Aground vs This War of Mine
Aground
Aground is a 2D, side-scrolling, survival-themed adventure game where you'll be digging out the bowels of the earth for precious ores to turn into tools, weapons, and armor or to sell to gain coins. Similar to games like Kingdom: Classic or its sequel, Kingdom: New Lands, the game will have you venture out to explore new islands to discover more about the story behind the land, to meet new characters and to obtain better resources to craft superior items.The storyline in this game is pretty intriguing as well. It features a Bermuda Triangle-like area where people often get shipwrecked and are washed up to one of the shores of the small archipelago. The islands are filled with weird creatures and is rich with minerals and resources. As survivors starting from scratch, they do not have access to the technologies they used to enjoy that is until apparently a mysterious tribe, called the Mirrows, helped to set stuff up.
Aground offers players the sort of freedom that Minecraft is able to provide and yet, is not fully a sandbox game nor does it have a procedurally generated map. Of course, this game has a great storyline, along with quests to help drive those plot points forward, and that alone makes it a really fun game to play.
This War of Mine
This War of Mine is an indie, 2D survival management game that, unlike most games in its genre, is set not in a post-apocalyptic world but in a war-torn country. Despite being war-themed, the game doesn't cast you into the role of the brave soldier but of the average citizen trying to make the best of the situation and to survive long enough until the war breaks (if it ever).Due to this twist of perspective, along with the fact that every decision and action you make has consequences, both mentally and physically, on the character who did the deed as well as the team, the game ended up having a very tragic undertone and atmosphere throughout its gameplay. After all, you do have to make some difficult decisions in an effort to keep your people alive. From time to time, special events may also pop up and you will need to make a decision to be involved or to stay out of it.
Survival is also another important aspect of the game, and as such, you will need to scavenge for supplies and ensure that your people are well-fed and watered. Materials, tools, and items you gathered over your trips outdoors can be used to craft something else or be sold for some extra cash. During wartime, people are naturally more cautious and for some, more aggressive. It's wise to be careful whenever you encounter other "people" (they are NPCs), especially armed ones, lest your character get slain and your team stumbles straight into depression.
This War of Mine made headlights and game history with its challenging gameplay and of course, its brutally-honest look at the true victims of war. If you think your heart is ready to go through a rollercoaster of emotions, most of which are of the "sad" sort, then, you simply must give this game a try.