The COVID-19 has forced many countries to go into lockdown. Companies are requiring their employees to work from home and some are even offering paid leaves.
However, many are unable to figure out how to pass their time during this period.
For gamers, the lockdown serves as a good time to revisit some well known titles.
If you’re thinking of getting into gaming during this lockdown period, here are some virus outbreak games you can play.
The Last of Us. (PS3, PS4)
Naughty Dog has a reputation for releasing games with amazing storytelling and detailed visuals. It’s prime example is their Uncharted series. But in 2013, the company released ‘The Last of Us’ and it was a 360-degree turn from their previous games.
The Last of Us tells the story of Joel and Ellie making their way through the wastelands of the U.S. after a zombie virus outbreak.
In my opinion, it had one of the best storytelling for its time when it was first released on the PlayStation 3. It became even better when they remastered it for the PlayStation 4 and until today, remains as a must-play game if you own that console.
Also, if the opening scene doesn’t make you cry, then you’re a monster!
Resident Evil series. (Every platform)
Resident Evil tells the story of a genetically created virus that got released in fictional Raccoon City located in the U.S. Throughout the series, you play as many different protagonists who are trying to find the source of the virus and stop it.
I never actually went deep into the series when the first game launched on the PlayStation 1.
So when Resident Evil 7 released back in January 2017, I got my hands on the PC version of the game.
It was the first game in the series that incorporated a first-person perspective which elevated the horror level of the game to new heights.
Imagine getting your hand chopped off by your loved one through the eyes of the main character.
Developers of the franchise, Capcom, also remade Resident Evil 2 for current generation consoles as well as on PC. Resident Evil 3 is slated to be released on April 3, 2020.
Prototype (PS, XBOX, PC)
The first entry – and the only entry you should play because the second game sucks big time – tells the story of shapeshifter Alex Mercer who is fighting against the BLACKLIGHT outbreak, a form of virus that mutates people into hideous monsters.
You’re tasked with finding out who started the outbreak and how to stop it in a medium-size version of Manhattan, New York.
If you’re a fan of open-world games that gives you Marvel’s Venom-like powers then this should be right up your alley.
Dying Light. (PS4, XBOX, PC)
Dying Light is a first-person open-world action game where you play as an undercover agent tasked to infiltrate a zombie-infested city.
What makes this game unique is the ability to climb structures, slide, and roll to avoid swarms of zombies, complemented by a fantastic parkour system that helps you get around.
The game also features a day and night system and during the night, some zombies get mutated into super zombies.
Dying Light also has a co-op mode in which you can play with 3 other friends.
Which brings me to the next section: Co-op games.
Left 4 Dead 2. (PC, XBOX 360, MAC, Linux)
I believe that Left 4 Dead 2 requires no introduction. We have all played this game whether it’s through Steam or going to a cyber cafe.
But for those of you who don’t know, Left 4 Dead 2 is a co-op shooter game where you and 3 other players will have to make your way through hordes of zombies to complete objectives and get to the safe room at the end of the map without dying.
This game will truly test your friendship and how well you can coordinate with each other to stay alive.
Watch out for the Witch.
Call of Duty Zombie mode. (Every Platform)
‘Call of Duty’ has been a staple in multiplayer deathmatch games. Sadly, I felt that the games went downhill after Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3. The game became more a who can deploy their killstreak abilities faster and forgot that at it essence, Call of Duty is a skill based shooter.
The most iconic of the mode and the one that got it all started was Call of Duty: World at War.
4 players will have to hunker down in a house and fend off wave after wave of zombies. There is no way to win the game but players could still hold bragging rights for getting to the highest wave possible.
In future games, they expanded on the mode by allowing you to unlock new areas and ways to complete the mode.
Killing Floor 2. (PS4, XBOX, PC)
Finally, we end this list with Killing Floor 2. If I were you give you a visualization of what this game is, its premise is similar to Left 4 Dead 2. But Left 4 Dead 2 is a stray dog that barks at you and runs away when you get close.
Killing Floor 2 is a dog that will rip your arms off and play fetch with it. When it’s bored of that, it will drag you across your street and devourer your soul, leaving a husk of your former self.
Yes the game is hard, or I might be a noob but you’re a liar if you don’t think the game is easier than Call of Duty zombie mode or Left 4 Dead 2.
Which is ironic as it takes elements for the aforementioned games. Combining wave killing with the ability to purchase guns and perks in hopes you would survive to the next wave.
In case the explanation above is not descriptive enough, I absolutely do not recommend this game for casual players.
Most of the above games can be found on Steam if you’re playing it on PC. As for console players, it would be available on your respective console stores.
Now go out there and fight the infection, just make sure to wipe down your controller or keyboard and mouse, and remember to wash your hands.
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Cover image sourced from Call of Duty.
