Wingspan. 13 relaxing video games
- 13 Cozy Video Games for Hard Times
- The Sims 4
- Stardew Valley
- Animal Crossing: New Horizons
- Spiritfarer
- Flower
- Mutazione
- A Short Hike
- Haven
- Bastion
- Wingspan
- Death's Door
- Kena: Bridge of Spirits
Wingspan
- Genre: board game, card game
- Developer: Monster Couch
- Year: 2020
A long time ago, I accidentally came across The Big Year movie with Owen Wilson, Jack Black and Steve Martin. The plot was about a rather niche activity, or rather a hobby, which is bird watching. The heroes competed to see which one of them would see the most unique species throughout the year. Although ornithology is completely out of my range of interest, I watched this picture with real pleasure. Apart from absolutely amazing acting, it was this uncommon theme that made the entire movie so compelling.
The same is probably true of the game Wingspan , in which we develop our nature reserve by acquiring more bird species for it. It's an adaptation of a board game - so everything happens at an appropriately slow pace, and we're mainly concerned with collecting beautifully painted cards. The combination of the narrator's voice, the unhurried gameplay, and the theme that's so uncommon in games makes every session in Wingspan both interesting and delightful. It's like a good relaxing board game.
SHELTER SERIES
The Shelter series also fits in with the theme of animal games. In the previous installment of the series, we played as a female lynx and tried to provide for her offspring. Even before that, we did the same thing as a mom of baby badgers. There's a bit of survivalism in all of this as we try to hunt and protect the young from danger, but in reality, these are just engaging stories about motherhood.
Thanks to this original perspective, we are immediately curious and want to immerse ourselves more into this world. And while there's no shortage of warm, positive moments, one of the more original reviews suggests you stop playing after just five minutes. Why? Because only then will we not have to get through the trauma of the young ones dying or simply going away. The emotions can be really strong then. Shelter shows bluntly that nature can be as beautiful as cruel.
