Sure, video games are an entertainment medium first and foremost. But what if they were also an educational tool? Games are often used to teach youngsters and adults alike the ins and outs of the world whether it be mathematics, physics, or biology. However, imagine subconsciously learning facts from your favorite video games only to turn around and recognize what you learned in the real world.
RELATED:Amazing Historical Facts We Learned From Playing Pentiment
For a time,Assassin’s Creedwas a purveyor of all things historical for fans of the series. While you shouldn’t rely on the games for total accuracy, there are many historical figures and events that you likely learned about first within these games. Just like history, science is often used in some of gaming’s hottest titles. No, not just science fiction —realscientific foundations.
8The Last Of Us
Chances are that the first time you ever heard of Cordyceps fungi is from this killer triple-A title.The Last of Usmight be a masterclass in gameplay and storytelling, but its horrific world is the product of a true-to-life fungal infection.
There are hundreds of species of Cordyceps, but they all (mostly) have one trait in common. They parasitically attack and control their host. Now, Cordyceps fungi’s realm of influence is only over insects. So, no need to run out into the streets sounding the alarm. But do yourself a favor and watch a nature video or two on the process of this endoparasitoid infecting and zombifying insects. It’ll blow your mind.
7Portal
One of the most intriguing sectors of science is physics. And what better way to understand physics than playing a game that has fine-tuned momentum, gravitational pull, and deceleration within its gameplay mechanics?
EnterPortal(andPortal 2). This Valve-developed title is a puzzle game where you must use physics to solve puzzles. Create portals between two locations that not only transport you but possibly help you establish the speed necessary to leap to your goal. There are many ways you can use two portals to move objects where they need to go. These physics-based puzzles are a thrill.
6Farming Simulator
Agriculture is crucial to our livelihood. It’s also a highly-respected science given the live-giving results it aims for. So, learn a thing or two about the farmers of the world and their processes in sustainably growing crops that will help feed nations.
RELATED:Educational ’90s PC Games That We Want To See Again
Farming isn’t just about crops and vegetation, however. Raising and sustaining livestock is also part of the job description. As a game,Farming Simulatormight not be the most riveting title around. But if you seek a very basic tutorial on the daily life of a farmer, then it doesn’t get much better than this interactive experience.
5Marvel’s Spider-Man
Peter Parker is a scientist. So it stands to reason that there might be a bit of real-world science in any story featuring theMarvelhero. Developer Insomniac presented this in a couple of ways. For starters, the narrative dabbles in chemistry and physics. You know those pesky little minigames you played in the lab? While presented at a basic level for us pedestrians, you’re still taught the concepts behind wiring circuitry and adjusting radio waves including wavelength and amplitude.
And just like real researchers, Peter uses spectroscopy featuring light spectrum panels to identify unknown substances. Furthermore, there’s a cool series of side quests led by recordings from Harry Osborn that educate you on common pollutants in our ecosystem. Everything from water contamination to unchecked emissions is covered.
4Microsoft Flight Simulator
Is flying an airplane rooted in science? You be your bottom dollar it is.Microsoft Flight Simulatoris perfect for learning the basics of aeronautics. In fact,this very game series is used to train actual pilots.
RELATED:Best Educational VR Games
You get a tour of the skies and learn how to control your aircraft with precision using the gauges and controls available to you that help mitigate simulated wind resistance and aerodynamics. You also learn a bit of geography along the way and are able to explore the curvature of the Earth.
3Mass Effect
If there ever was an intergalactic adventure in video games that’d rival television’s Star Trek or Battlestar Galactica,Mass Effectis it. In the Mass Effect world, humanity is fairly new to the galactic community of intelligent species after finally discovering Element Zero, a completely fictional element that emits Dark Energy.
The science occurs using real-life theorems that dictate manipulating mass through the use of (dark) energy could alter space-time, making interstellar travel possible. It’s the mass effect, after all. But the game is also littered with other cool factoids about planet formations and the makeup of different types of celestial bodies. Sure, most of these planets are made up, but the details behind their existence are true to form.
2Surgeon Simulator
This one doesn’t really require an explanation, butit is one of the strangest simulator gamesaround. But if you ever wanted to carve up a human body simply to explore anatomy but not have to undergo the several years and costs of medical school to become an actual surgeon, this is your shot.
While you might have specific objectives, there’s really no limit to what you can do with your patient on the operating table. In fact, if you try this game, you’ll likely be tempted to play in your patient’s corpse like a toddler in a sandbox, much to the patient’s detriment.
1Assassin’s Creed
The first Assassin’s Creed game sets the basis for your trip back into the past. It involves the use of genetic memory. At present, genetic memory is largely a theory that states that certain memories and even generational traumas can be passed down from generation to generation through a particular bloodline’s DNA.
Of course, the animus is an entirely fictional machine that is capable of accessing these memories within a person to help them experience the lives of their ancestors. While the idea of it might seem totally fantastical, it might come as a surprise that genetic memory is a real-life scientific theorem in psychology.
Next:Games That Are Educational And Fun
