2023's Finest: How These Three Games Combined Education and Entertainment
Immerse yourself in the best of 2023 as these three incredible games captivate, educate, and entertain through their unique portrayal of historical events Join a baseball legend, a superhero, and an assassin on their remarkable journeys through time and witness the magic of human history come alive
The trio of MLB The Show 23, Marvel's Spider-Man 2, and Assassin's Creed Mirage may not seem to have much in common at first, but they all share a surprising similarity. Despite being released in 2023 and featuring different open world settings, each game taught me something new about the past.
From a bustling ballpark in 1920s Kansas to the streets of New York City and ninth-century Baghdad, each game educates players about specific people, moments, and places from human history. In a year filled with exceptional video games, these AAA games stand out for their unique ability to shed light on underrepresented cultures and the pivotal impact they had on history in a way that only an interactive medium like video games can.
In MLB The Show 23, a new mode called Storylines brings a fresh approach to exploring the past. San Diego Studio's ode to the Negro Leagues is lovingly crafted, offering a series of playable documentaries. Each documentary combines archival footage, hand-drawn art, and narration by Bob Kendrick, president of the Negro League Baseball Museum. This mode explores the lives and careers of eight legendary baseball players from an era before Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier. While Robinson's story is well-known, MLB The Show 23 sheds light on other incredible players such as Satchel Page, Hilton Smith, and Hank Thompson, providing a deeper understanding of their impact on the sport. The documentaries provide a striking attention to detail and the gravitas needed to tell the enthralling story of triumph in the face of prejudice and hate. By offering a glimpse into sports history and the civil rights movement, Storylines gives these players the recognition they deserve after being overlooked due to segregation. It not only allows users to better understand the players but also enables them to experience the transcendence of figures like Satchel Page.
Each storyline offers the opportunity to step onto the diamond and relive iconic moments from each player's career. A notable moment in Satchel Page's episode is when Bob Kendrick recounts a game where Satchel's team faced a semi-pro all-white team. After receiving racist comments, Satchel called his entire team in to watch him pitch and dared the other team to get another hit, striking out the side in response. The recreation of this moment is unlike anything else in the game and showcases Satchel Page's larger-than-life personality.
In contrast, Spider-Man 2 takes a different approach to honoring history. In the game, Miles Morales is tasked by his mom to help the curator of the Harlem Cultural Museum, who has been locked out while a donor arrives. What begins as a seemingly low-stakes task evolves into a weighty questline, where Miles attempts to recover a collection of stolen jazz memorabilia. This mission grounds the game and emphasizes Spider-Man's significance to the city of New York, highlighting Miles' personal investment in his community.
The completion of Spider-Man 2 questline involves the restoration of the Harlem Cultural Museum and its jazz exhibit. Visitors are able to freely explore the space and interact with each display, learning about the instruments and the influential people who played them. Notable figures include saxophonist Charlie Parker, pianist Hazel Scott, drummer Clyde Stubblefield, and Josephine Baker, an undercover agent for the French Resistance in World War II. The museum also features The Weary Blues, a poem by Langston Hughes. This small part of the game reflects a greater connection to Miles and his fight, while also serving as a tribute to Black art of the early 20th century, emphasizing the importance of preserving that history for future generations.
The same sentiment applies to Assassin's Creed Mirage and its emphasis on Middle Eastern history. Ubisoft's latest installment in the long-standing series is situated during the Islamic Golden Age of Baghdad, under the rule of the Abbasid Caliphate. This region, especially in historical terms, is seldom depicted in mainstream media unless it serves as a backdrop for modern warfare, often perpetuating negative stereotypes about Muslim and Arab people. For many in the Western world, Baghdad is synonymous with the War on Terror, but with Mirage, Ubisoft is taking a step towards addressing this issue by delving into the intricate history of the medieval city. As the protagonist Basim, players have the opportunity to explore 66 historical sites in Baghdad, each unlocking information about various aspects of the city, from the daily life of its inhabitants to the role of the government and its flourishing art scene. It offers a fascinating insight into a city that wielded significant influence on the world stage, yet remains largely unknown to many.
9th-century BaghdadThrough discovering numerous historical sites, I swiftly gained an understanding of how Baghdad once stood at the center of the Silk Road. It was a bustling metropolis where people from China to Spain congregated, making it one of the most renowned cities globally at the time. Baghdad was a hub of activity, home to one million people and brimming with vitality, innovation, scientific advancements, and cultural diversity. While information about the city is not exclusive to Assassin's Creed Mirage, being able to explore the bustling market or majestic palace you just read about is. Ubisoft openly admits that its recreation of the City of Peace is not entirely accurate, but for good reason. The Baghdad of the 9th century was nearly obliterated by the Mongols in the 13th century, prompting Ubisoft to rely on archaeological references and firsthand descriptions of the city in order to reconstruct its winding streets, mosques, and sumptuous gardens as faithfully as possible. This aspect enhances the enjoyment of exploring the capital of Iraq and learning about its history; none of its landmarks, homes, or inhabitants exist today, yet Assassin's Creed Mirage provides a captivating glimpse into the past.
The impact of both MLB The Show 23 and Spider-Man 2 is strikingly similar. These games provide a fascinating look into history, shedding light on underrepresented groups while simultaneously entertaining and educating. While they may have other qualities as video games, it is this meaningful aspect that will be remembered when reflecting on 2023.
Editor's P/S
As a Gen Z netizen, I am constantly seeking out new and engaging ways to learn about the world around me. I believe that video games have the potential to be powerful educational tools, and I am excited to see more games that combine entertainment with education.
The three games mentioned in the article, MLB The Show 23, Marvel's Spider-Man 2, and Assassin's Creed Mirage, all do an excellent job of bringing history to life in a way that is both fun and informative. I particularly enjoyed MLB The Show 23's Storylines mode, which shed light on the incredible stories of Negro League baseball players who were overlooked due to segregation. I also appreciated Spider-Man 2's questline involving the Harlem Cultural Museum, which taught me about the importance of preserving Black art and culture.
