With summer break in full swing, there are many things to do to pass the time until the fall semester begins. Video games are a popular pastime, with many different types to play over the summer. Here is a list of the top 10 games to choose from, in no particular order.
10. Stardew Valley
This game is beloved by many, and for good reason! Stardew Valley is a more unique take on the common farming simulator game and includes excellent lore, lovable characters and a wide variety of content.
Stardew Valley is available on Switch, mobile and PC, meaning that you can take it with you wherever you go!
9. Stray
Do you love cats? Do you love robots? Do you love post-apocalyptic environments? If your answer to any of these questions was “yes,” then you should play Stray. The game follows a stray cat as it delves into an underground, post-apocalyptic world and must find its way back out to the surface.
With the help of a charming cast of robot companions who have seemingly replaced humanity, this game is sure to be a tear-jerker due to both its story and the pure adorableness of the main character.
8. Cult of the Lamb
For those interested in roguelikes, Cult of the Lamb is the perfect, cute cartoon game for you! Cult of the Lamb follows the main character, the Lamb, as they make a deal with a god of the old world and raise a cult in the god’s name.
This game has recently introduced major updates that help create a fun, interesting environment that will have players hooked for weeks; also, multiplayer is now available. Those who like good lore in their games will also appreciate what Cult of the Lamb has to offer.
7. Hades II
Some may remember Hades, another roguelike that follows the son of Hades as he tries to escape the Underworld in search of his mother. The developers of this game released a sequel currently in beta called Hades II, which follows the daughter of Hades, Melinoe.
Melinoe must work to defeat Chronos, the Titan of Time, as he has taken over the Underworld and launched a war against all those on Olympus. Players can get involved with the Olympian gods and goddesses, as well as other titans and figures from popular Greek Epics, such as those in the Odyssey. With over a year of major updates, Hades II already provides hundreds of hours of content!
6. Night in the Woods
Night in the Woods is a story-driven game that follows Mae Borowski as she reconnects with old-town friends after dropping out of college. Experience the ups and downs of small-town living as you deal with mental health, estranged friendships and secret happenings just outside of town.
5. Content Warning
Content Warning is a game made for groups of four. It follows a group of characters as they delve into the “Old World,” a black-and-white world full of creepy crawlies, which the players must record so that they can go viral.
This wacky game provides ample opportunity for friends to train for the day they go viral while having fun and messing around with the various items and enemies you can encounter.
4. Omori
While Omori follows a tragic story and includes horror and other upsetting content as it deals with issues of mental health, the game has captivated audiences for years. The main cast is lovable, the world is unique and there are many different paths players can take.
Replaying this game is essential once you have completed the main story, and experiencing the story is a unique experience no other game can replicate.
3. Baldur’s Gate 3
Probably the most popular game released in 2023, Baldur’s Gate 3 is the long-awaited follow-up to the previous Baldur’s Gate games. The game takes aspects from Dungeons and Dragons to create a vivid world that players are desperate to explore.
If you are a fan of the fantasy genre, this game is a must to play.
2. The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom
Any Legend of Zelda game is an excellent choice for a long-term game, especially for those completionists out there. TotK, the most recent game in the Legend of Zelda series, is full of content for players to explore, whether through collectibles or the breathtaking story the game follows.
1. R.E.P.O.
R.E.P.O. is the most recent game that follows the popular video game formula that was popularized by Lethal Company, in which players must travel to unique places and collect items to sell to a corporation. This game is unique in that it has fully physics-based items that you must carefully handle to prevent losing value.
The game is famous at the moment for its humorous moments, and expertly balances humor, horror and exploration. Play this game with friends this summer!
