Summary
Photo modes in video gamesare always a popular addition. Gamers love having the ability to snap pictures of their favorite characters, scenes, or funny moments with friends in multiplayer mode. They’re a great way to preserve memories beyond simple screenshots.
When smartphones came out with front-facing cameras, the game suddenly changed.Selfies, filters, and photo editing became huge, so video games had to get in on them. After all, there’s something really fun about video game characters recording theirownmemories in photo mode. Here are somegames where the protagonist can strike a pose in selfie mode.
Until Dawnis a game that plays on as many horror movie tropes as it possibly can. That includes casting actors in their 20s and 30s and making them try super hard to act like teenagers. The core cast of this branching narrative love drinking, partying, and makingreallydumb decisions in life-or-death situations.
They also love taking selfies, because teenagers, right? In one segment of the game, the frisky couple Jessica and Mike get in close for a selfie in the woods. Players have to line up the smartphone just right to get a good shot. Sure, plenty of games get good or bad endings formundane choices, but how many of those mundane choices include taking a blurry photo?
Speaking of teenagers, Peter Parker’s status as an ordinary teenager given accidental superpowers is what endears him to so many people. At the end of the day, he really is just like everybody else, and he has fun with his powers just like any teenager would. That includes taking themost unique selfies ever.
In the PS4Marvel’sSpider-Mangame, players can take selfies as Spider-Man swings between buildings and perches on top of skyscrapers. For many people, taking selfies in such precarious situations is incredibly dangerous, but for a superhero, it’s nothing. So whywouldn’tPeter Parker do peace signs for the camera while back-flipping hundreds of feet in the air?
In mostZeldagames, Hyrule has usually been restricted to technology from the Medieval Ages up to around the Renaissance era. In-game cameras didn’t really fit with the world-building. Then cameBreath of the WildandTears of the Kingdom, which introduced the concept of long-lost civilizations with advanced technology. Problem solved!
Among the myriad ideas these ancient civilizations inspired for world-building and gameplay, Link also received the Purah Pad. This Switch-like device had tons of functionality, including a built-in camera. Finally, players could take selfies of Link striking a variety of poses during his adventures. Better yet, Link could pose with some of the fancy gear he’d collected and add photos to theHyrule Compendium.
A lot of the time, criminals will do anything to avoid photographic evidence of their crimes. After all, the less people who know their face, the lower the chances of them getting caught, right? Well, inYakuza 6, players can make Kiryu whip out his smartphone and say cheese anywhere in Tokyo, even in front of people he’s just killed. It begs the question: is he sharing these selfies with his yakuza buddies? Or are they just for his own amusement?
Now, this is already funny enough, but let’s just say that Kiryu — while a handsome dude — isn’t exactly photogenic. Most of his selfies include him either wearing his usual scowl, or making the most awkward half-smile imaginable. He’s not too old to take selfies, but he sure will be mean-mugging it the entire time.
Sorais one of the sweetest rays of sunshine to ever exist in a JRPG, and he’s got friends all over the Disney multiverse, so it’s no wonder thatKingdom Heartsfans were dying to get their hands on a good photo mode. Their wish upon a star finally came true inKingdom Hearts 3.
Now, players can enjoy taking candid shots of Sora and all their favorite Disney characters, fromToy StorytoFrozen. Make peace signs with Woody and Buzz Lightyear. Now, do silly faces with Anna and Elsa. Imagine how popular Sora’s Instagram would be if theKingdom Heartsuniverse had social media.
Who doesn’t like taking pictures while on a tropical island getaway? The lighting is fantastic, the scenery is gorgeous, and friends can preserve their memories of the fun days spent at the beach. That’s the mentality Nintendo had when creatingAnimal Crossing:New Horizons, anyway. They’d already given players the new Nookphone, so, of course, a robust photo mode was the obvious next step.
New Horizonshas one of the most robust modern photo modes around. Players can take selfies anywhere on the island to show off their impressive designs. They can zoom in and out, use a variety of filters, and even use Reactions to give their character some personality. Sometimes, players can even earn Nook Mile points for taking a photographic memory. Smile for the camera!
