Video Games Everyone Should Play Once

So maybe you aren’t that into video games. Or you think that they’re stupid time wasters. Or maybe you think that all video games are massively violent and a horrible influence on children. Well, that’s just not true, sorry. There have been studies published that video games can actually help the cognitive processing abilities of adults, and help educate children, as well as improve hand-eye coordination.

So while it doesn’t hurt to get outside every once in a while to see that there is a sky and there are birds chirping, and you should not live a sedentary lifestyle, there are worse things for you to do then spend a lazy Saturday playing video games.

Video Games Everyone Should Play Once

Portal/Portal 2

Portal is probably one of the most addicting games out there. Because not only is there a story line, but there is a logic puzzle side to the entire game. You can’t just glide through the game. More often than not you’re going to spend more time staring at the screen trying to figure out the logic – or even where the effing exit door is. And you’ll probably die a lot, too. But you know that you’re going to come back because you just want to figure it out so badly!

Along with all of these enthralling levels, you have laced throughout dry, dark, British humor. When you’re a test subject controlled by an egomaniacal robot, there kind of has to be humor.

And to fuel to your addiction, the software company recently released the “Perpetual Testing Initiative” where you can create and share levels of your own, plus the ability to play with a partner.

Civilization

Civilization is a game that I love to hate – because it entirely kills my social life when I decide to play. Civ is a mash up of Risk, Battleship, Life and The Sims. You’re controlling a civilization from the dawn of time and becoming their leader.

You can win any number of ways – through diplomacy, or having the strongest culture – or dominating the entire globe and wiping out every other civilization. You get to play god, and it’s quite a heady feeling.

Assassins Creed

First off, the entire Assassins Creed series is done very well graphically, so when you start playing you’re quite entrenched in the world – and that is what is so great about it. The world just completely envelopes you.

It’s quite a rich mix of history, geography and a compelling sci-fi story throughout. And you get to kill people, too, so that’s a plus. But what keeps people coming back is the storyline, and the interesting combination of history and science fiction.

MarioKart

This one is more for the fun factor, than anything. While a game like Assassins Creed or Civilization is hard to play with others, MarioKart is built for social playing. It’s a fun, simple game that can get everyone in the family involved and caught up.

MarioKart is a great replacement for movie night, if you’re looking for one, of course.

Author Bio

Lauren LaVita is a writer who enjoys playing video games (if you couldn’t already tell) and will occasionally go on Maple Casino, though she doesn’t have a good poker face.