By: Holly Mason
Not a fan of violent point-and-shoot or sports games? Here are some creative, more relaxing video games.
Spore
Mode: Single Player
Platforms: Windows, Mac, iPhone
In Spore, the player can create an entire species starting as a microorganism. The game follows the player as the microorganism evolves into a complex animal and finally into an intelligent, self-aware being. Players have the ability to design alien species and worlds as they choose, guiding their organism through four stages: creature, tribal, civilization, and the final frontier: space.
The Sims 3
Mode: Single Player
Platforms: Windows, Mac, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Wii, Nintendo DS
The third edition of The Sims, this life-simulation game quickly became one of the best selling PC games of all time, and after playing, one will truly understand why. In The Sims 3, players have the ability to control every aspect of their Sim(s)’ life, from relationships, careers, lifestyles and traits. The true allure of The Sims is the lack of goals, levels, or purpose. What sets The Sims apart from other life-simulation games is the broadness of game play- almost anything is possible. With the addition of expansion packs (such as The Sims 3: Supernatural or The Sims 3: Island Paradise) and easily-downloadable free game modifications, virtually anything is possible in The Sims 3. Players beware: it is remarkably easy to spend hours and hours playing this game.
LittleBigPlanet
Mode: Single Player, Multi-Player, Online
Platforms: PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, PlayStation Vita, PlayStation Portable
In LittleBigPlanet, one follows Sackboy, an animated character, through complex worlds and levels of varying difficulty. The series revolves around the slogan “Play, create, share”, emphasizing the player’s ability to play both user and developer generated levels and worlds, create their own levels and worlds and share their creations with players all over the world. In three words. LittleBigPlanet can most accurately be described as whimsical, exciting and imaginative. With amazing graphics, unique gameplay items and well thought-out background music, LittleBigPlanet is always a joy to play. The game currently has three editions.
Animal Crossing
Mode: Single Player, Online
Platforms: Wii, Nintendo DS, Nintendo 3DS, GameCube, Nintendo 64
Animal Crossing is a community-based, open-ended game featuring a human player living in a village of human-animal hybrids. Players enjoy simple activities such as fishing, gardening, and collecting items, as well as trading with both computer generated and online players. Animal Crossing has often been praised for its high level of customization, leaving the player free reign and control of the whole village.
Mario Party
Mode: Single Player, Multiplayer
Platforms: Nintendo 64, Nintendo DS, Wii, Wii U, Gameboy/Gameboy Advance
Mario Party features Mario franchise characters such as Princess Peach and Bowser playing a series of mini-games on a large board-game style platform. Mario Party is known for its unpredictability and combination of both luck and skill needed to win the game. Every version of Mario Party contains 50-90 mini-games, including some that are 2-on-2 or 3-on-1. Mario Party is a great choice for groups of players and users who enjoy “short and sweet” mini-games rather than complex levels.
Minecraft
Mode: Single Player, Online
Platforms: Windows, Mac, Xbox 360, Xbox One, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Playstation Vita, iPhone, Android, Windows Phone
Like many other games on this list, Minecraft is an open-world game with no clear goals for the player to accomplish. There are, however, multiple gameplay modes, such as survival mode, creative mode, and adventure mode, where players play custom “maps” created by other users.
Flower
Mode: Single Player
Platforms: PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, PlayStation Vita
The main purpose of Flower is to evoke positive emotions in the player. The player follows a flower petal as it travels through the air. Movement of the flower petal has side effects on the game world itself-for example, flying next to other flowers will add petals to the floating chain. Patches of dry, dead foliage and flowers in the game world can be transformed into vibrant fields by coming in close contact with the player’s flower petal. The game features complex, mostly relaxing music that gives emotional cues to the user. Flower is a refreshing, relaxing break from the typical video game.
Journey
Mode: Single Player, Co-Op
Platforms: PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4
An indie art/adventure game created by the same developers as Flower, Journey is a game like no other. In Journey, the player controls a robed figure on their journey through a desert, the destination being a large mountain in the distance. Along the way, one might temporarily encounter another player on the same journey- however, with no text or language in the game, the two can only communicate through chimes and other simple musical sounds.
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