There are a lot of great video games out there. Some are complex with cinematic storylines and photoreal graphics while others offer fiendishly addictive gameplay.
Tetris, released in 1989 on the Game Boy, is one of the most popular video games ever made. It’s a blocky puzzler that allows players to explore, build, mine and fight in a 2D environment.
Call of Duty: WWII
Call of Duty: WWII provides a next-level war experience. The game’s immersive graphics, real-life looking characters and awesome weapon details are sure to keep players on the edge of their seat. It also features a fantastic story line that will keep players coming back for more.
The game’s campaign takes players to the gruesome battlefields of World War II, including the notorious Nazi concentration camps. Sledgehammer Games intentionally shows a more grizzly side of the war than past games in order to convey a more authentic war story.
In addition to the campaign, Call of Duty: WWII offers classic Call of Duty multiplayer gameplay. The game’s characters are more realistic and the gameplay is less frantic than previous Call of Duty titles. The game also includes a special social hub, Headquarters, and a variety of multiplayer maps. It also includes the ability to customize controller layouts, which will allow most players with fine motor disabilities to play the game.
Grand Theft Auto V
The 2013 industry-defining Grand Theft Auto V is getting a new remaster for PS5 and Xbox Series X and Series S. Rockstar Games has detailed the upcoming version which will offer next-gen features including higher resolution and frame rate along with improved visuals.
The remaster will allow players to choose from three graphics settings depending on their preference. Fidelity mode supports native 4K with ray tracing at 30 FPS while Performance mode targets 60 FPS and drops ray tracing for a more traditional look. The third option, Performance RT, is a hybrid that aims to achieve both.
Known for its decidedly adult depiction of crime, greed and violence, Grand Theft Auto V offers a vast world brimming with activities, tight controls and a layered narrative that takes the player on a rollercoaster ride through Los Santos and beyond. The game’s glamorized depiction of criminal life hasn’t aged well with some younger audiences, however, and it has been criticized for its explicit content.
Apex Legends
Players can pick from a growing roster of Legends that each have their own strengths and abilities. For example, Seer can see enemy heartbeats from a distance while Valkyrie can shoot rocket launchers out of her back to reign down fire on enemies below.
While some have compared Apex Legends to Fortnite, which turned the battle royale genre into a global phenomenon, there are important differences between the two games. For one, Fortnite is free and constantly updates with new content.
Parents should be aware that Apex Legends features loot boxes, which can encourage children to engage in gambling behaviours and feel pressured into spending money on in-game items. Adjusting parental controls and limiting game access can help protect children from the risk of predatory spending. In addition, children should not be allowed to purchase weapons without their parents’ permission. This is especially important in schools, where the use of weapons can lead to aggressive behaviour.
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
When it comes to defining the open world genre of video games, few titles can match the success of The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim. The fifth installment in the popular series by Bethesda, this game features a huge fantasy world that players can explore and complete quests. The game is set 200 years after the events of its predecessor, Oblivion, and centers on a prophesied hero who must defeat a dragon that threatens to destroy all of Tamriel.
In addition to its huge map and immersive world, Skyrim also has an impressive modding community. Players can create their own custom content for the game, and the creations continue to be spoofed and updated even now, over a decade after the game’s release. While there are games with bigger worlds than Skyrim, few can match the depth of its storytelling and gameplay. The latest version of the game is available for PlayStation 4 and Xbox One, with support for next-gen consoles coming in 2021.