Last minute gifts / Games of the Year

Here is our pick of the games we’ve played this year!

Minecraft
You can buy it on many different platforms, to find out which suits best
check here (particularly under the ‘other platforms’ section) : www.minecraft.net
It costs about £40

There can’t be many game loving kids who don’t have minecraft, but it’s worth checking!
There are 2 types of gameplay in Minecraft - Creative and Survival. In creative mode there is no peril, just exploration and creation (this type of game, where there are no particular goals, is often referred to as a sandbox game).
In survival mode there are threats, and you have to manage things like hunger and health. There are 4 different difficulty settings, ranging from peaceful to hard - so should accommodate pretty much everyone regardless of their skill level / experience.
Charlie likes the game because the possibilities are endless, she has been playing it for years and still finds herself going back to it all the time. It’s also a really great game to play with others, and Charlie particularly enjoys playing it with her Dad.

The Sims 4
Available on PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox 1. Base game is free, with lots of optional extras to buy.
https://www.ea.com/games/the-sims/the-sims-4

The Sims is a life simulator, with sandbox type elements. There are some goals to complete, but a large part of the game is exploration and creation. Very little learned skill or dexterity needed and as such a good game for beginners and experienced players alike.
There is great diversity in the characters, and the character creation element is one of Cuishle’s favorite elements. Another reason Cuishle likes Sims is because there are very few frustrating elements in it. She can’t be doing with frustrating games, and The Sims is one of the few she hasn’t rage quitted.

Fifa.
Football simulator. Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Windows, Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S. Price varies, and there is a subscription model, but the game is about £40
https://www.ea.com/en-gb/games/fifa/fifa-23

Lily is a big football fan, so picking FIFA as her favorite game of the year isn’t a massive surprise. She loves the fact that she knows all the players and she likes playing online and in career mode. Fifa is a safe bet for any football fans out there, and it’s great fun playing against family and friends, but it does require a fair level of learnt skill and dexterity, so perhaps not one for inexperienced players. EA are well known for making microtransactions a core element of their business model, and FIFA is no different. Loot boxes are available in Ultimate Team Mode, and this means that those who can spend the most money will have an advantage.

Sid Meier’s Civilization VI - chosen by Lochlann
£49.99 Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Android.
https://store.2k.com/civilization

A turn-based strategy game, where the aim is to become a world power, starting as an early civilization and developing over several millennia. It’s a big complex game, with lots to learn, lots of trying and failing, and requires quite a lot of thought. Certainly not something you can just dip in and out of. But, if you know a gamer who loves getting really in depth with their games and willing to commit a fair bit of time learning how it works, then it's a really rewarding experience. It’s also super educational (but don’t tell Lochlann that!)

***Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Rescue Team DX. Chosen by Jennifer.***

Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Rescue Team DX.
£50 Nintendo Switch
www.nintendo.co.uk

This is a remake of the 2005 Nintendo DS video games Pokémon Mystery Dungeon:
Blue Rescue Team and Red Rescue Team.

Jen likes this pokemon game due to the compelling story and excellent characters (you can play as Pikachu!). She particularly likes the personality test you take at the beginning to determine what pokemon you are. This game involves exploring dungeons that are procedurally generated (so they are different each time) and rescuing Pokemon in trouble. It has everything you would expect from a Pokemon game (turn based battles).

Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Xbox One, PlayStation 4. Free base game.
https://www.roblox.com/
Roblox gets a fair amount of bad press (for reasons I will come to!) - but it remains super popular with young people, and for good reason. Users can make their own games, or play one of the thousands of games made by other players. Fiona likes it as it’s a great way to learn about game design, and to share your creations with other people. There are also a multitude of other peoples games to play, including Amelia’s favorite game, ‘Copyrighted Artists’. ‘Copyrighted Artists' is a speed drawing game, where one player is given a prompt to draw something, and then online players have to copy it, and everyone then guesses which drawing was the original. Amelia likes playing it with friends, and says the time limit makes it really exciting.
Problems with Roblox -The microtransactions and the in-game currency. It is super hard to make money in Roblox, and the vast majority of creators on the platform won’t. Generally speaking only Roblox makes money from Roblox.
The Games. As all the games are made by users and because there are so many of them it can be hard to keep track of what your child is playing, and some of the games may contain content you don’t think is suitable.
Safety. Roblox is an online platform, and some parents aren’t happy with the level of moderation Roblox provides. As with all online games, make sure you have talked to your kids about online safety, and keep an eye on what they are up to. Fore more info on how to talk to your kids about online safety, and more info on whether Roblox is safe for your child, check out the NSPCC website:
https://www.nspcc.org.uk/keeping-children-safe/online-safety/online-safety-blog/roblox/

Pico Park
£3.99 Available on Switch and Steam for
https://picoparkgame.com/en/

A cooperative multiplayer platform puzzle game.
Find the key, and get out the door - sounds simple right? This game relies on you being able to cooperate with the other players to complete the levels. You have to work out together what has to be done, and then manage to do it! The platformer elements aren’t too hard, but do require a certain level of dexterity and skill. A great game to play as a family, though some of the later levels might get a bit frustrating for less experienced players.

Charlie likes it because it is great fun, really exciting and good to play with friends. Cuishle because even though she doesn’t like frustrating games, and it can be a bit frustrating, in our group it’s fair to say no one is going to get too annoyed if we don’t make it through a level first time (or second, or third…).
In fact, the more we fail the funnier it is! Lily is quietly one of the best gamers we have, and is a bit of an esports star, but that doesn't stop her enjoying shouting ‘Stand on my head!’ with the rest of us.

Very Little Nightmares.
Chosen by Justine

Very Little Nightmares.
£6.99 Google Play Store & Apple App store. Free on Apple Arcade (£6.99 a month)
https://en.bandainamcoent.eu/little-nightmares/very-little-nightmares

This is a 3D puzzle / adventure game, where you guide your character through different dark scenarios, solving puzzles to progress. A compelling mix of creepy and cute, this game has a 9+ rating on Apple Arcade, with creepy characters to avoid and the occasional jump scare. Not for the faint hearted! The puzzles are clever and satisfying to work out, and if you get stuck there are plenty of walkthroughs on youtube to help. Justine loved the graphics and the tense atmosphere.

***Slay the Spire - chosen by Caroline***

Slay the Spire
£20 steam, free on Apple Arcade subscription £6.99 per month
https://store.steampowered.com/app/646570/Slay_the_Spire/

Slay the Spire is a deck building game. You are dealt cards which you can then use to defeat enemies. It combines elements of strategy and luck, but little dexterity is needed. As far as Caroline is concerned, the difficulty level is just right. It's really satisfying when you win a round, and when you don't, you feel confident you can do it next time. It’s just hard enough / easy enough to keep you coming back for more. The element of luck is just right too - you can always blame the selection of cards you’ve been dealt if you don’t win. The rounds are short, and as such Caroline reckons it’s the perfect mobile game that you can just pick up and play when you have the time.

Disney Dreamlight Valley -
chosen by Sami

Disney Dreamlight Valley
£33.49 Available on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC and Mac.
Word of warning! It will only work on very recent IOS devices.
https://store.steampowered.com/app/1401590/Disney_Dreamlight_Valley/

“Explore a world filled with the magic of Disney as you discover rich stories and build the perfect neighborhood alongside Disney and Pixar heroes and villains in this new life-sim adventure game.”
Sami loves the fact there is amazing customisation, characters, and environments. It’s full of fun activities like gardening, fishing, cooking, and crafting. There are unlimited decorating options for your game world, and you get to create friendships and give gifts to many characters like Wall.E, Mickey Mouse, Elsa, Stitch and lots more! Overall just a really entertaining game.

Super Mario Bros Wonder -
chosen by Katherine

Super Mario Bros Wonder.
A platform game with lots of extras and co-op modes.
Available on the Switch. About £40.
www.nintendo.co.uk

I haven’t spent as much time as I would like on this game, but I’m really enjoying it. It’s bonkers. Nintendo has really thrown everything at it. I love Mario games, especially side scrollers, and especially ones with co-op play, so I was always going to like this. Brilliant for the family to play together, and the characters Nabbit and Yoshi are great for less experienced players, as they don’t take any damage.

Glossary of terms:
Platform game - generally means a 2D game, involving jumping from one platform to another to reach the end of the level. Usually includes things like enemies and power ups. Requires a certain amount of dexterity, skill and practice.

Sandbox game - a game where the focus is on creativity and exploration as opposed to a specific end goal. Often compared to something like a big box of lego, these games encourage the player to explore and interact with the environment at their own pace and in their own way. Often played online and with the opportunity to try other peoples creations - games within games.
A good explanation can be found here: www.techopedia.com

Puzzle games - Games that require some working out. Things often have to be done in a certain order to complete levels, and trying and failing is often the best way to find that out. Cooperative puzzle games require the players to work together to achieve the desired outcome.

Microtransactions - money you are encouraged to spend in game, after you have paid the full price for it.

Loot box / Crate - a sort of lucky dip you are encouraged to buy in game (see Microtransactions). New laws now mean the game must show you the odds of getting something valuable (a good footballer for instance) now must be shown on screen.

Katherine RowlandsonDecember 19, 2023