7 Square Enix game worlds we wish we lived in

Which Square Enix world would you choose to live in if you could? We have strong thoughts on the matter… but do you agree with our picks?
By Duncan Heaney

Have you explored the world of a game and thought: “I wish I was there?”

It’s understandable if you have - the worlds of Square Enix games are often so well-realised, they feel like real, believable places. Imagine if you could actually live in one of these worlds - which would it be, and why?

We’ve pondered this little thought experiment and here’s what we think:


Fa’Diel - Legend of Mana

Legend of Mana screenshot

We’re gonna lay some truth on ya: the world is what you make of it.

That sounds like a blandly inspirational slogan - the kind you’d see on a cat poster in some depressingly beige office. But when it comes to Legend of Mana’s Fa’Diel, it’s the literal truth.

When you start the game, the world is a blank slate, and it’s up to you to build it through the game’s unique “Land Creation” system. Towns, shops, dungeons - you put it all where you want.

Just ponder the possibilities! You could put the local shop right next your house, and save the long trek every time you need to restock on candy! Put a lovely coastal town like Polpota Harbor nearby so you can enjoy the calming seas and indulgent restaurants whenever you like.

Annoying neighbors? Just stick them on the other side of the world and problem solved! Truly Fa’Diel is a beautiful and vibrant world to be admired and desired.


Shibuya and the UG - NEO: The World Ends with You

Screenshot of the Shibuya UG

Mouth-watering meals, fantastic fashion, and toe-tapping tunes. It’s all right there in the Shibuya Underground - or “UG” as the cool kids call it.

If you like a place that’s always buzzing, this is definitely the game world for you. The city’s a bustling metropolis full of ordinary pedestrians, endearingly quirky players of the Reapers’ Game, and of course the Shinjuku and Shibuya Reapers, who are themselves pretty memorable.

Another big perk of relocating to the UG is the psychic powers you can get. Depending on which power you get, there’s a chance you able to read other peoples’ thoughts - imagine the gossip you’ll be privy to! You may even be able to influence how they think!

If you’re really lucky, you might be able to control time itself, like Rindo in the game! For example, if you had a really good meal, you could travel back to earlier in the day and have it again! And you’ll definitely want to because the food in the UG is chef’s kiss!

Glutten 4 Gluten menu

It’s not all good in the UG, of course. While all cities have problems with noise, it’s a much bigger issue when that Noise manifests as killer frogs, bears and sharks. Plus you may feel oddly compelled to help everyone around you solve their problems.

Neo: The World Ends with You Noise attacking

Still, all that’s a small price to pay for some of the best clothes and food you can imagine. We’ll see you all at Glutton 4 Gluten!


Spira - FINAL FANTASY X-2

Yuna, Rikku and Paine from FINAL FANTASY X-2

In FINAL FANTASY X, the world of Spira is a bleak place. Each person lives in constant fear of Sin - a terrifying creature who spreads death and chaos wherever it goes. It’s kind of a party-pooper, to be honest.

So to be clear, we don’t want to live in that Spira. Frankly, we could do without the stress of FINAL FANTASY’s moistest menace turning up to ruin our day.

But the Spira of FINAL FANTASY X-2… well, that’s a different story. By the time the sequel starts, that whole Sin business has been sorted out, and the world is free. Everyone has a new lease on life, and the world has exploded with a sense of freedom, joy and possibility.

There are political tensions bubbling under the surface, as there are in any country, but for the most part, it’s a very positive place to be. It also offers lots of different ways to fill your time, including Blitzball tournaments, chocobo rearing and even shooting galleries… and that’s barely scratching the surface.

Most exciting of all though, would be the chance to see a Spira concert in person. We don’t know about you, but we think we’d experience some Real Emotion…


World A - FINAL FANTASY pixel remaster

FINAL FANTASY pixel remaster world map

The land of the original FINAL FANTASY isn’t named in the game itself, but throughout the history of the franchise it’s referred to as World A. It’s a name that fits perfectly, because in our opinion it’s an A-grade place.

It’s utterly beautiful, particularly the new pixel remaster version. Every town, cave, mountain and desert is crisp, clean and colorful - it’s one of those worlds that just feels good to spend time in.

We could easily imagine spending our time chatting to the townsfolk of Cornelia, visiting the elves in the appropriately named Elfheim or just soaring happily through the skies on an airship.

There’s also a sense of gravitas to the place that comes with being the first. Every land in the FINAL FANTASY series owes something to World A - we’d relish seeing first-hand where it all began.


Haven Springs - Life is Strange: True Colors

Life is Strange: True Colors Bridge of Flowers

It doesn’t take long to fall in love with Haven Springs.

This Colorado mountain town is idyllic, picturesque and… well, generally rather lovely. But it’s not just the scenery that makes it such it joy to inhabit - it’s the people.

From resident DJ Steph, to the loquacious Duckie, almost every resident is friendly and eager to help when it’s needed. This is the kind of town where everyone will excitedly come together in extravagant role play just to help an upset child.

There are secrets beneath the surface of course, some darker than others, but for the most part, Haven Springs is a town of nice people and positive vibes. Add some great shops and an amazing bar (it has an Arkanoid cabinet!) and you have a town where anyone would be able to set down roots.

Just… maybe stay away from the mines, yeah?


Midgar - FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE INTERGRADE

Let’s get this out of the way: Midgar is not a perfect city. It’s dirty, there’s disparity of wealth, and as Yuffie makes clear in the new FF7R EPISODE INTERmission, it smells pretty bad too.

And yet, there’s a real energy to the place - and we’re not just talking about the Mako. The upper plate is a suburbanite’s dream, full of lovingly furnished houses with picket fences, well-maintained roads and hidden parachutes (just in case you fancy a spontaneous skydive with a friend).

Down on ground level, things are less pretty, but even more vibrant. Think plenty of shops, friendly communities and great bars like Seventh Heaven (visit ASAP to beat the crush).

Add in the amazing music scene (we like to get down with Hip Hop de Chocobo) and you can see why the people who live in the city love it so. We’d definitely consider moving to Midgar. If, y’know, it was real.


Hydaelyn - FINAL FANTASY XIV Online

Limsa Limosa artwork

What makes Hydaelyn so great is that it’s a land of opportunity.

For adventurous types, the world is full of amazing things to see and do. You can visit the gorgeous vistas and bustling city-states of Eorzea, delve deep into mysterious ruins in search of treasure and maybe even become a legend in the process.

Alternatively, you can just sack off all that exhausting hero business and focus on simpler pleasures. You could go fishing off Costa del Sol, get your hands dirty with some crafter / gatherer tasks, or make your (virtual) fortune betting on the chocobo races in the Manderville Gold Saucer. It really is up to you.

Best of all, there’s always something new to see. The world is always expanding, with new areas, new races, and new activities to try out on a regular basis.

Case in point: on December 7, FINAL FANTASY XIV: Endwalker arrives, adding new locales to this already vast world. You’ll be able to soak in the architectural splendour of Old Sharlayan, marvel at the underground wonder of Labyrinthos, explore the tropical coastline and dense rainforests of Thavnair, and more.

The moon in FINAL FANTASY XIV: Endwalker

Even more excitingly, you’ll also go to the moon! And unlike the pesky real world, you won’t even need a billionaire’s bank account to do it!


Those were our picks for the Square Enix worlds we’d love to live in, but what about you? Agree with our choices or do you have somewhere better in mind? Let us know:

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