Let’s Play Science: Games For The Physics Geek
Forget Angry Birds: if you’re into physics, get your hands on these VGs.
Video games and real-world physics haven’t always been an happy couple, mostly because of the complexity required to calculate and generate graphics that perfectly simulate the behavior of objects — according to the laws of physics and to the player’s actions. Notably, one of the first popular games to implement physics-based mechanics was Valve’s Half Life 2 (2004), also featuring a gravity gun, which allows the player to do stuff like lift heavy objects and throw them at their enemies.
However, technology advances fast and now many games can show off some pretty good physics simulation — some of them even under the 20€ price mark.
1. Portal (and Portal 2)
Portal, or the human lab rat experience! Think with portals and use angular momentum to navigate through test chambers, and try not to be killed by a psychopath A.I. obsessed with “doing science” and witty remarks. Another successful title by Half Life developer Valve Corporation, it was originally released in 2007 as part of the Orange Box bundle and gained its standalone edition after generating an enormous fan base.
In its sequel — Portal 2 — you can play with physics even more, with the addition of various substances that interact with your movements and a coop mode, so you can throw your partner instead of yourself in the fire, for science.
[runs on Xbox 360, Playstation 3, Windows, Linux]
2. Gravity Ghost
In this game, the fundamental force of gravity meets a delicate story and a surreal artwork. In a setting that feels like The Little Prince on LSD, the player will learn to use the gravitational slingshot of different planets and astronomical objects, adjusting their mass and velocity to reach the end of each level. The mechanics become more complex as the game goes on, and at some point you’ll even need to cope with smaller objects being attracted by you.
[runs on Windows, Linux, OS X, Playstation 4]
3. Particulars
If you never though there could ever be a video game about subatomic particles, Particulars proves you wrong. And instead of being a mere didactic experience, it takes you into the mind of a lonely girl obsessed with science, bringing together fundamental physics and introspective drama. What if people interacted with each others like quarks, with their UPs and DOWNs? The result is a peculiar mix between an old style arcade game and a visual novel painted with dark tones.
[runs on Windows, Linux, OS X]
Have you played these games and want to share your experience? Do you think I got it all wrong? Please let me know in the comments below and thank you for reading!