By Jonathan Elkins
I’ve a had a steady interest in video games for most of my life. While I’ve certainly picked up other hobbies and interests over the years, I’ve always found myself having at least a few games capturing my attention at any given time. Since most people are finding themselves with much more free time than ever before, it can be difficult to figure out what products are worth your time and money if you aren’t familiar with them. I have three recommendations for video games that are, in my opinion, excellent introductions to gaming as a whole.
- “Animal Crossing: New Horizons”
I feel as though “Animal Crossing” is a fitting introduction for those unfamiliar with video games. The Nintendo Switch is the most economic option, as far as home consoles go, and is much easier to operate out of the box. “Animal Crossing” places the player on a small deserted island and tasks them with building a community. Between building houses, planting flowers, and landscaping your island, the options for customization are nearly endless. A cast of wholesome oddball characters really makes the game come to life and adds to the already relaxed atmosphere. This game is certainly a slow burn, a quality which has made it an incredibly popular title around the world. - “The Outer Worlds”
I have always had a tenuous relationship with role playing games. I find some of them are difficult to get into or boring to play. I can safely say that “The Outer Worlds” struggles with neither of those issues. This game is one of the most easily accessible RPG’s I’ve ever played. I never found myself lost or overwhelmed while playing. The game balances an brilliantly written story with sensible gameplay. You are allowed the liberty to play as much or as little of the main story as you wish, being free to explore the various planets with your crew or alone. - “Destiny 2”
“Destiny 2” has been one of favorite games overall for several years now. On top of being one of the most satisfying shooters I have ever played, the game is now free on nearly every platform. Being able to join my friends in such a wide variety of activities is an absolute blast. Between the competitive game modes “Gambit” and “Crucible”, there is a solid mix of skill and cooperation. While the six-person “Raid” activities are certainly challenging and mechanically complex, the learning curve for the game in general is perfect for those unfamiliar with competitive shooters. An active and helpful community based around the game ensures that even in the free-to-play space, you will never find yourself lacking in fun and engaging activities.
I’ve been in the fortunate position to introduce each of these titles to people in my life and watch as they become more and more invested. The learning curve for video games can be rather steep if you don’t know what to expect, but staying at home offers us each the opportunity to try something new and take a chance to learn. I believe that each of these entries represent their respective genres well and are certain to be a welcome addition to any game library.
