Share the five games you would take to a desert island and why for $7

Ford James · 2023-11-07T12:07:32.240Z

Imagine you're destined to spend the rest of your days on a desert island, but you've brought any gaming systems you like with you, along with five games. The question is simple: what five games do you choose? To get some potential questions out of the wa...

Samuel 11/13/2023, 10:40:49 AM

The five games that I would take with my magic console (with reasons at the bottom) are: War Thunder The Crew Motorfest Red Dead Redemption II Beatsaber GTA V

Number 1: War Thunder

I absolutely love War Thunder's uniqueness as being the best (Although troubled) MMO game that features all sorts of military vehicles. Being stuck on the island means that the grind won't be as bad anymore!

But the uniqueness of the game, - especially the damage models - the massive expanse of vehicles to play and great immersion (Gameplay x graphics) means that I'll be content enough with this game whilst stuck on the Island.

Number 2: The Crew Motorfest This game is definitely in my list. I love the adrenaline rush of controlling marvels of engineering flying through the air or whizzing past at breakneck speeds on the ground. The nice island-sized map will really get me thinking of things whilst I'm stuck on mine... if only I had a Porsche now.... and the game really improved on many of the shortcomings of The Crew 2. The option to either fly or sail across the waters makes for unlimited options, and the track builder lets people try out all of their favourite tracks and combinations.

Number 3: Red Dead Redemption II

Does this even need an introduction? It's hands down one of the greatest games of all time, and I haven't even spent enough time to take in its true beauty... something I've been longing to do for a very long time. This desert island has given me just the opportunity.

This is the true benchmark for open-world games, with its rich narrative complex characters, and a wide list of things to do; intense shootouts, horseback chases or being cleared out in poker. These things themselves could be their games on their own, and them all being incorporated into one game, a fantastic game at that, would be perfect.

Number 4: Beat Saber

Beat saber... This is definitely on my list. As long as I actually have a VR set lmao Music has always been a passion, and Beat Saber is the perfect change of rhythm to the rest of the games, pun intended! The game is just addictive for me, and I can't get enough until I've mastered everything to perfection with absolute precision. Why? Because the game is just blimmin awesome, that's why!

Number 5: Grand Theft Auto V

I'll be honest, if I were in the comfort of my own home, I'd have taken a massive list of games before GTA:V, but something stood out more to me than the rest of them for my precarious desert island situation - It's an absolute juggernaut in the gaming world, and for good reason too! It's basically a giant sandbox island where you can do whatever you want. It strikes the balance between a gripping storyline (Not as good as GTA:IV) and the freedom to cause absolute mayhem and chaos in the sandbox environment, whilst the constant updates and mods keep things fresh and new....

Let's just hope that the internet is a decent speed... and somewhere near the US so I can have a decent server too!

Ford JamesMod11/13/2023, 11:06:55 AM

Samuel

Ha, don't worry about the internet connection - I've got you covered!

To get some potential questions out of the way: yes, any online games can magically be connected to the internet, player population is always healthy so you won't struggle connecting to the internet, and your console(s) of choice can never break.

Letitia Lemon 11/12/2023, 10:47:50 AM

I would probably want a mix of games for longevity, to keep me playing them and finding new things to do but also comfort games that I know I won't get bored of going back to.

My first choice would be Fallout 4, I play it a lot, I stream it a lot and I do challenge runs in this game- providing me with many different ways to play and different curiosities about the mechanics and what exactly is or isn't possible. Plus with mods, it adds even more variety and new content to try out too! I've become well known for my love of Fallout 4 so it'd be criminal for me to NOT take it.

I'd probably take Baldur's Gate 3 next- again for longevity and for playing in so many different ways, utilising the different classes and different dialogue options to really give a unique feel to every playthrough. With games that have such immersive and memorable storytelling and characterization, it'll be easy to let the hours just slip away.

Another RPG that I'd take would be Final Fantasy XII. Not necessarily for the longevity this time but because it is actually a comfort game for me. XII was the first Final Fantasy that I felt compelled to beat and I just love the characters, the story, the setting... everything about it is what got me hooked on the RPG genre in the first place.

A second comfort game I'd take is the game that made me a gamer in the first place- Ratchet and Clank. That game I've played more than any other game EVER and I never get bored of it. It's so relaxing to just play something that you know so well and just be good at it. On days where I just need to let my brain switch off for a bit and vibe, I'd play Ratchet and Clank in a heartbeat.

The last game I'd take would probably be Pokemon Legends Arceus just because it's Pokemon and it's such a cozy franchise to play whenever you want. Legends Arceus was so different to other games in the franchise and it has such satisfying gameplay that could be fun for unique challenge runs... or for trying to get a complete shiny dex. There's some length to the game if you want to complete everything in it so it can take some time to get it done before even factoring in the challenge runs!

I'm honestly surprised my whole list didn't end up being RPG's, but the urge was there because you'd obviously want games that you can play for a long time and RPG's have that versatility of different options and playstyles while also having the lengthy story and side quests, but sometimes some platformers or cozy games can help to pass the time in a more relaxed way too. Honourable mentions to Dragon's Dogma and Skyrim though, for they would've been my 4th and 5th choices to round out a full RPG list.

Lanah Tyra 11/11/2023, 8:06:48 PM

Final Fantasy XIV: my obvious first choice, being stranded on a deserted island finally I could finish all the content I didn't have time for so far! Also Yoshi-P promised to keep going for another 10 years, so that will keep me entertained for a while.

Battle Chess: I'll join the aspiring chess grandmasters with this gem from the 80s which I loved to play with. Each figure has a unique animation when they defeat an other which was pretty cool feature among all the simple 2D chess programs back in the day.

Final Fantasy XII: it's the first Final Fantasy I bought for myself so it will always have a special place in my heart. There are many class combinations you can play and different skillsets to try, would love to spend more time exploring some not so strong but fun ways to build up the party.

EVE Online: never had the time to play it, but it's an amazing game with good reputation and still going strong, so probably this would be a good time to get into it (and then I could write more bounty entries for Just About ;) )

Final Fantasy XVI: love the game, it looks beautiful, the voice acting is amazing, I could listen to those voices for years. Different skill setups to try and maybe with all that time on my hands I could actually do some progress in arcade mode.

(Only 3 of my answers ended up being Final Fantasy, I'm shocked XD)

Ford JamesMod11/13/2023, 11:09:08 AM

Lanah Tyra

Hey, Lanah Tyra, have you ever played a Final Fantasy game? It seems like a series that might be up your street :D

Jokes aside, love the commitment to EVE! Plenty of JAEO members who would no doubt lend you a hand learning the ropes too.

Lanah Tyra 11/13/2023, 7:09:14 PM

Ford James

I saw my mates playing it when I was at uni and it looked super cool, but I was already playing 2 mmos at the time so I tried to be sensible and stick with those. Maybe it will be still running when I get to retire and then I'll jump in :D

Schadsquatch 11/8/2023, 8:47:38 PM

Dwarf Fortress - Endless replayability, and it has so much depth and craziness that you can get lost in your little fortress forever.

Crusader Kings 3 - Again, lots of replayability, and it offers interactive story telling that has real world implications for your own characters/families. Need something like this to fill the void of having nobody else on the island.

EVE Online - I have been playing a TON of EVE in the past few years. Definitely needed so that I can pass the mundanity of each day. Might as well sit at the Nourvu gate or mine some rocks while I'm waiting to be saved.

Banjo and Kazooie - This brings back lots of fond memories for myself. I would love to go back and replay this from start to finish. As a completionist, this game fills that itch very succinctly.

Factorio - I need something to build! If its not a bamboo shelter or a fishing net, I might as well work on my factory!

Philip 11/7/2023, 12:41:56 PM

No Man's Sky - It's my favourite game. The exploration potential is limitless and having put a couple of thousand hours into it and still loving it, I'm sure it will continue to keep me entertained. Also if you are stuck on an island, what would be more freeing than the ability to explore the universe? This would be my chill game.

Chess.com - I've been getting into Chess lately, and I'm thinking that if I have all the time in the world I may as well become a Chess Grandmaster. Casually among friends I usually kick ass with Chess. But since getting the app I've realized I'm a little fish in a big pond, and there are a lot of really clever opponents out there.

The Sims - Assuming I'm all alone perhaps I'd enjoy simulating normal every day life. The Sims is a good game and it'd give me all the thrills of the suburban rat race I'm missing out on. Plus if I'm stuck on an island I'd probably need to build a shelter, so I can practice my design skills on The Sims, before building my desert island home.

Minecraft - This is another game with limitless potential. If I'm gonna have a ton of time on my hands I could build all sorts of amazing things in Minecraft. I could build epic tree houses, castles , villages and epic long train tracks. There is some socialisation options in the realms so I could have death matches or team builds with friends. I could also finally learn how to do all the interesting redstone tricks.

Super Smash Bros - I gotta have a combat game in the mix, though I'm awful at FPS games. I've always enjoyed Smash Brothers, so I'll bring it along and play as Yoshi. Gotta love the ability to use his tongue like a frog to eat other players and then poop them off the edge of cliffs as eggs. Its a cute game and I like how it has heaps of unlockable features.

So this is my list. Just hope I get rescued, cause even though these games are fun I'd miss family.

Ford JamesMod11/7/2023, 1:39:07 PM

Philip

Minecraft would definitely be on mine too, and Chess is a great shout. Which Sims game would you go for, the first? Or one of the more recent ones - there's so much DLC for The Sims 4, it could keep you going for ages.

Philip 11/7/2023, 6:12:15 PM

Ford James

I haven't played Sims for a while. Though I enjoyed the Sims 4. If there's a more recent one I could go with that.