Whoever said video games rot the mind couldn't be any less wrong. Video games are a genuine form of art and can be educational, emotional, or even a valid stress reliever. Many gamers turn to their consoles, PCs, or phones as a means of getting away from the world; whether that comfort comes from tending to a town of adorable animal villagers or mowing through giant crowds of enemies.
While relaxing games can be fun, sometimes a power trip is the best way to unwind after a long day or hype oneself up! In the world of video games, anything can be a reality, and being granted god-like powers is by far the best perk of playing the protagonist. Here are some of the best games that let the player become mad with power.
7 Infamous
Life as a Conduit isn't all fun and games in the first few stages, but, after Cole gets the hang of his powers, the gameplay slowly becomes more and more addictive. Infamous' Cole, and later, Delsin, become what is known as a Conduit in their world and have unique powers that they had to learn to control in order to reach their full potential.
The powers both Cole and Delsin are equipped with in their respective games send players on a serious power trip. Not only are they powerful and can manipulate the elements, with Cole using his electrokinesis and Delsin with his power absorption, they also have movement-based abilities that allow easy mobility for players to breeze throughout the city, causing mischief, mayhem, or good anywhere and everywhere.
6 Dynasty Warriors
The Dynasty Warriors franchise is one of the most iconic hack and slash video game series ever. The very first installment of the series is actually unlike the rest of the games that follow and is a one-on-one fighting game. However, from the first sequel onward, Dynasty Warriors evolved into the beloved beat-em-up hack and slash franchise that it is known as today.
Dynasty Warriors isn't just the perfect game for those that want to feel like a god when gaming, but also, a fantastic stress reliever. Dynasty Warriors allows players to slash their way through giant hoards of enemies, mowing down anyone that stands in their way in the blink of an eye. Not only this, but Dynasty Warriors 2 was unlike the many other hack and slash games of its time as it not only granted the player enormous levels of strength, but also allowed them tons of freedom as well, letting players roam around each level as much as they wished.
5 The Sims
Sometimes, feeling like a god, mad with power, doesn't necessarily mean getting one's way via violent means. In the Sims series, the player literally plays god; with the power to create any characters they wish, adjusting every single one of their features, getting their nose length and eye sizes down to a science. Not only are players given the power to create any character they wish, but they are also given the ability to mess around with those characters' living quarters as much as they want as well!
Being able to instantly purchase and place furniture anywhere, along with the ability to literally stretch the walls and floors of a room to expand a house in a single click of a mouse or press of a button is definitely a power trip that many Sims players may often take for granted. The Sims series may seem innocent enough, but, in the end, it is a game that revolves around giving the player the power of creating and controlling life.
4 Doom
In many ways, Doom is a "reverse horror game" in the sense that the true horror isn't the hoard of demons that threaten mankind, but the powerful rage that Doomguy/Doom Slayer has for those monsters. From the Hellspawn's perspective, Doom Slayer is the horrific monster that is out for their heads that they're desperately trying to escape from.
Doom is famous for its intentionally over-the-top weapons and brutal gore, and fans love it. Doom Slayer's abilities as a protagonist are incredibly (intentionally) overpowered and center around the concept of "gun-juggling." The game provides the player with a plethora of weapons to encourage finding "combos" consisting of constantly switching up weapons to discover the most efficient (or most enjoyable) way to take out each new hoard of demons.
3 Metal Gear Rising: Revengance
While the rest of the Metal Gear Solid series are tactical espionage games, cyborg ninja Raiden's spinoff, Metal Gear Rising: Revengance, is a completely different genre. Revengance is a hack and slash that swaps out the traditional silenced guns and chaff grenades for Raiden's trusty katana. Most of the MGS series is about sneaking and not being seen by enemies. Meanwhile, Raiden is free to run straight up to his enemies, guns (or blades) blazing.
Revengance's gameplay style is the epitome of high-octane gaming and never leads to a dull moment. Between the game's "free slicing" Blade Mode and the Zandatsu mode, players are essentially encouraged to play with their prey for as long as they want. Raiden's Zandatsu mode is especially powerful, as he slows down time in order to take as many slices at his enemies as possible, before taking what parts he needs to fuel his own energy.
2 Katamari Damacy
Katamari Damacy is yet another game that allows the player god-like levels of power without resorting to gratuitous violence. While the game isn't explicitly violent, the implications of the Prince's goals are a bit dark when more closely inspected. The Prince is tasked with refilling the night sky with all the stars and planets that The King Of Cosmos accidentally got rid of.
In order to do this, the player is given a Katamari and uses it to roll up as many objects on earth needed; beginning with small-scale things such as office supplies and eventually evolving into larger things such as people and even entire buildings. While the game is filled with bright colors and cutesy themes, the tiny Prince is essentially given this amazing power to roll absolutely anything (and anyone) on earth into a ball and launch them into the night sky, turning them into parts of the galaxy. The Prince may be small, but is definitely a force to be reckoned with.
1 Batman: Arkham City
There are plenty of superheroes out there that have incredible strength and others with powerful levels of intelligence. Batman has both. The player is allowed both brains and brawn in Batman: Arkham City. Arkham City's combat system is strangely graceful, feeling more like dancing a beautiful waltz than beating down thugs in the roughest parts of the city. The player's ability to quickly jump and combo from one enemy to another with a simple button input along with the stun mechanics make weaving between bad guys feel like a breeze.
On top of the muscle power that Batman lends to the player, they also have access to his high-tech detective equipment; such as his Evidence Scanner. In between fighting crime on the streets, players can give their minds some exercise instead, with the game giving them all the tools they need to feel not only like the strongest superhero around, but also the smartest one as well.