Beat digital distancing with these four great gaming escapes

Has the COVID-19 lockdown left you feeling trapped and little too socially distant from your friends and family? You can beat the blues and escape into other worlds with these great four digital gaming companions.

1. ‘THE LAST OF US PART II’ 

The Last of Us Part II is the long-awaited sequel to the hit PS3 game released in 2013. Much like our world, the world of The Last of Us is one that has been struck by a devastating pandemic. Fortunately, our outbreak is nothing like theirs.

In The Last of Us, those infected slowly lose their humanity and turn into bloodthirsty monsters that will rip apart and devour any living thing in their path.

The Last of Us Part II focuses on Ellie, a woman who is out for revenge after a violent faction of survivors harms those close to her. However, as she goes on her journey to find her enemies, she soon learns that things are not as simple as they seem.

Through complex character construction and intricate plot design, the thin line between justice and revenge is blurred, and players are forced to question their own notions of right and wrong.

Ellie does not travel alone. She is accompanied by her girlfriend Dina. Dina is as loyal as can be and has a light-hearted sense of humour that helps to relieve some of the tension that comes with trying to survive in a post-apocalyptic world.

Dina and Ellie’s relationship is an important one, as it is one of the very few positive representations of LGBT+ relationships in mainstream gaming. Their relationship is presented in a humanising manner, and hopefully paves the way for more diverse video game characters in the future.

2. ‘GOD OF WAR’ 

Developed by Santa Monica Studios and released in 2018, God of War is an epic adventure game that takes you on a journey through the world of Norse mythology.

You take control of Kratos, a strong warrior who is left to raise his son, Atreus, after the death of his mother. However, you and Atreus must first travel to the highest peak of the nine realms to spread the ashes of Atreus’s mother.

Kratos is a man of few words and is used to resorting to violence to solve his problems. However, he soon learns that fostering a relationship with his son will require a whole new set of skills.

Atreus’s story is a coming-of-age one which sees him learn the full extent of his powers. He struggles to find a fine balance between hubris and self-confidence.

God of War tells a beautiful tale of a father and son relationship without compromising on the action-packed combat that the series is known for. As the story progresses, you will soon find that some battles are impossible without Atreus at your side, and that you need him as much as he needs you.

3. ‘SHADOW OF THE COLOSSUS’ 

Shadow of the Colossus was originally released in 2005 for the PlayStation 2. Luckily, for those who might have missed it, the game received a stunning remake in 2018 for the PlayStation 4.

Shadow of the Colossus takes place in a desolate world with sprawling landscapes. To traverse this expansive terrain, you have with you a trusty horse named Agro who always answers to your whistles.

Armed with nothing but a sword, you travel with Agro seeking 16 giant stone beings. The aim is to defeat them in hopes of resurrecting a young girl named Mono.

Most of the stone giants, known as Colossi, are breathtakingly massive and will make you feel as small as a flea in their presence. It is only through clever thinking, and a little help from Agro, that you will be able to defeat them all.

The story of Shadow of the Colossus is not a straightforward one, and you will soon discover that some of the colossi behave oddly. While many are aggressive, others are more curious about you and Agro and barely attempt to defend themselves against your attacks. To say more, however, would be to give away secrets that are best discovered on your own.

Shadow of the Colossus is a must-play game for anyone looking for a thought-provoking video game experience that offers a loveable four-legged companion.

4. ‘PERSONA 4 GOLDEN’ 

Persona 4 was first released on PlayStation 2 in 2008 before being ported to the PlayStation Vita and finally to Windows via Steam Store in 2020. A game having a lifespan this long is a good indication that there is something special about it.

Persona 4 is a role-playing game set in the fictional Japanese town of Inaba. You soon find yourself embroiled in a murder mystery after several bodies are found hanging dead. You also discover that you can use televisions as portals to enter the TV world where you meet a quirky teddy bear who helps you bring the murders to an end.

The events of Persona 4 are bizarre but, fortunately, you do not have to deal with them alone. Joining you are your friends that include a feisty girl named Chie, an introvert named Yukiko, a bad-boy biker named Kanji and a celebrity named Rise.

When you are not exploring the strange TV world, you can hang out with your friends in Inaba and do typical teenage things like loiter around the shopping district, go to the beach or even study in the library.

If the idea of solving murder mysteries with your best friends sounds appealing to you, then Persona 4 is definitely the game to try.