Video games have been popular for as long as people have been interested in digital entertainment. The stories, characters and environments they present to us can be as interesting as any novel or movie. But what really engages players in a game? Often, it’s the theme. A good theme can turn a basic game into an enjoyable experience that can engage a player for hours.
Adventure and Exploration
In the genre of adventure and exploration games, themes are greatly complemented by graphical and visual elements. Sea of Thieves takes players to the world of 17th-century pirates with cartoonish art style accompanied by realistic weather and day-night cycles.
Subnautica transports the player to the late 22nd century and immerses them in a beautifully designed underwater world with stunning colours and lighting, giving the player a sense of adventure and danger of exploring the deep sea.
Outer Wilds is set in a planetary system with different celestial bodies, and the game features stylized graphics that enhance the planet’s environmental puzzles and phenomena.
Skyrim, set 200 years after the events of Oblivion in the northernmost region of Tamriel, features vast, beautiful environments that immerse players in a mediaeval fantasy setting with realistic weather and lighting effects.
Horizon Zero Dawn is a post-apocalyptic game set in the 31st century across Colorado, Wyoming, and Utah. It features a natural environment infused with futuristic elements, and the high-definition graphics vividly depict a world reclaimed by nature.
Last but not least, Hogwarts Legacy sets the stage in the late 1800s in the Wizarding World and takes players through familiar grounds such as Hogwarts Castle, Hogsmeade, and the Scottish Highlands.
Each game employs its graphical and thematic advantages to take the players into fascinating and visually appealing environments to enhance the gaming experience.
Classic and Casino
Board games such as Chess, Monopoly, and Scrabble have been popular for many years and are enjoyed by people of all ages in their homes. These games require players to use their intellect and strategies, which is why they remain popular even to this date. With the advancement in technology, these classics have been easily adapted into online platforms where people from different parts of the world can play and compete for the prize.
When it comes to casino games, the progress has been equally as remarkable. The internet has made it possible to access various casino games that were only available in the physical casinos. From the spinning reels of slot machines to the strategic gameplay of blackjack and poker, the variety is vast. Popular online slots like Mega Moolah, Starburst, and Book of Ra captivate players with their engaging themes and the chance for big payouts.
Other games such as roulette and baccarat have also been transferred to the virtual environment while maintaining their appeal and even adding new elements. There are many games that have been developed to mimic the physical casino games and some of them include the Lightning Roulette and the First Person Prosperity Tree Baccarat.
These games come with attractive graphics and interface to make it easy for both the beginners and the experienced gamblers to have a good time. Online platforms are still evolving, and they offer the complete casino experience while playing from the comfort of one’s home.
Sports and Competition
Sports and competition games can bring the fun of sports and games right into your home. Games like EA FC 2024, NBA 2K24, Madden NFL 24, and UFC 5 offer players realistic gameplay of their favourite sports. All these games are loaded with features that mimic real life sports such as new team rosters and player statistics for the current season.
EA FC 2024 allows players to take control of top football teams from leagues across the globe, including the English Premier League, La Liga, and more. NBA 2K24 is a basketball game that enables the players to play with their favourite NBA teams such as LA Lakers and Chicago Bulls with the latest players and lineups. Madden NFL 24 features all teams in the NFL, allowing players to take control of teams such as the Dallas Cowboys or the New England Patriots and lead them to the Super Bowl.
Lastly, UFC 5 has fighters from all weight classes, meaning players can choose fighters such as Israel Adesanya or Amanda Nunes.
In addition to having great graphics and audio, these games also come with different game modes and levels of difficulty for both beginners and veterans of sports gaming.
Fantasy and Role-Playing
Fantasy and role-playing games transport players into worlds of adventure and mystery. Black Desert Online has a vast open world where you can battle with powerful bosses or just wander through the woods. This game is famous for its exciting action and an interesting plot. Apart from fighting, you can also fish, hunt, or trade, which in turn, contributes to the development of your character.
Fallout: New Vegas offers the player to become a member of different factions, complete quests such as eliminating threats, or simply gather valuable items that can be found throughout the game world.
In The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, you control Geralt of Rivia, a monster hunter in a world that is not friendly to him. The game offers challenging combat and a narrative where players’ decisions matter. After the main plot is completed, you can continue the game with additional content that includes new stories, journeys and missions. Every game is a chance to immerse yourself in the fantastic worlds and spend a lot of time playing.
Historical and Civilization
Games such as Ghost of Tsushima and For Honor set the game in historical periods and incorporate real-life events into the story to make it more realistic and interesting. Ghost of Tsushima is based on the first Mongol invasion of Japan in 1274 and takes place on Tsushima Island.
While the game uses history as its setting and map, it does a good job of recreating the culture and environment of the period. The geography of the island is not fully accurate because of the island’s rough topography but it offers a great exploration experience, especially in the standout missions such as the attack on Kaneda Castle.
For Honor, on the other hand, is set in a world that is like our own but with the timeline shifting to the 1000-1100 AD period after an unspecified disaster. The game is celebrated for its highly detailed and realistic graphics that enhance the dramatic and sometimes fantastical elements of its setting.
