Hub WorldWorld

A central area gives access to multiple discrete sub-areas; progress in sub-areas may alter the hub state.

Super Mario 64 castle hub: a central room of doors, each a world — cross the hub, enter a door, return, and pick another.

How hub world works in Godot

A central area branches to sub-areas; finishing a sub-area reports a flag back that can change the hub. Portals are gated by prerequisite flags.

Each portal is an entry trigger that checks its prerequisite flag, then loads (or reveals) the sub-area it leads to.

func _on_body_entered(_b):
    if GameState.flags.get(required, true):
        enter(target_area)

Completion flags returned from sub-areas drive hub state — opening new portals, changing NPC dialogue, lighting up the map screen.

func on_area_cleared(id):
    flags[id + "_done"] = true
    refresh_hub()

A return marker in the hub. Exiting a sub-area warps the player back to its portal so the hub feels like a stable home base.

func return_to_hub(from_id):
    player.global_position = portals[from_id].global_position

In short: Hub scene with portal nodes; each portal checks a prerequisite flag; completion flag returned to hub on exit

19 catalogued game(s) use this mechanic, spanning 1988–1996.