For many, it means the ability to work safely from the confines one’s own home. For PC gamers, the additional downtime means the opportunity to start clearing out the backlog of games, both old and recently acquired. In regards to that point, we have some titles to suggest that you may perhaps want to purchase – if you haven’t already done so – and play during the next couple weeks.
Monster Hunter: World
First released in 2018, Monster Hunter: World is Capcom’s latest instalment in the franchise and quite possibly one of its most successful title to date. For the uninitiated, Monster Hunter: World takes place in a fantasy world populated by a vast number of monsters. As a Hunter, you are tasked with hunting and killing these monsters, both for coin and monster parts. Using the latter, Hunters can then craft better weapons and equipment that then enable them to hunt stronger, tougher monsters.
Of course, one of Monster Hunter: World’s main draw is its core gameplay and combat mechanics and lack of magic. To be precise, character combat is entirely gear and skill-based. So, if you don’t have the proper skills and appropriate gear, you’re pretty much going to die. The base game is available on Steam from RM98, while the expansion, Iceborne, goes for RM131.
Plague Inc: Evolved
Oh, don’t look at me like that. Many of you knew this game was going to make the list, and it has. First released in 2016, Plague Inc: Evolved isn’t new but definitely feels relevant to the COVID-19 outbreak. The game is both a strategy and simulation with one goal in mind: bringing about the extinction of humankind with a deadly pathogen. While the world tries to fight back against your plague by creating vaccines. The game also saw a resurgence in popularity during the rise of COVID-19, unsurprisingly. In fact, the game got so popular that China actually banned the iOS version of the game from the Apple China’s App Store. Citing that the game “illegal content”. Plague Inc: Evolved is available on Steam for RM31.
The Division 2
Ubisoft’s The Division franchise received mix fanfare for several reasons I will not get into, but the game’s dystopian premise does touch on the subject of what would happen if an entire country was destroyed by a pandemic that was left unchecked and undetected until it was too late. In The Division 2, players returned to a ravaged Washington D.C. as Division agents who are trying to restore law and order, as well as continuity of government. The major difference between the first and second game are the seasons: where The Division started off players in the height of the winter season, The Division 2’s timeline takes place sometime during the Spring and Summer season of the game. Of course, it goes without saying that The Division 2 also features new enemies and features, as well as new and tougher enemies. The Division 2 can be purchase on either Epic Games Store (EGS) or directly on Ubisoft’s UPlay platform. On EGS, the base game retails for US24.99 (~RM109), while its latest expansion, Warlords of New York, goes for US$50.99 (~RM218), but is currently on sale for US$34.16 (~RM149). Alternatively, you can also purchase the Ultimate Edition of the game for US67.99 (~RM297), which contains the base game, expansion, and digital bonus content.
Borderlands 3
Borderlands 3 is a title that clearly needs no introduction to gamers, given that the franchise has been around for more than a decade. And that the game itself has been out on the market for half a year. Just like the previous two titles (the Pre-Sequel doesn’t count), Borderlands follows the travails four new Vault Hunters looking for…well, vaults around the galaxy. While also being stalked and attacked by the Kalypso twins, the main antagonists of the game, and their 10 billion fanatics and zealots, known as the Children of the Vault or COV for short. While the game is available on EGS starting from US$44.99 (~RM196), the game recently landed on Steam and is currently on sale for 50% off all editions. Starting from RM89.50.
Call of Duty: Warzone
If you’re into the whole Battle Royale genre and you’re looking for a title with a relatively easy learning curve, then you’ll want to check out Activision Blizzard’s new Call of Duty (COD) Warzone. The game, which is tied to the Call of Duty Modern Warfare reboot that was released last year, is free-to-play and does not require you to purchase the single-player title. Set in the fictional country of Verdansk, up to 150 players face off against each other, in a battle royale’s typical “last man standing” scenario, naturally. Unlike Fortnite and PUBG, one of Warzone’s unique – and less punishing, in my opinion – aspect is the return of the regenerating health feature. That kicks in when your character isn’t engaged in combat after a short duration. Which adds an extra layer of immersion to its overall combat.
DOOM Eternal
If you’re a fan of id Software’s DOOM franchise and, like so many other people, were gobsmacked by the 2016 reboot, then DOOM Eternal should be a title that is high on your “games to play” list. The sequel follows the Doom Slayer heading towards Earth after his escape from Hell. Only to find out that the place he escaped had in fact, made its way on to the planet. Now, just as then, players will once again be able to rip and tear and glory kill their way through hordes of demons and monsters. As they try to eliminate the presence of Hell on Earth. Although it isn’t technically available yet, the good news is that, at the time of writing, the game will be landing on the Steam for the PC in just a little over 24 hours. Also, seeing how this is a new title, the game isn’t going cheap with a starting price of RM237 for the standard edition.
Considering just how awesome the reboot was and judging from the gameplay snippets I’ve seen, I am of the argument that this game is worth paying every penny for. (Feature Image: PC Gamer)
