Consider for a second what makes video games amazing, and forget about stunning visuals, fun gameplay mechanics, and spectacular set-pieces. This is the only medium capable of equipping its audience to explore, discover, and involve themselves in a fictional world. Writers, designers, and other creative types craft universes with rich characteristics we get to be part of in a literal way. How insanely cool is that?

In recognition of what games are capable of, IGN is honoring the 50 best video game worlds. These distinct universes bring more than interesting architecture and a cohesive story to the table. Culture, personality, history, and other facets elevate a basic setting to an unforgettable, fully realized world.

In celebrating gaming’s greatest worlds, we’ve deliberately excluded anything based on existing franchises. Star Wars? Amazing, but it’s based on films. The Witcher? Dense and incredible, but reliant on the original novels.

These are the 50 best worlds games gave us on their own.