Even if you’re a dedicated gamer, it’s easy to get bored with the same old thing. After all, many developers like to keep their games solidly within a specific genre.
For the most part, this is great for fans of that genre. However, it also means that a title’s gameplay, mechanics, and even plotlines are prone to being repetitive—especially if you’ve been locked into the same category for a while.
If you want to revamp your love of gaming and feel excited every time you log in, you may need to put a little TLC into your gaming routine.
One easy way to do that is by revamping your setup, whether adding a new peripheral or finding a unique accent like LED lights. You may also sample multiplayer modes to spend more time gaming in a social sense.
But if neither of these tricks works, then you may need to sample some new genres. If you’re feeling a little deflated with your current gaming options, then take a shortcut with this list. We’ve got recommendations that are designed to unlock new interests and help set you on a new path in the gaming world.
Blackjack
Worldwide, card games are still hugely popular, including centuries-old hits like blackjack. Unsurprisingly, the vast majority of players today stick to online platforms. Not only are they more convenient and accessible, but some platforms like PokerStars Casino also offer bonus codes for newcomers. This makes it easy to get started registering your account and accessing table games.
Blackjack can help reframe your gaming outlook by getting your brain moving again. Compared to other card games, the odds are stacked more in your favor—and you can also utilize dozens of strategies to refine your approach. There’s also something unique and fulfilling about sharpening your skills in a game that’s so storied and well-known across generations.
WWE 2K14
If strategic card games don’t inspire you, then try out something from the opposite side of the gaming spectrum: OTT sports simulations. By far, one of the best projects on the market is the 2013 release of WWE 2K14. This professional wrestling romp builds on the nostalgia of thirty years’ worth of WrestleMania content from the WWE.
Even if you’ve never found yourself watching a cage match or a faceoff between The Undertake and The Rock, it’s still a fantastic game. You’ll definitely recognize some of the wrestlers, along with their acts. However, famous faces and names aside, the game’s career mode is a highly satisfying and entertaining feature.
Shadow of the Colossus
This 2005 release has stayed relevant in the gaming world thanks to its larger-than-life reputation—pun intended. The storyline is riveting, following a young man in an abandoned world in which he must take down sixteen gargantuan foes, aka the colossi.
The game is hailed for its mood and aesthetic, which drive home the game’s mission. As players advance, they’ll contend with this lonely, vast landscape—something Edge called ‘thematic richness’.
On top of that, the game’s soundtrack and mechanics are also highly rated. Even if you don’t have experience playing these types of long-form action-adventure games, this is a fantastically imaginative and memorable game that’s worth your time.
Papers, Please
Another great way to reinstate your love of games is to try a short and sweet casual game. Papers, Please puts players into the role of an immigration officer and makes them responsible for allowing or denying entry into the fictional country of Arstotzka. Sounds straightforward enough, right?
Not quite. The game has a few subliminal messages and challenges. As players advance, the list of rules grows more extensive—and provides opportunities for players to work outside the official rulesets.
It has since been dubbed an ‘empathy game’, which is a type of game that also functions as a work of art in its own right.
Knights of the Old Republic
Lastly, we recommend trying out Knights of the Old Republic. Whether or not you know about the world of Star Wars or care about the films, this RPG is worth exploring. The game itself isn’t overly different from other sci-fi-themed RPGs.
However, it’s the personalization features that make this game so highly rated—and particularly groundbreaking upon its release back in 2003.
Each decision the player makes affects the long-term outcomes of the game—including the ending. As they advance, players drift toward either the Dark Side or the Light Side, which is based on the choices they make rather than how they see themselves.
