WHO recommends video games as an effective way of stop the spread of COVID-19 and working with the gaming industry to launch the #PlayApartTogether campaign. Below are a few links to the news releases:
- https://www.digitaltrends.com/gaming/who-video-games-playaparttogether/
- https://www.businessinsider.com/who-video-games-coronavirus-pandemic-mental-health-disorder-2020-4?IR=T
In response to this campaign, our Esports Coach Ruth Lim picked a few games that can provide great family fun when we need to #stayhome. The list of games is of course extensive, but if you are unsure where to start, here are four games to kickstart your #PlayApartTogether at home.
Game 1: Ring Fit Adventure
Platform: Nintendo Switch
Genre: Exercising Action-RPG
Players: One
YouTube Review: https://youtu.be/VUav7aLMP40
About the Game:
Too much gaming can transform your children into couch potatoes, but not with Ring Fit Adventure.
This single-player Role-Playing Game (RPG) packs both both fun and fitness. In order to move and battle, the player is required to perform exercises which will translate to movement in the game. Imagine your children jogging on the spot to move their character and doing reps of exercises to inflict damage to their enemies.
Recommended Family Play:
A fun way to play Ring Fit Adventure as a family is to rotate the players every 15 minutes and have everyone watch the progress of the game together.
Another suggestion is to have 2 players per turn, one controlling the resistance ring while the other control with the leg strap. Coordinating the movements could bring lots of fun and laughter.
Game 2: Overcooked! 2
Platform: Nintendo Switch, Playstation 4, Xbox One, PC
Genre: Cooperative Cooking Simulation
Players: Up to Four Players
YouTube Gameplay: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6gu_9bRyjBU&t=4s
About the Game:
In Overcooked 2, the goal is to prepare and serve as many orders as possible. The challenge comes when the players have to coordinate the preparation without bumping into each other. Imagine Hell’s Kitchen, but more fun and without Gordan Ramsay’s signature shouting.
Controls are simple with just moving, picking up and throwing so parents who are new to games can pick it up easily. Players can choose to play co-op (playing as a team) or play against each other in the versus mode.
Recommended Family Play:
What is a fun way to get your children opening up to you? Try playing a game of Overcooked 2 together!
We suggest the family to play the co-op mode and have fun trying to reach the 3-star achievement together. For children who like competition, parents can try pairing with a child and play the versus mode together.
Game 3: Drawful 2
Note: Available free on Epic Games client till 9 April 2020, 11pm
Platform: Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC
Genre: Party
Players: Up to 8 players
YouTube Gameplay: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SxkGn29x8iE
About the Game:
Looking for a creative and engaging game for the family? Try Drawful 2, where the goal of the game is to guess the original phrase based on a drawing.
Players are all presented a silly phrase which they have to draw out. At every round, players will be shown a drawing and they can suggest alternate phrases that looks like the right answer. At the end of the turn, points awarded to players who guess the original phrase, and to players whose suggestions were selected by other players.
Recommended Family Play:
It is a great party game to play in family gatherings, where the young and old can bond over hilarious drawings and phrases. Not to worry about the controllers as the game only require one person to own and launch the game. Players can join the game with their mobile phones via the website with a room code.
Game 4: King of Opera
Platform: Mobile Phone (iOS/ Android)
Genre: Party
Players: Up to 4 players
YouTube Gameplay: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3sFB5uWeyVs
About the Game:
King of Opera is a party game where all players share controls on the same device. Each player controls a tenor and the goal is to have as much solo stage time as possible. Imagine bumper cars, but a button instead of a pedal to move forward.
The controls are kept simple with only one button, which is to get the tenor moving. The player will not be able to control the direction, so timing the direction while the tenor is spinning and trying to bump another off the stage and be challenging yet fun.
Recommended Family Play:
As most of the players’ fingers might end up blocking the screen, it is suggested to be played on an iPad/tablet. There are up to 6 game modes and each round last for 90 seconds. With the short gameplay time, the family can try many rounds together without spending too much time.
