Summary
Video games immerse players in fantastical worlds that can go from the awe-inspiring to the downright terrifying, like no other medium. At their best, they can confront, scare, joke, or amaze players, all within stunning interactive worlds, and take us to places we have only seen in our dreams, or sometimes nightmares.
A rare few games have even been able to capture what it means to be young. Fromexploring the worldto experiencing rites of passage, or even just playing with friends, these games have taken the essence of childhood and created fun and immersive experiences that remind us of simpler times.
Taking a lot of inspiration from the classic children’s bookWhere The Wild ThingsAre,The Wild At Heartis an exploration game set in a magical open world. The campaign follows two runaway children as theyexplore and survivein a strange new world.
The gameplay depicts much of the exploration children yearn for, as well as finding their way in a complex world while discovering who they are. The music in the game is simple and melancholic, while the world is presented in a storybook style. This creates a timeless comforting feeling often lost in more action-heavy games.
The spirit of adventure lies at the heart of this 2021indie gemthat takes players into a rolling desert landscape following the young Sable as she sets out on her rite of passage known as The Gliding.
Infused with an almost melancholic soundtrack, the music is very reminiscent of Studio Ghibli and the whole game has a childlike quality, from the running animation of Sable to the supporting characters all ready and willing to help her find her way in the world. The game’s heart is about community and self-discovery.
It Takes Twois a rare two-player game that appeals to both adults and children alike. While dealing with heavier subjects, the game never fails to supply fun and varied challenges throughout, while teaching players it is always better to work together.
The game deals with parental divorce and the breaking of the family unit, all shown through the eyes and imagination of the child.It Takes Twohas an innocence to it.
The third entry into Square Enix’s long-running and beloved series,Kingdom Hearts 2is an action roleplaying game that brings together the worlds of Disney andFinal Fantasy. Creating the perfect combination of East meets West, the game is considered one of the best in the series.
Kingdom Heartsencapsulates the imagination of children perfectly, where toys are meant to be played with, regardless of the franchise. One of the themes running through the series is friendship and the strength this can bring to everyone. It embodies the simple spirit of playing together, no matter where someone is from.
Groundedis a survival action game that takes place entirely in the back garden of a suburban home. With more than a little influence from the classic movieHoney, I Shrunk the Kids,Groundedtakes players intothe dangerous worldof the very small, where they’ll have to survive against hunting spiders and huge birds.
Groundedperfectly depicts a childhood sense of adventure, where everyday settings become exciting worlds to explore. As a multiplayer game,Groundedtakes the idea of playing in the back garden to a whole new fun and immersive level.
This indie classic is one of the most beautiful games ever made and still holds up today, over ten years later. The simplicity of the narrative, mixed with itsstunning game world, creates an evocative and timeless gaming experience that few titles have surpassed.
WhereJourneytruly shines is in its unique online mechanic. At any time, players may encounter another player in their world. With little communication and no identity of who players are adventuring with, the game creates a setting where two people can interact and play together with no pre-judgments, simply for the fun of playing.
TheTony Hawkgames have been some of the most popular titles in gaming history. With over 20 separate games, different players hold different entries as their personal favorites. Many would agree though thatPro Skater 3was a highlight in the series.
Released in 2001, the game captured a time when skateboarding, music, and fashion collided.Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3, for many, was a starting point in finding their crowd and was a cultural moment that was an intrinsic part of the scene.
Breath of the Wildwas a landmark moment in the long-runningZeldaseries. Expanding on the non-linear gameplay mechanics of some previous entries, the game brings players into a vast andopen world where explorationis at the forefront of the gameplay.
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wildis one of the most beloved games of the modern era, and it is quite influential despite being relatively new. It holds the spirit of adventure close to its heart and is all about experimenting and discovering a large and complex world.
Many children grow an interest in the natural world. From playing in the garden or out in the world, they are soon exposed to all manner of strange new creatures crawling around.Pokemonperfectly encapsulates this idea into a fun battle game that captured entire generations’ imaginations.
Pokemonfor many recreates the same feeling of discovery from when we were young. Finding newPokemonand adding them to the collection is what it is all about. Of all thePokemongames made over the years, TheHeartGoldandSoulSilverentries are considered two of the most timeless.
One of the most successful and popular games in history,Minecraftencompasses a lot of what it means to be a child. From its simple mechanics, the game has taken the idea of building blocks and ran with it.
Minecraftprovides a huge game world that players can either build on or destroy. Players can also share their worlds with friends, creating an interactive and ever-changing world that millions of adults and children enjoy. The game represents so much of what it is to be a child,from exploration to imagination,Minecraftcontinues to be enjoyed around the world.
