The most creative universe

[uchytjes]

A common complaint about today's media is that it copies too much from other places, so it begs the question "what is the most creative universe?"

So, what is the most creative universe that you have seen in gaming/movies/tv/books/any other medium out there?

Spoiler: my choice

Oban star racers

(Having just finished watching the last episode just before creating this thread, I can assure you that my opinion is completely unbiased )

The concept of the series may have been done several times before (a racing tournament is held to determine the outcome of _____) but the way its presented is where the creativity comes from. That and the characters. oh god, the characters. If you love good characters, watch this series. The art style is a very interesting blend of 2d and 3d animation that works wonders for the fast-paced action of the races and... oh damn, I shouldn't start reviewing this here.

Well, I can assure you that its worth a watch anyways and is pretty damn creative in my honest opinion.

 

[Im_not_Akira]

I suppose it's best to start by saying that all media and stories borrow ideas from somewhere no matter how old or how creative.

But anyway...

Films I'd probably say the 'Star Wars' universe. Mostly the original trilogy, because that blew my mind as a kid, and even now it always brings back that child like feeling that in this universe anything could happen.

Books, the ongoing comic 'Saga' people say it's like Star Wars crossed with Romeo and Juliet but it's so much more than that.

And TV? The Land of Ooo from Adventure Time because Adventure Time.

 

[Im_not_Akira]

I suppose it's best to start by saying that all media and stories borrow ideas from somewhere no matter how old or how creative.

But anyway...

Films I'd probably say the 'Star Wars' universe. Mostly the original trilogy, because that blew my mind as a kid, and even now it always brings back that child like feeling that in this universe anything could happen.

Books, the ongoing comic 'Saga' people say it's like Star Wars crossed with Romeo and Juliet but it's so much more than that.

And TV? The Land of Ooo from Adventure Time because Adventure Time.

 

[saintdane05]

Xenoblade. It's not everyday I get to walk on the body of a god. Especially when it sometimes doesn't even look it.

That is the "Lower Leg."

 

[Kilroy17]

This is probably a predictable choice but I think the most creative universe is Tolkien's Middle Earth. The variety in the races is an important factor I feel. Each race is very distinct from each other and have interesting histories (The Silmarillion). Also the varieties of magic and how it works I enjoy, whether it's an enchanted sword or Elven rope that unties itself there are many forms giving it variety. But the main reason I'm suggesting Middle Earth as the most creative is because of the engaging stories that happen in it. They are always interesting and different, at least to an extent, and not to mention Tolkien wrote about Middle Earth before most currently held popular fiction was made. He set up the magic genre I feel and I think many things may not have existed had it not been for his writings.

 

[Shinsei-J]

Final Fantasy 9.
Rat people, ? people(Quina), synthesized mages, souless clone people, a race of summoners.
The mist is one of the most screwed up ideas I've ever seen and it's flippin awesome.

 

[Vault101]

there is nothing new under the sun

I
Books, the ongoing comic 'Saga' people say it's like Star Wars crossed with Romeo and Juliet but it's so much more than that.

hey! I love saga too

what I love about it's "ANYTHING! TV PEOPLE YES!!" aproach..its what fantasy should be, I've been considering taking that kind of aproach with my world

 

[StylinBones]

Adventure Time! Yayyyy! My man Jake can do anything.

 

[lechat]

upside down

in case you are australian

Spoiler

http://nathan-lee.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/mrSquiggle.jpg

no. that is "upside down. upside down'


its this movie

2 worlds on top of each other but all items obey the laws of their own worlds gravity

 

[Newtonyd]

I enjoyed Brandon Sanderson's Way of Kings as both as an exercise in world building and for its system of magic. The land is frequently hit by enormous storms, which cause the local flora and fauna to adapt in interesting ways. The whole world is populated by a wide variety spirits called spren, which are attracted to specific objects, events, activities, and even emotions. It seems to have great influence from the Japanese spirituality, Shinto.

The book itself is only the beginning of a series, so I eagerly await the next book.

 

[TheNaut131]

Holy shit, someone else knows about Oban Star Racers?

Truth be told, I'm actually a big fan of Adventure Time's universe. This post-apocalyptic world mixed in which was flooded with a number of fantasy elements and a nice dash of science fiction. The different breeds, species, and mutations found in it, and certain twists on each of them. The thin lines between magic and science which kinda blur together.

It's just interesting and would be a fun place to run around in, something knew being discovered everyday.

Also, I like a number of the worlds in the Pendragon series. My favorite is probably Eelong, where the dominate species are cat beast, raptors are predators, they have six-legged horses, humans are mere animals, and the sun is one long bar across the sky.

 

[CrimsonBlaze]

Mobius.

By that, I mean the 16-bit zones from the classic Sonic the Hedgehog series. Loop-de-loops, spinning tops, giant maces, bumpers, springs, slot machines, and a giant floating island powered by a huge emerald? That alone made me want to get the Sonic series and my first console.

 

[IrishSkullpanda]

Jim Butcher's series, the Dresden Files.

Old style gumshoe walking the streets of Chicago- pretty standard stuff, except for the whole "throw in the entire fantasy and myth kitchen sink, stir with incredible humour and pacing, season with pure sealed awesome in a can."

 

[RedDeadFred]

upside down

in case you are australian

Spoiler

http://nathan-lee.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/mrSquiggle.jpg

no. that is "upside down. upside down'


its this movie

2 worlds on top of each other but all items obey the laws of their own worlds gravity

That picture intrigued me so I youtubed the trailer and... creative premise but very generic forbidden love story. Still, it is a pretty unique universe so I guess it's good for the thread.

OT: My friend is currently writing a rather insane book. It involves a main character who is basically superhuman and stores a gun in his throat (he also skips rope with people's intestines), fat ninjas who detonate when they die, a dimensional rift that unleashes a hoard of super lobsters, living pianos that strangle people with their piano wire, and various other insane things. He calls it The Wheel of Cats, so just by that title you know it's going to be ridiculous. I don't know if you'd call that creative or just someone letting their imagination go way too far.

He actually has a pretty funny writing style so it's kind of decent considering he doesn't do any other writing besides essays for classes.

 

[bartholen_v1legacy]

Walter Moers' Zamonia. Featuring: An entire race of desert people looking for a mirage city. Giants whose heads drop off once they're old enough. A ship the size of New York endlessly sailing through the seas. Slime people from another dimension where every surface is a carpet and music instruments are made out of milk. Gladiator battles where instead of fighting, they come up with the best lies they can make up. Carnivorous sea plants that disguise themselves as entire islands. A man with seven brains. A race of foot-tall pirates. And much more.

 

[Squilookle]

I'd vote for the rich and painstakingly pre-planned Crimson Skies Universe, but it was this list (well worth the read) that got me to try out Star Control 2 and so far it's one of the most inventive, fleshed out, fun and well written universes I've ever seen.

 

[The Code]

At first, I wanted to say Minecraft because the world's story and design is what you make it.
I then thought "Wait, it has no story of its own."

Then, I wanted to say Dark Souls because stone dragons and fiery souls and big swords and Nito and METAL INTRO! F**K YEAH!
I then thought "Wait, most of that's been done better by someone else."

Finally, I thought The Elder Scrolls because its history and design goes back 'thousands of years' and has been shaped by gods and demons and magic itself. Men and Mer fight and kill one another and live peacefully alongside one another and great feats of magic and science abound. The Dwemer (Dwarves, basically) tried to create a demigod from the heart of a fallen God, and they were wiped from existence for their hubris. The entire race! Well, except for that one in the Corprusarium in Morrowind, anyway. There is the history of the world, the origins of the races, the design of the world itself... And Sheogorath. No one can deny how awesome Sheogorath is. He's so awesome, he's the ONLY one in all of Oblivion that has a beard.

That, or Genesis Rising or the Myst Series.

...Yeah, Myst. That one's just... wow.

 

[Eddie the head]

I would say Middle Earth. There is nothing new under the sun but the world that Tolkien created beats out almost any fantasy setting now a days. Considering they are mostly still copying him.

 

[Beautiful End]

Firefly.

I think overall, it is very original. The universe includes its people, places and history. I think Firefly manages to be pretty original with all of that and it only takes it less than 15 episodes to prove it. It's a shame the show was abandoned.

And yeah, Adventure time. And most Final Fantasy games.