During a time in which a) we are expected to be sheltered in place for the foreseeable future to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and b) I’ve had my first child and anticipate not leaving the house anyway for at least the next few months, here I am with a couple of video games for another Recent Roundup!

 

Marvel’s Spider-Man

Console: PS4

Developer: Insomniac Games

Voice Actors: Yuri Lowenthal (Peter Parker/Spider-Man), Laura Bailey (Mary Jane Watson), Tara Platt (Captain Yuri Watanabe), and Nancy Linari (May Parker)

IMDb Synopsis: When a new villain threatens New York City, Peter Parker and Spider-Man’s worlds collide. To save the city and those he loves, he must rise up and be greater.

What I Found: A Spider-Man game and story that I think are the best ones yet for the character. New York City has never looked better, and swinging among the buildings and traffic makes for the easiest, most thrilling, and continuously entertaining way to travel, even after a fast travel mechanic is introduced. Plus an older Peter Parker, different versions of beloved characters, and an engaging plot all make this iteration of Spider-Man unique and engrossing. I was surprised by just how emotional and intelligent a superhero game could be.

 

God of War

Console: PS4

Developers: SIE Santa Monica Studio, Ready at Dawn, Daybreak Game Company, and Javaground

Voice Actors: Christopher Judge (Kratos), Sunny Suljic (Atreus), Danielle Bisutti (the Witch of the Woods), and Alastair Duncan (Mimir)

IMDb Synopsis: After wiping out the gods of Mount Olympus, Kratos moves on to the frigid lands of Scandinavia, where he and his son must embark on an odyssey across a dangerous world of gods and monsters.

What I Found: Possibly my favorite console game ever, and I didn’t even play it… I watched my husband complete the campaign. Also, you don’t have to play previous games in the series to understand this one. God of War is stunningly beautiful in its visuals, storytelling, characters, and worldbuilding/lore. What should be a fairly straightforward quest for Kratos and Atreus turns into a complicated and treacherous adventure where their bond as father and son is constantly tested while Kratos wrestles with his past and present selves. I’m not sure I’ve ever gotten so emotional over a video game, period! It’s incredibly well done, and I anticipate an exciting sequel to follow.