With many in quarantine, not knowing how to spend their weekend, there are many factors you can use on a digital level to suppress your boredom and gain an entertained attitude. When it comes to indoor activities one subject may come to mind; games and the abundant potential they have to make time fly by. Many of these kinds of apps receive major popularity; recognition which intrigues its audience to either purchase or download. 

Many of these popular apps and games have come and gone, but which ones have been leaving a mark today? Which ones universally capture their audience and keep you playing, and don’t seem to be dying anytime soon? Look no further, as here are the top apps and games sure to keep occupied.

Madden NFL 21 (EA Games)

To kick off the list, let’s start with one of the many popular sports franchises simulating the gameplay and techniques behind the NFL (National Football League). Sporting many similarities from its previous titles, Madden 21 brings its audience a clean and polished game with up to date team stats and a career mode (Face Of The Franchise). With over 2,400,000 consistent players, it is quite safe to say that it isn’t going anywhere anytime soon.

“It brings all of the essentials from the previous games, yet it improves on them in many ways. The game also makes you use better strategies in order to play against a tricky opponent,” senior Cameron Thagard said.

Among Us (Inner Sloth)

Releasing in 2018, this app has received quite the enormous spike in popularity both due to immense entertainment and how accessible it is. The game plays out as a typical murder mystery, but with a creative twist. There are two sides to the coin that the game presents to you, crewmate and imposter. Crewmates spend the game completing tasks, and most importantly, figuring out who the imposter amongst them is. Imposters kill the other crewmates whilst also sabotaging their actions. 

“It’s simplicity and accessibility is probably what makes this game such a joy to play through. It is a great app to play when you want to kill time with your friends,” junior Justin Reid said

Rocket League (Psyonix)

When this 2015 title changed its price to that of no expense last month, its popularity rose to a great extent. This brings a strange twist to the sport of soccer, replacing the players with cars. The rules play out the same as soccer would, with fouls being replaced with explosions. Aggressively pursuing another playing, and completing an action which would be considered a foul in the real sport, explodes the player of interest. This can bring some excitement and game changing outcomes as you progress through the game.

“It’s difficulty is immense, raising the skill cap greatly. But that is probably what makes it so fun,” junior Lucian Davis said.

Minecraft (Mojang)

Despite being over ten years old, Minecraft still thrives in entertaining its audience by frequently updating the game, and in all, allowing its players to use their creativity to their full extent. Both being able to purchase as a game on a console, pc, or as an app on any mobile device. The game starts as a simple building sandbox that slowly over time turns into an ecstatic adventure filled with enemies and bosses. It isn’t a short game either, so you shall be guaranteed a great time for many hours.

“I love how the game pushes you to use your creativity even after beating it. The fact that the game progresses at your own needed pace is what keeps me playing,” junior Andy Litle said.

Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War (Treyarch)

This latest installment of the Call of Duty franchise (or COD for short) has been an instant hit with the fans and new players alike. Now taking its setting back to the 1980’s during the cold war, you have the choice between a multiplayer experience with friends or a solo campaign. Polishing and and refixing the past mistakes of other black ops games, Cold War feels refreshing to play. Not only this, but future expansions on multiplayer will be free as well, such as the very popular and anticipated release of the zombies gamemode.

“The multiplayer is definitely more fun than the previous games; and the campaign has a gripping story that easily gets you glued to the story. They did something right with this installment,” junior Bryce Olive said.

Despite the larger titles asking for quite the pretty penny, they deserve the money they get. These timeless additions to digital gameplay have kept its players entertained and relaxed during the tough times society has found themselves in. To take their minds off of the grief that has been brought by the current pandemic.

“Video games have played an essential part in distracting me from Covid whilst also allowing me to keep myself entertained,” Reid said.