With the delay of Cyberpunk 2077 fresh for too many, we are looking for some games to fill the gap and help end this console generation with a bang. Well I’m here to tell you that you haven’t play them all! There are still games lurking around the store, probably even on sale at this very moment, that you have overlooked or pushed to the side because at the time you had better things at your disposal.
It is time for you people to open your eyes to some games that too many have avoided because they think they’re too weird, or the game didn’t fall into a genre that you fancy. We are in a game drought the likes of which has never been seen before. The world is in quarantine and we have played through the entire stocks of our libraries. You know what I’m talking about, all of those games we bought on sale that we stocked up our library with for dire situations like these exact times that we are living through. Well the reserves have been emptied by unprecedented times, and I am the one here to save your very soul from falling into a depression that you might not come out of if the world doesn’t wake up soon.
This is my list, this is why I am here, to enlighten, enrich, and encourage your gaming addiction so that you can carry on your escapism and push away this ever so cruel world that we live in, escaping reality for as long as you possibly can. Reality is cold, lonely, and full of hopelessness. Do what is necessary for your own sanity. PLAY THESE GAMES!
4. Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice
Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice is an unforgettable experience from start to finish. The game finds a way to allow the player to experience a whirlwind of emotion and depth through the eyes of Senua herself. Players will experience a constant barrage of effects mirroring a severe mental illness, and be forced to fight through this overwhelming mental bombardment throughout the game. Additionally, of course the sword battles are great, as well as the almost movie quality cutscenes that players will see while advancing through the story.
The perma-death feature that was placed into the game is a probably the most underrated touch in improving the overall experience of the game in my opinion. The best part about this feature is that it isn’t this daunting challenge that keeps players too scared to play. The perma-death feature in Hellblade mostly adds even more weight to the barrage of mental attacks taking place against Senua, and gives players plenty of wiggle room for failure unless they are completely reckless during their playthrough. Permanent death and having to start the entire game over is mainly there to keep players on edge. It is always lurking in the back of your mind while you are in one of the many sword fights adding an edge to the experience that it wouldn’t have had without it. Nobody will regret picking up Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice, I am sure of that.
3. Dying Light
You definitely won’t be getting a quality deep dive narrative experience when you pick up Dying Light. However, let’s face it, if you’re picking up this game that’s not exactly what you’re looking for. You’re probably just in the market for a fun zombie slaying experience, and that is undoubtedly what you will receive with this game.
Initially this game may seem a bit dated mechanically, but the world is nonetheless fun to explore and clear of a unique collection of different types of zombies. The best part of Dying Light is the change in intensity and difficulty when traversing the world at night, time of day changes everything. Some may think that you will only go out during the daylight hours, and it just isn’t that easy. Not only do some missions force you to be out at night, but sometimes it just happens, and you better be prepared for it. Nighttime is when the special types of zombies immerge, they are faster and deadlier than the more common types you see, and will keep players running scared anytime the sun gets low.
Dying Light is the best zombie game experience available to players since Left 4 Dead 2 came out. Be sure to pick this game up for a little bit of nothing before moving on to your next console.
2. Until Dawn
Now hear me out. I know horror games fall outside of the comfort zone for many, but I’m telling you this game is worth the experience. If you are reading and happen to be a fan of horror games, feel free to keep scrolling, because I’m sure you’ve already played this game.
I am now speaking directly to you regular vanilla gamers sitting in the front row of this lecture like good little boys and girls. Be sure to try this game out before you move on from your PS4. Not only does Until Dawn offer you theatre quality cinematics and just general overall graphics, but as far as horror games go, its not THAT scary. The intensity generally comes from the weight of your decision making in the game and how it affects you later on, as well as your effectiveness in the quick time events in the moment of a chase.
Feel free to not take my word at it and run back to Warzone for the 1000th time of getting washed by a 13 year old. But, if you want a unique, memorable, and different flavor of game to try before you forget about your PS4 forever than pick up Until Dawn, play it with friends so you aren’t alone, and you’ll be glad you did. This is a great game and doesn’t get the wide range of recognition it deserves outside of fans of the genre.
1. Nier: Automata
It has come to my attention that not as many people have played this game as I had originally thought. If you for some reason have avoided this game because it looks weird, or you just passed over it for something else at the time, get over yourself and go pick it up immediately.
Not only is this game one of the best games of this console generation, but it falls into one of the best games I have ever played. Sure it’s weird, it’s a JRPG, if it wasn’t we’d be disappointed. Nier: Automata takes weird to a whole new level at times throughout the story, but it is the only game I’ve ever seen able to master the ability to not let the wildly disconcerting moments overtake the depth and meaning behind the storytelling taking place. The character development that takes place alone is enough of a reason to pick it up.
Outside of that the gameplay is unique and never has a dull moment, especially when it comes to the boss fights. The combat in this game bounces between a side-scroller, almost vintage arcade two dimensional feel at times to the great scale of the God of War fights where you find yourself fighting enemies as tall as buildings. When you pair that with the internal battle of machines becoming self aware, throw in enough endings to fill the alphabet, and a quite skewed biblical Adam and Eve themed story arc it makes for one hell of an experience that you won’t forget any time soon. You simply can’t pass on this game.
