Welcome back to Jaggy's Corner where I discuss video game topics and issues. This week, since the media has been inundated with an onslaught of cancellations (both in gaming and not gaming), I thought I'd mention some games that will still connect people together without risking their health during this quarantine.
As we know, video games provide entertainment that other mediums cannot. We can run around fantastic worlds with friends in an MMO or a shooter or experience a story narrative. So, if you are cooped up at home, here are some titles that could be interesting to our readers.
If you like point and click mystery games, I can't recommend Whispers of a Machine more. It's an indie game and it's published by Raw Fury and I did review it last year, so I might be biased, but it was a great solo experience that made me analyze my own beliefs. Here are a couple of screenshots for you.
For those of you like RPG games in your roster, look no further than Dragon Quest Builders 2 by Square Enix. Our amazing site manager, PY did an extralife stream yesterday. It was fun to kick back and watch it especially since he rarely ever streams. Take a look at his Twitch channel and support a great cause! Dragon Quest Builders 2 is highly rated (by that I mean it has a rating of 85% on Metacritic and a 9/10 on Steam) and seems to be fun. Right now, it is priced at $79.99 on Steam so don't miss out.
However, if that is too much money to dedicate to the cause, perhaps a free to play game that is similar in visual style. This is an RPG and I call "cuteness overwhelming." That game is Maple Story 2. Yes, I'm aware that it is nothing like its predecessor, but it's free and you can have all sorts of mounts. Events give you flying mounts, ground mounts, and there is a teleport feature meaning that movement in the game is fairly easy. If you play it on PC, you can enjoy the game with a controller because it has the ability integrated in the game. And, if you don't like Maple Story 2, there is no harm in moving on to another game. No money was wasted.
Those of you that are streamers, can engage with your newly found viewers because of school cancellations and whatnot with games out of the Jackbox Party Pack. Only the streamer or principle gamer needs to have a copy of the game and the rest of the viewers can connect in the lobby through their PC, phones, or tablets. I personally love You Don't Know Jack and Trivia Murder Party (where the little avatar can get crossed off the list.) Both of these games are very trivia oriented but there are other games in the various packs that appeal to a wide audience. So, find some streamers and go forth into shenanigans!
Platformers rejoice! If you hadn't yet heard, Ori's latest sequel launched and a ton of people have been playing through it. Since we all know I'm terrible at platformers, this is not one I'm personally going to play but Ori and the Will of the Wisps is available on Steam for $39.99. If you are like me and suck at platformers, watching streamers who are far better in the genre might be the way to go. It's pretty and from what I've gathered, the game is amazing.
How about Tycoon games? Humble Bundle this month (March 2020) has Planet Coaster and a DLC. I've only played it for a couple of days and I love it. This game has immense detail and is a lot of fun for people who like tycoon style games. I'm playing more and more of it as time goes on. In the last week, I've streamed the game twice, so if you want to check out the game before purchasing it, come hang out on my next stream and I'll show you how great it is!
Check out this clip!
https://www.twitch.tv/jagtress/clip/PlacidSavageGoshawkFailFish
I'm a large fan of management games like Cities Skylines and its DLCs. Managing a city has its appeal in that some players like to decorate a whole city in whatever style they like. Various mods exist to have themes or building types that players want to include in their city. Plus, I know a lot of players that enjoy a traffic mod called Traffic Management Presidents Edition (TMPE). I don't use the traffic mod because I enjoy the challenge of dealing with it. Also, there are DLCs that come with a couple of challenge scenarios. In natural disasters, players will try to keep a city running while meteors strike or sinkholes hit various sectors. And in Mass Transit, players can take on the traffic challenge in a couple of different cities.
Maybe you want to relax with something nice like Stardew Valley. Yes, it's a farming simulator that has a multiplayer mode, a selection of different types of farm types, and a little story thread. While we await the launch of ConcernedApe's newest release that we don't know much about, take a dive into this game! Jojo Mart must go down! It can't be allowed to live! Community Center or bust. Anyways, there are options to romance characters, enter the mines for shiny gems, and fishing. Stardew Valley is a stress-free game that lets players focus on the next days tasks.
On that note, take a look at Slime Rancher! I feel like this game may have slid under the radar but it's cute. I love the slimes but don't let them get loose. They can eat all your food and potentially kill your chickens. Players can't help but smile at this nice little game. Sure there isn't a multiplayer mode in it but it keeps your mind off world events. Find Slime Rancher here: https://store.steampowered.com/app/433340/Slime_Rancher/
A week from now Animal Crossing fans can rejoice! New Horizons launches on March 20th for the Nintendo Switch and I know there are many readers that are excited about its upcoming release. It's a life simulation game where players create their own paradise. Players can fish, collect bugs, and enjoy the beach without leaving the comfort of home!
We all know people are scary, so why not find some games that you can enjoy solo or with friends without causing any health risk? I know there are hundreds of other great games out there. Let's signal boost some great titles in the comments so that gamers don't go stir crazy. Leave your game suggestions below!
Until next time peeps.
https://www.youtube.com/embed/_3YNL0OWio0
