Games Set in Unique Settings You'll Explore Soon

20 April 2025

Let’s face it: video games have become much more than just a pastime—they’re a gateway to unimaginable places, mind-blowing adventures, and a much-needed escape from the mundane. Sure, we all love the familiar realms of fantasy and sci-fi, but every now and then, a game comes along that locates the “wow factor” on an entirely new map. We're talking about games set in the kind of unique settings that make you sit up and say, “Wait... where am I again?”

So, buckle up, grab your snacks, and maybe even make space on your hard drive because we’re diving into some upcoming games that bring wild, weird, and wonderful worlds straight to your screen. Ready? Let’s do this!

1. A City Built on Giant Creatures – "The Wandering Isles"

Have you ever thought about living on the back of a massive creature? Hold that thought because The Wandering Isles takes you exactly there! This upcoming gem is set in a world where cities aren't built on land but on the backs of wandering beasts. Yes, you read that right—your “neighborhood” might be stomping through forests, deserts, or even oceans while you sip tea in your virtual living room.

The gameplay? Think of balancing city management with survival mechanics. Your creature—whether it's a towering turtle or a whale the size of a continent—needs care. If you forget to feed it or keep its mood up, it might just decide to dive underwater or take a nap in the middle of a desert.

The setting blends a surreal environment with a pinch of humor, and honestly, who wouldn’t want to say they built an empire on a turtle’s back?

2. Post-Apocalyptic Candyland – "Sugar Wasteland"

If someone told me I’d be scavenging for resources in a world that looks like Willy Wonka’s fever dream, I’d have laughed. But Sugar Wasteland has turned what could’ve been a sugary cliché into something brilliantly bizarre.

In this colorful, candy-coated apocalypse, you’re not just dodging zombies; you’re evading mutant gummies, candy corn storms, and chocolate lava flows. Everything in this world is oversaturated with saccharine chaos—yet danger lurks behind every gumdrop tree.

What’s special about this setting is the contrast. It’s all so vibrant and cheerful until you realize a licorice vine is trying to strangle you. Talk about sweet and sour vibes. It's weird, it's wonderful, and you're going to love every calorie-filled second of it.

3. Inside a Board Game – "Tabletop Realms"

Wait, what? You’re actually inside a board game? Yup. That’s the elevator pitch for Tabletop Realms, a game that shifts you from your living room into, well, the dice-rolling chaos of your favorite board games.

The setting is essentially a mash-up of classic tabletop aesthetics: oversized dice, massive playing cards, and game pieces the size of buildings. The twist? You’re an adventurer navigating this larger-than-life world. One moment, you're scaling a tower of poker chips; the next, you're dodging an avalanche of D20 dice rolling your way.

This game promises a unique blend of nostalgia and innovation, and honestly? It’s got “game night” written all over it—except this time, you’re the piece your friends are rooting for.

4. Underwater Cities – "Aquatica Chronicles"

I’m a sucker for anything underwater-related, so when Aquatica Chronicles was announced, I was instantly hooked. This isn’t just your run-of-the-mill underwater adventure trope. No, this game drops you into a fully functioning underwater city where humanity thrives after abandoning the surface world.

The setting feels alive—think neon-lit skyscrapers made of coral, bustling aquatic markets, and schools of fish weaving between futuristic submarines. But don’t get too comfortable because the ocean isn’t all friendly. Dangerous sea creatures, treacherous currents, and a bit of political drama will keep you on your toes (or fins?).

It’s like a love letter to Bioshock fans but with its own fresh take. So, if you’re ready to dive headfirst into a world where fish are your neighbors, this one’s a must-play.

5. Dreamscapes Built on Emotions – "Somnova"

Okay, time to get introspective. Somnova takes you into the surreal landscapes of dreams created by human emotions. Basically, if someone’s feeling joy, their dreamscape might look like a pastel wonderland filled with fluffy clouds and bouncy castles. But if someone’s dealing with fear? Prepare for dark forests, shifting walls, and whispers you can’t quite locate.

The kicker is that you’re not just exploring others’ dreams—you’re solving mysteries within them. The game’s developers have mentioned that each dreamworld reflects the psyche of its creator. That means no two settings will be alike, and all of them will feel intensely personal.

It’s trippy, beautiful, and just the right amount of unsettling. If you’ve ever wanted to step into an album cover from your favorite indie band, Somnova might just scratch that itch.

6. A Floating World Above the Clouds – "Skyward Reach"

Imagine living in a world where the ground doesn’t exist—just endless skies, floating islands, and airships. That’s the promise of Skyward Reach. This game takes place in a realm where humanity has literally taken to the skies, creating cities on clouds and slinging across vast chasms on zip lines.

The visuals alone are to die for: cascading waterfalls pouring into nothingness, bioluminescent plants glowing on floating rocks, and the occasional sky whale gliding through the horizon. (Yes, sky whales!) But it’s not all serene sightseeing. You’ll also contend with rival airship pirates, dangerous storms, and ancient ruins awaiting discovery.

This game has a world that practically screams, “Come get lost in me.” If you’ve ever wanted to fly without leaving your couch, this one’s definitely on your radar.

7. The World Inside an Hourglass – "Sands of Chronos"

Time is a strange concept, but Sands of Chronos takes it to a new level. The entire game is set inside an impossibly large hourglass where civilizations exist on grains of sand. Yep, you’re essentially living on a speck of sand that, from your perspective, feels like an endless continent.

One of the coolest aspects of this setting is how time and motion work differently. The gravitational pull of the falling sand grains creates unique challenges, from navigating shifting dunes to avoiding massive “sandquakes.” Plus, the looming knowledge that the hourglass is continually emptying adds a tense, ticking-clock vibe to your exploration.

If the idea of being a tiny adventurer in a colossal, ever-changing world excites you, this game might just blow your mind.

8. Sentient Plants Taking Over – "Verdant Descent"

Plants are usually the least threatening part of any game, right? Well, think again. In Verdant Descent, the world has been overtaken by sentient plant life, forming an ecosystem that’s as beautiful as it is terrifying.

Picture it: dense jungles where trees whisper malicious secrets, flower meadows luring you with intoxicating scents, and killer vines that aren’t afraid to make the first move. The setting feels like Mother Nature took her gloves off and decided to remind humanity who’s boss.

But it’s not all doom and gloom. You’ll also uncover ancient ruins that hint at how this green apocalypse came to be, and you’ll forge alliances with quirky plant-based NPCs, like a sarcastic mushroom or a vine with a questionable sense of humor.

Final Thoughts: Get Ready to Be Transported

These games aren’t just about mechanics or graphics—they’re about places that stick in your memory long after you’ve logged off. Whether you’re riding on the back of a giant creature, diving into underwater metropolises, or dodging killer candy, each of these settings is a love letter to creativity and imagination.

So, which of these worlds are you most excited to explore? Drop a comment below, especially if there’s a setting that gave you chills (or cravings for candy). Personally, I’m already daydreaming of zip-lining through Skyward Reach!