Modern video games have evolved into more than just going from point A to point B. Sometimes you need to stop somewhere and take a moment to recuperate. That is why video game hubs are at their best when players can take a much-needed break and immerse themselves in the game’s universe, as well as get to know people who are important to the journey.
In this list, let’s go over my five personal favorite gaming hubs in video games.
Pyloon’s Saloon (Star Wars: Jedi Survivor)
A contender for one of the best hub areas in a single-player video game, Pyloon’s Saloon is a major highlight of my Star Wars Jedi: Survivor journey. This little cantina is home to the galaxy’s eclectic mix of characters, from the Nightsister Merrin to the rebel Jedi Cal Kestis. It serves as a haven for the Empire’s most wanted, where they can dance to the familiar Star Wars techno and revel in the Empire’s absence on the planet Koboh.
Each time you finish a major story quest, the Saloon feels more alive when you return. You meet new faces who share their stories from across the galaxy, display your hard-earned fishing captures, or even challenge others to a game of Holotactics.
It may not quite measure up to Tatooine’s legendary Chalmun’s Spaceport cantina, but Pyloon’s Saloon is a fantastic place to deepen your connection with the characters of Star Wars Jedi and to see the broader lore unfold through the stories of its many patrons.
The Normandy (Mass Effect Trilogy)
When it comes to gaming hubs, nothing comes close to the emotional attachment I have with the Normandy and its crew. The Mass Effect trilogy is a massive series, and what better way to ground it than to give players a ship filled with familiar faces?
The Normandy is Commander Shepard’s pride and the defining vessel of the Mass Effect universe. It is home to an unforgettable cast, from the brilliant Salarian scientist Mordin to the galaxy’s best friend, Garrus. It is where this band of misfits becomes the heart of one of the greatest space-opera RPGs in gaming.
From the Suicide Mission to the final battle with the Reapers, the Normandy is more than a ship. It is a treasure trove of memories, where much of Mass Effect’s emotional weight is carried.
The Roundtable Hold (Elden Ring)
Elden Ring is brutally difficult by design. Everything in the Lands Between is out to kill you. It’s always important to have a place to rest from all the deaths in a FromSoftware game, and we have to thank Melina for giving us access to one of the coziest areas in gaming.
The constant danger of The Lands Between makes the Roundtable Hold a welcome refuge for your Tarnished journey.
Here you meet some of the game’s most important figures, from the deathbed companion Fia to the lore master Sir Gideon Ofnir, and even the grotesque, otherworldly deity, The Fingers.
It is where you see how your choices shape the world, and it is also where you realize that nearly every character has their own hidden agenda.
Any FromSoftware hub could make this list, such as the Hunter’s Dream in Bloodborne or Firelink Shrine in Dark Souls, but Elden Ring’s Roundtable Hold feels more expansive thanks to its diverse cast of characters.
The House of Hades (Hades)
Supergiant’s Hades is one of the best roguelikes in recent memory. Its endless cycle of escaping the underworld never gets old, thanks in no small part to its writing and dialogue. But for a game so centered on combat and repetition, its hub, the House of Hades, is just as vital.
This is where you confront Zagreus’ eponymous father again and again. It is also where you meet the many gods and figures of the underworld, from Nyx, the goddess of night, to Hypnos, the god of dreams.
Beyond that, you can forge relationships with other wayward figures like the hero Achilles or the poor soul Orpheus, making the hub double as a place of story and even romance. And when things get too heavy, Skelly is always there to offer a laugh and a sparring session.
Battle Hub (Street Fighter 6)
In the multiplayer space, online hubs are one of the best additions fighting games have ever seen since Evo Moment 37. Street Fighter 6’s Battle Hub is a perfect example, serving as a place of fun, learning, and competition. It is where you can mingle with the rest of the brilliant fighting game community, take on sweaty one-on-one matches, or simply learn the ropes through AI battles.
It is also where you meet friends and rivals, and where players show off their wild character designs, ranging from stylish to downright bizarre.
Street Fighter 6’s Battle Hub is one of the most welcoming spaces in online gaming, giving players a chance to relax and enjoy matches without the pressure of rank. Tekken 8’s Fighting Lounge deserves a nod as well, as it follows a similar formula, and both are excellent community spaces where fun comes first.
And that’s it. While there are plenty of other video game hubs worth mentioning, these are my personal favorites, the ones that left the strongest impression on me.
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