Despite the tumultuous year that 2020 has been, that has not stopped me and my ongoing gaming journey. After completing Ghost of Tsushima and passing on The Last of Us II, my focus turned to working on completing my ever-growing backlog of games. While this goal of mine is still in action, I’ve actually found myself playing through August and this month four different games that I’ve been really enjoying. I’m not planning on completing them by the end of the year, but instead am enjoying the experience that each game brings. Without further ado, here they are…

Eastshade (2019)

I’ve already discussed Eastshade before on this blog, and what I’ve enjoyed from it, but I felt like I needed to play this even more now than I did before. 2020 has been a difficult year for many of us, myself included, and delving back into this colorful and lush world has helped my mind relax in a way that I suspected I needed. If you haven’t played Eastshade before, do yourself a favor and find a version of this game that you feel you’ll enjoy best; I play this on my PC through Steam, but it has since expanded also to the Xbox and PlayStation platforms.

In Eastshade, you play a traveling artist set on painting specific landscapes throughout the eponymous island that your late mother asked you to visit. You start out by being shipwrecked and waking up on the island, which you can then traverse through at your own leisure. The small dock village of Lyndow you may encounter early on is a small taste of what you’ll come to expect of the denizens on this peculiar place. Everyone is some sort of anthropomorphic animal (ranging from apes, deer, bears, and owls – I always wondered what kind of animal my own character was while playing). You have to explore and earn enough money to access the bustling capital of Nava, but there’s so much more to see and do beyond these two locations, and many quirky characters to interact with and help. I continue to uncover puzzles, lore, and side quests that I hadn’t found before, and more of the island became more accessible as a result. That being said, you can’t wander across whenever you wish to – the nights on Eastshade become very cold, and your character will begin to freeze without a warm coat on or by drinking hot tea. There is no consequence for freezing, but rather you just awaken at the closest hotel, ready to start your quest again.

What I’ve enjoyed from Eastshade this second time around is there is a lot more to do and see than I first thought. One discovery I found that I’ve enjoyed immensely was encountering a series of large wind chimes that can be clicked on to create different melodies. I must have spent a full five minutes playing on those chimes, but it felt so organic as if I were actually there, playing them in person. That’s the way Eastshade feels to me overall – organic. From the atmosphere and the world building, to the music and the environment you can manipulate and craft with, Eastshade is definitely worth your time to relax and take it easy for a while…

Super Mario 64 (1996)

I sort of grew up and didn’t grow up with Super Mario 64 as a child. I got to play it for a bit at a friend’s house, and I recalled being able to swim as Mario in Jolly Roger Bay, but that was about it. This was still in the early 2000s, and I was fascinated by the freedom and range of motion Mario possessed compared to the few games I had played before (mostly through handheld devices or through the PC).

As an adult, I yearned to recreate that childish fascination I had with the game, and was determined to find some way to collect it one way or another. At the beginning of this month, I found an affordable copy to purchase through GameStop and was also able to procure an Nintendo 64 from a local used games store for a bargain – with a brand new controller included. I was excited that I would finally be able to relive my childhood fascination with Super Mario 64 – and be able to play it as much as I wanted without the added time restraints that being in another person’s house creates.

This game is not perfect, and it probably isn’t even the best Mario game in the franchise…but my goodness, is it fun! I love the vibrant colors, fun music, and diverse dimensions that Mario has to complete in order to find more Stars. As of this writing, I currently have only 10 Stars, and I know that there are many more to find. If I had complaints, they’re probably the same that many long-time fans may have also shared – the camera for the game just isn’t the best. The N64 controller is quite large, something I’m not used to, and its buttons quite stiff; I’ve found that I can’t play more than half an hour at once or else my thumb will be in agony. Cons aside, I’m just excited that I finally have the opportunity to play Super Mario 64!

Crusader Kings 3 (2020)

I’ve fallen into the Crusader Kings bandwagon after falling head over heels in love with Crusader Kings 2. I can’t even begin to think about how many countries I must have played as, with the goal being of prolonging my dynasty for as long as possible. The more antics I added, the more difficult this goal became, but the consequences that appeared couldn’t help but put a smile on my face.

For a grand strategy game, Crusader Kings 2 was not afraid to have a sense of humor and I was looking forward to find this quality in Crusader Kings 3. I’m still navigating the ropes and learning the changes and different functions from its predecessor, but I have a hunch that over time I will enjoy this entry just as much, if not even more so.

If you’re not familiar with how Crusader Kings works, the point of the series is not how many countries can you conquer (which you can attempt), but is more of a dynasty simulator, focusing more on how well can you rule and the strength of you and your family. Spies, jealousy, and antics abound, and there many things that are customizable to make your play through more interesting or challenging, depending on your preference. I’m looking forward to playing this more, and seeing what expansions will be added in the future to make this an even more engaging experience.

Medieval Dynasty (2020)

Medieval Dynasty was a surprise purchase in that I hadn’t even heard of it even two weeks ago. I just saw it on the Steam store page and was immediately entranced by the idea of building a dynasty in medieval times. It’s a similar concept to Crusader Kings in a way, except from a first-person perspective. Your character literally starts out with nothing, and you have to build your house, farm, and community from the ground up. Marrying and producing an heir are key to creating a lasting legacy, which is essential as life in medieval times can be quite deadly.

This game is challenging but that’s what I find so fun about it. You battle both hunger and nature as you build your entire life from the ground up. You don’t have to stay in one location either, as the game is quite literally an open world for you to explore. You need to gather whatever materials you can find to craft essential tools for farming, building shelter, and protection. You also need to regularly eat and drink water, or otherwise suffer the consequences.

I am still very early on in playing this particular title, and it’s still in beta development, albeit released to the public to play for a reduced price. Still, while it does have a few hiccups while I’ve played, I’ve found myself wanting to come back to it and play even more. If you’re looking for a new take on the medieval experience, consider this title a try and show the team your support.

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In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, O Lord, will keep me safe.

Psalm 4:8 (NLT)

Are there any games that you’re enjoying in these difficult times?

Remember that video games can provide a respite from our troubles, but they do not solve them or take them away. Have faith for a brighter future, for that is what we are promised by God, and courage in the face of doubt. Until next time, keep the above verse in your mind and in your heart.