Fourth of July Games

It’s the Fourth of July! Overall, it’s a great time to hang out with friends, grab some beers, watch the fireworks, and post prolonged videos of those fireworks on your Insta story. As fun as that might be, you might instead want to stay inside and play some games that poke a little fun at the proud nation…. Who am I kidding? Why would anyone want to do that instead?

Grand Theft Auto V

Source: The Verge

Being the second best-selling video game of all time, Grand Theft Auto V needs little to no introduction. In addition to its stellar open world, satisfying driving mechanics, and punchy gunplay, the game is the quintessential satire of modern day America. Through wacky billboards, over the top radio commercials, and hilarious NPC dialogue, GTA V mocks and parodies the hipster Los Angeles lifestyle, the socioeconomic facets of capitalism and consumerism, and the modern phenomena of social media. Sure, it’s all extremely heavy-handed and not particularly deep, but that’s what makes it so damn funny.

Bioshock Infinite

Source: The New York Times

Instead of the sunken, sullen, and somber city of Rapture seen in the first two Bioshock games, Bioshock Infinite introduced players to the soaring, star-spangled, and sunny city of Columbia. As different as they are visually, the two cities share the premise of a utopian dream becoming a dystopian hell. The bright, peppy, and patriotic aesthetic of Columbia only acts as a facade for a deeply flawed place that systemically oppresses minorities on a large scale - almost like the real America…. Consequently, Bioshock Infinite is filled with some poignant, if not a little on-the-nose, critiques on elitism, white supremacy, imperialism, and many other lovely malignities comprising the completely stainless history of the United States.

Far Cry 5

Source: Microsoft

The Far Cry series is synonymous with fictional exotic locales such as the tropical Rook Islands, the Himalayan nation of Kyrat, and the upcoming Carribean island of Yara. Far Cry 5, on the other hand, takes place in much fabled land of Montana. Though a seemingly mundane location, the occupying force of religious cult Eden’s Gate ensures that the fictional Hope County is just as interesting and dangerous as past Far Cry locations. Moreover, the game makes some commentary on evangelism and cultism in the United States as allusions to figures such as Charles Manson and events such as the Oregon standoff seem to have been very liberally incorporated into the story. Despite some of these more serious themes, Far Cry 5 still manages to keep things relatively light through obnoxious muscle cars, ridiculous redneck side missions, and a grizzly bear named Cheeseburger. Yeah.

Broforce

Source: IGN

Out of all my years of playing video games, I never thought I would use the term “aggressively American” to describe one. However, that’s all that comes to mind when talking about Broforce. This pixel art shoot ‘em up puts players in the shoes of bootleg ‘80s action heroes such as Rambro and Brobocop. Every level is chock-full of explosions, biceps, and American flags. Are you starting to see why I labeled this game as “aggressively American?” Regardless, it’s clear that Broforce is meant to poke fun at the machismo culture so prevalent in the United States. It’s either that, or I’m overanalyzing this whole thing and should instead just laugh at the funny muscle men blowing up terrorists. Either way, Broforce is a hell of a fun time, especially with friends … or should I say, “with bros?” I’m so sorry.