Top 10 Most Popular Games During the Quarantine

The prequel to “Mount & Blade: Warband” received an early access release in late March. Then again, early access may be a poor choice of words, as the announcement trailer dropped almost eight years ago. Within its first 24 hours online, “Bannerlord” accumulated upwards of 200,000 simultaneous players, marking Steam’s biggest launch of 2020. So, we’d say that it was worth the wait, even if there are still a few bugs that need to be patched up. Regardless, it’s easy to get lost in this action RPG’s open world for hours on end thanks to its gorgeously-rendered landscapes and slick combat system. Whether you’re engaged in a one-on-one fight or leading your clan into battle, slashing swords hasn’t felt this good in some time.

While it hasn’t been officially released yet, there’s a reason why the “Valorant” closed beta is currently the most-watched game on Twitch. Riot Games, the same developer behind “League of Legends,” has quite possibly created the next first-person shooter that’s bound to explode into a cultural phenomenon. Gameplay consists of two competing teams comprised of five agents with a diverse array of guns and abilities at their disposal. Being a tactical shooter, “Valorant” puts an emphasis on precise combat, meaning strategy will be your greatest weapon in battle. If you and your friends are looking for a new game to bond over while social distancing, early reviews have already compared this free-to-play title to the likes of “Overwatch” and “Counter-Strike.”

There was a gap of almost twelve years between “Doom 3” and the 2016 reboot. Fortunately, the wait for the next “Doom” game didn’t feel nearly as eternal. Whether you’re an old school fan of this FPS franchise or are just getting acquainted with the BFG, “Doom Eternal” delivers both a satisfying single-player campaign and a multiplayer experience that’ll keep you coming back. This is perhaps the most story-driven “Doom” title to date, diving into the franchise’s mythology like never before. If you’re a purist who just wants to shoot up the forces of Hell, though, don’t worry. “Eternal” offers no shortage of bloodsoaked mayhem and Hell has rarely looked so beautiful, even when you’re slicing enemies with the Doomblade.

For anyone looking to kill a few hours, days, or weeks, you can’t go wrong with this perennial sandbox game. Assuming you haven’t experienced the gamechanger that is “Minecraft” already, now’s as good a time as any to create a world of your own. If you stopped playing somewhere down the line, there are more than a few reasons to get back in the game. Many streamers are revisiting “Minecraft” due to the Bedrock Nether Update beta that dropped in March. This update introduces locations like the Warped Forest, Crimson Forest, and Soulsand valleys, as well as a variety of new blocks. Given everything going on in the real world now, it’s nice to escape to a place where the greatest threat is Zombie Pigmen.

Even if you were starting to get tired of all the battle royales dominating the market, you have to admit that these games are keeping people connected and providing an outlet to blow off some serious steam. “Call of Duty” recently capitalized on the battle royale fad with “Warzone,” which has garnered well over 50 million downloads since launching in March. All the old favorites have something relatively new to offer as well. “PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds” Season 7 is arriving just in time with numerous updates to the Vikendi map, most notably expanding Dino Park into Dinoland. And we’d be remiss if we didn’t address the chicken dinner in the room. “Fortnite Chapter 2” is still awesome and playing with Deadpool’s skin completes us.

Battle royales may not be your cup of tea, but perhaps we could interest you in a battle arena title. All these years later, MOBA fans still find themselves having the same debate: “League of Legends” or “Dota 2?” In late 2019, almost a decade after its initial release, “LoL” reportedly had more than 80 million monthly players. “Dota 2” might not have as many monthly players, which can likely be attributed to its more intricate gameplay. Of course, that’s also part of the reason why some defend “Dota 2” as the superior MOBA, making it currently the second-most played game on Steam. Whichever is more your speed, there’s nothing like an intense five-player match to forget about your worries.

“Destiny 2” remains somewhat polarizing, but this first-person shooter knows how to keep its loyal followers entertained. Bungie also knows how to draw in new players over two years later. In September 2019, a free-to-play version was released entitled “Destiny 2: New Light.” As if that’s not reason enough to finally give the game a shot, the Season of the Worthy commenced in March 2020 and will last until June. This tenth season revolves around a race against the clock to save the Last City yet again. Not only are the Trials of Osiris are back on a weekend basis, but expect to spend plenty of time at the Seraph Towers public events. Plus, who needs the Summer Olympics when you have the Guardian Games?

Remember when we mentioned that “Dota 2” was the second-most played game on Steam right now? Well, “Counter-Strike: Global Offensive” claims Steam’s top spot by a wide margin with over one million players. While this 2012 first-person shooter has always had followers, it recently ascended to another level of popularity, even surpassing its previous concurrent player record set in 2016. Part of this obviously has to do with the quarantine, but there are a few other factors that likely contributed to its resurgence. After introducing a free-to-play model and “Danger Zone” battle royale mode a while back, Valve really upped their game with Operation Shattered Web in November 2019. “CS: GO” has continued to evolve since then with new skins, map updates, and much more.

If there’s one game that’s been long overdue for a modern makeover, it’s “Final Fantasy VII.” Square Enix has rewarded our patience with a remake that’ll appease fans of the 1997 masterpiece, as well as newcomers who are ready to find out what the fuss has been all about. Naturally, the graphics have been given a huge upgrade with cutscenes that are as cinematic as video games get. Beyond its stunning surface, this is the definitive version of a classic with new story elements, stronger character arcs, and a more involving combat system. Many feared that the pandemic would spell trouble for this long-awaited game’s April release. Yet, not even Sephiroth himself could stop “FFVII” from selling a reported 12 million copies and counting.

“Animal Crossing: New Horizons” isn’t just a game that we all wanted. It’s a game that we all needed. For all those politicians who say that video games have a negative impact on young minds, mental health professionals have cited “New Horizons” as a therapeutic way to cope with the pandemic. With its comforting characters, soothing music, nonlinear gameplay, and a whole customizable island of possibilities at your disposal, this is the perfect game for anyone forced to stay inside. Even the game’s initial slow burn is welcome during these times. In Japan alone, the game has already sold at least 13 million copies and with each passing day, more and more people are finding new ways to expand their horizons.