Ah, Roblox. A metaverse that the new generation seems to prefer much more than the console games I grew up with. Kids would rather get Robux for their birthdays instead of a brand-new game, it seems.

Fans of Roblox will be very familiar with the silly mechanics, deep crafting options, and communal fun on offer in these similar open-world games.

Nicole Celic is a Bronx-born and raised librarian who plays more video games than she reads books. A lifelong gamer who dabbles in game development, she also teaches at the City University of New York ...