Once upon a time, video games meant a limited selection of simple, even silly games players played on a home computer or a clunky plastic console. Now there are shelves of video games that fill whole warehouses, more than even the most dedicated player could experience in a lifetime. In the decades since Atari and the original Nintendo, several franchises have emerged that are available on a variety of platforms and consoles.
To find your favorite, you could roll a set of dice, choose one randomly from a list, or use your zodiac sign as your guide. The wisdom of the cosmos isn't limited to the monthly signs of the western zodiac. Try something different and look to the animal signs of the Chinese calendar. Instead of the sun signs that are assigned by your birth month, the Chinese zodiac goes by year instead. Here are some video game franchise recommendations depending on your Chinese animal sign.
Rat
The Rat is known for being clever and resourceful above all else, which is why they like big, open worlds with lots of things to do. That means including, but not limited to, puzzles, quests, exploration, fun characters, and compelling storylines.
Put all of that together and you have The Legend of Zelda. The Rat will be equally thrilled to use the opportunity to fill out their vintage Nintendo collection if they haven't already.
Ox
An Ox person is dependable, honest, and determined, and those are the qualities that it takes to complete complex survival-based games like Fallout.
There's a name for this post-apocalyptic design. It's called atompunk retrofuturistic, it's reminiscent of 1950s pop culture art, and it's precisely the kind of thing that an Ox person would appreciate. They probably have a book about it on the coffee table next to a game guide they wrote themselves.
Tiger
Tigers are tough and aggressive, and they enjoy video games that require bravery and perseverance in the face of insurmountable and often terrifying odds. They should check out Resident Evil.
Success at this game requires a mix of meticulous planning, covert movement, and beating down some serious enemies. The Tiger person is typically a mix of all these traits, and if they love PlayStation, it's probably because it was the platform to host the original game.
Rabbit
Thoughtful, secretive Rabbit people who appreciate the beauty of nature and human nobility should play a few games from The Witcher franchise.
The main character of that story, Geralt of Rivia, is very much like the Rabbit person. He's a man of few words who doesn't make many friends, but does devote himself to a few chosen people. Rabbits will enjoy the game for his story and the gruesome yet fascinating world in which Geralt lives.
Dragon
A Dragon needs to play a game as heroic, beautiful, and righteous as they are, and that means Baldur's Gate is the franchise for one of the cycle's most imposing signs.
The Dragon likes tabletop games anyway, and most have some experience with the gaming system on which the franchise is based; Dungeons and Dragons. Dragon people can lead their own party of adventurers through a vast wilderness while fighting a variety of evil forces, personalizing their characters and their abilities down to the smallest detail.
Snake
Metal Gear Solid is the obvious answer given the name of the main character. There's a lot more here for a versatile and calculating Snake to appreciate, especially in the older games that were made for the original Nintendo Entertainment System. The idea was to be a clandestine agent instead of a ham-fisted steamroller, less of a one-man army and more of a spy.
The materialistic Snake respects the longevity of this dynasty that's also made its way into films. They're one of the more avid and upscale collectors in the zodiac cycle as well, which means the old NES will fit nicely on their shelving unit next to the PlayStation 4.
Horse
Those born under the year of the Horse love the freedom of the open road, and they are also hopeless romantics when it comes to stories and characters. Serve them up some Final Fantasy, a role-playing classic with a long history of exploration, quests, diverse companions, and exquisite locations.
The history of the franchise also goes back to the 1980s, and has had a release on various consoles since. The Horse person will likely be investing in a PlayStation 5 just to enjoy the latest version.
Goat
Calm, gentle, and motivated by a sense of justice, it's no wonder Call of Duty franchise.
It's a first-person shooter, which makes the gameplay more personal immediately, and the Goat appreciates the realism and immersion this provides. There are several games and spinoffs in the franchise for a variety of consoles, but the Goat doesn't mind spending money on the important things.
Monkey
Second only to the rat when it comes to intelligence, Monkeys also have the advantage of being daring and imaginative craftspeople. That doesn't just mean gear or weapons, it also means big stuff like buildings, armies, and empires. They would love the arcraft games series if they don't already.
In the 1990s, Warcraft games were a mix of real-time strategy games and role-playing adventure games. You could build an army, a city, and play a hero with a unique story. The stand-alone games were well-established before the juggernaut World of Warcraft was released in 2004, and the Monkey likes both the Classic and retail versions.
Rooster
The Rooster likes to be in charge, but fear not, as this is a benevolent leader who likes to surround themselves with people and beauty. That's why they love the Civilization games, which have been popular since the early 1990s.
Rooster people love the option of deg a whole nation from the beginning of time, right down to the architectural details and historical achievements. In some versions of the game, the winner is the first to colonize another galaxy, an achievement worthy of a proud Rooster.