With the coronavirus still going around, the best way to stay healthy is to stay at home. The problem is that things can get pretty depressing shut up in your house all day. If you’re desperate for a germ-free escape, a nice long game might be just what you are looking for. Here are five meaty titles to hold you over until it’s safe to go outside again

“Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning”

Genre: Open World Action RPG

Developer: 38 Studios, Big Huge Games

Platforms: Windows PC, Xbox 360, Xbox One, PlayStation 3

For an eight-year-old game, “Kingdoms of Amalur” is still easy on the eyes. Even if it wasn’t, you’d have too much fun exploring the expansive and beautifully rendered environments to notice a few wrinkles. It also features one of the best RPG combat engines I have ever played. Each of the nine weapon classes lends themselves to wholly distinct playstyles, and players are encouraged to mix and match classes and abilities until they find what works for them.

Now, “Kingdoms of Amalur” is far from perfect, the game relies way too heavily on random loot drops, and the main story is oddly paced. Still, the hundreds of unique and memorable side quests and engaging combat more than make up for it.

“Far Cry 3”

Genre: Open-World FPS

Developer: Ubisoft

Platforms: Windows PC, Xbox 360, Xbox One, PS3, PS4

“Far Cry 3” is the game that made Far Cry what it is today, and if you ask me, none of the sequels have come close to surpassing it. If you missed it the first time around, “Far Cry 3” follows Jason Brody, a spoiled trust-fund kid who must learn how to survive on the pirate-infested Rook Islands. After a few introductory missions, the player is free to explore the island as they please, fighting pirates, hunting animals, and crashing jeeps into trees. The later games may have had more features but never really managed to top the organic jungle exploration that was “Far Cry 3’s” bread and butter

“Stellaris”

Genre: Real-Time Strategy

Developer: Paradox Interactive

Platforms:  PC (Windows/Mac/Linux), Xbox One, PlayStation 4

If you liked “Civilization” but don’t think it has enough space battles, you might consider giving Stellaris a try. Starting from a single planet, players can guide their interstellar empire to galactic dominance through trade, diplomacy, conquest, or any combination of the three. Missions and random events are the spice that keeps space exploration engaging, and you never know when someone might release a Lovecraftian horror upon an unsuspecting galaxy. The interface can be a little overwhelming at first, but once you find your footing, you’ll understand why “Stellaris” is a must-have for any strategy game fan.

“Darkest Dungeon”

Genre: Turn-based Roguelike

Developer: Red Hook Studios

Platforms: PC (Windows/Mac/Linux), Xbox One, PS4, PS Vita, Nintendo Switch, iOS

Did you like “XCOM” or “Fire Emblem” but thought there wasn’t enough creeping existential dread? Well, “Darkest Dungeon” might be what you are looking for. This turn-based dungeon crawler tasks players with the seemingly straightforward objective of clearing out the titular dungeon. You soon find this isn’t as easy as it sounds, as your party struggles against disease, starvation, madness while trying to hold back the tide of ravenous abominations.

Every quest becomes a gamble as you try to balance your adventurer’s safety and sanity against the greater rewards offered by riskier expeditions. Meanwhile, stunning artwork and a brilliant performance by the game’s narrator help to create a genuinely atmospheric gameplay experience.

Granted, unrelenting horror might not be what you’re looking for during a pandemic, but hey, no harm in keeping your options open.

“The Bard’s Tale IV: Directors Cut”

Genre: Turn-Based RPG

Developer: inXile Entertainment

If you’re looking for a slightly less depressing dungeon crawl, “The Bard’s Tale IV” might be worth taking a look at. Remember all the nice things I said about the world of “Kingdoms of Amalur?” Well, the Gaelic-inspired land seen in “The Bard’s Tale” feels just as big and beautifully rendered with a fantastic soundtrack to go with it.

Exploration takes place in a first-person view that lets you get an up-close look at the breathtaking scenery, while the turn-based combat happens on a 4X4 grid. Positioning and repositioning are essential to combat can be the difference between a flawless victory and an unmitigated disaster. Engaging gameplay, an intriguing and beautiful world, and some top writing make “The Bard’s Tale IV” one of the best games of 2019 and an excellent choice for anyone looking to alleviate some quarantine induced boredom.