As America prepares for a long, restful weekend of celebrations, grilling and fireworks, it's only appropriate that we also look back on the ideals that characterized our Founding Fathers; ideals like independence, a sense of justice, and that all-important revolutionary spirit. So here's a selection of games that'll let you indulge your revolutionary side. They're all great choices should you find yourself with a few hours to kill over the weekend.
What better way to fight the power than by striking out on your own? Westward 3 gives you an approachable, witty glimpse into the pioneer lifestyle of the earliest of Americans. Can you establish your own settlement, fight off bandits, and make your own gold rush fortune? Westward's likeable characters will take you through the process of collecting resources, laying out buildings, and making sure your town's inhabitants are running at peak efficiency.
Not only is this casual reworking of the legendary Civilization series perfect for lazy Independence Day afternoons, it's even got the word "revolution" in the title. What more could you ask? It will even let you take the role of Honest Abe and establish your own America amid the politics, intrigue, and conflict of thousands of years of history -- and all with a console-friendly interface that couldn't be easier to use.
Is there anything more American than defending your home against hordes of zombie invaders? If there is, we don't want to know about it. Plants vs. Zombies sets you the task of planting your lawn with aggressive, zombie-killing plants in an attempt to hold off the ravenous undead. If that sounds bizarre, that's only the start. It's one of this year's most addictive games.
Liberty! The Road to Revolution
How much do you know about the origins of America? Test your knowledge with this trivia quiz based on a PBS documentary series, which will take you from the beginnings of the rebellion in Boston harbor all the way to the White House. That is, unless you think that the British creation that first sowed the seeds of dissent among the soon-to-be-Americans was "The Benny Hill Show." Hint: it wasn't.
Rock'n'roll has been flipping the bird to the establishment ever since the 50s, and Rock Band 2 brings the whole experience -- guitar, drums, bass, and vocals -- into your front room. Boasting a list of available anti-establishment anthems including The Clash's "I Fought The Law," The Who's "My Generation," Dead Kennedys' "California Uber Alles," and, of course, Squeeze's immortal tale of teenage disaffection, "Cool for Cats," it's the perfect way to make your 4th party go with a bang. Uh, until the cops come to break it up.
Sure, it's set in a dystopian future rather than a revolutionary past. But it's still one of the most critically-acclaimed games of the last decade. This compelling package includes the entire Half-Life 2 trilogy, a gripping shooter that plays out in a world subjugated by an invading alien force. Your mission -- should you choose to accept it -- is to inspire and lead the human resistance in an attempt to take back what's ours. And when you're done with that, fight the power again in Portal, the award-winning first-person puzzle game included in the box.
Is all this too flippant for you? Do you lie awake at night dreaming of being a general during the War of Independence, playing out historical victories with yourself in the starring role(s)? Who doesn't? Just-released Empire: Total War is a deep strategy game set during the 18th century, and features a special campaign that follows the story of early America from the first settlements to the War of Independence itself. Or, if you prefer, you can play the British and see if you can prevent the United States from ever existing. But that wouldn't be very patriotic.
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Posted: 2 Jul 2009
