Why be scared of the coronavirus when you can play video games to keep your mind off of it?
For the safety of the general public, shelter-in-place orders have taken effect in 21 U.S. states, according to the New York Times as of Wednesday.
Essentially 43% of Americans should self-quarantine in their homes.
There is no doubt Netflix, Hulu and other streaming services have seen a surge in membership during these isolating times.
And while there is a plethora of movies and TV shows to indulge in, you could also immerse yourself in a whole world of video games for hours on end.
There are many titles out there with compelling stories and enjoyable mechanics that should not go unnoticed.
The unique storylines of each game can keep your attention while the different mechanics keep your mind active and engaged.
“Vanquish”
Sega’s third-person shooter game, “Vanquish,” was released for the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 in October 2010 and is still well-respected in the gaming community.
This is precisely why it was rereleased as part of an anniversary bundle with Sega’s “Bayonetta” for the Xbox One and
PlayStation 4.
In the game, the protagonist Sam Gideon is an agent in the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency.
The character wears a speed-enhancing suit as he takes on an army of Russian bots.
When compared to other third-person shooter games, “Vanquish” is noticeably fast-paced, making it difficult for the player to look away for even a brief moment.
The story is by no means short and is evenly-paced to ensure the player will enjoy it as much as the actual gameplay.
Depending on the player’s playstyle and the chosen difficulty setting, the game can take approximately six to eight hours to complete.
After the playthrough, players can indulge in the second part of the anniversary series, “Bayonetta.”
“Call of Duty:
Modern Warfare Series”
Last year, developer Infinity Ward released the first-person shooter game, “Call of Duty: Modern Warfare” for Playstation 4, Xbox One and PC.
In 2007, the same company released “Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare” for the PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 and Nintendo Wii.
The first game of the franchise to feature modern military equipment, it focuses on fictional conflicts in both the Middle East
and Russia.
Infinity Ward then produced sequels, “Modern Warfare 2” and “Modern Warfare 3,” which were released in 2009 and
2011 respectively.
Both games are compatible with the Xbox One and can be played if purchased at the online store.
It provides significant opportunity for players to experience the story of a series that defined a generation of gamers.
Average game time for players would be: six hours for the first game, five for the sequel and another six for the finale.
“Resistance”
If players are looking to immerse themselves in a realistic game that hits home, why not play a game about a pandemic that has people confined to their homes?
The “Resistance” series is a PlayStation exclusive first released in 2006.
Developed by Insomniac Games, it is a first-person shooter on the PlayStation 3 that pits players against an alien race that grows in numbers with the spread of a virus.
The Chimera, a mysterious alien race, and its virus seek to eradicate humanity so it is up to the player to prevent the death of all things human.
The third and final game, “Resistance 3,” was released in 2011 and is available on demand through PlayStation Now on the PlayStation 4.
Although the game begins by sharing plot details from the last game, players are likely to be curious about what they missed in the first two, which are only playable on PlayStation 3.
Fortunately, there are many in-game details help fill in any missing information for new players.
The average game time for players would be: about seven and a half hours for the first game, about 10 hours for the second game and about eight hours for the third game.
There are a multitude of games that one can play during the COVID-19 lockdown and it would be a shame if they
went unnoticed.
