Games & Humor

This is not a representation of what 2020 felt like — it's a screen shot from Dead Cells.

Arts

In 2020, Indie Games Were A Well-Deserved Distraction

11:31am December 24, 2020

by Keller Gordon

2020 is almost over — and if you're anything like us, you spent a lot of time this year escaping into video games. Here are five favorite independent games that helped us get through the year.

Developer CD Projekt Red Faces Backlash Over Its 'Cyberpunk 2077' Game

4:23pm December 22, 2020

by Vincent Acovino

This year's most anticipated video game, Cyberpunk 2077, has received backlash from both consumers and retailers. Now, retailers are offering refunds.

Arts

In 'Cyberpunk 2077,' The Only Truly Punk Move Is Not To Play

7:00am December 22, 2020

by Jason Sheehan

CD Projekt Red's hotly-anticipated new game turned out to be a buggy mess — but beyond that, it's just a bad game that doesn't do justice to the gritty, anti-corporate nature of its source material.

Not My Job: We Quiz Sisters Este and Alana Haim On Another Sibling Band

12:35pm December 19, 2020

We've invited the Haims to play a game called "You're my Wonderwall." Three questions about Liam and Noel Gallagher, the brothers behind Oasis.

Queue Listen Now

With countless lights, Christmassy illuminated man-high trees and reindeer decorate the entrance of a shop

Arts

Opinion: T'was The Night Before Christmas in 2020

8:00am December 19, 2020

by Scott Simon

With apologies to Clement Clarke Moore, NPR's Scott Simon updates "A Visit from St. Nicholas" for 2020.

Arts

After A Swarm Of Bugs, Microsoft And Sony Offer Refunds On 'Cyberpunk 2077'

4:33pm December 18, 2020

by Andrew Limbong

Sony also pulled the game from its online store. Developer CD Projekt Red delayed Cyberpunk several times for tweaks, but players on consoles, particularly older models, reported bugs and glitches.

Arts

Check-In: Office Holiday Parties

10:51am December 18, 2020

Host Ophira Eisenberg and house musician Jonathan Coulton discuss office holiday parties, and regret they can't raid the NPR supply closet this year.

Queue Listen Now

Arts

Real Or Fake Holiday Album

10:51am December 18, 2020

Composers Robert Lopez and Kristen Anderson Lopez try to spot fake holiday album titles in this speed round. Hold onto your novelty elf hats because William Shatner's Shatner Claus... is real!

Queue Listen Now

Arts

Three out of six women who work at NPR named Carol make their Ask Me Another debut as they lend their vocals in a music parody game that changes the lyrics to Paul McCartney's Wonderful Christmastime.

Queue Listen Now

Arts

Slang Game

10:51am December 18, 2020

Jonathan Coulton's kids Theo and Eleanor help their dad and Ophira Eisenberg translate and navigate the latest teen slang. It's "lit!" Are the kids still saying that?

Queue Listen Now