[Updated February 2024]For the first time in human history, the entire world is advised to stay at home. This move has adverse effects on the global economy since thousands of businesses around the world have been affected by a lockdown or a stay at home order. If you have a white-collar job, you are probably working from home. However, if you work for an industry that’s susceptible to this pandemic, things are getting direr.
Underneath the chaos and fear for the deadly COVID-19 or Coronavirus, there are a few things to be grateful for. In just a couple of weeks, the global environment is for the first time witnessing a breath of fresh air after the sheer weight of human activity being unloaded—Nature is thriving. Families are getting closer, and today more than ever, more people understand the importance of human connection.
Let’s face it, spending an entire week with family is something that we do once in a year, and after all the stories, and bonding are over, what else can you do? Let’s not forget those who are stuck alone in their homes far away from family, how can they pass the time without getting bored of the solitude? Well, gaming, for decades, has offered a solution to engage your mind in times of solitude. With advancing technology, gaming isn’t something you have to invite all your friends to enjoy a multiplayer experience. Just because you can’t meet your friends during quarantine doesn’t mean that you can’t play with them either. According to studies, gaming can help boost your overall well being as well as tackle stress in adults.
Table of Contents
Online Gaming Has its Benefits
The right games can bring friends and family together. Remember playing Monopoly or a game of cards with your family as kids? Online gaming takes this to a whole new level. Young children who aren’t able to see their friends are probably already connected in games like Minecraft, Fortnite, and Roblox.
The mainstream concept of video gaming is such a narrow subset when you think of interactive entertainment as a whole. Playing games can help you live a more abundant life, and there are hundreds of thousands of games for all experience levels. While there’s quite a learning curve involved when it comes to enjoying the crème of interactive gaming or online gaming, there are enough games for everyone’s taste. Fortunately for you, we have compiled a list of the best games to keep you busy during the Coronavirus pandemic.
Gaming Platforms
Gaming is one of the easiest ways to entertain yourself today, and it’s because it can be enjoyed on varied platforms. There are three leading platforms you can enjoy video games:
- Your television with a console device (PlayStation, Xbox or Nintendo)
- Handheld portable device
- Computer
So, which platform is ideal for you?
Computer
Playing games on your PC or laptop computer offers an in-depth, more detailed experience compared to a console or using a portable or handheld device. Depending on your operating system, you can get games for Mac or Windows on Steam. You could also get other games from platforms such as Blizzard Entertainment or Epic Games, who develop their own titles. However, if it’s your first-time playing games, Steam is an excellent place to start. To enjoy a wide selection of interactive games, you need to have a reasonably powerful computer with high specs. Microsoft computer owners enjoy more games compared to Mac owners. Many games aren’t converted to work on Apple systems.
In case you are looking to try some real-life graphic demanding video games, and don’t have the console or computer to match, you could try Google Stadia cloud gaming that is designed to give access to high spec games on most TVs and computers through a Chrome browser.
Handheld Device (Mobile Phone and tablets)
Your mobile phone and tablet are perhaps the most popular platforms for online games today due to their portability. However, most mobile games are cash cows, and the developers are looking to get money from players compared to offering a quality gameplay experience. You’ll pay a dollar here or five dollars there, and before long, these tiny transactions will grow with your addiction. Some mobile games will ask gamers to pay to remove adverts (that can be quite annoying). However, there are a few titles of mobile games that don’t have microtransactions or pop-up ads.
Television
The best experience in gaming is through Big-screen gaming in your living room. And during the COVID-19 pandemic, a big-screen gaming entertainment is the most ideal, especially if you want to include other people in your household. The big players when it comes to Big-screen gaming is from Sony PlayStation and Microsoft’s Xbox, it all boils down to personal preference. However, before you settle on a console, it’s best to do some research.
Best Online Games for Coronavirus Quarantine
There are online games for everyone, from mental stimulation, interactive, adventure, entertaining to virtual reality. The following are some of the best online games to play with your friends that will bring you together during this dreadful global pandemic.
Fortnite
Fortnite is perhaps the most popular interactive game of the decade. It’s a family-friendly, exciting game that draws in millions of gamers every day. There are millions of obstacles and challenges to focus on, from winning Victory Royale to dozens of challenges offered by the developers. As you indulge the game, it continues to evolve with frequent changes on the map, and after a couple of weeks, your entire game won’t be the same.
So, what draws millions of gamers to the game every day? According to avid video game players, the cartoon graphics appeal to gamers, both young and old. It’s also interactive, and gamers are capable of indulging other gamers on the same platform from all over the globe. The game is also free on PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Switch, Mobile, and PC.
Minecraft
Minecraft takes gaming interactivity to a whole new world, where a gamer can roam and change their virtual world with very few limitations. Compared to other games where there is segmentation, and players need to go through numbered zones by completing obstacles in progression, Sandbox video games Minecraft lets the gamer to roam its virtual world, selecting tasks as they please.
Minecraft lets users select up to eight friends to join their online game and build whatever they please in creative mode. They could also enter to figure out how long they can last in survival mode. This game is perfect for toddlers who are currently out of school. It’s building mechanics is an excellent way to introduce children to construction engineering. Minecraft is ideal for all ages and is available on most platforms from PS4, Xbox One, PC, and $20 for Mobile.
Pokémon
Pokémon has been around for quite some time and is perhaps one of the first games to introduce gamers into the virtual world of gaming. Also, Pokémon Go, Pokémon Shield, and Pokémon Sword are probably the best iterations of the series in years. There are several amazing characters with a lot of streamlined mechanics. Users can walk around the house, neighborhood, or yard aiming to collect hidden Pokémon.
This game uses your GPS and clock, allowing its gamers to interact with their friends, letting you track their progress throughout the game. There’s a lot to do, including trading-in finds and gifting other players on the platform. After the COVID-19 pandemic, the game developers have since made some adjustments to the game to help users find more monsters closer to home, making the game more consumable with individual settings.
Sims
This is ideal for life simulation game lovers. In this game, players can adopt various life experiences from regaining possessions or rebuilding their homes. Ideally, Sims is a sort of virtual dollhouse with an interface that allows gamers to choose between different traits. Depending on the level of advancement, new players get a skill-based bonus, with emotional category matter at the initial stages of the game.
Games have a wide variety of factors to choose from, from their appearance, household members to their treasure level. The best aspect of the game is there are zero limits to gamer actions. Gamers have the opportunity and will to create a fantasy life from their dream home to family. It’s all about what you can imagine.
Overcooked 2
It’s perhaps one of the most interactive multiplayer games you can play with your friends that will test your friendship and camaraderie. It’s a game in a kitchen setting, quite exciting, right? Well, depending on how much you value your friendship, it’s bound to fire you up.
Gamers take several kitchen roles in the most diverse places. Ever thought you could cook on an iceberg? Well, in this game, you’ll get the first-hand experience. Both you and your friends will be tested on the accuracy, speed, and coordination trying to make customers happy.
FIFA 20
Perhaps one of the most popular online sporting games in the world produced by EA Sports. The game hasn’t changed a lot since it first came out in the 90s apart from the players, real-life characters, and incredible new seasons. You and your friends can set up an entire soccer season and battle out for the finals. It’s one of the most competitive sports games you can play online, on your computer or console. This game is ideal for gamers of all ages.
GTA Online
Please note that this game is PG rated, and might not be suitable for young children due to nudity, language, and violence. However, GTA5, a Rockstar game production is perhaps one of the most captivating and popular games you can play online. With the new GTA Online release, you and your friends can create your virtual version of LA complete with a law and order system, jobs, homes, and families. The game is so interactive players can communicate through their headsets.
It gets better, depending on which side of the law you are, you could plan a bank heist, rob a store, cars, just about anything you can think of. You could also choose to be on the right side of the law and help keep your city safe from crime. There are thousands of game sessions available that are occupied 24 hours a day with players all over the world. Flouting rules will get you kicked out of certain games sessions or banned for good. Therefore, its best to be on your best behavior. This game is rated, adult.
Forza Horizon 4
Do you love cars? Well, Forza takes online racing onto another level with a colorful display and real-life visuals. Depending on your preference, you can play this game offline or online. The game offers a racing year divided into seasons; each with unique tracks and conditions based in the British countryside landscape. It’s advisable to get through the first year of racing first since the online play opens up really quickly. Races and challenges line up real fast once you get online. Players can join racing seasons with friends or online strangers.
Call of Duty: War Zone
Call of duty is the ultimate war battle game for the avid gamer. Its multiplayer options are on a whole new level, with the 2019 Call of Duty: Modern Warfare winning the hearts of players all over the world. However, its popularity was fast eclipsed by the entry of the more recent Call of Duty: War Zone from the same developer. The game is in a standalone battle royale mode. While it’s not a rebuild of the entire game, its more ambitious version of the original.
This game can fit 150 online players. It’s more objective-driven with different contracts all over the map for players to indulge. Compared to the original game, War zone offers a solo mode plus a three-player mode your friends can join. It’s sneakier, slower, and more adrenaline-packed. This online game is not suitable for young children due to language, blood, and violence.
Mario Kart
Well, if you are looking for more fun, and less realistic racing game to play with your friends online, then Mario Karts is your ideal option. An enhanced version of the original Mario game in race mode, this game lets you connect with up to 11 friends online as well as online randoms. There are several games to choose from, such as VS races, Wi-Fi battle modes, or battling it out with the CPU. This game is ideal for players of all ages.
- Best Dust Mask for Protection of Coronavirus COVID-19
- Top 5 Air Purifier for fighting Coronavirus COVID-19
