A major pandemic is getting the best of humanity and the whole world is advised to stay home to prevent the spread of Covid-19. While most gamers are already pretty good at staying home for long periods of time, here are 10 game worlds that will keep you safe from the virus outside.
10. Los Santos – Grand Theft Auto V
While the real Los Angeles is going through a major lockdown right now, the LA-inspired Los Santos seems to be the ideal place to escape to. Most of the time, it doesn’t seem like anyone in Los Santos ever gets sick, nor do they get handsy over toilet paper.
In any case, whether you want to vent your cabin fever away by leading a massive, five-star police chase around town, or by just taking in the sights of San Andreas, Los Santos has it all. It’s probably best if you stay away from GTA Online though; that place is still toxic.
9. Your Village – Any Animal Crossing game
Who needs people when your friendly, anthropomorphic animal friends can keep you company, in a world of your own creation. Sure, depending on the version of Animal Crossing you play, you still have to deal with real-world problems like debt, but at least you’ll be safe from debilitating situations.
With Animal Crossing New Horizons coming out very soon, there’s no better game to play at home and count the days until this pandemic blows over.
8. Panau – Just Cause 2
For us in Southeast Asia, visiting our neighbouring countries is a time-honoured tradition, though this virus is making travelling around the region a bit cumbersome. So what if the was a game world that fuses all the best aspects of Southeast Asia?
Say hello to Panau, the fictional archipelago from Just Cause 2 that takes inspiration from Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, and the Philippines. While the despot dictatorship might get in the way of some of the game’s beautiful sights, you as mercenary Rico Scorpio can easily get past any army, and even liberate the country while you do it.
7. Castle Oblivion – Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories/ Kingdom Hearts 3
The main setting of Sora’s second adventure, Castle Oblivion is tucked away from the rest of the universe that half the time people only find the castle by accident. On the plus side, the levels within the castle can take the form of any place you’ve visited before, which is definitely great for those among us with fond memories of Disneyland.
Though one downside is that you’ll be subjected to card game battles by a group of cloaked nobodies. Better stock up on potions and Phoenix Downs.
6. Azeroth – World of Warcraft
The continent of Azeroth is big enough to accommodate millions of people from different races and backgrounds. If anything, it could be the place humanity could digitally escape to if need be.
Depending on your created character, you might start at different places in Azeroth, and with enough exploring, you’re sure to find a place in Azeroth that feels like home. And if you do get a disease debuff from any of the game’s bosses, it is easily curable by a Paladin, Priest, or Monk.
5. Wild Area – Pokemon Sword & Shield
Apart from the Pokemon virus, Pokerus, it doesn’t seem that the humans in Pokemon can contract a deadly disease. Even Pokerus is sought after by Pokemon trainers as it provides the best stats to Pokemon.
The Wild Area is the perfect place to get yourself lost in, with Pokemon running free to their hearts’ content. While camping outside in the real world is discouraged, hanging out in the virtual outdoors with a Pikachu by your side is a worthy trade-off.
4. Mother Base – Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain
Arguably, this military sanctuary might just be the most sterile and the unlikeliest place to be affected by any sort of disease, since it is right smack in the middle of the ocean. There’s also an entire medical team on board, which is just as good as the World Health Organisation.
Heck, most of the time, players are encouraged to give Venom Snake a shower every time they come back from a mission, so it’s great to know that the soldiers in Diamond Dogs are hygienic.
3. Virtual Shibuya – Various games
Japan isn’t the place to visit these days due to the virus, but that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy the hustle and bustle of virtual Tokyo. Shibuya, the major commercial district, is ever-present in the realm of Japanese games, so a virtual visit is no issue in various video games.
You can find yourselves in the Shibuya of JRPGs like Persona 5, The World End With You orDigimon Cyber Sleuth, where a slice of Shibuya is represented. You can also opt for a full open-world version of the district in Yakuza or Judgement.
2. Aperture Science’s Enrichment Center – Portal 1 & 2
It’s a fact that scientific laboratories are sterile and safe from pandemics, so it’s a no-brainer that Aperture Science’s Enrichment Center will be a great place to escape a global virus. In this center, you can entertain yourself with the inventions within, like the Portal Gun and the various gels that can propel you around the facility.
Sure, there’s probably a megalomaniacal AI named GLaDOS that might trick you into solving a number of tests across the facility. But with a sharp mind, there’s nothing you can’t overcome. Just don’t expect any cake though.
1. Renaissance-era Italy – Assassin’s Creed II
Italy is under total lockdown right now, with the entire country being quarantined until further notice. Tourism of the historic country is taking the biggest hit, so it’s sad that many cannot experience the majesty of the Coliseum in Rome or the Leaning Tower of Pisa until the virus outbreak subsides.
That doesn’t mean that you can’t experience the best of Italy from home, especially with the Assassin Creed II trilogy faithfully recreating the cities of Florence, Venice, Tuscany, and Forli. Not only will it be a tour of Italy, but it’s also a historical one since it is the Renaissance-era Italy that has been recreated. Just note that real-life Italy probably doesn’t have as many haystacks and you’re good to go.
