The theme of The Walking Dead: The Telltale Definitive Series seems to be that every choice you make is wrong. The plot, based in the same universe as the popular comic and television show, follows a young girl named Clementine (and a diverse set of other characters) through the apocalypse. The episodic game is closer to an interactive narrative, where you pick dialogue in a limited time and make lasting choices that affect the story.
The writing leads to decisions and conflicts that seem to mimic real life in 2020: a radio broadcast in the game states that the affliction was spreading unchecked, that the death toll was skyrocketing and that avoiding contact with exposed individuals was vital. During an actual pandemic, this story line hit differently. I couldn’t help but reflect.
Call of Duty: Warzone
Jason M. Bailey, senior staff editor, National desk
The annual Call of Duty games are known for frenetic multiplayer action, and the rapid pace — spawn, kill, kill, die, spawn, die, spawn — is addictive, but ultimately mindless. That’s what made the March release of Call of Duty: Warzone, a free, stand-alone battle royale, so refreshing. Warzone includes the guns, grenades and vehicles one would expect, but it also has a secret weapon: a narrative arc. Firefights are followed by long periods of restocking your arsenal and resituating your squad. In quieter moments, you can hear doors creak.
Rust
Leslie Pedro, software engineer
Since the lockdown started, I have been drawn back to open-world survival games, spending the most time playing Rust. It’s pretty punishing and not for everyone. You start off naked and alone with a rock and a torch for tools. From there, you have to keep foraging, gathering resources and protecting what you have amassed from other players. I like to play solo, which leaves me vulnerable to larger teams who break into my mazelike bases and try to steal my loot despite my traps and turrets. I don’t really care if I lose what I have gathered. I just enjoy building, defending and exploring.
Fallout 4
Gregory Schmidt, senior staff editor, Business desk