If you’ve ever launched Garry’s Mod, there’s a very good chance the first thing you saw was the wide-open landscape of gm_construct. This is more than just a map—it’s a rite of passage. A simple yet iconic canvas where thousands of players first learned the ropes of spawning props, building strange contraptions, or just aimlessly running around with friends. But as straightforward as it may seem, understanding and getting the most out of GMod’s maps—from classic playgrounds to complex labyrinths—can take your experience from casual to immersive. Here’s how.

Step 1: Start with gm_construct – The Heart of GMod

Begin with the classic: gm_construct. This map is your sandbox playground. If you’re new, take a few moments to get your bearings. Walk around. Notice how the open space invites creativity. But look deeper—explore the surrounding buildings, the shadowy warehouse, the strangely white and pitch-black rooms. These oddities aren’t just design quirks; they add layers of mystery and encourage you to fill in the blanks with your imagination.

Try this:

• Decorate one of the small buildings like a home or office.
• Use props to build a zombie defense fort.
• Hide an object (like a watermelon) and play impromptu games of hide-and-seek with friends.

Step 2: Learn the History Through Older Versions

To really appreciate gm_construct, explore its past iterations. Versions like gm_construct_3, 6, and 10 are all available via the Steam Workshop. Load them up and observe how the map evolved. The earlier versions are more stripped down, focusing on functionality over design. Seeing how the map layout expanded over time shows how much intention eventually went into its once-barebones structure.

What to look for:

• The early grass-and-stone texture mixing.
• Minimalist geometry that focuses more on function.
• Familiar elements like the pool and garage slowly emerging.

Step 3: Dive Into the Uncanny and Experimental

Once you’re comfortable, it’s time to get weird. Load up gm_construct_redesign, a map that feels like a parallel-universe version of the original. Familiar elements are reshaped—shipping containers dot the space, odd stairways appear, and tunnels wind into mysterious corners.

Then take it further:

• gm_megastruct — expansive, architectural oddity. It’s disorienting and unsettling, the way a dream version of Construct might feel.
• gm_genesis — a bloated evolution, packed with drag strips, tunnels, race tracks, and weird verticality. Expect missing textures—it’s part of the charm.

These maps help you appreciate GMod’s eerie beauty. They take the base concept and push it to extremes.

Step 4: Experience Roleplay Maps for Community Design

When you’re ready to see how maps are built around player behavior, load rp_downtown_v4c. This one’s a classic in the roleplay server scene. Downtown features actual zones where social structures form naturally—mayor HQs in the city center, shady dealings in the warehouses, and player-run stores in between. It’s like a miniature society where map layout influences how people play their roles.

Try this:

• Explore as if you were a citizen and identify what each district is “meant” to be.
• Pretend you’re a real estate agent and pick out your ideal apartment or shopfront.

Step 5: Discover Urban Explorers’ Dreams

gm_bigcity and gm_megacity are two of GMod’s most immersive urban sprawl maps. Unlike the detailed interactivity of rp_downtown, these maps focus on scale. In bigcity, most buildings are hollow or inaccessible, turning it into a place for wandering and large vehicle stunts. In megacity, you’re trapped between towering skyscrapers, navigating endless streets and alleys. The feeling borders on dreamlike, even eerie.

What to do:

• Drive vehicles through the dense streets.
• Fly to the top of buildings to see how the skyline illusion is crafted.
• Imagine a procedurally-generated version that never ends.

Step 6: Explore Iconic Locations Through a New Lens

Not all maps are original creations. Some bring beloved game worlds into the Source Engine. Peach’s Castle, from Super Mario 64, is one such map. But something feels off—it’s uncanny. The scale seems different. The lighting is odd. The textures reflect in ways they never did on the N64. But that’s what makes these maps special. They offer new perspectives on familiar spaces.

When exploring:

• Don’t look for perfection—embrace the strangeness.
• Compare what feels “off” to the original. Is Mario small, or is the map big?

Step 7: Return to the Pure Sandbox – gm_flatgrass

Finally, come back to basics with gm_flatgrass. This map is raw and minimal. A flat plane. A tiny platform. A baby blue sky. That’s it. There’s beauty in its simplicity. It asks nothing of you. It’s perfect for experiments, chaos, or just chilling.

Things to try:

• Build insane contraptions without worrying about space.
• Add thrusters to random props and see what flies.
• Invite friends for unstructured mayhem.

Final Tips for GMod Map Exploration

• Use noclip to explore areas you might otherwise miss.
• Save your favorite builds using the duplicator tool.
• Download maps from the Steam Workshop and categorize them for easy access.
• Don’t stress missing textures—sometimes they’re part of the adventure.

GMod is what you make of it. Whether you’re exploring nostalgia-soaked classic maps or bizarre redesigns, every space has something to offer if you slow down and poke at the corners. So grab your physics gun, spawn a hundred bouncy balls, and get lost. That’s the GMod way.