Our go-to video games can teach us a lot more about life than we may think. What seem to be “trivial joys” that do nothing but distract us from our responsibilities can actually open our hearts and minds to new perspectives we’ve yet to encounter in real life.
Photo: PlayStation, Xbox, Steam
We all have our own glimmers of hope and sources of comfort to hold on to as we power through each day. Some turn to their favorite books, movies, albums, and TV shows that never get old, even after multiple rewatches. Others invest in low-pressure hobbies, like journaling, drawing, and arts and crafts, to unwind after a stressful work week. Somewhere in between this diverse range of interests, however, lies a not-so-secret penchant for video games that we’re all familiar with.
We all have a title or two that can boost our moods and offer momentary escapades when life stretches us too thin. Whether you discovered these games on your own, grew up with them, or learned about them through a friend or loved one, it’s always reassuring to know that you can come back to them whenever you need to.
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Compared to the intense, large-scale, and graphic video games that usually cater to a more hardcore players, these three cozy and eccentric virtual realms offer the stillness and peace that we tend to lose sight of in the real world.
Are you ready to destress, pick up your console, and play? Here are three easy-going indie games that you should have on your radar:
To the Moon
If you’re looking for a game with poignant storytelling, nostalgic visuals, and characters that take you back to your childhood dreams, then To the Moon is right up your alley. This role-playing game (RPG) from 2011 lets you play as Dr. Rosalene and Dr. Watts, two doctors who embark on a journey to grant their patient Johnny’s dying wish: to travel to the moon.
No complex mechanics, no fast-paced combat, no powerful villains who’ll put your skills to the test. This game is a pure labor of love that’ll bring back your fondest, most vivid memories.
You can purchase To the Moon on Steam for ₱335.
Night in the Woods
What would you do if, after spending years in a faraway city, you returned to your hometown only to learn that everyone has already moved on without you? This is the harsh ordeal that college dropout Mae Borowski must grapple with in the 2017 narrative video game, Night in the Woods.
Strange occurrences surround Mae as she struggles to bond with her old friends and find purpose in her life again. Home is nothing like it once was, and there’s a hint of magic in the nearby woods that she can’t help but feel drawn to. Will Mae get her groove back and reconnect with her lifelong dreams? You’ll have to explore the game yourself to find out.
Night in the Woods is available on Steam for ₱615.
The Beginner’s Guide
The Beginner’s Guide, released in 2015, is introspective in every sense of the word. The game’s seemingly bleak and mundane interface, which highly resembles a Windows desktop, opens up an interactive space that’ll question your perceptions of the people around you.
Though brief and straightforward in its storytelling, The Beginner’s Guide covers numerous aspects of our everyday lives that we tend to overlook and take for granted. The game revolves around a stranger’s computer, which grants you access to their files and unfinished work. In just an hour and a half, you’ll be challenged to decipher this person and unpack their emotional plight, even if you’ve never met them before.
Can you prove your guesses right? Can you understand the owner of this computer from the back of your head? These questions may remain, but the answers might just be a click away.
You can purchase The Beginner’s Guide on Steam for ₱335.
ALSO READ: This New Filipino Video Game Lets You Help Animal Shelters Just by Playing
Do you have any favorite cozy, low-pressure video games? Share your picks with us in the comments below!
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