Stuck at home with no place else to go? You’re not alone. On this restrained episode of the Popzara Podcast join Nathan Evans, Cory Galliher and Ethan Brehm dig deep into their collective backlogs and favorites to compile a comprehensive list of the best games and movies worth playing and watching to help battle the quarantine blues. Also, get ready for a bit of much-needed silliness and frivolity as the guys completely lose control and go with the flow.
Hey, just because you’re sequestered doesn’t mean you can’t have a little fun.
From just-released blockbusters like DOOM: Eternal, Animal Crossing: New Horizons, Nioh 2, Ori and the Will of the Wisps, and countless indie hits there’s plenty of new classics to download and enjoy without having to leave your comfy couches. Whether you prefer console, PC or mobile gaming there’s plenty of interactive goodness to check out right now.
Or maybe you’re one of those retail hoarders with stacks of unplayed (and probably unopened) physical games (i.e. the backlog) that could use some attention? Massive hits like Assassin’s Creed (Origins and Odyssey), The Witcher 3, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, Gears 5, Super Mario Odyssey, Ion Fury and hundreds of others are just waiting for you to discover (or rediscover) their greatness.
But there’s more – lots more. All-you-can eat buffet gaming services like Game Pass and PS Now, not to mention the many flash sales offering fresh and classic games at bargain-bin prices, will help make those gaming bucket lists dwindle away. If you’re not in the mood to actually play any of these games yourselves, there’s always Twitch and Mixer.
On the movie side of things, it’s all streaming, all the time! Which is just the thing when you’re trapped inside with some time to kill. With major Hollywood companies opting to release their theatrical movies online, rather than prematurely expire at a non-existent box-office, you’re now able to enjoy titles like Onward, Harley Quinn: Birds of Prey, The Invisible Man, The Hunt, Emma and more online ready to buy or stream right now.
And speaking of streaming services, maybe start whittling down those abandoned Netflix, Hulu, Disney+ and Amazon Prime Video queues? Many of last year’s most prestigious award contenders are – or were – already available, like The Irishman, Marriage Story, and The Farewell. Or maybe give smaller-tiered streaming services like Shudder, IMDB, Crackle or Plex a try? Many are free or offer trial subscriptions so there’s no need to commit for the long term.
Or maybe you’ve been waiting to catch up with a few classics? Or maybe classic directors? Quarantine is as good an excuse as any to complete those long-neglected checklists of classic films and their directors, meaning Quentin Tarantino and Alfred Hitchcock are in good company. Like genres? As it happens, horror is a particularly good choice for nonsensical viewing, especially those horror/comedy classics like Return of the Living Dead (1985), Re-Animator (also 1985), the Evil Dead trio (or TV show), and even 1988’s little-seen remake of The Blob. Conan the Barbarian or Destroyer? RoboCop to the rescue? There’s always room for C.H.U.D.!
There’s plenty to play and/or watch in these trying times, but you’ll make it through. We’ll make it through. Get ready to not just survive, but thrive as you battle quarantine fatigue in style and keep your brain entertained. Above all else – stay safe.
