5 Solo and 5 Multiplayer Video Games to Play During Lockdown

There is no denying that video games have become one of the main sources of entertainment and socialisation. With everyone stuck inside again, they provide a way to both escape reality and to chat with friends while getting some enjoyment and fun into your life. Note that the E rating for video games means Everybody, E10+ is for everybody above 10years old, T is for Teen and M is for Mature. This is the ESRB rating system. Learn more about that here. I will also be providing the PEGI system rating beside it which is the European classification of games using ages. Check out this article for more info on different game rating systems.

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Solo

Assassins’ Creed

• Rating – M / 16+
• Platforms: PlayStation/XBox/Windows/Switch

The Assassin’s Creed games have been out for a while; the first one was released in 2007, as an idea for a sequel to the Prince of Persia video games. Since then they have evolved into their own uniquely recognised series, with great acclaim. They have a new one coming out in November 2020, Assassin’s Creed Valhalla. The player follows characters of the Brotherhood or the Assassin’s Creed. Each game is set in different historical periods, from Sparta to the Industrial Revolution. These video games are good for those players who like a long story line with missions to complete, as well as some good combat. From the Remastered Ezio Trilogy to the newest versions (Origins being my favourite) players can choose to play the long game and enjoy the main and side plots, or challenge themselves to complete just the main plot as quickly as they can.

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt

• Rating – M /16+
• Platforms: PlayStation/XBox/Windows

Hailed as one of the best video games of our generation, The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt is the third installment in The Witcher game series, based on the books by Polish author Andrzej Sapkowski. You play as the monster slayer known as the Witcher Geralt of Rivia as he explores the Continent, the fantasy open world it is set in. With 36 possible endings, one can get hours upon hours of playing and replaying this game. The main plot in Wild Hunt is to find a character named Ciri, but there are many side quests that you can do, along with DLC to expand your gameplay. With new actions in this installment, the combat in the game became more impressive, as well as the graphics and the plot, earning it many awards, among them The Game Awards Game of the Year in 2015. Since then there has been a Netflix show released in 2019 based on the books as well.

Animal Crossing: New Horizons

• Rating – E/6+
• Platform: Nintendo Switch

The newest game in the Animal Crossing series, New Horizons is perfect for those who like to relax while they play video games. Your character has just moved to a new island, run by Tom Nook. The aim is to build up your island to get the famous K.K. Slider to give a concert. To do this the player must find new residents, plant trees and flowers, fill up the museum and so much more. One of the best video games to escape real life for a while, and focus on relaxing.

Spyro: Reignited Trilogy

• Rating – E10+/ 12+
• Platform: PlayStation/XBox/Switch

When they announced that the original three Spyro games were going to get a reboot on the new consoles, a lot of us, including myself, were overjoyed. When they were first released in the late 90’s and early 2000’s, the little purple dragon became one of the most beloved video games for parents and kids alike. You play as Spyro the Dragon, as he faces off against various villains who try to disrupt the peace of the Dragon worlds. A fun one for those who have never played before, and a great chance to relive some old memories for those who have, the Reignited Trilogy is one for all the family to enjoy.

Crash Bandicoot: N-Sane Trilogy

• Rating – E10+/12+
• Platforms: PlayStation/XBox/Switch

As with Spyro, a lot of people were happy to hear that Crash Bandicoot was getting a reboot as well. We follow the story of Crash Bandicoot and his family as they attempt to stop Dr. Neo Cortex from taking over the world in classic villain style. With upgraded graphics, this classic game hasn’t gotten any easier since we first played it! Those of all ages will have fun as they spin, jump and slide through the various monsters and bosses in the game. On top of this, they also have released a new title in the series, Crash Bandicoot 4: It’s About Time, to try when you finish the original three.

Multiplayer

Among Us

• Rating -E10+/12+
• Platforms: Android/iOS/Windows

Among Us took 2020 by storm, even though it was released in 2018. A fun co-op game where people are made to do tasks while figuring out who the imposter/imposters killing everyone is. It has a unique style of playing where everyone remains silent until a meeting between the players is called, and where if you’re killed you aren’t allowed to speak after. It was something nobody had seen before, but soon enough had everyone hooked. Be careful though, you never know who among you is lying!

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe and Mario Kart Live: Home Circuit

• Rating – E/6+
• Platform: Nintendo Switch

The Mario Kart games have always been great for multiplayer. When they released Mario Kart 8 Deluxe for the Switch, everyone was soon joining online rooms, or just gathering in people’s houses to play with friends and family. With one of their biggest rosters and track lists to date, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe will help while away the hours of lockdown. For those who like building and racing, Nintendo has just released something for you! The new Mario Kart Live: Home Circuit game lets you turn your house into a race track to tear around. Make shortcuts out of your tables, and obstacles from your shoes. This one will be good for lockdown, and for Christmas.

Jackbox Games

• Rating – T/16+
• Platforms: PlayStation/XBox/Windows/Mac- may also need a phone or tablet

Jackbox Games is definitely a fun game, and people of all ages can enjoy it, though some trivia might get a bit too hard for the younger kids. The series has a number of games per bundle pack, including drawing, trivia, dating and games where the best liar wins. To play, open the game on whatever platform you have. You will need a computer/laptop or phone or tablet to access the online lobby from the website jackbox.tv and from there, you can access the games with the codes provided on screen. Players can choose from a host of the different games, and each round promises to be hilariously different from the last.

Overwatch

• Rating – T/16+
• Platforms: PlayStation/XBox/Windows/Switch

One of the video games that took the gaming community by storm, Overwatch is a team based multiplayer shooter game. The backstory is something from a sci-fi movie with AI, advanced robotic technology and one team to defeat them. There are various characters to pick from on the Overwatch roster, each with their own backstory. For those who have never played the game, you may have heard the names from the viral meme song No Mercy. It quickly became one of the biggest esports games to be played competitively.

Overcooked 2

• Rating – E/6+
• Platforms: PlayStation/Switch/Windows/Mac

Overcooked 2 is a co-op cooking simulation game. You and your teammates must successfully prepare and cook meals for the customers. But each level gets harder and harder, as the workstations move, get split apart and changed around. See how far you and your team can get before you fail. Then start again to beat that level. A fun co-op game without any combat (except maybe over chat) that you and your friends can play to relax (kind of). Hopefully some of these video games will help you have some fun during lockdown, and long after too! These are some of my favourite video games to play, so of course, if you have any other suggestions leave them in the comments below!