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Ask HN: What video games got you thinking about society this year?

10 points| epiphanitus | 5 years ago

I recently played through the original Deus Ex. The game had a storyline that was so good it felt at times like it wasn't a computer game but a novel that you happened to be able to play.

The authors don't shy away from the big questions, like: are humans really capable of governing themselves in a world of computers? Is technological progress worth sacrificing for social stability?

Though there are plenty of outlandish elements to it (secret societies, conspiracies etc) some parts of the game even seem oddly prescient today. There was civil strife, powerful AIs, income inequality - there was even a plague called the Grey Death and a limited supply of medicine that people were fighting over.

What video games got you thinking about society this year?

11 comments

order

Nekorosu|5 years ago

Just got Death Stranding on sale. Got hooked immediately. It fits very well into a social isolation theme.

qlk1123|5 years ago

Hollow Knight ... Spoilers

Although the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown is not as severe as Hallownest, the whole atmosphere does make me feel similar.

Also I wonder what was it like in the last few years of Pale King and his bugs who slowly losing their social functions, technology and cognition.

Steppschuh|5 years ago

Couldn't agree more. Hollow Knight is easily the best game I've ever played, topping even Zelda Breath of the Wild.

So much to explore, so challenging and so interesting lore. I'm really looking forward to Silksong.

meowzero|5 years ago

Last of Us 2. It has your standard zombie tropes. But playing it this year and experiencing the politics of Covid-19, the conflicts among the different groups felt more realistic to me.

alashley|5 years ago

Death Stranding (themes of loneliness/isolation/virtual connection), Persona 5 (themes of evil/corruption/abuse), The Last of Us 2 and Coffee Talk.

Melchizedek|5 years ago

Cobra Kai

Surprisingly good series that got me thinking about how cynical the world seems today compared to the 80's as the show is very faithful to the feel of the original Karate Kid.

pouta|5 years ago

Metal gear solid 2. More relevant now than ever. The game is practically a movie critiquing our social media society before it became one.

MeinBlutIstBlau|5 years ago

Fall Guys in that we all work as a team because its required for us to achieve our individual goals.

randfish|5 years ago

Disco Elysium really nails late stage capitalism.

dalmo3|5 years ago

If you go down that route, yes. But the writers managed to make fun of all sorts of political systems. Such a great game.