Ask HN: What video games got you thinking about society this year?

I recently played through the original Deus Ex. The game had a storyline that was so good it felt at times like it wasn't a computer game but a novel that you happened to be able to play.

The authors don't shy away from the big questions, like: are humans really capable of governing themselves in a world of computers? Is technological progress worth sacrificing for social stability?

Though there are plenty of outlandish elements to it (secret societies, conspiracies etc) some parts of the game even seem oddly prescient today. There was civil strife, powerful AIs, income inequality - there was even a plague called the Grey Death and a limited supply of medicine that people were fighting over.

What video games got you thinking about society this year?

If you go down that route, yes. But the writers managed to make fun of all sorts of political systems. Such a great game.

Couldn't agree more. Hollow Knight is easily the best game I've ever played, topping even Zelda Breath of the Wild.

So much to explore, so challenging and so interesting lore. I'm really looking forward to Silksong.

Cobra Kai

Surprisingly good series that got me thinking about how cynical the world seems today compared to the 80's as the show is very faithful to the feel of the original Karate Kid.

Last of Us 2. It has your standard zombie tropes. But playing it this year and experiencing the politics of Covid-19, the conflicts among the different groups felt more realistic to me.