The worlds that video games will take you to are as diverse as the enemies you’ll fight, the characters you’ll control, or even the plots you’ll experience. Fromfar-off planetsto historical time periods of our own, a setting can make or break a game.
Sometimes, when you are thinking of which game to play next, you’ll want something a little less grim; something more sunny, serene, maybe even something more tropical? Well, you’re in luck, there are plenty of games that take you to tropical, even island, destinations. Here are some of the best of them out there currently.
9Tropico 6
It’s Good To Be… President
Running a country can’t be an easy thing. But it has to help that it’s a tropical country though, right? The aptly namedTropico 6puts that to the test. It’s a sim game that maygive you a job, but it allows you to have fun with it too.
Tropico 6 is revolutionary for its attention to detail in the simulation of a political entity, and, for now, being able to even chain other tropical islands together all under one flag. There are far worse countries to run.
WhileFar Cryhas been around for decades now, and hopped in and out of the tropics during it, none have hit as hard asFar Cry 3. Completely revamping the series, Far Cry 3 throws you headfirst onto the Rook Islands in the Pacific.
While it all starts off as a tropical getaway, things don’t take long to turn sour. The beautiful scenery is at odds with the gruesome gameplay and horrific nature that Vaas and his compatriots put you through.
A twist on the long-standing Yakuza series,Like A Dragon: Infinite Wealthpulls you from the busy streets of Japan and instead plops you onto the beautiful beaches of Honolulu, Hawaii. What you do there is somewhat up to you.
But expect lots of money spending, shenanigans, fights, Segway rides, and even claw machine minigames. It’s definitely an odd game, but well worth your time if you like the randomness of the Yakuza series. Who said long walks on the beach had to be boring?
6Donkey Kong Country
A Gorilla Named Donkey
A blast from the past. While many gamers may know Donkey Kong from more recent games like Mario Party, theDonkey Kong Countryseries established him as a character. Jumping, rolling, and even riding animals from platform to platform as you try to collect the most bananas and avoid obstacles.
It may seem like a simplistic idea for a game, but it’s quite fun. Plus, the scenic and lush jungle you move through never seems to get old with its bright colors and array of animal friends. Give it a try, and you’ll have a new appreciation for Donkey Kong and his family.
Not every tropical setting can be all fun and games, andDead Islandproves that in spades. Sure, there’s a beautiful island resort to explore, but the zombies though… Dead Island was the foundational start to the series that has brought zombie killing to the forefront of gamers’ minds.
While you’re fighting off hordes of zombies, you’ll come across the game’s new physics, customizable weapons, and some impressive locations to explore. Dead Island never ceases to amaze with everything it packs into one island.
Sea of Thieveshas a lot to bring you into the fold, not the least of which is its well-rendered setting. It may look somewhat cartoonish, but don’t let that fool you. The setting is varied, dynamic, and definitely tropical.
One minute you’ll be playing instruments with friends and the next you’ll be fighting off a giant shark and a literal skeleton crew of pirates. It’s a game with a lot under its sleeves, but one that isn’t overwhelming either.
3Just Cause 2
An Explosive Island Getaway
In the genre of open-world games, you may certainly go explore poisonous swamps or alien planets, but what about a quiet tropical country of Panau? Well,Just Cause 2has you covered with plenty of chaos to keep you entertained as well.
There are plenty of different biomes for you to travel through, each with that tropical feel to them that makes it all the more fun to tear down the regime that you find taking over the area. There are definitely worse places to be a rebel.
2Monkey Island
Laughter And Sandy Beaches
A classic game that, as the name implies, is set on some rather serene islands. While your character’s goal of becoming a pirate is arduous, it’s varied at least. While Threepwood goes about his journey, it’s pretty consistently filled with wacky characters, impressive jokes, and some nice scenery to boot.
It’s a wacky story that you may only find in the Monkey Island series. Monkey Island was foundationalfor modern humorgames and what they bring to the table nowadays. So if you want great laughs and beautiful weather, then this is a game to check out.
1Assassin’s Creed 4: Black Flag
Batten Down The Hatches
No tropical game list would be complete without the addition of a cult classic among pirate games.Assassin’s Creed: Black Flagchanged what the series had to offer, to the point where many players miss the high seas adventures of the old days.
Build your own ship, become a master assassin, and most importantly learn your trade across the West Indies. There are so few games that really make you step back in awe at locations like Black Flag manages to do. Better start memorizing some sea shanties.
