Everything is terrible, but video games can help me handle it

The world has felt very bleak lately.

These days, I have spent a lot of effort telling myself that in many ways, this is the best ever for collective human beings. I tried my best to make some gratitude, if nothing else, to protect myself. Smarter and more adaptable than myself will tell you that being buried in overwhelming fear is the power you want. In times like this, it is crucial to maintain a sense of joy. In my experience, they are absolutely correct. So I do my best to keep a life without compromise, a life full of joy in life – is everyone inclined to live and fight for pain?

I try to spend as much time around my loved ones and touch a lot of grass, but surely, it's my attempt to enjoy life and deal with all the elements this It's a video game. This may not be surprising or novel. If you are reading this, there is a good chance you are a gamer and are very familiar with the healing abilities and pleasant escapism associated with the game. recent, Reuters A study on the positive effects of comfort gaming was published ANIMAL CROSSING or Star Valley Can be in mental health. According to this study, there is basically “no statistically significant difference between playing video games and meditating.” I like this fact mainly because it makes me feel a little introverted when my husband catches my Mistria competition at 11pm.

But when I find myself enjoying games like this MISTRIA Field and Hello Kitty Island Adventure In my spare time – it's very interesting, no oligarchs, and cute– These sweet adventures go through a detour of reality and aren't always what I turn. Although they will certainly relax, they are not the game that has the biggest positive impact on my mental health.

Now, what I long for is a story of resistance. The clumsy losers bear much more power than their own stories. They are rarely fearless – without wise people, they are video game characters, but fear does not hinder them from doing moral things. I've always been fascinated to quote Mr. Rogers, and I think I'm “looking for assistants” even when it comes to video games.

For me, this is not a new phenomenon. When the conversation turns to “radical” my content, using the beloved meme template, I can vaguely point out that many of my core beliefs and values ​​are beginning to form – that is Final Fantasy VII The moment Barrett Wallace starts shooting among the piles of metal and concrete mountains, his home, friend, is probably his young daughter, Marlene. “What's all this for?” he screamed, his body lifting from sadness and bullet's recoil. Recently, I found myself asking the same question over and over again. “What is all this for?”

But Barrett's cry is more than just related – it is cathartic. Throughout Final Fantasy VII, he acts as a beacon of love, courage and self-sacrifice. If doing so will improve the lives of the perfect stranger, Barrett will lay his own life. If that means his daughter never has to do that, he will keep fighting and taste the fight. He is the kind of person I desperately want to believe in, not only a single being, but an inherent part of all of us. Barrett Wallace is the “assistant”.

I doubt this is why Metaphor: Cute Last year also resonated with me deeply. Throughout the process, when it explores topics like prejudice, poverty, violence, anxiety, and religious cycles, the metaphor repeatedly emphasizes the importance of caring for those around you and strives to be just and understanding – a “assistant” if you will. Its metanarative then boldly declares work like metaphorically – honest, honest, and most importantly hopeful work that goes far beyond entertainment, not just entertainment, and goes a step further. They are huge inspiration wells, partly to create more assistants.

Stories, whether built by one person or the entire studio, contain our hopes, fears, dreams, experiences, and beliefs. They are the closest we are to make intangible, tangible people share our inner world with each other in a hope of building a resonance. Although not all works are designed to inspire, all works abletherefore, the act of creation is an act that can be very powerful. In metaphor, I found a game that believed in all of this as firmly as I did. Long after finishing the game, its hope and reassurance continued to cover up me. Part of the reason it does this is because I firmly believe it has to cover up others, too.

Of course, some of Atlus’ other titles, namely the role series, also encourage perseverance, kindness and oppression and cruelty. I'll get fired, let alone how Role 5 Even if it means standing, status quo, government agencies and making you feel a little power, it's a game about people who abuse their power.

I also think of the time I played Mass Effect Trilogyand how shepherds are willing to help split communities reconcile, past mistakes and repeated reductions in life will inspire resistance, courage and compassion. Of course, you won't have Playing the shepherd in this way, if we are honest, then some aspects of all these aspects are not completely correct. But essentially, the mass effect provides a power fantasy where a large part of the fantasy is that you have the ability to change the whole thing galaxy better. It's just a nice bonus to do the benefits with Garrus, the number one video game boyfriend – although I'll argue Do Strengthens the importance of sticking to the people you have and finding happiness in horrible situations.

But while RPG tends to be more suitable for the bill – after all, I bet that most of us can easily list dozens of them, with a group of unlikely heroes coming together to take on oppressive regimes or stop a big bad guy – I also have some types that I attract me to attract me in a similar way.

Frankly, you can't talk about games that resist and help others without mentioning them humiliation and Wolfenstein. You play roles in both action adventure series, part of a small resistance group that defeats oppressive regimes. Whether through stealth or overwhelming firepower, your mission ultimately boils down to fighting the oppressors and helps restore the power of abusive citizens. They also raise an interesting question: Which is indeed more violent, through resistance to violence, or commanding us to maintain a systematic, approved act of violence that is accomplice?

One and the only “chain game” Death Strandingit is also worth mentioning here that the entire game revolves around helping others and building connections. In a world full of fear, people are largely isolated from each other, Sam Porter Bridges himself acts as a bridge to help people restore their humanity and companionship. Sam's – and the Player's Alturistic nature is further emphasized by another key feature of the game (the social chain system). Even though you will never encounter all the Death Stranding players, you can (and encourage!) build not only improves the world in your game, but also improves other things. Naturally, this means you will also gain the benefits of building someone else, which makes this game highlight the importance of mutual aid.

In Metroidvanias, general ego tends to make once capable characters “weak”, and they still choose to embark on dangerous and surreal journeys, some of which help protect those around them. Recovery of strength and general progress is not easy to occur. There are a lot of trials involved, and usually the path forward needs to move backwards, get stronger, smarter or more equipped, and try again. In this way, these games mimic life.

Although it sounds a bit dull, Soulslikes, in particular, has been particularly comforting for me over the years. In most cases, the stories and worlds they contain will not feel happy, safe or tender. But honestly, I prefer them not. If nothing can be overcome, you won't be able to overcome something. If they have never been tested, they cannot secure their strength or perseverance; if they do not grop the darkness and horrible situations, you cannot appreciate the light and beauty. And, without acknowledging the end of death, you will not be able to appreciate living.

Although sometimes seen as cruel or Grimwack, I found inspiration and catharsis in games like this Devil Soul,,,,, Elden Ring,,,,, Blood sourceand Sekiro: Shadow dies twice. Behind every weird work, cruel swordsman, hellish landscape and violent end are temporary shelters, spectacular sights, and satisfaction of knowing that you have won these things. Of course, there will always be something Lying ahead, but like in real life, these peaceful moments are something I cherish and taste. They remind us that even though everything is here, you are here now, even in darkness and unfathomable circumstances, live and do your best to live and do well. What an incredible feat.

I think this is all said, and while the world needs games that make us feel safe and comfortable, I believe we need to encourage and enhance our Game of Thrones, too. The game that reminds us of life is hard and dark, but we have the ability to live, hope and help. Although some people may shirk away from the idea that gaming is political, and what I mentioned above is perhaps Unlike the Disconsin Front, the paper, Fallout: The New Vegas, or countless other titles that explore capitalism and morality, or other titles that criticize apathy and centralism, it is undeniable that all of these artworks are built from experience and core, which are perhaps the two biggest factors guiding our political discipline. I find these creators believe in, and desire to promote goodness and progress is beautiful.

I know not everyone wants to delve into it. I know not everyone is going to pass the same message, or walk away and change. But I also have to believe that these stories do have this power, and like me, there are so many things that are comforted, rejuvenated and inspired by them. The world has felt very bleak lately. But history, people, stories and art remind me of nothing that is insurmountable, a better world – perhaps a comfortable, lit bonfire – ahead.