n Video Games

Set in universe of Conan, a sandbox action game with survival features, developed by team at Norwegian Funcom, mostly known from its adventure cycle The Longest Journey and the Age of Conan MMORPG. We play as one of the many outcasts trying to survive in a brutal, hostile world. The gameplay of Conan Exiles doesnt differ from what we have seen in other productions from this genre, focusing on fighting, gaining experience, gathering food and resources to craft many useful parts of equipment or build a shelter, providing us with protection against all kind of dangers, including attacks of wild animals and other players. As most f the game revolves around multiplayer, we are allowed to join forces with other players while completing tasks or building shelters. The developers have also included a full-scale single player mode.

An official sequel to the 2013s sandbox action game by Undead Labs. The action of State of Decay 2 takes place in a post-apocalyptic open world after an outbreak of a zombie epidemic. While playing, we get a chance to led a group of survivors, each of whom has their own biography, skills, and character traits. We can freely switch between them while building a shelter, exploring the world, and searching nearby buildings for resources necessary for survival. Fighting zombies, we use various kinds of improvised weapons. The title features a character development system in which we can perfect our heroes by engaging in certain activities. Apart from the story campaign, the production offers an indefinite survival mode and a full-fledged multiplayer that allows up to four players to cooperate, each managing their own group.

A sandbox game that defies classification, developed by the independent Mojang AB studio. Minecraft has been developed with the intention of unleashing the creativity of players, who can freely change the games virtual world made from voxels (cubic blocks). The gameplay concentrates on terrain transformations, building structures, crafting items, and creating your own adventures. The game consists of two modes: a classic one, which allows for unending experience, and survival, in which we have to prepare to fend off monster assaults at night. In addition to single player, Minecraft also offers online multiplayer. The game from Mojang AB is distinguished by its unique retro visuals.

The fifth major installment in the massively popular action game series developed by Rockstar North in cooperation with Take Two Interactive. Grand Theft Auto V is set in a fictional city of Los Santos (based on Los Angeles). The story revolves around adventures of three characters: Michael De Santa, Trevor Philips, and Franklin Clinton, men infamous for brushing up against the law. The games creators stayed true to the franchise tradition of sandbox gameplay model, giving players an unparalleled freedom of choice when it comes to completing missions and moving around the virtual city. The games budget amounted to 360 million dollars, a record number for a video game.

The third installment in a popular first person shooter franchise. This game was developed by Ubisoft Montreal Studios in cooperation with Ubisoft Shanghai, Ubisoft Reflections, and Massive Entertainment. The protagonist of Far Cry 3 is Jason Brody, whose vacation unexpectedly turns into a fight for survival. Jason and his friends land on an island occupied by psychopathic pirates. He has to free his friends from the hands of the madmen and find a way back to civilization. As befits a purebred FPS, the gameplay is filled with shootouts, in which you use many different weapons. The game offers nearly complete freedom when it comes to exploration, combat tactics, and execution of various missions.

The fourth installment of the extremely popular series of sandbox FPP action games. In accordance with the Ubisofts policy, the production was developed by several internal development studios led by Ubisoft Montreal and Ubisoft Shanghai. Once again players have the opportunity to assume the role of a protagonist forced to face numerous enemies and obstacles all by himself. At his disposal, however, is a considerable arsenal of firearms and melee weapons. The creators remained true to the well-proven gameplay scheme, allowing the gamers to explore vast locations and complete task with an unparalleled degree of freedom. On the technical side, Far Cry 4 fully employs the potential of the constantly improved Dunia Engine, providing high-quality audiovisuals and realistic physics.

A first-person perspective (FPP) sandbox survival horror game. The Forest is the work of an independent studio SKS Games, known mainly for the smartphone hit, End Night. The player assumes the role of a sole survivor of a plane crash. The hero ends up on an isolated island far away from civilization, inhabited by a tribe of cannibalistic mutants. The gameplay focuses on the exploration of land (forest, caves, etc.), survival skills (building a shelter, searching for food, setting traps, etc.), and fighting or avoiding confrontation with opponents. The creators have made an effort to create a lively, fast-changing world, allowing for great freedom of action. As for the technical side, The Forest utilizes Unity 4 engine.

Another installment in the popular series of action adventure games, once again developed by Crystal Dynamics, the studio that brought us the successful reboot of the franchise. In terms of plot, the game continues the story arcs started in the previous part. Again we accompany the young, although tougher and more ruthless, Lara Croft. Unlike in the previous game, this time we visit different parts of the world, exploring larger and more open places. As for the mechanics, the production combines the survival aspects of its predecessor with the exploration of the many tombs and catacombs, which is the hallmark of the series. The gameplay is therefore full of numerous stealth elements as well as purely arcade sequences, including open exchanges of fire. Lara also uses a number of brand new weapons and gadgets. Designed for eighth-generation console, the production features high-quality graphics, which represents an important rise in quality as compared to the previous parts of the series.

Action games. Wide category of games that require reflex, accuracy and agility. It includes, among other things, shooters (e.g. Call of Duty and Battlefield series) and action-adventure games (Tomb Raider). First and third person perspective (FPP/TPP) is used. In most cases we are playing as a character who has to defeat some enemies and reach a specific point. We can use a wide range of weapons, including pistols, rocket launchers, swords, knives and like. Action-adventure is a particular category within action games genre. Such titles put less emphasis on action and combat, focusing more on story, exploration and puzzles.

The foundations of PC as a gaming platform are currently systems of digital distribution of video games (Steam, Origin, Uplay) and MMO games that mostly work in f2p (free-to-play) model.

A TPP sandbox action game, based on the cult film franchise by George Miller. The production was developed by Swedish studio Avalanche in collaboration with Warner Bros. Interactive. The plot of Mad Max is not an adaptation of the blockbuster movie, presenting instead a completely separate story set in a post-apocalyptic world in the near future. Players get an opportunity to assume the role of the titular character. After losing his legendary V8 Interceptor, the hero traverses the wasteland in search of parts needed to construct a new vehicle. The creators provided the players with a large degree of freedom when it comes to exploration of the game world; they are also given a host of side quests to choose from. The visual side of Mad Max is a clear reference to the distinctive aesthetics of the movie.

The fourth installment in a best-selling action game franchise. The title was developed by Rockstar North Studios under the supervision of Chris Sawyer. The protagonist of Grand Theft Auto IV is Niko Bellic, an immigrant from Eastern Europe who recently came to America, where he starts a career in the criminal underground. The sandbox gameplay model gives the player much freedom in exploration of Liberty City, a virtual metropolis, where you can move around using various vehicles (cars, motorbikes, and helicopters, among others). How the story unfolds depends on the players choices regarding order in which the missions are completed. Apart from single player gameplay, Grand Theft Auto IV offers online or LAN multiplayer for up to 32 people.

Far Cry 5 is the fifth installment of the first-person action game series from Ubisoft. Unlike the previous installments of the series that took place in various exotic locations, Far Cry 5 takes the players to Montana, one of the least populated states of the USA. We play as a police officer (we can choose our characters gender and customize his/her looks) whose job is to infiltrate and destroy a crime organization that works under the cover of a fanatical cult led by the charismatic Joseph Seed who believes in a ruthless and sadistic way of dealing with enemies. In terms of gameplay, Far Cry 5 offers the biggest open world in the history of the series. Thus, vehicles play an important role here. It is filled with various side and main quests and other additional activities. The game offers a wide range of weapons for us to use and a rather complex crafting system. We also will be able to tame wild animals to make them fight on our side.

A Wild-West-themed MMO game by 612 Games, inspired by the multiplayer mode of the popular Red Dead Redemption by Rockstar Games. Wild West Online is set in a vast open world, where you try to survive and try your hand at various activities. You can play as bandits or law officers; the players can create gangs and rob banks and steal from or kill encountered people. But you can also choose a different career and become e.g. a farmer or a gold prospector. Its worth noting that each such profession has its influence on the in-game world, affecting, among other things, the economy. This Wild West life simulation game also features an expansive crafting system, and you can unlock schematics allowing you to create tools or weapons.

A third-person action game focusing on cooperative gameplay. It was developed by the Polish division of Epic Games (formerly known as People Can Fly). The action of Fortnite takes place in a world haunted by zombie-like demons. The players assume the role of operators whose task is to stop the monsters that invade the Earth through a network of portals. The gameplay is divided into two phases during the day, we have to build a stronghold that repels demon attacks at night. The gameplay mostly involves searching for materials, constructing fortifications, and fighting enemies. The game is distributed in free-to-play business model, offering some additional facilities for optional fee.

A new installment in the bestselling series of action games. The game expands the ideas introduced in the third entry in the franchise, released in 2001. The game was developed by the authors of the previous installments who, after having been bought by the American giant, were transformed into Rockstar North. The game takes place in the 80s in a completely new metropolis called Vice City. The player becomes Tommy Vercetti, who was sent by his boss to establish a foothold in the city while taking care of the local gangs and corrupted police. The game has similar mechanics to its predecessor and focuses mostly on completing various non-linear story missions. Grand Theft Auto: Vice City added some new features, such as the possibility to use motorcycles and helicopters. The graphics, inspired by aesthetics of the 80s, were greatly improved as well. During the game, the player is accompanied by a varied soundtrack broadcast by several different radio stations.

A first person shooter set in science-fiction world, developed by the team of Epic Games studio, led by James Schmalz and Cliff Bleszinski. We play as a convict whose prison ship crashes on an unknown planet Na Pali, ruled by a hostile Skaarj race. Their representatives took over control of the planet and enslaved its inhabitants. To help them and escape from this dangerous place, the protagonist will have to travel through many different locations and face hordes of distinctive, intelligent monsters. Unreals biggest asset was its game engine – the original Unreal Engine, which could generate graphics of previously unseen quality and support multiplayer matches, offering five different game modes.

A post-apocalyptic action game inspired by the science-fiction books by the Strugatsky brothers. It was developed by Ukrainian studio GSC Game World, known for Codename: Outbreak as well as Cossacks and the American Conquest game series. As a result of blowing up of the sarcophagus protecting the damaged nuclear reactor in Chernobyl, radioactive dust covered a vast portion of the surrounding areas. This led not only to the death of a large part of plants and animals living there, but also the emergence of hideous mutations and a variety of deadly anomalies. The player takes on the role of one of the stalkers, a group of men who venture into the contaminated zone years after the catastrophe, in search of valuable items, plants, and artifacts. The game combines elements of tactical first-person shooters, adventure games, and RPGs. Players are given a vast terrain completely open for exploration, a wide arsenal of customizable weapons, and a full spectrum of unique enemies with different abilities. The games non-linear story offers 7 alternative endings.

The seventh major installment in the Ubisofts best-selling action game series. Plotwise, Assassins Creed: Empire is a sort of prequel to the entire series, taking players so far back in time as none other installment did – to the ancient Egypt, long before the two opposing orders of Assassins and Templars were founded. Players play the part of a slave, a distant ancestor to Altair – the protagonist of the first Assassins Creed. Concerning mechanics, the title does not differ significantly from previous installments of the series, still being primarily an adventure game, supplemented with action sequences and carefully planned assassinations. The game world was, of course, with reverence typical of the franchise, adapted to the new setting, bringing back things like the possibility to mount animals or use boats. On the technical side, Empire is said to avoid relying on the achievements of previous installments, while our area of activity is approximately three times larger than what was offered by Assassins Creed IV.

Fortnite: Battle Royale is a free-to-play multiplayer action game developed by Epic Games. The game is based on the battle royale formula and is similar to e.g. PlayerUnknowns Battlegrounds. A hundred players are transported onto an island with almost nothing in their inventory. A player is tasked with finding or looting weapons, traps, and other pieces of gear. The game offers players much leeway – one can run around and shoot as much as he likes, nonetheless, he can also assume the stealth approach, hide in an appropriate spot and eliminate the foes with a sniper rifle. Additionally, one can acquire more resources from buildings, trees, etc. and use them to construct numerous objects such as stairs, covers, and bridges. The only objective a player is tasked with is staying alive until the end of a match. This task is even more difficult due to the fact that the battlefield shrinks continuously. The game has been based on Unreal Engine technology, also used in the production processes of such games as Final Fantasy VII Remake and Tekken 7.

PC (Personal computer) – one of the most popular home platforms and the only one which doesnt offer playing video games as its main purpose. PC was born in the 1970s, but it is impossible to give an exact moment of its birth or even a name of its creator. However, IBM is the one who gave computers their present shape, using, at the beginning of the 1980s, an idea of open architecture which is today one of the most important differences between computers and consoles.

The seventh installment in the controversial Grand Theft Auto series one of the most popular game franchises in history that brought Rockstar Games company international fame. The series has been letting the player start as a petty criminal and work his way to the top of the criminal underground. This next part of the series is the biggest one so far, featuring world the State of San Andreas almost three times larger than Vice City. Among many innovations, there are several thing worthy of mention: improved AI of civilians, option to recruit gang members, increased number of interactive buildings, hunger factor, swimming, and new means of transportation (e.g. bicycles). On top of that, there game features numerous extra activities, highlighting the sandbox character of gameplay. The game features the atmosphere of the 1990s, apparent in both the graphics and the soundtrack available via the numerous in-game radio stations.

An extremely popular MOBA (Multiplayer Online Battle Arena) game, produced by Riot Games. League of Legends is set in Valoran, a fantasy world that has been torn by a bloody war for centuries. However, the opposing nations found another way of resolving disputes duels fought by their representatives in the arenas. The game has been designed with multiplayer mode in mind, based on rivalry between two teams composed of several people. Each player controls one character. The key to the victory lies in cooperation between the team members and the ability to make good use of the individual strengths of each character. The game is using free-to-play business model with optional micropayments for some items and features.