Chicken Soup For The Gamer Soul

Life gets hectic no matter where in the world, regardless of how you are doing in the moment. Life being hectic is almost a universal truth. Whether it be from physical or mental exhaustion, life keeps going. But that is why I feel games are so impactful, once we are able to get that down time. Some of us play RPGs to immerse ourselves in a story, others go hard on shooters to get a rush, both different, but equal in affect for stress release.

Then there are games that help with how we view things like fatigue or mental illness. A medium used to such a degree that maybe we learn something of ourselves, or a better understanding of different struggles, one’s that may affect us or not. Some times the game play is straightforward. Other times it leaves us to our own devices, and let us build & work from how we want, a good way to say it’s okay to slow down, or even speed it up a notch.

So I present to you a small sampling of games I feel are great for just this:

5. CELESTE

While Celeste can feel like a daunting task by the end stages of the game, it is one of the reasons I feel not just rewarded, but like I earned it by staying at it. But that is still second to the journey of Madeline, the beautiful music & visuals, and especially tight game play. The ordeal of our young heroine is also one we can all relate to. Loss, anxiety, depression, all things we have faced at some point or another, but with each struggle we grew. This being thanks in part to those who helped Madeline along the way, a reminder we are not always as alone as we may feel.

4. POWERWASH SIMULATOR

As funny as this one sounds, it has been so therapeutic to play. A series of ever growing difficult jobs, that are still as enjoyable from the start of the game till the end. The water itself gives almost a white noise feeling, combined with the visuals for a rewarding experience. Every star you get, every piece that is fully cleaned gives a pleasant ding. Watching the progress at the end of each job, while seeing the progress of it while you play is so visually appealing. Rewarding the work you are doing, and for going at your own pace. A great reminder that it’s okay to slow down & just breath.

3. HARVEST MOON 64

While not as in-depth as it's modern counterparts in Minecraft & Stardew Valley, the game still holds up, and tickles the nostalgia of those who are fond of this era. Yes the game is dated in game play, and does not offer as refined a system as the other mentioned games (or even later entries in it’s own series), but that doesn’t mean it should be wrote off right away. We have the systems iconic of the genre : raising animals & crops, making friends with the villagers, exploring the wilderness. Like I said it is dated, but the reminder of nostalgia in a positive way.

2. PHOGS

This adorable game really gripped me & my partner Skully. Visually it is cute, and has a charm all it’s own. The music is simple but enjoyable, and overall well done. The game is a simple puzzle game, but the real fun of it comes when playing couch co-op. You work together each controlling one half of the adorable duo dog through four worlds, each with their own theme & levels reflecting play, sleep, and food. Things that are important not just to our titular Phogs, but they are also important for us as kids, and adults. While these are important things, and we work towards them, we do tend to be better when we work together.

1. STARDEW VALLEY

I would like to preface that Minecraft could have easily been in the first place spot as well, but Stardew Valley wins extra points for story. The number one game on the list, one that should fulfill relax & reward, and few games do that in a way Stardew does. From the opening telling us it is okay to star over & find your place in life at any point in time, to the music, the world building, rewarding game play, and story, it does it all. You can embark on the one year challenge, to see if you can finish the community center in one year, to just going day by day fishing away. The multiple ways to play, each play through crafted to your goals for it, any order to characters to befriend, end game esque in the skull cavern. There is no right way to play, just how you want to play. The mods the community around Stardew Valley have also added so much from a tractor, to whole story additions. Any that would feel at home naturally in ConcernedApe’s own base game, and that’s not to say the work he has put into it. The game takes everything that Harvest Moon: Back to Nature did, and improved on each part. The pixel art style is a nostalgia touch while still feeling modern, the crafting system reminiscent of Minecraft, a story that doesn’t feel forced and you can take at your own pace, but also is rewarding with each passing month. The social system of the game opens new story routes, crafting recipes, side quests, or more places to explore. You can do it all solo, or with friends. Adding co-op into the mix gives a game for friends & family alike to enjoy together. Stardew Valley I can say I played at a time when I truly needed that reminder of things, and one I will go to on or off stream not just for being such a good game, but one of the best if not the best game to sink some down time into, because I leave relaxed & rewarded for simply playing.

And there you have it, a small list of games to chill with, or a different way to feel rewarded. While another play through of Stardew Valley sounds good to me right now, what game resonates that way to another may differ. But as long as we remember it is okay to slow down, relax a bit, and breath we should be good.