It’s April and course registration is in full swing. Students do their best to MacGyver their classes into a three day week with none before 9:30 a.m. Pulling it off will make friends jealous, and you’ll have plenty of time for other activities – perhaps a video game. No matter what your academic interests are, chances are there’s a game that’s a perfect match.

BIO 409: ‘General Microbiology’ = ‘fl0w’

Like any science, taking a course in biology requires a lot of memorization. There’s a lot of material to cover when studying microorganisms, and trying to retain that information can be stressful. So why not explore some similar ideas with a relaxing, immersive simulation? Indie game ‘fl0w’ comes with an excellent, ambient soundtrack that allows you to lose yourself while controlling an aquatic microorganism. It grows and eats smaller microorganisms while trying not to get eaten. It’s a simple game that settles into a relaxing rhythm, a nice change of pace that’ll get you in the frame of mind for studying.

FSC 406: ‘Advanced Forensic Science’ = ‘Batman: Arkham City’

With enough resources and discipline, you could become like Batman if you wanted to. Studying forensics is the first step. Batman is the World’s Greatest Detective after all. All you’d need to do after that is master most of the world’s martial arts and learn torture resistance and toxicology to keep your body functioning at Olympic-level performance. Those aren’t requirements in a forensics course or in this action-adventure game where Batman plays detective. You regularly analyze crime scenes for bullet trajectory, chemical residues and other fun ‘CSI’-esque activities – plus, you can save the world and that’s always fun.

HST 355: ‘The Italian Renaissance’ = ‘Assassin’s Creed II’

The ‘Assassin’s Creed’ series is steeped in history. It uses real events as a backdrop against which an everlasting feud between two groups – the Assassins and the Knights Templar – plays out in a grand conspiracy unknown to the public. The second installment takes place in the Italian Renaissance as you assume the role of Ezio Auditore da Firenze, the son of a disgraced nobleman who discovers this secret war. Aside from the cloak-and-dagger nature of the plot, the recreations of cities like Venice and Florence are remarkable. The game can even be played in the Italian language, great practice for those planning to study abroad in Italy.

ARC 193: ‘Introduction to Architectural Concepts for Non-majors’ = ‘World of Goo’

Designing structures is hard. Architecture majors spend an entire extra year to earn their degree. Physics-based puzzle game ‘World of Goo’ is one that will spur on appreciation for the thought that goes into designing structures. Giving you a crash course in the subject, the game requires you to build structuresmade from lively balls of goo that connect in a web-like manner to form towers, bridges and other constructs. It’s simple to play but hard to complete.

jmrive02@syr.edu

Published on April 15, 2012 at 12:00 pm