Among the various aspects and details which can be found, experienced and discussed in videogames, there is one peculiar topic that I have been meaning to explore for a significant while now as I feel it is often put aside is the representation of houses / personal rooms / interiors in video games. I had the hope this angle would get traction when Zelda Link's Awakening was released on Switch (and this fantastic thread from Neiteio got us sooo close to this), but since nothing happened, I have to take this fundamental matter into my own hands.
Why is it so important?
Regardless of the genre, a good room/interior is not just a virtual box but can instead be a subtle or not-so-subtle vehicle of the broader lore, of the overarching narration, all in all of the very identity of the game, managing (i) to convey an even more precise portrait of or additional hints on the character(s) inhabiting said room ; and (ii), oozing with small details, objects, as if looking at miniatures or model homes. It also triggers a sense of understanding and wonder : how does this character functions when I am not here ? Besides – and that is really my specific fetish – those cosy interiors look god darn great, like small dioramas.
Examples:
While it is easy to find good examples of cosy/great/wholesome/interesting interiors in top-down games and/or in RPG for obvious reasons, I have attempted to provide a few additional selected illustrations outside of the box:
*I have taken the below from the internet because I am at work and wanted to kick that conversation off, but I'll edit and provide my own content swiftly*
Why is it so important?
Regardless of the genre, a good room/interior is not just a virtual box but can instead be a subtle or not-so-subtle vehicle of the broader lore, of the overarching narration, all in all of the very identity of the game, managing (i) to convey an even more precise portrait of or additional hints on the character(s) inhabiting said room ; and (ii), oozing with small details, objects, as if looking at miniatures or model homes. It also triggers a sense of understanding and wonder : how does this character functions when I am not here ? Besides – and that is really my specific fetish – those cosy interiors look god darn great, like small dioramas.
Examples:
While it is easy to find good examples of cosy/great/wholesome/interesting interiors in top-down games and/or in RPG for obvious reasons, I have attempted to provide a few additional selected illustrations outside of the box:
*I have taken the below from the internet because I am at work and wanted to kick that conversation off, but I'll edit and provide my own content swiftly*
- Okami
- Persona 4
- Odin Sphere
- Hotline Miam
- FF7
- Pokemon SWSH
