Written by Edwin Francisco • Staff Writer
What games would you play when you are stuck at home? This Pandemic has really got us tied down regardless of where you are in the world. Here are the Top 10 Video Games To Play During Lockdown, whether it’s PC, Playstation, XBox or Nintendo Switch.
I was recently asked which games I would play during the lockdown.
It’s not an easy list to make since I thought I had to consider which games would cater to most people, but then again, I just have a different taste. I thought I would need to put a sports game in this list, but then again, I can’t play sports games. I don’t have the patience for it. I understand why people would like a particular genre, but some people would want something else.
With that said, this is what I’d like to play during this bleak time of being stuck inside most of the days.
This list is in no particular order.
Image: Epic
Cities Skylines (PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Switch, PC, Android, Linux, Mac)
This is one of my favorite simulation games. Sometimes I want to play a game that I just leave alone and see how everything is growing. I did think of The Sims 4 or Planet Coaster, but none have captured my fascination like Cities Skylines. This game is a million times better than SimCity.
The game really showed what was wrong or what was missing in SimCity which was originally considered as the standard of city building simulation games. What is interesting with this game is that some cities do really use this game as something that it can help plan on improving their own actual city. I love the fact that I can play this game for days or months just keeping up with improving, growing, and making the city better each time.
Image: Naughty Dog
Uncharted (1-4, The Lost Legacy) (PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4)
This series is the video game equivalent to Indiana Jones. I know this is kind of cheating, but if you can get this as a set, I’d get it. Yes, we do have Lara Croft aka “Tomb Raider” but I have to give Nathan Drake the stage here. The recent Tomb Raider games are good and it’s not far off either, but Uncharted has been more consistent in their quality.
Uncharted feels like you’re watching an action movie that never lets you down, with amazing set pieces, high adrenaline action with an amazing story that keeps you glued to the screen. This is one game that even non gamers can even enjoy watching. Why I chose this for a game during lockdown? It’s because it’s a fun roller coaster ride.
Image: Minecraft
Minecraft RTX (PC)
Being creative is amazing and it’s fun when you don’t have any limits to what you can do. Minecraft is one of the games that really made an impact to me because it did give me more creativity that I have not seen before in any game. Minecraft reminds me of LEGO. I know there are so many developers (even established ones) were so inspired with the game that it somehow changed how games were perceived. I know Minecraft is an old game and it’s still being improved today.
I did stop playing a few years back, but seeing it in ray-traced glory reinvigorated my fascination of the game. It’s just a surreal vision to see that blocky looking graphics with realistic lighting. It’s just a wonder to see your own creations in such realism. It’s just like seeing, your own creations on LEGO that is impossible to create in your own home shown in large scale full size.
Image: EA
Star Wars Squadrons (PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One)
I’m a fan of Star Wars. EA only released a few games over the past decade. I still do think that Jedi Fallen Order is a better game, the single player component is too short for me to say that I’d keep playing this during a lockdown.
I’ve been playing the LucasArts classic X-Wing (1993) and TIE-Fighter (1994) almost every year. I always looked for a game that can capture that same feeling all over again. Running the classic games isn’t as pretty as it was before. I even played Rebel Galaxy Outlaw just to fulfill my craving for the genre.
I still love going back to Star Wars. Star Wars Squadrons really revived my love for the X-Wing series. I love seeing the updated graphics and gameplay. You see the love and care painstakingly taken for this game. Even though the single player game is pretty short the multiplayer keeps it fun and interesting. It might not be for everyone, but I keep on going back to it each time.
Image: miHoYo
Genshin Impact (PlayStation 4, iOS, Android, PC)
I still need an MMO to play to keep up communication with friends and have fun at the same time. If I had to choose which MMO to play during this lockdown, I think Genshin Impact has made a big impression to a lot of people including me. I did worry that it may look like a Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild clone. But that is only the façade, the game offers much more.
The thing that worries me about free MMO games is that it might be a game that will drain your pockets just to get better armor. Don’t get this game wrong on the first impression, the game can be played without spending anything. It does capture that refreshing gameplay Legend of Zelda introduced, but the world is interesting enough to keep you playing for months. And it’s FREE!
Image: Microsoft
Forza Horizon 4 (Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PC)
I love a good driving game where I can just drive and enjoy the sights. People can say Gran Turismo, or Project Cars or maybe Need for Speed. I enjoyed the open world mechanics of most games, but I didn’t like the feeling of needing to actually win most of the time. I just want to drive, regardless if I win or lose.
Forza Horizon 4 introduced me to that, and I’m loving it. During these days where you can barely drive and go anywhere, Horizon gives me that driving itch and enjoying each moment of it. With so many cars to choose from, tons of fascinating events and races, in never ceases to be interesting.
Image: Nintendo
Animal Crossing: New Horizons (Switch)
This game was released in a perfect time, just when the lockdown happened. Everyone was stuck at home, not able to meetup with friends and more. Animal Crossing became that extension of being social.
I know you can do this on other games too, but this game is more relaxed and chill. In MMO games, you are always distracted in having to do a quest, or killing a monster for some treasure. Here, you don’t really bother with missions, you only want to improve your island, visit friends, give and receive gifts.
Image: Sucker Punch Productions
Ghost of Tsushima (PS4)
I love a good open world game. When hearing open world, people think of Grand Theft Auto, Assassin’s Creed, Spider-Man. Another interesting aspect with it is that Ghosts of Tsushima has a historical reference like Assassin’s Creed. This one tackles some Japanese history about the Mongol invasion of 1274.
I am amazed with games where you can have fun and learn some history too. People can dismiss this as an Assassin’s Creed reskin. But with its Japanese history and samurai warrior mechanics, this offers so much more than a reskin. It just shows that there are more things that can be made in open world games. This is another way for people to appreciate history in a refreshing game.
Image: CDPR
The Witcher 3: The Wild Hunt Complete Edition (Xbox One, PlayStation 4, PC, Switch)
I know people are into CD Projekt Red’s Cyberpunk 2077 for having that best experience on the PC, but I’d rather wait for the bugs to clear out first before really dive into it. So, I’ll play their previous one The Witcher 3 which is still one of the best games that I still haven’t finished.
The game is huge, it’s so big that CD Projekt Red made sure that Cyberpunk 2077 has less hours to finish the main game, because based on reports that they got, most players never finished the Witcher 3 game. I enjoy the world that the game is in and the action it gives. I even have this on Steam for the PC and I also have the Switch version so, I can play it while waiting in line at the grocery stores.
Image: Nintendo
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild (Switch)
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild is an amazing game to play. It’s a refreshing take on open world games. In terms of story, this is a bit lighter than most of the games in the series. The game stands out for giving you a large area to roam around in, and you can pretty much do anything if you are able to after you go through the initial training area.
You can even try to defeat Ganon (the main boss) immediately once you are free to roam. I love that this game is designed with a comprehensive physics engine which makes battles interesting. Most Legend of Zelda games rely on a puzzle mechanic where in there is a specific way on how to defeat enemies. Breath of the Wild can be a surprise since anything can happen, and it can even give you a laugh if things go absolutely unexpected. Why would I choose this during a lockdown?
This is because the game can still surprise you as long as you like to experiment with your skills and weapons. Even when I’ve finished the game, it’s still interesting to restart and do the adventure again and see if you can discover everything you need all over again, without relying on a walkthrough.
There are other games that I’d want to add to this list like The Last of Us 1 and 2, Sid Meier’s Civilization, Rebel Galaxy Outlaw, No Man’s Sky and so much more. But as I mentioned earlier, I’m limited to 10 games. So, that is my list of games that I’d love to play during the lockdown. I’m sure that you will have other suggestions, and I’d really like to hear your ideas too.
You can let us know your suggestions on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram. Looking forward to hearing from you! Stay safe during the lockdown.