Stay at home orders have been extended until May, so what better time to try a video game now that students have more free time.

• Star Wars: Battlefront II

Platform: PC, XBOX, PS4

Developers: DICE, Criterion Software, Motive Studios

This game has gone through a ton of changes since its release and has redeemed itself in the eyes of fans. It started out as a predatory and blatantly greedy cash grab and after 2 years of free updates it is now one of the most enjoyable multiplayer shooters out there. The leveling is fantastic, plenty of cosmetics to unlock, and several characters from the Star Wars universe to play as.

• Control

Platform: PC, XBOX, PS4

Developers: Remedy Entertainment

Control is a third person action adventure game with a paranormal twist. The player plays as Jesse Faden who is trying to uncover her past and find her brother by searching for the Federal Bureau of Control. Once finding the bureau, she finds it invaded by a hostile force named the Hiss. She inadvertently becomes the new director of the bureau and is tasked to clear the bureau of the Hiss while seeking answers. The story of Control is nowhere near as good as some other games, but it is intriguing enough. The combat and exploration aspects of Control are the best in this game. There is enough variety in the abilities and weaponry that players feel as if they have a choice in how they want to play. The game also has a ton of objects and secret missions hidden around and the missions themselves are enjoyable. The game is worth checking out alone just for its combat and exploration.

• Star Wars: Jedi Fallen Order

Plaform: PC, XBOX, PS4

Developers: Respawn Entertainment

Star Wars: Jedi Fallen Order’s story revolves around Cal Kestis, a Jedi padawan who has gone into hiding after the Galactic Empire has killed off the rest of the Jedi Order. Until one day he is found out and must run from the Empire and then teams up with a former Jedi Master to find students and rebuild the Jedi Order. On paper and from an outside perspective, the story of Jedi Fallen Order makes no sense, but the story in the game itself is nowhere near as confusing. The characters are great, locations are all unique, combat is fantastic, and the puzzles are all challenging. 

• Horizon Zero Dawn

Platform: PS4

Developer: Guerrilla Games, PC

Horizon Zero Dawn is an open world action game that follows Aloy trying to discover who her real mother is. Along the way she finds out how society collapsed and fights the machines responsible. Horizon Zero Dawn looks beautiful, the combat system is top notch, and an emotional story to top it off. This game is worthy of purchase. 

• Marvel’s Spider-Man

Developer: Insomniac Games

Platform: PS4

Marvel’s Spider-Man is an open world action game that follows Spider-Man as he attempts to stop a super-villain named Mr. Negative from exacting revenge on the city mayor by destroying the city. Spider-Man in this game is one of the best versions of the Spider-Man character brought to video games. The side characters don’t disappoint either including Miles Morales and Mary Jane Watson. The combat is amazing, the swinging is fantastic, and the story has so much heart to it. This game is worth every penny.