Many games feature gorgeous cathedrals and fictional churches with stunning architecture. But there are also a lot of notable shrines in gaming that we remember vividly, whether for their significance or aesthetic. If you don't know these shrines for either of those things, then you most likely do because of their generous rewards.
It wouldn't be a stretch to say that some of these shrines saved your life and are typically treated as pit stops for healing after intense battles. But these shrines aren't ranked based on what they can give you, the player—but through their design and memorable charm.
10 Persona 5 - Meiji Shrine
If this shrine sounds familiar to you, even if you haven't played Persona 5 Royal or any of the other Persona games, it's because it's a real shrine that can be found in Shibuya, Tokyo. If you've visited the shrine outside your screen, you would know it's surrounded by lush trees, just like in the game.
Whether you've come to visit as a tourist or go to pay respects in real life, every Persona 5 fan knows that this shrine is a great place to spend time with Ann Tamaki.
9 The Legend Of Zelda: Breath Of The Wild - Shora Hah Shrine
Breath of The Wild shrines are best known not just for their outward appearance but for the adventures and rewards that you're bound to find within them. Since there are many of them in Breath of the Wild alone, the best ones are often the ones that feel the most fun to play in.
The Shora Hah Shrine, otherwise known as the Blue Flame Shrine, is the epitome of what happens when you play with fire (without the burning consequences). You get to jump from many platforms, light torches with blue fire strategically, and solve tons of puzzles. If you love escape rooms, Shora Hah is probably your favorite, too.
8 The Legend Of Zelda: Tears Of The Kingdom - Natak Shrine
How do the shrines in Tears of the Kingdom compare to those of Breath of the Wild? They're just as difficult as some, if not as fun as the others. Natak Shrine isn't the easiest shrine to go through, but your inner math-lover would probably get a kick out of solving puzzles by adjusting them through the right angles.
If you can overcome the annoyance of accidentally breaking carefully placed mechanisms, and having things fall off platforms, then you're sure to enjoy this shrine. If not, you'll definitely remember it as being a hard one to go through.
7 Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice - Senpou Temple, Mt. Kongo
Every shrine in Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice is heaven-sent, and you'll find a lot along the way as you navigate apocalyptic Sengoku Japan riddled with monsters and abnormally strong humans that could kill you within a few hits. That being said, any and all forms of healing are much appreciated—which shrines do best at.
With this game being frustratingly difficult, the Senpou Temple's altar is probably the best thing you've laid eyes on. You've been rewarded for your hard work as you desperately crawled away from death's door five times over.
6 Ghost Of Tsushima - Blood-Stained Shrine
At this point, you're no longer fazed by the challenges that games throw at you. But the Blood-Stained Shrine in Ghost of Tsushima might have elicited a few feelings from you. The first might be dread since the shrine was littered with blood and trees whose branches hung with bodies instead of fruit.
The second feeling must've been surprised since it's a clear Bloodborne reference—which, upon realizing that reference, must've made your terror grow stronger. But a few scares and several nightmares wouldn't be enough to deter you from your quest to get better armor.
5 Bayonetta Origins: Cereza And The Lost Demon - Overgrown Shrine
Bayonetta Origins: Cereza and The Lost Demon has a shrine that's familiar with the game's fairytale-like quality. The Overgrown Shrine isn't just a small shrine or location in the game; it has its own map that you'll have to explore and traverse through. It inverts any solemn or peaceful images you associate with shrines.
But it doesn't make it any less beautiful or significant since major game events happen within this location. It's also a fun location to go through, especially if you're a fan of steamrolling faeries with Cheshire.
4 Tekken 4 - Hon-Maru
The Tekken franchise never ceases to amaze in proving that fists could fly anywhere and everywhere, even if it's an ancestral place of worship—right in front of its altar. But worse things have happened in this location, and seasoned Tekken fans would know just how many epic things happened within this grand temple.
But the best part of this temple is still the part where you get to smash somebody else's head on the floorboards, and it becomes so much more satisfying to do so in Tekken 7.
3 Ghostwire: Tokyo - The Final Shrine
Ghostwire: Tokyo also does not scrimp on shrines; shrines act as a fast travel mechanism. What makes this one special is that it's the last one in the game, and it specifically greets you once you've finally tracked down the Hannya mask man. It's hauntingly beautiful, and Akito himself would've appreciated this more if this shrine and this situation didn't represent something morbid.
Shrines in this game also have rewards around them, so a normal shrine visit and a prayer often help. All except this one, who has a loved one in the center, intended to be used as a sacrifice by a twisted man.
2 Genshin Impact - Grand Narukami Shrine
The Grand Narukami Shrine is arguably still one of the most beautiful places in the world of Genshin Impact, and it has a tree that keeps giving. The Sacred Sakura will keep you motivated to explore Inazuma since it gives a lot of items in return. Many significant events happen in this area, too, so its importance isn't lost.
It's not as interactive as the other shrines, but it is as classic as what you would envision a shrine to be. Draw a fortune slip or two here, and you might have better luck in wishing.
1 Yakuza 0 - The Nakamichi Alley Shrine
Why would an obscure shrine somewhere along an alley of Kamurocho beat the rest of the other shrines? Maybe because the shrine adds a great quality of life to your game, or if you'll be honest, Bob Utsomiya and his unusual getup is just a sight that makes you want to spend all of your hard-earned completion points (CP) too.
Clownery aside, this shrine is small but an integral part of Kamurocho. It perfectly blends within the bustling nightlife and worldly neighborhood of the district, despite being spiritual by nature.