More Thoughts From Me: Return of the World Map
From the NES all the way to the Playstation 1, world maps were always a given. We saw it sometimes on the PS2 and later but its became a rare rpg feature. Recently though, a few games are bringing it back. Let’s talk about that!

Ni No Kuni 2 World Map
Rpgs almost always had a world map on games on the NES, SNES, Genesis, and Playstation 1. Then, when Final Fantasy 10 came out without one, we saw Square Enix and other Japanese publishers move away from the World map a bit. In more recent history, Ni No Kuni and Ni No Kuni 2 had world maps. Very few other games have one.
Dragon Quest 11 S had a huge world map in its 2D mode and the Dragon Quest 3 Remake had a pretty great one too. Its rare to see it other places but its happening more frequently.
Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes, Fantasian, and the upcoming non-Japanese rpg Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 are examples of rpgs that have world maps. The first two are new games that play with very old school graphics and mechanics, while Clair Obscur blends modern graphics with old school gameplay and real time elements.

Fantasian World Map
The world map of Clair Obscur is what we should see on modern rpgs. The map is absolutely beautiful and will be a joy to explore. It has a really unique mode of transport across it. We can only hope that other rpgs, Japanese or not, will embrace the world map again.
In other words, please bring the world map back to Final Fantasy Square Enix!
More Thoughts From Me is an opinion column. The thoughts expressed here are mine and mine alone. I can’t wait to play Clair Obscur!