The Digital Archives

Worlds beautifully designed have an amazing way of captivating us. Making us wish we could be there. Not necessarily live in them, but at least visit them. Some of these worlds are gorgeous but prove to be rather deadly in some parts of them.

1. Skyrim (The Elder Scrolls V)

Why go:

• The scenery makes you want to spend hours just exploring. From mountains, auroras, to the ancient ruins.
• Each city is unique not only in the climate it’s in but also in its culture. Whiterun’s warmth, Solitude’s elegance, Riften’s gritty feel, Dawnstar’s chill.
• Hearing and seeing the dragons flying overhead.

What I’d do:

• Climb the mountains to look over the land.
• Find the perfect and most majestic spots to see the stars along with the auroras.
• Walk the tundra plain in the center of Skyrim.

Why only vacation there?

Dangerous to say the least, but totally worth a visit.

2. Narnia (The Chronicles of Narnia)

Why go:

• The land is literally built for adventure.
• The talking creatures bring the imagination to life.
• The world is full of good magic.

What I’d do:

• Visit Cair Paravel.
• Ride on horseback through the fields.
• Ride in a sleigh when it snows.

Why only vacation there?

It would be a wonderful place to go to, but I wouldn’t want to lose touch with where I belong. A childlike place to go to, but we must remain in the adult world.

3. Gallowmere (MediEvil)

Why go:

• It has a spooky, gothic charm to it.
• It would feel like Halloween every day.
• The characters are quirky, and there is a humorous vibe in Gallowmere.

What I’d do:

• Explore the Pumpkin Gorge. (Hey, it’s just a big pumpkin patch, right?)
• Walk through the ghostly towns. (I’ll tell you what I won’t be doing. Visiting the Asylum.)
• Going to Sir Daniel Fortesque’s crypt. (Where it all began. Probably wouldn’t go inside, though.)

Why vacation there?

It’s a perfect Halloween spot. Great for laughter and fun. It’s got a creepy, weird, and fun feel to it.

4. Hogwarts (Harry Potter)

Why go:

• A castle filled with secrets and a beautiful landscape.
• Moving paintings, hidden doors, and majestic creatures.
• A chance to experience lessons in charms, potions, flying, and magical history.

What I’d do:

• After visiting the castle, I would definitely be eating the different candies.
• Take a ride on the Hogwarts Express. (There’s candy on the trolley by the way.)
• I would go rowing on the lake.

Why a vacation world?

It’s a magical world. What more can be said? Oh, and it’s got butterbeer!

5. The Mass Effect Universe

Why go:

• Explore the galaxy rich with beautiful planets, a multitude of civilizations, and full of discovery.
• Who wouldn’t want to travel through space?
• Each culture has its own lore to explore. (Turians, Quarians, Asari, Salarians, etc.)

What I’d do:

• Visit the Citadel.
• Go to Palaven. (You don’t get to in the game.)
• Take a tour through the Normandy!

Why is it a vacation “world”?

Adventure, discovery, and sci-fi wonder that would be hard to get anywhere else.

Conclusion

Thank you for taking this trip with me. I hope you can see the appeal of these worlds as I do. We may not be able to go to any of them, but we can still explore their real counterparts. Observing the stars, going to/ observing mountains, visiting pumpkin patches, and so on.

Which is your favorite world? Do you have one I didn’t list?

Stay tuned for:

• War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy: Vol II, Part V; Vol III, Part I (Tuesday)
• Medal of Honor: Airborne (Sunday)

Digital Archiver signing off.