This article originally ran under a different banner/website in May of 2020 and is now being here re-uploaded for purposes of convenience and consolidation. Please enjoy.
HEAR YE!!! HEAR YE!!! MY LOYAL FOLLOWERS, I can see the crazed look in your eye. You have spit-shined every piece of furniture in your house. You have poured through everything on Netflix, Hulu, and Disney Plus … twice. You have finally finished your library of books and have even resorted to reading the instruction manual for the coffee maker. The days are starting to blur together and you are grasping for anything to break up the monotony.
FEAR NOT MY LOYAL FOLLOWERS!!! I, the Video Game Doomsayer, am here to assist with your terminal case of cabin fever. While I am normally proclaiming doom and gloom wherever I go, today I revel in being the savior we need in the age of isolation. I come to you, bearing five titles for you to try. These titles are not only a delight for veteran players but are very friendly to the less experienced players who are picking up games for the first time. Please take a seat as I present the Doomsayer’s Five Games to Try During Isolation:
Minecraft
While most people might have seen this entry coming, there are very few who would deny now is an excellent time for Minecraft. Often described as a virtual LEGO set, Minecraft excels more as a creative sandbox rather than a game. While they are monsters you can fight in Minecraft, people often use the creative mode in order to build feats such as the Death Star, Westeros from Game of Thrones, and even a working 16-bit computer. Minecraft is perfect if you are looking to sink countless hours into creative projects.
I, for example, always work on one thing: creating a massive hole with a spiral staircase along the edge of the hole. I am not sure why I always insist on tearing through the dirt of Minecraft like a digital gopher, but I find it quite relaxing to slowly watch the hole expand. I can guarantee you will find the same level of cathartic zen when working towards whatever creative project you have in mind.
Jackbox Party Pack
The Jackbox Party Pack series is a collection of mini-games that you play with friends or family. Some games require you to create facts that fool your friends into thinking they are true. Others will have everyone voting on who had the funny answer to some random questions. Other games will be a spin on Pictionary where everyone else submits alternative drawing titles and have everyone vote for your titles. Together all the games focus on bringing people together to laugh.
The best aspect of the Jackbox Party Pack games is how easily these games can be played while everyone is separated. First off, only one copy of any Jackbox Party Pack game is needed to take part in the fun. The game will create a code that you can enter into your tablet or smartphone to allow up to eight players to play. Rather than just have a simple Zoom call with your friends or family, you can add Jackbox Party Pack into the mix for countless hours of laughs.
Overcooked 2
Much like the Jackbox Party Pack, Overcooked thrives off making you laugh. The object seems simple: you and your friends are cooks working in a restaurant and must work together to cook orders. It starts off simple with recipes like sushi, requiring you to chop fish and boil rice. However, you will start getting recipes requiring more steps. Soon, the stages will start working against you with conveyor belts, maze-like kitchen layouts, and kitchen floors that will occasionally separate, requiring you to throw items to the other side of the kitchen. While it might feel like you stepped into Hell’s Kitchen, I found myself and my friends laughing at our blunders rather than screaming. I recommend Overcooked 2 simply because the sequel has online co-op.
Pokemon Go
My fourth game is probably the only mobile game I could recommend: Pokemon Go. While its popularity is not what it was back in 2016, there have been significant updates made over the years. Along with the usual catching of pokemon in augmented reality, you are able to compete to control gyms, fight bigger pokemon in raids, and even fight other players in battle leagues. Personally, I use Pokemon Go as an excuse to get outside and go for a walk.
While Pokemon Go has historically focused on getting players to play together with raids requiring multiple players, the developers have been working to make the game more playable in the age of isolation. They have been adding more daily and weekly challenges to increase the number of items you receive. The distance required to hatch eggs has been reduced. You can even get raid passes so you can raid from home rather than going to the raid’s location. They even plan on adding the ability to invite friends to your local raids. Just remember to wear your mask when hunting for pokemon.
Bioshock
I am sure this is not a surprise to anyone who knows me. I fully credit Bioshock for developing my love of worldbuilding, narrative, and horror. Lately, I have been excusing a lot of flawed films and games if they have a world that draws me in. Some of my friends have been calling it the Doomsayer special. Of course, this love would not have happened without my trip to the famed underwater city, Rapture. However, Bioshock would not be complete without one of the most revolutionary stories in video games. A story that can’t be told in a movie, tv-show or book; the story only works as a video game. I urge you to trust me and experience this story for yourself. If you are looking for a game to see why people still love single-player games, you could do no wrong than Bioshock.
MY LOYAL FOLLOWERS, while the bars may be closed, concerts canceled, and jets grounded, I assure you life will return to normal. Until then, we must do our best to limit contact with each other. While it might seem like an impossible task, we can use games to help bridge the metaphorical gaps. Maybe, a fun co-op game will allow you to stay connected with friends, or maybe, a single-player game will help you take your mind off the perils of the outside world. Either way, stay safe, stay home, and play some games.