Top Ten Secret Player Bases and Strongholds

Home is where the heart is. In games it's also where you stash all your loot, craft some supplies and chat with your fellow party members and allies. Most games are about the journey of the hero, and precious few allow you to kick up your feet and relax at a safe haven you can call your home. 

Bioware's upcoming Dragon Age: Inquisition promises one of the biggest player bases we've ever seen in Skyhold. Skyhold will serve as you primary stronghold and base for the inquisitor and his or her allies, improving over time and aesthetically customizable. 

Of course, Skyhold certainly isn't the first player base to feature prominently in a game, and I've gathered my ten favorites (in no particular order).

Tristram (Diablo)

Though the Diablo series has since evolved over the years, the quiet town of Tristram remains one of the most beloved hubs in gaming. Its classic acoustic guitar theme is enough to send many a nostalgic gamer into fond memories of selling loot to Griswold and identifying equipment from the now infamous Deckard Cain. 

I'll always stay awhile and listen, Cain.

Sanctuary (Borderlands 2)

Sanctuary gives access to a bank, shared stash, and all the NPCs and vending machines you could ever need in your vault hunting adventures. It's also the central location for your merry band of rebels and features prominently in the story. 

Having your only friendly place on Pandora teleport across the world is a shocking moment mid-game, and nothing says motivation than wanting to get all your stuff back.

Your Castle (Suikoden series)

Most JRPGs involve a heroic journey across the world, but the Suikoden series embroils you into warring city-states, political upheavals and large-scale battles on top of the usual adventuring fare. Attracting 108 part members and NPCs to your side is a main component of each game, and early on you're given (or capture) your own castle to populate with allies. 

The Suikoden games are full of memorable moments and epic battles, but some of the most fun I had was simply wandering around my own castle talking with allies and participating in various mini-games and events.

The End of Time (Divinity: Original Sin)

Early on you gain access to your homestead at The End Of Time, and like every good base it's got all your vending, crafting and storage needs (not to mention instant teleportation access). Throughout your lengthy adventure you collect star stones that unlock additional rooms. The star stones not only play a major role in the story but serve a nice gameplay purpose in opening up new high-level vendors and areas. 

And yes, its name and situation as “The End of Time” is a fun homage to Chrono Trigger.

SSV Normandy (Mass Effect series)

What's better than exploring a fully realized and original sci-fi RPG setting? Being captain of your very own star ship! 

The Normandy is home to you and your crew in all three games, and is crafted with all the love and care of a fellow party member – and technically eventually becomes one in the form of Mass Effect 3's EDI.

Having your beloved ship torn apart in the opening moments of Mass Effect 2 is an effective gut punch that sets the stage for the dark tone of the sequel. Never forget!

Crossroad Keep (Neverwinter Nights 2)

After defeating one of the primary villains in Act II you're rewarded with your very own ramshackle castle that's little more than a ruined fort.

Repairing the fortifications, building up the castle and attracting merchants to set up shop becomes an interesting and enjoyable ongoing side quest to your usual adventuring. Crossroad Keep may very well be the prototype for Dragon Age: Inquisition's Skyhold.

The Bastion (Bastion)

Since it's right there in the title you can safely assume that your hub zone will feature prominently in the story. Gameplay-wise it contains all the important buildings and facilities The Kid will need in his adventures, and you choose which ones you want to build first. 

In the uniquely torn-apart post-apocalyptic world of Caelondia The Bastion serves as your only safe place, as well as your ultimate salvation.

Seamstress Union (Shadowrun Returns)

Shadowrun is absolutely dripping in 80s cyberpunk theme, so it should be no surprise that your base of operation in Shadowrun Returns is a bar. 

The Seamstress Union holds many quest-givers and NPCs, as well as an entire underground facility for shadowrunners willing to sell you black market weaponry and install augmented cyber enhancers. If it weren't for those pesky missions I'd never leave.

Hound Pits Pub (Dishonored)

Having a safe place to sleep in between missions is a welcome addition to the plague-ridden streets of Dunwall. Not only does the Hound Pits Pub serve its purpose for info-dumping NPCs and important story moments but you can also purchase new upgrades and explore the surrounding area for cash and runes. 

Exploring pays off nicely toward the end as the Pub becomes a battleground that you must fight (or sneak) your way through.

Headquarters (XCOM: Enemy Unknown)

Your secret underground headquarters are a vital part of your overall experience and success with XCOM. Choosing whether to build a research lab or engineering bay in your limited spaces can ultimately be just as crucial as deciding whether to take a risky shot on the battlefield, and higher difficulties require you to plan your base construction out perfectly.

The expansion, Enemy Within, also brings back the base defense missions of the original games, giving you an even greater connection to the home you've built for your soldiers as they defend waves of alien attacks.