Thanksgiving is rapidly approaching. When we look at what most students do over break, it’s play games. Whether it’s board games with families or video games on our own, games are an artform, a unique set of imaginary rules and goal that distract you from reality for a moment.
Most games tell stories, and like other forms of storytelling, it helps people connect and share. How many introverted people play a game who then get into a fandom and go to a convention, meeting people they would have otherwise never met?
The people of The VanCougar play a lot of games, and here are some recommendations from one:
Starting off with some board games to look out for to share on family game night, if “Monopoly” starts arguments, “Chess” or “Checkers” ends them. These are the two best-selling American board games and no matter who you are, you know someone who knows how to play one of these two games. It’s a fun one-on-one experience for that person you might not see very often and don’t know how to break the ice.
If you’re more of a virtual person, then let us recommend some great emotional single-player games. “The Last of Us”, a zombie survival game that tells a gripping story of two people just trying to survive the zombies and each other. Developed by Naughty Dog, this is a personal classic to try on PC or PlayStation. “Ghost of Tsushima”, the tale of a Lord’s son who must avenge his father’s honor against Mongols at any cost. Developed by Sucker Punch Productions and available on PS4, PS5, and Windows. These two also have developed some of my favorite childhood games: “Jak and Daxter” and “Sly Cooper”, games I am legally required to mention if I’m talking about the medium at any measure. Some games you can also play with friends over the internet: “It Takes Two” and “A Way Out.” Do you have a special person in your life? Do you imagine yourself going through hell and back with that person? Take a bullet for them? What if there was a game where you could?
“It Takes Two” is the story of two parents going on crazy adventures throughout their own house while simultaneously falling in love again to prove that even though we may not always show it, we really do still care about the people in our lives. It is available on pretty much every console. “A Way Out” is a two-player adventure game where you and a friend break out of prison and live life on the lamb. Full of twists and turns, this game is available on PS4, Xbox One, Xbox Series X and S, and Windows.
Finally, for a board game I would like to recommend a card game called “Magic: The Gathering,” specifically the Game Night boxes. If you really want a game against the void, this is it. This is a whole world of collectible trading card game goodness. This box is a fun box of decks that are playable right out of the box with an instruction booklet that teaches you how to play. This is a great experience for your family game night as each deck has a unique playstyle for hours of replayability. No two games will be the same, leading to experiences that can be as light or as in-depth as you want.
There are so many different stories to tell and so many memories to be made with others, so please enjoy your break with whatever great games you’ve got!
