I LOVE video games. Actually, video games is something that brought me in to the world of information technologies and eventually, cybersecurity. Everything have started from self-hosting Counter-Strike 1.6 game servers for the friends and friends of friends. Every step was a certain challenge at that time: config files, network, NATing, ports, buying static IP from the ISP etc. A lot of time has passed, but I still love games and like to spend couple of hours of my free time to enjoy the new worlds created by variety of talented people. There are few games that I love and can recommend you to try as they are not only entertaining, but also help to expand the mind, but also propose a different way of thinking and problem solving:
Title: Portal & Portal 2
Steam: https://store.steampowered.com/app/400/Portal/, https://store.steampowered.com/app/620/Portal_2/
Description: Beautiful games, both worth playing, first game is more like a demo of Portal 2, but still worth completing. Portal 2 itself a masterpiece of gameplay, visual style and storytelling. The game is not that difficult, though it is puzzle-platform game, if I beat the game, everyone can. Moreover, the game also has a cooperative mode to play with your loved ones (but don’t curse each other, when someone put the portal in the wrong place 🙂
Title: The Talos Principle & The Talos Principle 2
Steam: https://store.steampowered.com/app/835960/The_Talos_Principle_2/
Description: The game concept is similar to Portal series, but it comes with more philosophical kind of questions, such as “What is the meaning of life?”. Absolutely worth trying, great game with interesting mechanics and thrilling plot.
Title:Â Factorio
Steam:Â https://store.steampowered.com/app/427520/Factorio/
Description: 10 more minutes… aaaand, sunrise behind the window – this is what Factorio is about. Starting with simple 1-layer automation, then growing in to the system of tens of thousands mechanisms interacting with each other, the game pulls you in immediately.If you like automation, problem solving, architect insanely big systems with complex network of connections, the game is for you! Interesting fact is that mostly Software Developers and Automation Engineers are especially in love with the game. There is a new expansion “Space Age” coming out soon, another reason to start exploring the game. Must try, don’t want to spoil anything, just go and play. The factory must grow, the factory must grow…
Title: Superliminal
Steam: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1049410/Superliminal/
Description: The most mind blowing game from the list! This game actually makes you to look at the problem from the different angle (literally and figuratively). Quite a short game, won’t take more than 4-5 hours of your time, but the level of creativity of the challenges and the little crazy vibe will leave good impressions.
Title:Â The Witness
Steam:Â https://store.steampowered.com/app/210970/The_Witness/
Description:
Very chill puzzle game with relaxing atmosphere, interesting challenges with tricky mechanics, where you need sometime to understand on how to find the solution, when you encounter a new set of puzzles. Nothing much to add, nice game to relax after hard working day.
In the end, video games, like any form of entertainment, are about balance. They can be a source of inspiration, a tool for learning, and a way to relax. Just don’t make them as your drugs and only one way to spend your time 🙂