Video game makers continuously strive to create virtual worlds that offer lifelike experiences. From taking a shower, gardening, or fishing, to going to a burger joint to have lunch, video games are filled with activities we are so familiar with from our day-to-day. And, obviously, that includes games! Some developers go above and beyond to create extensive minigames within video games. While some of these are just a simple means to an end to get items, others have the ability to draw you in and make you forget the main campaign of the game. Let’s have a look at three incredible minigames within video games that may just have you glued to the screen for hours – without progressing in the main story.
The Witcher 3: Gwent
It can be easy to forget that you should be out to save Ciri who is fleeing from the Wild Hunt when you’re playing a round of Gwent in The Witcher 3. The strategic card game is one of the most captivating minigames within a game that isn’t just a lot of fun but will have you scratching your head to work out the best strategy to beat your opponent and possibly snatch his card or win some cash. It can be found across The Witcher 3 and the more opponents you beat, the better your deck will get. The card game is incredibly entertaining and offers a great distraction and relaxation when you’re tired of killing monsters.
The game has become so popular, it even spawned its own stand-alone game. That’s certainly something not many minigames have achieved. It’s a collectible card game with characters and artwork from the world of The Witcher and has you create your own army to combat your opponent, while every card and character has different abilities. It’s perfectly balanced, as it’s easy to learn but hard to master.
Red Dead Redemption 2: From Poker to Five Finger Fillet
Unless you think riding your horse through the prairie is dull, there’s really never a dull moment in Red Dead Redemption 2. From getting a haircut and taking a bath, to going fishing and petting animals, there are plenty of ways to unwind from all the robberies and shootouts. And of course, there are games: from poker and blackjack to dominoes and Five Finger Fillet, each offers fun and engaging game rounds to keep you busy.
One of the most popular games is blackjack, which can be played against a dealer in different parts of the game. It is a widely popular card game all over the (real) world and available at pretty much any casino, so it’s no surprise, Arthur Morgan likes it too. And playing traditional card games like blackjack digitally is increasingly becoming the norm as online casino platforms across the world nowadays offer the classics to be played online. With a growing variety of providers, who are tested and reviewed by experts to help users find the best platform, blackjack is celebrating a revival and has now even made it into the virtual Wild West.
Assassin’s Creed Valhalla: Orlog
Another game that boasts a massive open world is Assassin’s Creed, and the newest title, Valhalla, has got it all. A vast world with a plethora of things to do will give you plenty of distractions when you need a break from the brotherhood and Templar Order. For instance, you can go fishing – but you’ll be harpooning fish rather than opting for the conventional way – or you can catch fireflies instead and release them again. Because, why not.
Assassin’s Creed Valhalla also introduced an addictive minigame: Orlog. It’s a quite complex game with dice, in which you have to take your opponent’s stones until they don’t have any left to win. It can be confusing at the start, but once you get the hang of it, it’s incredibly fun. With five different types of dice, God Favors that will give you better chances, and different strategies to play by, Orlog can keep you busy and entertained for a while. The game has proven to be so popular that a real version of the game is now available.
While some minigames just offer a quick distraction in a game, others will have you coming back for more and let the main story fade into the background as you dive into the entertainment of what’s actually just a minigame. These three have certainly set examples of what great minigames in video games can look like.
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