate goal of Star Wars fans, along with getting a spaceship and cruising around the galaxy looking for adventure and action. Although there is danger from the Sith and underground factions, this is the height of the Republic, when there was more order. It is probably the most habitable era of Star Wars and definitely the one with the most Jedi.

Mass effect

The Star Trek equivalent

BioWare developed Mass effect as a kind of special successor to Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republicwhich was also an attempt to start his own magical universe. It is more related to Star Trek than Star Warsas a galactic council of planets and races that all gather in a place called the Citadel to keep order. Although there are conflicts on different planets, there is also peace in the galaxy and a willingness to learn and study each culture.

Unfortunately, it is not the first Mass effect is about, or the first trilogy. Instead, players take on the role of Commander Shepard, who desperately wants to stop an evil alien race from wiping out the existence of everything, which is essentially the plot of the entire trilogy. The stakes couldn't be higher, but that said, as a normal citizen of the galaxy, players could probably live quite comfortably in Mass effect universe. The Citadel specifically has everything a player could need, from housing to fake skies.

Don't take an arrow to the knee

The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim is one of the most important open-world RPGs of all time, bringing out the imagination and hunger for exploration in everyone. Skyrim, which is the name of the land, is cold, dark and full of danger. Anyone living in colder parts of the planet, from Minnesota in the US to all of Russia, would be right at home in this fantasyland.

They can live a humble life as a blacksmith, or they can become a soldier for a king. They probably wouldn't be a Dovahkiin, which is what the players are in the game. With her bloodline, the Dovahkiin can communicate with dragons and gain their powers. While the location of the Dovahkiin may be off the table, the ability to learn magic is not, if the players are so inclined to study it in this reality.

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt

Depressing, but vibrant

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt is another high fantasy open-world game, and everything is seemingly a little harder and more dramatic than The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim. Creatures inspired by folklore creep into this beautiful world, from trolls to tree-like entities that like to kidnap children. In the game, players are Geralt, a Witcher, a type of mercenary who has undergone powerful mutations and tests to become equal to monsters.

They are scared but necessary to keep the peace, and it is a decent life even if they have to make difficult decisions. Just because it's a hard life for Geralt doesn't mean it would be for anyone else, but players wouldn't have to be a Witcher in real life. Even a world with monsters needs workers like a tailor for clothes or a cook to eat, and there are certainly more peaceful areas than others to live in The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt.

Cyberpunk 2077

Back to the future

Cyberpunk 2077 was developed by CD Projekt Red, just like The Witcher 3: Wild Huntbut this is a sci-fi game that takes place in the year 2077. Players can choose to start out in the wasteland, or they can start as a lower or higher level of society in the bustling streets of Night City. People come here for opportunities, as it is the pinnacle of civilization with tons of jobs in companies that seemingly run the world, if the players know how to kiss the proverbial ring.

With money comes power and a nice way to live out one's days. Those who want to reject society can become underground rats to steal from the rich and give to themselves. Buying cybernetics for your body is also a big part of the game. Anyone who's ever dreamed of getting cool things like cybernetic arms that can turn into blades can feel right at home in Cyberpunk 2077 Night city.

South Park: The Stick Of Truth

Earthbound With profanity

South Park: The Stick of Truth takes place in a heightened reality where everything is possible. Fans who have watched South Park episodes since 1997 know that the various children and adults of South Park, Colorado deal with the ordinary and the extraordinary seemingly every week, from alien invaders to volcanic explosions to political debates. South Park: The Stick of Truth is a turn-based RPG where players get to make their own South Park kid to go on an imaginary adventure around town with other kids like Cartman, Kyle, Stan, Kenny, Butters and so on.

Although payers get to cast spells, and they meet adults who can do the same, it's unclear whether things are real or not. While the ability to wield magic may not come today, it may tomorrow, depending on what life brings to South Park next. As The legacy of Hogwartsit is a more interesting version of reality to live in, because the possibilities are endless for children and adults.

Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2

A time machine to the Middle Ages

Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 is a history lesson that takes place in the 15th century. It is a stark comparison to high fantasy worlds that The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim and The Witcher 3: Wild Huntbecause there is no magic to be found in it Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 other than alchemical concoctions. It's just a simple medieval era that is difficult for everyone, from soldiers to barmaids.

That said, the goal of the game is to go from rags to riches, if players choose, but they might as well stay in the shadows and be a thief. Anyway, society in this world thrives even though there are no TVs, video game consoles, or cell phones. Things were simpler then, and people had to fend for themselves. It may not be an easy world to enter these days for those who find solace in technology, but it is very livable and beautiful to boot, as nature was still in its prime.