Five Games I Love To Help You Get To Know Me

For worry of looking like I have too much 'original' content, I thought I'd do a get-to-know-me post, except this time it's video games. Bold move, I know. However, I have to say narrowing down this list to just five was a much harder task than I anticipated. Did I go the route of what I've been playing recently? The games I still think about? Or just games I love to play again and again? In the end, it's a bit of a mish-mash of all three to help showcase five games I think give the best idea about who I am. So without further ado, here are five games to get to know me...

1. MARVEL SNAP

Starting with a mobile card game probably wasn't the move that most people expected (Though it has recently launched on Steam, so there's that). The thing is I LOVE card games. I always have, ever since I was a child opening my very first pack of Pokémon cards (In case you're wondering, no there wasn't a Charizard in there). With more and more virtual card games releasing, it does make me yearn for more physical card games, but MARVEL SNAP makes me forget about that. Allowing me to play whenever and wherever I want, plus the cards are always being reworked depending on the meta, or just to make them more viable by the development team. There's a tonne of great Marvel characters to play with, an endless supply of deck combinations to create, and the 6 turn games ensure you're in and out of the action fast, with the thrilling combos and counters you unleash. In short, It's accessible, constantly rewarding, and most importantly it's always fun.

2. God of War (2018)

What's more enjoyable than a rage-fuelled Demi-God hacking his vengeful way through a pantheon of mythical beasts and Gods? As it turns out the same Demi-God, this time as a wise father figure trying to bond with his son on a personal quest across Norse mythology. This 2018 reboot by Cory Balrog delivers something I never knew I wanted in a God of War game, a deeper and heartfelt story about fatherhood. Though God of War never forgets its action roots, with revamped combat that pits you closer to the action and the new Leviathan Axe letting you hack through beasts with ease. It's an astounding journey to go on, and one that features some of the most fun hack-and-slash combat out there. Plus once you've finished all that there are Valkyries to hunt down, Muspelheim trials to tackle, and Ivaldi's trap-filled workshop to explore. God of War is simply a masterpiece that needs to be played.

3. Mortal Kombat 11

Now I love a good fighting game, the only problem is, I'm not all that great at them. I just don't have the patience or the timing to master a character and their move pool to become a truly great player in the genre. That doesn't matter with Mortal Kombat 11 though, the game's special moves and combo inputs feel accessible and intuitive and I feel I trained myself all the way to competent. I've tried all the other big fighting games and they just haven't grabbed me the way Mortal Kombat has, whether that's down to the sheer amount of content, the excellent story mode, or just the great variety of characters and gore-riffic fatalities. For me, It's the most enjoyable and complete fighting package out there.

4. EA Sports FC 24 (FIFA)

Oh no! He's a FIFA lad! But seriously, who doesn't like a good virtual kick about? As a big fan of Leicester City and supporter of AS Roma, it's hard not to get swept up in the football season and play out your own seasons. The games have always been great, getting improved upon slightly each year, (Though I would say FIFA 21 was perhaps my favourite). Nevertheless, the sheer amount of modes with the street-styled VOLTA mode, player/manager mode, and Co-op clubs, not forgetting the ever addictive card themed Ultimate Teams (and we all know my weakness for collectible card games). It's a good break from my usual story-heavy games, and the thrill of snatching a last-minute winner never fails to get the meows going from my homebound supporting cats.

5. Marvel's Spider-Man

Who doesn't want to be Spider-Man? Swinging through the city, stopping crimes, and leaping off the Empire State Building. He's the hero with it all. Thankfully Insomniac Games managed to capture all that and more in their amazing Marvel's Spider-Man game. The game not only features a truly great Spider-Man story, one that explores his relationship with Otto Octavius, but also showcases how his mind is just as much an asset as his powers. Giving interesting puzzles to solve alongside bad guys to beat up. The game features great combat, and a whole host of great Marvel history Easter eggs to uncover, but most importantly it never loses that essence of fun being Spider-Man could be. It's outright one of the most enjoyable games to get wrapped up in, and with the sequel just 1 month away, we're all going to be in for one hell of an October.

So there you have it. Five excellent games that help capture me and what I love about gaming. Though it still feels harsh having to cut out games like Uncharted, Bioshock and Batman, but hey there's always the next blog post, right?