Overworld

Categories: Computer and video game stubs

In video games, the overworld generally refers to the main area of the playable area, especially as opposed to the 'underworld' of dungeons. For RPGs, in this space the player can usually save their game whenever they like, and will usually appear as a large icon while they head between destinations. Random battles are common.

In video game music, this term has been applied to the 'main in-game theme' of a game, which was traditionally that of the overworld. Even after games started to have more different levels and music, that of the first main area is still frequently called the 'overworld theme.' Because overworld maps can involve a large amount of traveling, these themes are usually orchestrated as being more lengthy than other pieces.