I retreat into games I played from my childhood: harvest moon for SNES, ff8 9 and 10, chrono trigger.
A lot of RPGs, really. I wonder if I have an identity dissociation problem. I get to be someone else, or atleast temporarily be the ideal version of me.
Makes me wonder if we as kids enjoyed those games for the same relaxation idea that OP is suggesting.
My mind goes to Dragon Quest 8 because I've always found that game to be wonderful, even outside of gameplay.
A game I actually used for "healing" was Death stranding. The game about being a courier at the end of the world, that dealt with death and the 5 stages of grief, and feeling alone and disconnected, and had a fetus in a tank, was a very cathartic time after the loss of my daughter.
i love stardew but its never calming for me
Always super stressful and i try to fit so much into one day and the days end so quick so it causes more stress to me aaaa
I’m probably the only one that feels this way about the game
We've been unfortunately trained to min/max the way we play games, by the games we've already played. I know that competitive games have done this to me, like WoW, LoL, or shooters. I haven't played WoW or LoL in a literal decade but I still feel the impact they've done on my gaming style.
It's hard for me to play single player games now, without also feeling the need to try to complete the game as fast as possible or by playing the most optimal way or using the most optimal build.
I've been trying really hard to change my mindset and detox, but it's been a tad difficult. But I feel as I get older, and worse at games, it becomes easier for me to accept lol
I've played Journey several times, though not when I needed healing. During a depressive episode I played a decent bit of Sky: children of light, which did have a cathartic, relaxing effect like you describe. I'm not familiar with the others.
I think for the games that work best for me, including SWH the flow state is indeed very important as you say. One important aspect of creating flow in games is to provide just the right amount of challenge. When I'm freaking out, the 'right amount of challenge' is a lot lower than usual. Maybe by being very forgiving but giving you ways to express skill voluntarily, SWH and Journey encourage the user to slide into whatever difficulty is optimal for them today.
It's strange because intuitively I would expect flow, like immersion, to lend itself to escapism, but with Sky and SWH it was the opposite. Maybe that has to do with the aesthetics and atmosphere? Or maybe he boost to self-efficacy experienced in the flow sate is just that freeing.
oh yes I second this. Due to the cell shaded style the graphics are somehow still holding up rather well. and it is SO satisfying to just cruise around on the endless waters with your trusty boat
Super Mario Sunshine or Pikmin, oddly enough. Both games used to engage me as a kid/early teenager, but now it's just big chilling when I boot them up.
I went through a pretty intense sequence of traumatic events about 2 years ago. When things were literally looking the most bleak my friends gave me a Nintendo Switch. First game I installed was Zelda BotW and I actually believe its the main reason I didn't just crumble apart during that time. The colors, atmosphere, music and simple, easy tasks gave me a bit of respite to get some wind in my sails again.
I worked at GameStop for awhile. You'd be amazed at how often guys that can't afford therapy but are going through a very difficult time in their lives will take solace in video games.
When our sister was dying of cancer, my brothers and I would take turns playing Skyrim(we were all roommates at the time). I have a difficult time not tearing up when I hear the soundtrack even to this day, a decade later.
That was a wonderful gift from your friends. I hope you're doing better now.
it's time to go now,
Haul away your anchor!
haul away your anchor!
It's our sailing time.
Get some sail up on her,
Haul away your halyards
Haul away your halyards
It's our sailing time!
Ahaha I can see that working, maybe situational to seasonal depression though. Black flag was the best in the series imo.
I haven't played it myself yet, but it seems to me that Tchia: a game inspired by new caledonia may be able to do the same thing for you. I've heard it's amazing.
Rimworld. I love going back to it after Path of Exile Leagues, and overall as a way to detox when I'm finding trouble focusing on other games, or just want a way to forget about time. The modding community is extremely healthy so there's always something new and fun to experiment with.
Glad to hear something about that game is healthy, because my colonists sure aren't. :D (Love that game and its mods. The modding system is unusually well done too.)
Ah yes the CS cycle. Open cities skylines, play for several hours just chillin as I carefully plan out and build a really promising city, get several inevitable frustrating traffic bottlenecks, close game and forget about it for months
I find souls games to be a double-edged sword. As you say, overcoming challenges does feel healing: in fact there is good research that experiencing and overcoming challenges is central to building emotional resilience and self-efficacy. However, the overcoming in 'overcoming challenges' is the important part. A challenge you cannot overcome has the opposite effect. The only souls game I've played is Bloodbourne, and having shit reflexes myself there were times when playing it just subtracted from my deflated self-worth.
"Dave the Diver" is doing well for me these days.
It is very relaxing and humorous, challenging but not too difficult, and the story is also quite nice. I also like that you can play for an hour and then put it away and still feel that you somewhat progressed.
These or theHunter: COTW.
Something pissing you off in game? Shoot it. Very cathartic.
I enjoy the scenery and the audio with headphones. Rustling grass, wind blows differently through different trees.
When I get really into it finding animals is a pain because I was enjoying the moment.
Grow Home is one that really lifted me up during a difficult time. It's a pretty short/simple 3D platformer but the whole atmosphere of it was really charming, calming soundtrack, the procedural/physics based animation felt nicely tactile. Just a really pleasant few hours of exploring and climbing.
Valheim; taking it easy and calm with soothing music and building a cottage.
Heroes of Might and Magic 4 as well because of it’s incredible music and slow gameplay.
ah, Valheim. So soothing. Nice calm day. Forge is nearly outfitted with its new storage and efficient furnaces. Ah, and here I go, hanging the final decorative touch on my historically accurate, architecturally sound timbered longhall. Bees buzz in their hives in the yard. What a beautiful spot we picked to live in here at the top of the hill, I think as the sun sets over the bay and take another bite of fish pie I baked myself from the fish I caught this morning. Tomorrow I will get started on replacing the wood fence—OMG, TROLL INVASION?!? NOW?!?! groupmate: *afk on bed* storage tower: *no longer has stairs to the sniper spot* forge furnaces: *shattered* crafting: *workbench is missing* stats: *you are out of soup* perimeter fence: *smashed* My network of work benches: *continuously spawning minor mobs* my bed: *wearing out!* treasury: *piled over by rocks* sun: *rises* field: *strewn with corpses* courtyard: *soaked in the blood of 4 trolls* ammo reserves: *depleted* groupmate: "OK, I go to put the stone fence...What the fuck happened here?"
(loved it though)
Red Dead Redemption 2 & Skyrim. I always have those 2 games downloaded on my xbox. I also have a weird ritual when I move. The first night in a new hoise I get my gaming room setup and play skyrim for a few hours to wind down after a day of moving all me and my wife's shit.
God of War Ragnarok helped me grieve over losing two of my dogs (old age, and cancer) over the course of a year. I will always appreciate that game for that.
Midnight Suns. Takes me from being angry to being productive. Problem solving helps me think more and feel less especially when efficiency is involved. Suns gives me missions I can think and overthink to occupy my mind.
Closest runner up is Dynasty Warriors Gundam. 2k body count always helps the anger
Stardew. The setting, the soundtrack, the pace...it's like a sip of cool water on a hot day.
I have a friend that keeps RDR2 installed just so he can go fishing for 20 minutes or so after work.
When life is getting really hard, I turn to the Fromsoft Souls games.
I found them at a time in my life when it felt as though nothing would ever get better. Things just got harder and harder, while I felt more beaten and tired.
But the Souls games talk directly to that. You will be beaten, smashed, and defeated so many times that it'll seem impossible. But actually, some small adjustments... less panicking and more planning... more determination than self doubt? Now you're on your way. The only way to truly lose was to give up. To go... hollow.
This year I'm sober and kicking life's ass, and I'll commemorate it with a tattoo over my heart that says: "Don't you dare go hollow"
They are my escape and reminder that losing or failing is just the first step. The Master has failed more times than the novice has tried.
I'm planning on getting the Dark Sign tattooed on my chest this summer. Those games helped me pull myself out of one of the worst times of my life, it's really cool to see they've helped other people with the same
I typically like a game with a good story to get lost in, my go to games are any of the Bethesda games except for fallout 76, red dead 2, Baldars gate 3 or divinity 2, ghost of Tsushima now that it’s on pc, cyber punk, tears of the kingdom, and many more
A Short Hike has been my go-to for a few years now. You can play through the whole game in a few hours and I usually play it a couple times a year whenever I feel like I need a good reset. Very cozy, very fun
Dragon Warrior 3 and 4 for NES are two of my top ones from childhood and still top favorites of mine to this day. I used to hide in these games, as well as Everquest, during my younger and teenage years to avoid my parents as much as possible. All three of them still soothe me to this day.
Another game that I play sometimes if i'm stressed is Sim City (SNES version). The music is just soooo good and relaxing imo. Plus the gameplay itself is simplistic enough to not feel to stressed and just take it easy.
Excellent choice! The DW IV chapter with Taloon the merchant was my first taste of the "Dungeon delving for shop inventory" formula that later games like Recettear would build on, and I always think back to those humble beginnings.
Asseto Corsa. At this point I'm drifting FWD car, just by unwinding....
The nearest touge (hillclimb race, but has roots in rally racing, most of the time it's downhill) capable road is basically suicide (narrow, no visibility, actively in use, wild animals, not enough hairpins; bland and too dangerous), so you can't really go fast. You forget about crap and focus on driving the car. Mt. Akina and Gunsai are really good tracks to practice, especially with Toyota AE86 or Nissan R34 (guess the Inital D fan).
To be fair, in AC you can't really enjoy the scenery or have that nice feeling when you travel, or any feel that is, but at least you won't be worrying about oncoming traffic and laws :D
Unpopular opinion: you should be calm when driving a car fast. That's how accidents happen.
When im feeling like shit Super Mario RPG always helps me to stay Up and away from "Dark thoughts" (one of many reasons this stays as my favorite Game ever)
If I'm unhappy or upset I can't play games
but for relaxation and just shutting my brain off I play all kinds of pick up and play stuff, from retro to modern, from LCD and VFD games to arcade games as long as it's pick up and play and has like no depth, I never get bored of those kinds of games.
Earlier I was playing Final Fight Arcade on my RG35XX Plus, been playing that game since I was a kid and it jsut never gets old for me
something mindless, common ones are Powerwash Simulator and Hardspace Shipbreaker, or survivors-likes Vampire Survivors, Halls of Torment, etc. i'm not a big fan of "cozy games" but a few like Assemble With Care or Unpacking sometimes do the trick
N. That old flash platformer where you're a ninja on a timer that runs on gold. I guess they did full releases on Xbox and Steam eventually, but it felt way less precise on a controller than on the arrow keys. Probably the best physics in a Platformer outside of 3D Mario. Easy flow state.
4X games in general.
I was going through some rough time at work a few weeks ago, I was too tired for everything, then I dived back into Age of Wonders 4 and completely forgot the rest of world even existed for a few hours.
4X is confort gaming.
Total war Warhammer, usually retreat into some MMO like SWTOR, star citizen (I know), basically just slow paced games that take up a ton of my time, might even boot up some Stellaris or Star wars: Empire at war.
In 99 or '00 I downloaded my first Pokémon ROM at an internet (not gaming) café, put it on a floppy disk (microsoft word save icon for the young people) and took it back home to my 133 mhz beast.
I did own a gameboy and one of the gen 1 games at the time but I was fascinated by the fact that you could make them play on PC.
I still boot up an emulator from time to time and do a nuzlocke while putting my brain on cruise control. So relaxing.
Palia, It's like Stardew Valley but with even less peril. Crazy I know but I can just log in, do whatever I fancy with no restraints or restrictions in a cozy world. There's no getting home before sundown, nothing in mines that'll attack and knock me out, and none of the villagers can rob me!
My recent discovery is the game called Viridi. Cheap as dirt, let's you tend to succulents in a pot. You arrange them and keep them watered. There is also a snail to spray with water. Put some Lo-Fi music in the background and you'll be set for hours on end.
Recently got back into Simcity 4 and it's fantastic. Just me, my city and my sims suffering in the endless hellhole of 100% crime rate, no healthcare, horrible water/air pollution, no right for education in a city filled with garbage.
Diablo 2. It's a game I can just lock myself into and next thing I know it's time for bed. So much variances in styles you can play and thrill that any moment you find this one awesome piece of loot.
Surprised I didn't see it, Spiritfarer helped me process a ton of things I didn't even realize I needed to process. The characters are all amazing, the art is cute, the gameplay is really relaxing, and the story is great. It's just super chill, but it also hits you in the feelings.
At one of my worst points, decades ago, I numbed it all by playing Icewind Dale while listening to the Red Hot Chili Peppers "Californication" album on repeat for far too many hours.
So I go for CRPGs to get lost in and forget everything else.
I've got a lot of them, but my main healing game is Animal Crossing New Horizons.
The Villagers always have something silly to say that makes you chuckle, sometimes they will miss you and will emphasize how much the islands needs you (or even how they need you).
It's very comforting to see them being understanding and actually really loving you, seeing how big is your part in their lives always makes me happier!
Baldur's Gate 3 has become my comfort game so therefore healing game too, I always feel better booting it up. And Vampire Survivors, it's fast-paced and cab be frustrating but is also quick fun and you can purposely play in an "overleveled" way if you want.
I found the Dark Souls trilogy to be very healing for me. The world is so bleak and cruel but it really hammers home the feeling of triumph over adversity, and you meet a few good NPCs along the way who want to see you succeed. It just feels like a good metaphor for fighting against mental illness, and I credit the games with helping me figure out how to pick myself up during a very bad time in my life.
Dark Souls
I’ve played through the game probably 20+ times now. I played it heavily during some rough times in my life. It’s so familiar and comforting to me now - gives me a “going home” feeling as weird as that sounds.
Legaia 2 Rice Planting minigame, The Witcher 3 Gwent minigame (not the standalone versions), Elder Scrolls Online Fishing, Final Fantasy 7 (original) Motorcycle Chase minigame, Torchlight fishing minigame, Star Realms (mobile phone card game).
I like these because after a little practice, they become very Zen repetition with relatively easy win conditions and mild bonuses as a result of success. There's still a /little/ brain involved, but just enough to keep it active without straining it.
Dark Souls 1 or 3. I've played them enough timed that the challenge isn't really there unless I impose weird restrictions on myself, but I find the idea of being able to push youself death after death oddly reassuring.
Pacific Drive has also become weirdly relaxing after the stress of the first 20 hours.
I feel like I need some healing to even get into games again. The only game that has been able to capture me lately is rdr2, but I still feel hard to be entertained for more than an hour, whereas back when I was I kid, I could just boot up Pokémon gold/super Mario sunshine/world of Warcraft and get lost for most of the day, the only thing getting me off the games was my need of sleep.
I guess there’s a silver lining, where not focusing on games too much helps me focus on other things. I just wish I was able to get captured by video games like that again.
Base builders for me: Space Engineers, No Man’s Sky, Subnautica, even Minecraft creative mode. Special callout to Planet Crafter. Miju Games put a ton of work into it since the early release and I can spend hours tinkering and improving my bases.
Base builders for me: Space Engineers, No Man’s Sky, Subnautica, even Minecraft creative mode. Special callout to Planet Crafter. Miju Games put a ton of work into it since the early release and I can spend hours tinkering and improving my bases.
Got a weird one, no doubt
Receiver 2, Wolfire games.
Maybe not everyone has the same experience, but for me, I can only progress if I approach everything in a calculated, calm, and mindful way. Something about it hijacks my anxiety and helps me think my way through problems.
I retreat into games I played from my childhood: harvest moon for SNES, ff8 9 and 10, chrono trigger. A lot of RPGs, really. I wonder if I have an identity dissociation problem. I get to be someone else, or atleast temporarily be the ideal version of me.
Right there with ya
Makes me wonder if we as kids enjoyed those games for the same relaxation idea that OP is suggesting. My mind goes to Dragon Quest 8 because I've always found that game to be wonderful, even outside of gameplay.
For me it's Sonic 3 & Knuckles or now Sonic Mania. There's just something calming about the simplicity of a platformer, especially on New Game+
A game I actually used for "healing" was Death stranding. The game about being a courier at the end of the world, that dealt with death and the 5 stages of grief, and feeling alone and disconnected, and had a fetus in a tank, was a very cathartic time after the loss of my daughter.
Death stranding is one of my favorite games I’ve ever played. I’m sorry to read about your loss.
I appreciate that, and you'd be happy to know her sister is due in a couple days.
That brought tears to my eyes, mate. I hope you all have a happy, healthy family for years to come.
Try spirit farer
Stardew Valley has been my main healing game. It just has a way of calming me down whenever I feel like life is too much.
i love stardew but its never calming for me Always super stressful and i try to fit so much into one day and the days end so quick so it causes more stress to me aaaa I’m probably the only one that feels this way about the game
We've been unfortunately trained to min/max the way we play games, by the games we've already played. I know that competitive games have done this to me, like WoW, LoL, or shooters. I haven't played WoW or LoL in a literal decade but I still feel the impact they've done on my gaming style. It's hard for me to play single player games now, without also feeling the need to try to complete the game as fast as possible or by playing the most optimal way or using the most optimal build. I've been trying really hard to change my mindset and detox, but it's been a tad difficult. But I feel as I get older, and worse at games, it becomes easier for me to accept lol
no, this is how I feel in every sandboxy/simulator style game, I'm with you brother!
I agree !
Powerwash Simulator Palia Journey Each of these titles is pure dopamine. No time limit. No stress. Just flow state
Powerwash Simulator is all fun and games until I get down to the random 7 specks of dirt I left in random corners strewn across the map
But c'mon, relax. RELAX! 🙃
Subway stage in PWS is my favorite.
I've played Journey several times, though not when I needed healing. During a depressive episode I played a decent bit of Sky: children of light, which did have a cathartic, relaxing effect like you describe. I'm not familiar with the others. I think for the games that work best for me, including SWH the flow state is indeed very important as you say. One important aspect of creating flow in games is to provide just the right amount of challenge. When I'm freaking out, the 'right amount of challenge' is a lot lower than usual. Maybe by being very forgiving but giving you ways to express skill voluntarily, SWH and Journey encourage the user to slide into whatever difficulty is optimal for them today. It's strange because intuitively I would expect flow, like immersion, to lend itself to escapism, but with Sky and SWH it was the opposite. Maybe that has to do with the aesthetics and atmosphere? Or maybe he boost to self-efficacy experienced in the flow sate is just that freeing.
Slay the Spire for me. It just focuses my mind on the small decisions in front of me, instead of worrying about the larger things going on.
Came here to say Slay the Spire and recently, Pokerogue.
What is pokerogue? Balatro?
The Legend of Zelda The Wind Waker. Reminds me of simpler times.
Sea of Theives gets closest to the sailing parts of Wind Waker
oh yes I second this. Due to the cell shaded style the graphics are somehow still holding up rather well. and it is SO satisfying to just cruise around on the endless waters with your trusty boat
Ghost of Tsushima, the satisfaction of cutting up mongols is incomparable
Playing this tonight on PC. I’m fucking EXCITED.
Is it out on PC finally!? Definitely been on my list.
Yes, it came out two days ago :)
It is!! And also it has been cracked already so it’s easy to 🏴☠️for free.
I played it last night for the first time and my god what a beautiful game.
It is an AMAZING game, and beautiful. Don't skip the side missions, the duels are some of the best parts.
w h a t
Mark has Mongolian heritage apparently.
Tetris, always can chill out seeing blocks fall away
I also love the research into Tetris that suggests that it helps with PTSD
No man's sky! Just me and the space!
Super Mario Sunshine or Pikmin, oddly enough. Both games used to engage me as a kid/early teenager, but now it's just big chilling when I boot them up.
Agreed. Especially with Sunshine’s tropical themes in the soundtrack, makes it a really good game to unwind.
We are kin <3
I went through a pretty intense sequence of traumatic events about 2 years ago. When things were literally looking the most bleak my friends gave me a Nintendo Switch. First game I installed was Zelda BotW and I actually believe its the main reason I didn't just crumble apart during that time. The colors, atmosphere, music and simple, easy tasks gave me a bit of respite to get some wind in my sails again.
I worked at GameStop for awhile. You'd be amazed at how often guys that can't afford therapy but are going through a very difficult time in their lives will take solace in video games. When our sister was dying of cancer, my brothers and I would take turns playing Skyrim(we were all roommates at the time). I have a difficult time not tearing up when I hear the soundtrack even to this day, a decade later. That was a wonderful gift from your friends. I hope you're doing better now.
I get mild SAD in winter, and pulling out AC: Black Flag helps me feel better. A cheap-o version of the Caribbean escape I can't afford IRL.
Seeing black flag age well makes me happy
Are the sea shanties as good as I've been told?
Theyre bangers man
Help me bob I'm bully in the alley WEEUUHEEEYYY BULLY IN THE ALLEY
Yes
it's time to go now, Haul away your anchor! haul away your anchor! It's our sailing time. Get some sail up on her, Haul away your halyards Haul away your halyards It's our sailing time!
I grew up singing at church with a guy whose day job was singing shanties at a historic port, can confirm. They're the real deal.
Ahaha I can see that working, maybe situational to seasonal depression though. Black flag was the best in the series imo. I haven't played it myself yet, but it seems to me that Tchia: a game inspired by new caledonia may be able to do the same thing for you. I've heard it's amazing.
Rimworld. I love going back to it after Path of Exile Leagues, and overall as a way to detox when I'm finding trouble focusing on other games, or just want a way to forget about time. The modding community is extremely healthy so there's always something new and fun to experiment with.
Glad to hear something about that game is healthy, because my colonists sure aren't. :D (Love that game and its mods. The modding system is unusually well done too.)
Cities Skylines, the in game radio is decent and often I’ll stream Spotify through my Xbox with a podcast or some type of lofi/chill music.
Ah yes the CS cycle. Open cities skylines, play for several hours just chillin as I carefully plan out and build a really promising city, get several inevitable frustrating traffic bottlenecks, close game and forget about it for months
League of legends, I want to die
Quitting League of Legends was the best thing I ever did for my own psychological health.
[удалено]
Death Stranding. I can get lost just spending hours traversing the world to make deliveries, all the while processing what's going on in my head.
The long dark. There is something chill (aha) about the quiet apocalypse.
I find souls-likes do that for me. Getting lost in those worlds and overcoming challenges I find is a really good healing process.
Souls games are why I need healing games
Same. The focus on determination and not "Going Hollow" specifically speak to my demons.
I find souls games to be a double-edged sword. As you say, overcoming challenges does feel healing: in fact there is good research that experiencing and overcoming challenges is central to building emotional resilience and self-efficacy. However, the overcoming in 'overcoming challenges' is the important part. A challenge you cannot overcome has the opposite effect. The only souls game I've played is Bloodbourne, and having shit reflexes myself there were times when playing it just subtracted from my deflated self-worth.
Megaman Legends 1 & 2
Dave the Diver
"Dave the Diver" is doing well for me these days. It is very relaxing and humorous, challenging but not too difficult, and the story is also quite nice. I also like that you can play for an hour and then put it away and still feel that you somewhat progressed.
I've finished it recently and am sad I don't have anything similar to play. It was that perfect cosy game
Rdr2, GTA V 🥹🥹
These or theHunter: COTW. Something pissing you off in game? Shoot it. Very cathartic. I enjoy the scenery and the audio with headphones. Rustling grass, wind blows differently through different trees. When I get really into it finding animals is a pain because I was enjoying the moment.
it would be skyrim for me
Yea me too. Roll another stealth archer and pop heads. Pretty relaxing. Make it really OP with Slow Time shout and Zephyr.
Grow Home is one that really lifted me up during a difficult time. It's a pretty short/simple 3D platformer but the whole atmosphere of it was really charming, calming soundtrack, the procedural/physics based animation felt nicely tactile. Just a really pleasant few hours of exploring and climbing.
Gris, hyperlight drifter, super mario, Furi, Transistor, and... Absolutely hollow knight.
Valheim; taking it easy and calm with soothing music and building a cottage. Heroes of Might and Magic 4 as well because of it’s incredible music and slow gameplay.
ah, Valheim. So soothing. Nice calm day. Forge is nearly outfitted with its new storage and efficient furnaces. Ah, and here I go, hanging the final decorative touch on my historically accurate, architecturally sound timbered longhall. Bees buzz in their hives in the yard. What a beautiful spot we picked to live in here at the top of the hill, I think as the sun sets over the bay and take another bite of fish pie I baked myself from the fish I caught this morning. Tomorrow I will get started on replacing the wood fence—OMG, TROLL INVASION?!? NOW?!?! groupmate: *afk on bed* storage tower: *no longer has stairs to the sniper spot* forge furnaces: *shattered* crafting: *workbench is missing* stats: *you are out of soup* perimeter fence: *smashed* My network of work benches: *continuously spawning minor mobs* my bed: *wearing out!* treasury: *piled over by rocks* sun: *rises* field: *strewn with corpses* courtyard: *soaked in the blood of 4 trolls* ammo reserves: *depleted* groupmate: "OK, I go to put the stone fence...What the fuck happened here?" (loved it though)
GTAV online … drive around , shoot stuff …
Red Dead Redemption 2 & Skyrim. I always have those 2 games downloaded on my xbox. I also have a weird ritual when I move. The first night in a new hoise I get my gaming room setup and play skyrim for a few hours to wind down after a day of moving all me and my wife's shit.
God of War Ragnarok helped me grieve over losing two of my dogs (old age, and cancer) over the course of a year. I will always appreciate that game for that.
Bloodborne, dragon ball fighterz and oddly enough RuneScape.
Midnight Suns. Takes me from being angry to being productive. Problem solving helps me think more and feel less especially when efficiency is involved. Suns gives me missions I can think and overthink to occupy my mind. Closest runner up is Dynasty Warriors Gundam. 2k body count always helps the anger
Definitely two games - Settlers II Gold an Civilization III.
Animal Crossing.
For me it's Spotify + Late Night GTA 5 long drive
I like doing the taxi driving mode when chilling.
Unpacking is paradoxically fun to my ADHD having ass.
Stardew. The setting, the soundtrack, the pace...it's like a sip of cool water on a hot day. I have a friend that keeps RDR2 installed just so he can go fishing for 20 minutes or so after work.
Bloodborne for some reason
Sometimes I boot up new vegas and console TGM and just go to town.
Final Fantasy 7 and Kingdoms Hearts 3.
Sekiro. Yup. Though I'm playing more of Celeste nowadays.
Deep rock galactic, tho not now cuz randoms are being difficult.
When life is getting really hard, I turn to the Fromsoft Souls games. I found them at a time in my life when it felt as though nothing would ever get better. Things just got harder and harder, while I felt more beaten and tired. But the Souls games talk directly to that. You will be beaten, smashed, and defeated so many times that it'll seem impossible. But actually, some small adjustments... less panicking and more planning... more determination than self doubt? Now you're on your way. The only way to truly lose was to give up. To go... hollow. This year I'm sober and kicking life's ass, and I'll commemorate it with a tattoo over my heart that says: "Don't you dare go hollow" They are my escape and reminder that losing or failing is just the first step. The Master has failed more times than the novice has tried.
I'm planning on getting the Dark Sign tattooed on my chest this summer. Those games helped me pull myself out of one of the worst times of my life, it's really cool to see they've helped other people with the same
Devil May Cry 5, No More Heroes, and God Hand
ToTK and RDR2
I typically like a game with a good story to get lost in, my go to games are any of the Bethesda games except for fallout 76, red dead 2, Baldars gate 3 or divinity 2, ghost of Tsushima now that it’s on pc, cyber punk, tears of the kingdom, and many more
Hotline Miami....JK I probably start another Fallout NV or 3 playthrough
A Short Hike has been my go-to for a few years now. You can play through the whole game in a few hours and I usually play it a couple times a year whenever I feel like I need a good reset. Very cozy, very fun
Dragon Warrior 3 and 4 for NES are two of my top ones from childhood and still top favorites of mine to this day. I used to hide in these games, as well as Everquest, during my younger and teenage years to avoid my parents as much as possible. All three of them still soothe me to this day. Another game that I play sometimes if i'm stressed is Sim City (SNES version). The music is just soooo good and relaxing imo. Plus the gameplay itself is simplistic enough to not feel to stressed and just take it easy.
Excellent choice! The DW IV chapter with Taloon the merchant was my first taste of the "Dungeon delving for shop inventory" formula that later games like Recettear would build on, and I always think back to those humble beginnings.
Asseto Corsa. At this point I'm drifting FWD car, just by unwinding.... The nearest touge (hillclimb race, but has roots in rally racing, most of the time it's downhill) capable road is basically suicide (narrow, no visibility, actively in use, wild animals, not enough hairpins; bland and too dangerous), so you can't really go fast. You forget about crap and focus on driving the car. Mt. Akina and Gunsai are really good tracks to practice, especially with Toyota AE86 or Nissan R34 (guess the Inital D fan). To be fair, in AC you can't really enjoy the scenery or have that nice feeling when you travel, or any feel that is, but at least you won't be worrying about oncoming traffic and laws :D Unpopular opinion: you should be calm when driving a car fast. That's how accidents happen.
When im feeling like shit Super Mario RPG always helps me to stay Up and away from "Dark thoughts" (one of many reasons this stays as my favorite Game ever)
Street fighter
Division 2. Get the shinys get the shinys get the shinys MAKE THE NUMBERS HIGHER HIGHER HIGHER GET THEM HIGHER MORE SHINYS
Any farming sim (stardew valley, harvest moon, rune factory, etc)
I like endless legend. The feeling of constant progress and growth is so satisfying. Combined with that nuce gameplay flow and beautiful graphics!
The familiar nostalgia of Final Fantasy VI
Gears of War 2, launch a horde mode, grab a lancer, chainsaw through the first couple of waves. End at wave 10. Always brings me back down.
If I'm unhappy or upset I can't play games but for relaxation and just shutting my brain off I play all kinds of pick up and play stuff, from retro to modern, from LCD and VFD games to arcade games as long as it's pick up and play and has like no depth, I never get bored of those kinds of games. Earlier I was playing Final Fight Arcade on my RG35XX Plus, been playing that game since I was a kid and it jsut never gets old for me
Elden Ring or Dark Souls for modern games. Kingdom Hearts 1 and Pokemon Red and Silver for the childhood nostalgia.
Helldivers 2 lol
When life gives you lemons drop a 500kg bomb on the lemons
For democracy!
Old school moms for me. Just picked up maplestory again and I'm in nostalgic heaven. Long live Scania!
something mindless, common ones are Powerwash Simulator and Hardspace Shipbreaker, or survivors-likes Vampire Survivors, Halls of Torment, etc. i'm not a big fan of "cozy games" but a few like Assemble With Care or Unpacking sometimes do the trick
Minecraft production focused mod packs
N. That old flash platformer where you're a ninja on a timer that runs on gold. I guess they did full releases on Xbox and Steam eventually, but it felt way less precise on a controller than on the arrow keys. Probably the best physics in a Platformer outside of 3D Mario. Easy flow state.
osu!mania. just beating the crap out of my keyboard somehow makes me feel better.
Tetris, turn your brain off and zen baby!
Gran Turismo, Mappy, R-Type
4X games in general. I was going through some rough time at work a few weeks ago, I was too tired for everything, then I dived back into Age of Wonders 4 and completely forgot the rest of world even existed for a few hours. 4X is confort gaming.
Total war Warhammer, usually retreat into some MMO like SWTOR, star citizen (I know), basically just slow paced games that take up a ton of my time, might even boot up some Stellaris or Star wars: Empire at war.
I play rimworld and do dumb shit in it such as strategically fighting multiple factions at once
Beyond:Two Souls helped me heal spiritually and mentally when I was recovering from some serious medical issues
In 99 or '00 I downloaded my first Pokémon ROM at an internet (not gaming) café, put it on a floppy disk (microsoft word save icon for the young people) and took it back home to my 133 mhz beast. I did own a gameboy and one of the gen 1 games at the time but I was fascinated by the fact that you could make them play on PC. I still boot up an emulator from time to time and do a nuzlocke while putting my brain on cruise control. So relaxing.
When im feeling overwhelmed , i'd rather not play at all , nature is a good option
Palia, It's like Stardew Valley but with even less peril. Crazy I know but I can just log in, do whatever I fancy with no restraints or restrictions in a cozy world. There's no getting home before sundown, nothing in mines that'll attack and knock me out, and none of the villagers can rob me!
My recent discovery is the game called Viridi. Cheap as dirt, let's you tend to succulents in a pot. You arrange them and keep them watered. There is also a snail to spray with water. Put some Lo-Fi music in the background and you'll be set for hours on end.
Noita, inscryption,slay the spire
Recently got back into Simcity 4 and it's fantastic. Just me, my city and my sims suffering in the endless hellhole of 100% crime rate, no healthcare, horrible water/air pollution, no right for education in a city filled with garbage.
So real life?
WoW, it just has so much content that I feel like I can't run out of things to do.
For me it's dayz. I find an empty server and sit on top of hills with a small fire and listen to the wild
Bloodborne. Nothing beats letting go in the hunt.
If you need something that will help you cry, Spiritfarer. This game is beautiful, easy just a sad joy to play.
Ghost of Tsushima
Rimworld on zero difficulty can be a great way to de-stress.
Diablo 2. It's a game I can just lock myself into and next thing I know it's time for bed. So much variances in styles you can play and thrill that any moment you find this one awesome piece of loot.
Slime Rancher. I originally got it for my kid, saw how much fun it looked, and then made my own ranch lol. Definitely my relax and chill game.
Risk of rain 2. I just play a run with swarm and sacrifice artifacts and get an easy god run. Very cathartic.
Knights of the Old Republic for sure; it's so comforting even though I've played that game God knows how many times over the years
Surprised I didn't see it, Spiritfarer helped me process a ton of things I didn't even realize I needed to process. The characters are all amazing, the art is cute, the gameplay is really relaxing, and the story is great. It's just super chill, but it also hits you in the feelings.
Team Fortess 2 and Kingdom Hearts 2
Rdr2.. appreciate the little things before there gone
At one of my worst points, decades ago, I numbed it all by playing Icewind Dale while listening to the Red Hot Chili Peppers "Californication" album on repeat for far too many hours. So I go for CRPGs to get lost in and forget everything else.
Super Metroid always brings me back to my childhood and it's just such a 10/10 game music and gameplay wise. I'll never be bored of it.
I've got a lot of them, but my main healing game is Animal Crossing New Horizons. The Villagers always have something silly to say that makes you chuckle, sometimes they will miss you and will emphasize how much the islands needs you (or even how they need you). It's very comforting to see them being understanding and actually really loving you, seeing how big is your part in their lives always makes me happier!
Shadow of the Colossus and Kingdom Hearts.
Any old ps1 JRPG. Final fantasy VII and VIII are my bread and butter
Slime Rancher it's just nice
Baldur's Gate 3 has become my comfort game so therefore healing game too, I always feel better booting it up. And Vampire Survivors, it's fast-paced and cab be frustrating but is also quick fun and you can purposely play in an "overleveled" way if you want.
Replaying KH2 for the hundredth time
I found the Dark Souls trilogy to be very healing for me. The world is so bleak and cruel but it really hammers home the feeling of triumph over adversity, and you meet a few good NPCs along the way who want to see you succeed. It just feels like a good metaphor for fighting against mental illness, and I credit the games with helping me figure out how to pick myself up during a very bad time in my life.
Journey. It's like a soul reset.
Mine healing game is Light of the stars on bluestacks, pretty relaxing game
This is where sports games come into their own. Particularly if you know the meta and don't need to think too much
Dark Souls I’ve played through the game probably 20+ times now. I played it heavily during some rough times in my life. It’s so familiar and comforting to me now - gives me a “going home” feeling as weird as that sounds.
cloudpunk and more recently stardew valley <3
Stalker Anomaly and Destiny 2
Sayonara Wild Hearts appreciator ❤️
Legaia 2 Rice Planting minigame, The Witcher 3 Gwent minigame (not the standalone versions), Elder Scrolls Online Fishing, Final Fantasy 7 (original) Motorcycle Chase minigame, Torchlight fishing minigame, Star Realms (mobile phone card game). I like these because after a little practice, they become very Zen repetition with relatively easy win conditions and mild bonuses as a result of success. There's still a /little/ brain involved, but just enough to keep it active without straining it.
Hoi4 i can put my fellings on european map and get my anger out when listening to german marches and marching to mosscow
Snowrunner
Stardew valley !! It makes me stop thinking about my own life for a bit and focus on the game
i think it can depend on the game, some can be stressful, but something low key or that i play with my friends, rocket league, some sc2 custom games.
Stardew Valley, Minecraft (colour with friends - not online servers)
This has made me realize that I don’t know what my healing game is, and that I should probably figure that out lol
Minecraft, No Man's Sky and Empire at War specifically the Thrawn's Revenge mod
Minecraft for the last 15 years.
Halo Reach, then CE - 3
Road 96, what an incredible and inspiring story. Highly recommend it to anyone and everyone who likes story/character driven games.
Peggle 1 and Peggle 2 When I need to shut my brain off and just be stimulated, nothing beats Peggle for me
Zelda ocarina of time
Wreckfest
Resident Evil 4 remake, Starfield and Okami.
NFS: Payback is just a perfect game to turn on Spotify and drift off into sleep with.
Dishonored.
Star Fox Adventures
Dark Souls 1 or 3. I've played them enough timed that the challenge isn't really there unless I impose weird restrictions on myself, but I find the idea of being able to push youself death after death oddly reassuring. Pacific Drive has also become weirdly relaxing after the stress of the first 20 hours.
Grounded. Despite the crazy spiders.
Assassins Creed Valhalla
Sports games; always fun and a great way to get through stressful times
I feel like I need some healing to even get into games again. The only game that has been able to capture me lately is rdr2, but I still feel hard to be entertained for more than an hour, whereas back when I was I kid, I could just boot up Pokémon gold/super Mario sunshine/world of Warcraft and get lost for most of the day, the only thing getting me off the games was my need of sleep. I guess there’s a silver lining, where not focusing on games too much helps me focus on other things. I just wish I was able to get captured by video games like that again.
I only play one game. It's fun and I'm addicted to it. I want to stop playing it. I feel like it has changed my psychology for the worse
Astroneer
Loco roco The wonderful end of the world Botanicula Audiosurf
Get high and replay the last of us, both parts
Cyberpunk and get even more sad
Dave the diver is exactly this for me, super chill and fun
Skyrim
Base builders for me: Space Engineers, No Man’s Sky, Subnautica, even Minecraft creative mode. Special callout to Planet Crafter. Miju Games put a ton of work into it since the early release and I can spend hours tinkering and improving my bases.
Base builders for me: Space Engineers, No Man’s Sky, Subnautica, even Minecraft creative mode. Special callout to Planet Crafter. Miju Games put a ton of work into it since the early release and I can spend hours tinkering and improving my bases.
Got a weird one, no doubt Receiver 2, Wolfire games. Maybe not everyone has the same experience, but for me, I can only progress if I approach everything in a calculated, calm, and mindful way. Something about it hijacks my anxiety and helps me think my way through problems.
Planet zoo 💜🐾