The 7 Best Video Games to Help You Escape Reality
Unfortunately, we live in a world where reality can be hard to face. Whether it’s a terrible day at work or the horrors of the news, something we want to escape. One of the best ways to hide from everyday life is to play video games. Some video games are way better than others for purposefully escaping reality.
If you’re looking to learn more about some of the best video games to help you escape reality, if only for a little bit, you’re in the right place. With any of these open-world experiences, you’ll be able to feel better in no time. Keep reading to learn more about our top seven picks for video games to help you escape reality from simple to more intense.
1. Minecraft
The first game on this list is Minecraft, a classic in the world of escapism video games. In this game, you get to play as an individual shifting your way through a universe of blocks. You can play by yourself, crafting new things and building solo, or bring in a group of friends to enjoy the blocky landscape.
In Minecraft, there are two world modes - Survival and Creative. In Survival Mode, you must eat to sustain yourself and will face monsters, so it’s a little more intense. In creative, you can craft and build and mine to your heart’s content without worrying about losing your progress when dying. It’s adaptable, depending on what kind of escapism you need.
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2. Stardew Valley
Another classic game for escapism is Stardew Valley. Here, you play as a person who inherits their grandfather’s farm. You start with only a few tools and a small amount of money to create an entirely new life with this fantastic inheritance. It’s a very calm game, but one with many surprises everyone will enjoy.
In Stardew Valley, there are many things you can do. You can create the farm of your dreams, live off the land through functions like fishing and raising animals, and socialize with various members of the surrounding community. You can also customize, dig deep into mysterious caves, and even find someone to start a family with. The world is yours.
3. Animal Crossing: New Horizons
If you want to escape reality, what could be better than moving to an island where you can decorate your home and have talking animal neighbors? Welcome to Animal Crossing: New Horizons, where you play an individual moving to an island thanks to Nook Inc.. It’s full of possibilities and a dream for those who love customization options.
In Animal Crossing: New Horizons, ample choices are available for you. You can craft tools and furniture to decorate your home, and explore the island, collect bugs, and decorate, fish, swim, and more. It’s a social simulation game that’s like real life but much better - it’s the ideal way to avoid the harsh realities of the world.
4. Assassin’s Creed: Valhalla
Although it’s a little more intense than some previous suggestions, Assassin’s Creed: Valhalla is another excellent choice for escapism since it offers a vast open world. You can play along with the story or spend hours taking on side missions and exploring the tiny details placed into the adventure by crafty game makers.
Another aspect of Assassin’s Creed: Valhalla, like all Assassin’s Creed games, is the historical context for the adventure. It’s very much grounded in reality, and some events are in places that continue to exist today. If you want to learn more about history, you can play on a Discovery Tour, where you get to walk through Anglo-Saxon towns.
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5. Horizon Zero Dawn
Another practical choice for escapism is 2017’s Horizon Zero Dawn. In this game, you get to play as Aloy, a hunter living in a world run by machines. It’s a post-apocalyptic adventure filled with gorgeous natural features dramatically contrasted by aggressive mechanical creatures ready to attack.
Horizon Zero Dawn is ideal for escapism for a couple of reasons. One, the open world is gorgeous and provides ample room for exploration. Two, the story is intriguing and sets up an intense conflict of man versus machine. Finally, it offers an incredible sequel if the first one satisfies your escapism needs - Horizon Forbidden West.
6. Fallout 4
If you don’t mind a little apocalypse in your escapism, Fallout 4 is an incredible choice. This open-world game takes place in a world eradicated by nuclear fallout. It takes place in Massachusetts, which is a thrilling setting for this adventure. There is some bad dialogue and a few plot holes, but it’s all part of the experience.
In Fallout 4, you are pushed into action after being cryogenically frozen in a vault while seeing your son taken from your wife’s arms and witnessing her death. You get to follow along with the story while participating in items like crafting and working on creating a new world from the ground up. It’s ideal for those who love to craft.
7. Red Dead Redemption 2
Our final recommendation is Red Dead Redemption 2, an open-world game set in a Western universe. It’s the prequel to the first game of the same name. You play as an outlaw gang member, traveling through various narratives and exploring a fantastic world filled with action and detail.
There’s even an exciting bounty meter that can grow and build depending on what you do in the game, raising the stakes as you play. It’s a great form of escapism for those needing action and adventure to take their mind off the moment.
Final Thoughts
There are ample video game selections on the market if you want escapism, but these seven are our favorite. These are sure to provide an incredible experience that will help you lie back and relax.
We hope this information is valuable as you search for an effective way to escape reality! The real world can be a bummer, so it’s always excellent to have a way to run away from the world if you need a moment to take a break. Whether you want something peaceful or thrilling, there is sure to be something here for you.
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