If there’s one thing that gets us pulled away from our work, it’s a good game. Whether you’ve been stuck on a certain level or have that one app that you’ve been dying to start, video games are rising in popularity as another way to keep us occupied in quarantine. This week, our staff gives you their picks for their favorite video games.
Sara Edwards – Executive Editor
Pick: Star Wars Battlefront II
Where to play: PlayStation 2 ($39.99)
Don’t get me wrong, Battlefront II from 2017 was amazing, but I will forever stand by Battlefront II from 2005. The third-person shooter video game has been a favorite of mine next to Lego Star Wars: The Complete Saga (did I mention I like Star Wars?). With instant action, you can play through memorable battles from the movies as either the clones or rebels, but if you align with that side of the Force, you can play as the droids or stormtroopers. My favorite part about this game is not just the story mode, which follows the 501st battalion through the fall of the Republic and the rise of the Empire. It’s the first Battlefront game where you can play as a hero in-game like Darth Vader, Leia or Luke and my personal favorite, Obi-wan Kenobi. No worries if you don’t have a Playstation 2 anymore, the game can still be purchased through the Xbox and Playstation game shops.
Lisa Diethelm – Politics Editor
Pick: Harry Potter Hogwarts Mystery
Where to play: Available on the Apple Store and Google Play (Free)
I will be honest with you all – I do not really play video games. I did not have the patience as a kid like my sisters did, so during this quarantine I have not turned to them as other people have. But, I do really like this game. I first started playing this game when it first came out when I was in high school. I started playing it again, and it’s a fun way to pass the time. I love creating my own character and solving the different puzzles. I still do not have the patience it takes to get very far, but I still recommend it for the Harry Potter fans out there.
Hailey Rein – Staff Reporter
Pick: Animal Crossing New Horizons
Where to play: Nintendo Switch ($59.99)
You knew it was coming. The video game taking over the nation right now is loved for a reason. As we are all stuck inside for hours on end, this is the game to fill the time. I should know, as I have played it for 140+ hours in the month it has been out (is that bragging, or am I electively calling myself out?). As the days inside blend into one and reaching a five-star island has been the highlight of my day/week, this game is a gift. It is blissful yet addicting, requiring a lot of work yet little skill. Perfect to fill the upcoming weeks (or months) at home, and perfect to take your mind off things. If you are one of the few yet to get your hands on (what I believe to be) the best Animal Crossing game yet, then this is your invite. If you have ACNH, please feel free to email me your favorite villager at hrein@asu.edu so we can discuss!
Bree Florence – Copy Editor
Pick: Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
Where to play: Nintendo Switch ($59.99)
Oh boy, where do I start? I’ve picked up this game since self-isolation began, and even though it’s three years old, it doesn’t cease to amaze. This game’s map is not only beautiful but massive, with diverse landscapes and easily a hundred hours of game time. Far beyond just battling your way through a one-track plotline, the main story has several branches, so many new — albeit often kind of cringey — characters, and puzzles galore! It can be challenging but also so rewarding. And all the little fun side quests make this the perfect time-consuming game for people who want to complete everything, or for those of us bored while stuck at home.
Kiersten Moss – Staff Reporter
Pick: Guild Wars 2
Where to play: PC (Free)
If you’re looking for a game that has a TON of content, Guild Wars 2 is where it’s at. The lore is really in-depth, and because of that you could probably spend a solid 5 hours or so just reading through the game’s wiki page. In comparison to a lot of other MMORPGs (massively multiplayer online video games), the fan base is super friendly (there are very rare occasions where you come across a toxic player, but that’s with any online game). The game came out in August 2012 and the development team is still active, so there’s a lot of content already out with content still being created. The game is free to download and you get the basic story for free, but expansion packs after that cost a minimum of $30 for both major expansions. I do recommend playing this game with friends, whether it be people starting out with you or guilds you meet online, as some bosses can be tough on your own (speaking from experience). Overall, if you really like fantasy with good world-building and something to kill a lot of time with, then I HIGHLY recommend Guild Wars 2.
T.J. Triolo – Community Editor
Pick: Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End
Where to play: PlayStation 4 ($19.99)
The Uncharted series means a lot to me personally. I’ve played the first three games on the PlayStation 3 I had in middle school, throughout high school and freshman year of college. Uncharted 2 got me through a tough time in 2013, and Uncharted 4 is getting me through this pandemic. The game is basically a modern version of Indiana Jones, but with a lot more gunfighting. Featuring puzzles, shooting sequences, a captivating movie-like storyline and colorful, exotic environments, Uncharted 4 is the perfect way to immerse yourself in a fantastic story with good gameplay to forget about the outside world for a while.
Madeline Ackley – Arts and Entertainment Editor
Pick: Cards Against Humanity
Where to play: Order physical game online (Starting at $25)
In my family, the more demented the joke, the greater the laugh. So when my brother bought my youngest sister a pack of Cards Against Humanity last Christmas, it was a huge hit. Now that we’re together all the time, our games have become more frequent, and maybe it’s the quarantine or the ambient sense of dread, but the picks have become darker, dirtier and more absurd each successive game. If you’re unfamiliar with this popular party game, it’s pretty simple. Each player draws 10 white cards, and the “Card Czar” draws a black card which might say something like: “But before I kill you, Mr. Bond, I must show you _______.” Everyone picks one white card to respond to the black card, and the Card Czar picks the card they like the best (the winning white card, in this case, was “balls on my face,” chosen by my 20-year-old brother). Then, the winner that round picks the next black card and now they’re the “Czar.” The goal is obviously to get the most black cards, but it’s also about getting the biggest laugh and playing to people’s sense of humor. I’m a fan of the random and absurd so I cracked up when I laid down a black card that said “Click here for_______” and my mom’s response was “autocannibalism.” So, if you’re a horrible person and you’re quarantined with at least three other horrible people, this might be the game for you.
Contact the reporter at smedwar7@asu.edu.
Sara Edwards was the executive editor of Downtown Devil. She is a graduate student at the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication. Sara has additional bylines in Phoenix New Times, West Valley View, L.A. Downtown News and Boardwalk Times.
Sara is also the co-secretary for the Multicultural Student Journalists Coalition.
