With unprecedented measures currently being taken to ensure public health, much of the world is locked down in their homes, asked by government officials to be judicious about when they venture out. While it's important to balance any hobby, gaming is one that not only often asks you to stay in your home, but is also adaptable to a diverse array of needs. We've compiled a list of some of the Game Informer staff's recommendations for gaming during this time based on various situations and needs.
Delightful Distractions
The outside world is pretty heavy right now, so here are a few games that are joyful experiences from start to finish.
Animal Crossing: New Horizons (Switch)
The Animal Crossing series has always been a bastion of wholesomeness in Nintendo's library, but the recently released entry serves as the perfect staycation for anyone hoping for a soothing gaming experience during these troubled times. It's also a great way to connect with friends who are also tending to islands of their own. Read the review.
Stardew Valley (PS4, Xbox One, Switch, Vita, PC, iOS, Android)
Building up your farm may seem like the focus of Stardew Valley, but interacting with the townsfolk and engaging with the title's surprisingly deep RPG elements never ceases to delight and reward from start to finish. Read the review.
Yoshi's Crafted World (Switch)
The charming homemade look of Yoshi's Crafted World is just the start of this cute game's appeal. Satisfying exploration and fun platforming gives you something to strive for, but if you want to just coast through and enjoy the scenery, there's an easy mode for that. Read the review.
Local Fun For Everyone
While social distancing is in full effect, not everyone is locked down in isolation. Here are a few games to play with family members and roommates keeping you company while you stay home.
Castle Crashers (PS4, Xbox One, Switch, PS3, Xbox 360, PC)
One of the best cooperative games of last generation, Castle Crashers is one of the best ways to gather your entire household together for some old-school, side-scrolling, beat-'em-up action. Not only is it chaotic and immensely fun, but it's lighthearted, cute, and appropriate for players of all ages. See it in action on an episode of Replay.
Overcooked (PS4, Xbox One, Switch)
While going to restaurants isn't necessarily an option at the moment, you can run your own virtual kitchen alongside those you're locked down with in Overcooked. Getting your family or roommates together in a cramped, sometimes-shifting kitchen is a recipe for pandemonium and uproarious fun. Read the review.
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate (Switch)
When all else fails, you can always turn to one of the best local multiplayer series of the last two decades: Super Smash Bros. This latest edition features the biggest roster of fighters in history, and with custom rulesets, you can always tweak the experience to your crowd's liking. Read the review.
An Open-World Escape
We may be stuck inside, but these games offer up so many massive worlds to explore and get lost in.
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt (PS4, Xbox One, Switch, PC)
Lauded by many as the best RPG of this generation, The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt recently received new life thanks to its smash-hit Netflix series, but it's well-worth your time even if you didn't spend the last week binging that series. With a massive world to explore, myriad meaningful side-quests, and a gripping main story, The Witcher 3 is one of the best games you can spend your time on. Read the review.
Assassin's Creed Odyssey (PS4, Xbox One, Stadia, PC)
Following the series' reinvention with Assassin's Creed Origins, Ubisoft really knocked it out of the park with Odyssey. Sailing all over ancient Greece is awesome, and uncovering the mysteries of the world is beyond rewarding. Add the two expansions to the end of the adventure to dig deeper into the lore of Assassin's Creed. Read the review.
Red Dead Redemption II (PS4, Xbox One, Stadia, PC)
The Wild West comes to life in Red Dead Redemption II. In addition to delivering a gripping tale of betrayal, vengeance, and hardship, Rockstar gives you an unbelievable world to explore with a once-in-a-generation cast of characters. Read the review.
Staying Social While Social Distancing
Unfortunately, for those of us who do want to go out and be social in the real world, it's not possible (or advisable) right now. Thankfully, gaming has ways of letting us keep up with our normal friend groups.
Call of Duty: Warzone (PS4, Xbox One, PC)
Infinity Ward's recent battle royale game delivers intriguing twists on the genre, but more than anything, it's an excuse to squad up and play a few rounds with your friends. Not only is it crossplay, so everyone can play regardless of what system they have, but it's also free. Read the review.
Borderlands 3 (PS4, Xbox One, Stadia, PC)
Few games just embody the fun spirit of getting a group together and taking on the world like the Borderlands series. Borderlands 3 continues that reputation, giving you ample opportunities to blow up bases and baddies with your pals. Read the review.
Rock Band 4 (PS4, Xbox One)
Who needs karaoke night when you can have virtual rock concerts? Sure, there might be a barrier in getting everyone the right equipment to jam, but playing through a handful of songs from the massive (and still-growing) library is as fun today as it was over a decade ago when the series started. Read the review.
Getting Creative
While some of us may feel as though we are in a creative slump thanks to the events going on in the outside world, video games have a way with kickstarting those parts of our brains. Express yourself creatively or get back into your creative flow with these titles.