Four Essential Games to Play During Self Isolation
Kael Butler
22nd March 2020
With most of the working population being asked to stay indoors, a lot of people are struggling to find effective ways to pass the time until COVID 19 blows over. Luckily, there exists a medium that is perfect for wasting time, video games. Here are four games that will help you stay positive, immersed and entertained.
4. Pokemon (Any of them)
In case you don’t know, Pokemon is a series based around travelling, collecting adorable creatures and training them to compete in turn-based battles. Each entry in this series typically features a lengthy story, where you forge bonds with your Pokemon, while climbing up the ranks of the Pokemon league until you become Champion. And even once you’ve done that there’s also the ever-enticing challenge of catching them all. The reason that the whole series is listed here, is because any one of them will work. Whether it’s the latest instalment, or a childhood favourite, its up to you which version of Pokemon you’d like to spend your time with. (Maybe avoid Pokemon GO though).
3. Breath of the Wild
The latest instalment in the Legend of Zelda series, Breath of the Wild is easily the most open and complex one to date. When you start up the game, you are given one objective, to defeat the evil that has ravaged the land, and save Prince Zelda. Outside of that, you are free to explore the kingdom of Hyrule, where you’ll meet all sorts of characters. You’ll meet villagers in need of help, mysterious guides and several monsters, men and weather patterns that seek to destroy you. This game was released way back in 2017, and players are still finding mechanics to play around with, so it’ll easily keep you entertained for weeks. The only thing that stops this from being higher in the list, is the fact that it can only be played on the Wii U or Nintendo Switch.
2. BIOSHOCK
BIOSHOCK is a brilliant, first-person shooter experience. You play as Jack, a silent protagonist who survives a plane crash, only to find themselves in Rapture, a sprawling, underwater city, with an art deco flare. The city of Rapture started out as a utopia, an exclusive society for those deemed worthy, by founder Andrew Ryan. However, a drug-fuelled civil war has torn the city apart and turned its inhabitants into drug-addled, rambling, psychopathic mutants. It is your job to piece together your surroundings, fend off the citizens of Rapture and escape to the surface. BIOSHOCK features several weapons, (each with their own variations and upgrades) and several powers that you can use to gain the upper hand during several thrilling encounters. With addictive gameplay, outstanding worldbuilding and storytelling, BIOSHOCK will hook you in, and won’t let go. You can pick up the BIOSHOCK trilogy on PS4, XBOX ONE and Steam at a pretty decent price.
1. Skyrim
A game that hardly requires an introduction, The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim is easily the biggest role-playing experience. In Skyrim you create your own character, being able to pick from several classes, from the human Nords, to the Reptilian Argonian race. You are then released into the world, only to find that it is being ravaged by dragons. It is up to you as Dragonborn (A fabled hero that can absorb the souls of dragons.) To defeat Alduin the World-Eater, a dragon who is prophesied to destroy the world. Throughout the game, you will complete quests, hone your skills, acquire powerful artefacts and weaponry and slay dragons. The game has countless objectives outside of the main story. You can join a thief’s guild, a bards college and you can even learn magic at a wizarding college. This game came out in 2011, and people are still playing it today. Plus, its available for PS3, XBOX 360, PC, PS4, XBOX ONE, Nintendo Switch and there’s even a version for Amazon Alexa. There’s no excuse not to pick up this fantasy masterpiece.
So, there you have it, four fantastic video game experiences that’ll keep you occupied during self-isolation. Be warned though, you may still be addicted to these titles even after self-isolation is over.
Please remember if you or someone you know needs support, there is help available:
Support Act Helpline: 1800 959 500
Lifeline:: 13 11 14
