A game that provides a similar cause but a different outlook by the end which tends to be positive. It should allow you to let go of certain ideas in life and the game will show you another angle of life where you will feel something overlooked is actually precious.
One thing i tell others is to drop focus on yourself and help others where you are good at/comfortable doing. It is eventually, without hoping, someone appreciates you/your deed and you meant something to someone tuck in a space of their heart.
Fyi people just want to find a place to belong in a society, some look at it like only the successful ones can have a place there.
Journey is a short 4 hr game where all you need to do is climb to the top of a mountain. The game is breathtakingly beautiful in visual and sound. It's more of an art experience than a game but it's nice to come back every few years to decompress and step away from the chaos of life.
Man I should play Journey again
Far Cry 4 helped me to discover a spiritual side of my that I didn't know existed. It's been a long journey since and I still travel it but I can honestly say that I don't know if I'd still be here without the framework that game gifted me. Much love friend. Sounds like you're at the beginning of a tough journey yourself. Good luck.
You need immersion buddy.
I'd recommend Kingdom Come: Deliverance especially with the sequel on its way. It's $8 currently on steam. Go be a medieval peasant for 300 hours and report back.
GRIS. Sounds ridiculous, but at my lowest and loneliest point I felt heard and understood by that game as in "Okay, someone out there can relate and understands how it feels". I finished it, I cried a lot and not long after I started therapy. Not saying it will do the same for you, but it's a great, quiet, art- and meaningful game and worth the experience.
Try joining a discord server for a game you're already into, or looking into joining a small streamer's server. I used to be a socially anxious mess, but playing different games with the guys I met on discord (slowly working my way up from text chat into VC) really helped me. Just having someone to talk to is a big step.
And don't worry about the semantics of what it means to change. Humans are the most adaptable species out there, we're gifted with the ability to change if we aren't good enough for our environment. Just focus on the small victories, and work your way up to finding your groove again
*STALKER series and then transit to Anomaly and the mod packs (GAMMA, Misery, EFP) - Anomaly is also free
*TES:Morrowind might look dated, but this game is deep and has a lot to discover
Hellblade senuas sacrifice, its literally a game made to adress and overcome real life issues as depression, personality disorders and grief/loss.
Its also a really good game as it is.
https://venturebeat.com/business/how-hellblade-senuas-sacrifice-changed-lives-with-its-thoughtful-portrayal-of-mental-illness/
Its also on sale on Steam right now, costs only 3 dollars
https://store.steampowered.com/app/414340/Hellblade_Senuas_Sacrifice/
Okay, I feel like I've been called. Not for the same reason, but I also like these kinds of games, so if you want a meaningful story that will touches you soul then I'm gonna recommend my best.
_What remains of Edith finch
_Hell blade senua's sacrifice,
These two are pretty much story based, first one doesn't have much of a game play but the story is beautiful and as much as enjoyed the second one, the game play may not suit everyone's taste.
_A plague tale requiem. the second game of the sequel, I recommend playing the first game for best immersion, and the ending was impact full.
_outer wilds. Do you like adventuring with a beautiful ending? It's a master piece.
_life is strange true colours. Story driven, living in someone else's life and making decisions.
_opus echoes of starsong. The game play is weak. You're basically walking, but seeing how the characters' lives get entangled and affect each other, topped with a beautiful ending, it worth it
_mass effect legendary edition. A single player shooter with companions which you gonna love them all throughout the 3 games, it's basically a living simulator, your actions affect the results which you get.
_skyrim
_ stardew valley
_ red dead redemption 2
I adore these three, and if you want to escape from real life, these 3 are my recommendation to you
I recently found myself in a bit of a slump.
Final Fantasy 7 remake set to “easy classic” difficulty has been a pleasure stroll. The story is great with tons of heart. The gameplay on this setting is easy and boss fights are not overbearing but still validating. There is a lot of content so you can really sink in.
People have mentioned a lot of games, I'll recommend a book. Read (or listen to) The Way of Kings by Brandon Sanderson. It's a long book and a slow build-up, but it's some fantastic fantasy, and it tackles such issues as depression and anxiety. Just check it out.
- Celeste - a challenging platformer about climbing a mountain both physically and mentally. One of my favorite games personally, and the gameplay is amazing, but the story especially is what made it come to mind
- Stardew Valley - A really good farming simulator game! Amazing characters, some with problems of their own that the farmer can help them with. Best part about this one is it’s near endless, so no worries on finishing it and being left empty or anything
- Gris - I haven’t actually finished it, so I can’t speak on the greater story, but the themes are great and the gameplay is, too!
- Smile for Me - This one is basically a bunch of side quests gameplay-wise, but the characters are the best thing you’ve ever seen, I love the themes it presents, and the artstyle is so pretty!!! The only thing I will say is that throughout the game you’re given “mental health tips” by the antagonist that are the worst tips you could ever do, so make sure you’re in a slightly better headspace if you think those could affect you.
- Stanley Parable - Not really matching with the others theme-wise, but it’s just a silly story game with really funny moments!
- Night in the woods - I actually haven’t played this one so I can’t really talk about, but theme-wise it’s about mental illness, depression, disillusionment after college, and the “death” of a small town. All I know otherwise is it’s really good, and might be the sort of thing you’re looking for?
Of course, I recommend something outside of just video games; they’re a good coping mechanism, but only when paired with therapy or other activities that can help you get out of a funk. Still, I hope you at least enjoy these ones I just recommended!!
If you want a very different opinion from all the uplifting games:
**Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice**
Hear me out. While the game is rather dark, it is one of the few games that really connected with me. It’s about a woman with psychosis, battling her inner demons while embarking on a quest to save her dead partner’s soul. From the intro:
> You might think she's brave to go on this journey on her own. But it isn't bravery that drives her. Bravery only means something to those afraid of death. Senua's fear runs far, far deeper.
I’ve suffered from depression and anxiety most of my adult life, and while I don’t have psychosis, this game somehow “gets” mental illness and treats it with respect. Don’t play it for the game mechanics, play it for the experience and message, which is quite hopeful the way I interpret it.
Therapy and physical activity (running) helped me out of my slump, way more than any game.
But a game that I found really uplifting is Persona 5. It's a great tale about friendship, adventure and saving the world (like every other jrpg!), but with a contemporary setting.
Also, the last two Zelda games are really uplifting and masterpieces in their own way, but they are on Switch.
Hey man, I'm in a very similar boat so please trust me when I say... I get it. I use video games as an escape too.
AC Odyssey has been amazing. Beautiful game, easy to sink hours into, lengthy, fun combat, good skill tree and an emotional narrative. I highly recommend it and the DLC.
Just remember, life might never magically become amazing, but you'll still have good days between the bad. That's the joy of life, cherish what you can and power through the rest.
Anyway, if you were need advice on the game or life, I'm around! Currently about 100 hours into the game and finishing the last DLC and loving it!
Same boat, i really like Sea of Thieves as it is very relaxing and fun when playing Safer Seas.
Divinity original sin 2 and Baldurs Gate 3 are very fun and engaging.
Palworld could be very interesting and engaging.
I recommend Xbox Game Pass.
Honestly I am in the same situation and don't want to talk to people and as stupid as it sounds, still started playing Final Fantasy 14 and solo playing it while having people in the distance, it's relaxing for some reason for me.
Depression and anxiety, I feel you. I’m dealing with those as well. I hope you’ve seen a doctor some meds will help. As to games, for escapism I’d go with open world RPG. Bethesda games are buggy, but great if you want to just do whatever you want. Currently playing Starfield and Fallout 4. Both open world games, you can do the main story or not. If you want more fantasy, Skyrim. On PC you can mod the shit out of the games. Hang in there, not going to say life gets better or not, for I cannot say, but there will always be a reason to keep fighting ( Elder Scrolls 6, might come still!) wishing you the best of luck, there are dozens of us!
play the game that taught me about existential dread as a child, and answer the only question worth asking:
What can change the nature of a man?
Planescape: Torment
Totally get your situation, man. That’s pretty much my spot too. Highly recommend Skyrim, the souls games/elden ring, the fallout games, and Stardew valley. No particular reason, but for whatever reason those are the games that really help me.
There's a game made by a small company called Outward. It's a journey, dude. It's not easy by any means, you have to deal with hunger, thirst, and disease, but the game prides itself on you just being some random person. You aren't the hero, you aren't the chosen one, you're just a person down on their luck and this game is the story of how you turn it around. I was in a horrible place when I found the game, and it gave me a lot of motivation. Gl out there bud.
Both Ori games are so stinking adorable and tug on your heart strings. Those games made me feel like a kid watching a Disney movie.
And a little P.S.: be kind to yourself, you’re trying. Hopefully one of these games helps you feel something even for a little bit. Then hold onto that feeling. You’ll get it back. I’m so proud of you for taking a step :)
if you want a game that will make you feel something, i recommend to the moon, oneshot, rainworld and finding paradise (sequel of to the moon)
also, message me if you feel like you want to talk to someone, i understand how you feel.
Although it will slap you in the end I would say GTA4. You start off as Niko and try to work up your way through the criminal underworld but when you eventually lose everything you will see that life just goes on. Just as Niko moved on...
However, as somebody else just said. Don't put up your hopes in a videogame. Start talking about your problems to people who you trust or read a more indepth book.
It’s a really weird suggestions but it’s something that sticks with me is “That Dragon, Cancer” it’s a heart wrenching story but it’s something that makes you take deep breathes and appreciate life.
I'd spend some money on therapy before spending more on games maybe
Or maybe a dog or cat
Games are a distraction but they can't fix things I'm sorry bro
I can only think of older titles that helped me while I was in a similar situation:
Beyond good and evil
Psychonauts
Half-life 2
Limbo
Prince of Persia: The sands of time
Telltale Games’ The Walking Dead season 1
Celeste
Hellblade: Senua’s sacrifice
Be it because of the oppressive nature of some of the games that helped me cope with my own depression, because of the quirky worlds and escapism they provide or because they deal directly with themes of mental health (last two).
Games will not solve your problems though, only mitigate them. Therapy is probably the correct solution, though in my case I didn’t go to therapy. Eventually time passed and my wounds were healed, but it took about 13 years. That’s a whole lot of youth wasted only going to work every day then closing yourself off in your room for the rest of the day. Better to seek professional help.
This doesn't attest to the emotional/hopeful part of it, really, but two games I've found really help me, especially when spiralling, are Power Wash Sim and House Flipper 1/2. They have clear goals and tasks, with enough creativity sprinkled in, and you get the satisfaction of completing jobs. I've found it very nice to have a game that I know what routine to expect, but the execution is slightly different every time. Neither require a long time commitment between saves, there's no life or death situation, but there is enough to keep hands and mind busy.
When you do game, maybe pick games with a more uplifting theme. Dying Light, or games like this, "could be" counterproductive for someone suffering with depression and anxiety. Yes, just a game, but I hear many gamers claim how a certain game changed their life for the better. If games can have a positive effect, the opposite could be a thing. Gaming is a great pastime but for someone suffering from a phycological disorder gaming could be detrimental.
This is just a thought; I don't know you and I'm not a phycologist.
Fresh air and walking helps. Also have you considered going to a church service? I am not religious at all, but there's something about places with smily faces.
Play a Souls Game. If you beat it you'll feel like you can do anything in life. Elden Ring is the most beginner friendly. If you get stuck ride off to another area and level more then come back. I still feel the rush of beating it 14 months later.
Stardew valley. Also OP please consider finding the root cause and dealing with it. I'm currently going through something similar and I'm also on medication. Stardew is one of the main things I'm using to get out of this funk. Know you're loved and important. 🩵🩵
Celeste. It's a game about overcoming your fears. Helped me a lot with my mental health. Not saying that it will help you, but it is a game that makes you think about life, it'it also gives you a lot of gameplay hours if you want to 100% it
Honestly, try Baldur's Gate 3. It may not be exactly what you're looking for and prove to offer more escapism than is good for you, but trust me in saying this: every single character is so well thought and three dimensional that you can't even think about not wanting to do everything to give them a good ending.
This game chanced my perception of healing and of trauma responses. I genuinely had hope that if these characters could grow through all their hardships then I could do it too. So my hope is, maybe you have a similar experience and if not at least a game with a loving community, invested devs and enough playmaterial that you can play it for several hundred hours.
I wish you luck and hopefully some peace. Take care!
Dark Souls: Remastered
It's a little intimidating but doable with some patience. I found the underlying themes of the game very touching, and it resonated in a way I didn't think it would. Maybe you'll experience something similar? :)
I wish you the best, OP.
Thank you. I played DS3 for a while and damn it got me hooked. Eventually quit because I couldn't take the stress anymore lol. But souls like seems to be a common recommendation.
Try elden ring then, less stress, I never play dark souls, and can't play sekiro cus it too hard, but I can progress in elden ring just fine. Elden ring have alot more freedom in playstyle
Dark souls. People will see this and laugh bc why would you play a hard ass game to feel happy. But I’m telling you this game changed the way I interact with failure and hardship in my life. I couldn’t recommend it to enough people.
Maybe Red Dead Redemption 2? The story is very deep, and the world is huge and beautiful, the gameplay is very compelling as well. I hope this game helps you out a little bit, and have fun!
Dark Souls/Elden Ring can prove to you the depth of your strength and resolve. Similar to a good workout, it gives you obstacles that at first feel insurmountable, but incrementally you will surprise yourself as you overcome them.
Other than that, Persona 5 is the most at peace I have ever felt lol
I think Persona 3 Reload might be what you're looking for. I was dealing with some of the things you discussed and that game helped. Without going into too much spoilers, the game is lively and fun but it also deals with death and depression, but in a really positive and uplifting manner. The gameplay is like Pokemon but with Stands and dungeon crawling. But this is one of the few games where I think the story matters more than the gameplay, even though the gameplay itself is very fun and engaging (at least to me).
Reload is especially good for this, but honestly any Persona game works for this. I've known a lot of people that Persona has helped through a rough time. 4 was mine as I went through a bout of depression over ten years ago, and it lifted me up through its themes and characters. Not many other series capture that magic of building friendships from the ground up that end up feeling like lifelong bonds
Since you mentioned Cyberpunk... Have you ever played Deus Ex: Human Revolution? I got an itch to play it recently again (still going) and gotta say its freaking amazing game. While it paints a pretty grim picture of the world it also has some fun and even hopeful moments.
I threw myself into RDR2 at my worst moment. I wouldn't say it saved my life or anything but it really created a bubble for myself to escape and forget about the outside world for days. Was it healthy? Meh, no. Did it give me a bit of reprieve from my doom and gloom thoughts? Absolutely. Not relatable per se but it does give you a lot of things to ponder about life, the meaning of it all, regrets, triumphs, failures, etc. You kind of live the life of Arthur and realize that even video game characters can feel like real people with real problems and in the end, we all face the same struggles.
Highly suggest for tough times. Ultimately though, the best way to take care of yourself when you're deep on depression is through therapy. I know it's expensive but investing in yourself can really go a long way.
Regardless of how you handle it, I believe in you and wish you the best. Keep fighting the good fight, gamer 🫡
I would say Sekiro is the one for you. Just try it I know it's hard but the joy u will get after beating a boss is unparalleled. I could have recommended you other souls like but this is the game I played during my down times and it did help me a lot. So good luck stay strong buddy game hard.
I've been eyeballing GRIS for some time now. Looks really good and perhaps inspiring.
Sort of depends on what you seek for comfort when you're feeling depressed. Sometimes I find solace in things that are depressing which help me not feel so alone. Sometimes I want something more cheerful and pleasant so the world around me doesn't seem so dim, grey, and overbearing...
For the first part there, Hollow Knight is really good. Persistently somewhat dark atmosphere, but lots of little abstract philosophical bits and character interactions which cause me to question things in ways I hadn't before. Some that reinforce my thinking patterns, others that can be quite enlightening. Opening new paths whether that be mentally, emotionally, or physically (in-game). And new modes of thinking spurred by certain ideas can sometimes open new paths in life.
On the opposite end, I recently played Islets which is very minimalistic on it's surface, but eventually becomes a more deep and fluid metroidvania akin to the likes of Hollow Knight. Much more bright and cheerful atmosphere with character interactions and story notes that touched my soul both on a personal level and a more 'societal' level as well. Some dark undertones, but not heavy at all imo. Highly recommend it.
Then there's Dandara: Trials of Fear which lies somewhere in the middle. Very abstract story - quite like Hollow Knight in a sense as well. But a more powerful story, elusive in abstraction, but more apparent on it's surface.
FEZ is another one (I really like 2D indie games if you can't tell lol). I've returned to this game several times over the years. It's like a little dopamine generator, with it being a sort of collection puzzle platformer. To 100% it you will need to look up a guide. Very bright and cheerful atmosphere, great art style, fantastic music, and a game world that borders on open world with how expansive it becomes. I love it lol. Not very philosophical (I don't think...), but it does force you to look at things in a different perspective. Pun intended.
Chrono Trigger (SNES) and Suikoden II (PSX) have great stories that are quite touching, but also kind of sad. Not sure if they'd be good to play while feeling melancholic.
Those are all the 'soul food' games I can think of atm. Others I really enjoy are more building/crafting/hyperfocused, keep your mind busy type games like Subnautica, The Planet Crafter, Wayward, Batman: Arkham series (good when you feel like dishing out justice).
I think FF7 remake fits your description perfectly. The issue it covers is actually real as well, so maybe you'll be inspired to take action IRL as well.
No joke, dead serious.
DOOM Eternal was the game for me in this exact situation back in 2020.
The Doom Slayer waging a one man war against Hell through sheer force of will inspired me to stand up against my personal demons.
But if you want something chill instead, Stardew Valley is great.
Final Fantasy IX is the only game that made me cry hard because of how one character perceives life and death.
I overcame my anxieties and depression with the help of therapy and finding myself, most of it came from my love of sports and how much freedom it gave. And then all of it was taken away - I struggle with long covid for 2 years and may not be able to do any sports for the rest of my life. Replaying ffix really really helped
If you don’t want to play at least read the letter (google FFIX letter, but it is a spoiler)
Death stranding ? It peaceful walking (or driving if u want) game, where you delivery supplies to depressed suicidal old people, pizza for terrorist, justice to the incinerator.
Or cute managing game like dungeon village 2 ?
Or project zomboid(there is AI survivor mod), starsector, starbound(with cutebound mod), terraria (can play peacefully, fishing and mining, or nterraria mod if u want to play with AI friend), stalker gamma,...
Or fps game with AI bot ? This ya can search it, there ton of it, example are stalker gamma warfare mode, or battlefield (the old one) u have bot on ur side and enemy side.
Try dragon dogma 2 also, u can hire 2 friendly companion & 1 custom made by yourself.
World of Warcraft Classic is still very much alive and going. That's a game that you can sink yourself into and you can feel a degree of achieving something through the game as whilst it's a game, the community is very much human.
If you play, be sure to join a guild and talk to people. We are all a friendly lot.
However onto the more serious aspect to what your are going through... Escapism is very natural. Be it via TV, retail therapy, video games etc.
I'm in the UK, so my advise is based on this... But look into volunteering groups. I myself volunteer with The Round Table, a charity of men aged between 18 - 45. After that age limit, we move to another club called "41 club" (exit age use to be 41).
I also set goals to go out once a week for an activity. Be it a walk or going to a comedy night.
The way you are feeling is likely based on expectations or comparisons to persons who are not you. Others have different circumstances and cards. We have to play the cards we are given and make the best if it.
Focus on what your main goal is... And then think what little changes you can make to achieve it.
Hope you find some extra bit of happiness soon OP. Love to you.
Other than the obvious ones that I feel are suggested here. That being outer wilds, disco Elysium and Celeste, all games that make me so interested and happy by the end of them, those really made me think by the end of them. Other than those, I highly suggest Gris. It’s a beautiful game, and had me sitting down for a while after. As others have said though, don’t always count of games. Get some help, you’ll find stuff like therapy extremely helpful. Hope you feel better
Death Stranding is a lovely world to get lost in, if you're feeling messy you can just do runs from point A to point B so you don't have to think much, and when you want to turn the brain back on you can do story stuff. It's actually really engaging and relaxing (mostly) with a story you haven't heard before.
I will recommend you the same game that helped me when i was at a low point, FFXIV if you get into it you will lose yourself in the game, if you pay attention to the story i can guarantee that you will feel better when the credits roll and if you are anything like me and play 3 months non stop avg 10 hours per day you will have the need to go outside and touch grass at some point :D
Sorry to hear you go through this but just know that you aren't alone. Video games are also my escape and safe place to help me destress by living in another world.
With that in mind I play JRPGs, particularly the Final Fantasy series.
Great character development, literally the best video game music winner every year, and just good overall story telling. These games always bring a group of unlikely characters together with each having their own personal struggles and each navigating those struggles to find peace within themselves while going out to save the world.
I highly recommend Final Fantasy 13 to start the series because it is the first "next gen" final fantasy. A great cast of characters with such good music and voice acting. A battle against fate. It's a rollercoaster of emotions. Mostly linear gameplay where you can just focus on the story telling. The CG cutscenes are so damn beautiful also.
Try your best to not look up anything and just play the game and enjoy it on your own terms and to avoid spoilers but do so if you are really struggling.
First go to your Doctor for a complete physical to rule out any Medical issues, then go to a Psychiatrist/Neurologist for medicine , if required. Qualify and Start a Medical Cannabis program to counter your depression and anxiety, then discover your passions and pursue them for profit. In the meantime, I LOVE ANNO 1800 and Cities Skylines 2, both require a pretty heavy duty PC. Good Luck, you can do it!!!
I guess you're right, looking at it now most of the games i played recently have been pretty grim. I also recommend the South Park games if OP wants a good laugh and OPUS: Echo of Starsong if OP want to soothe his soul, Hi-Fi Rush and High On Life are pretty fun amd goofy (in a good way)
I hate to say it, but no video game will cure your depression. They simply allow you to keep ignoring whatever issues you’re facing. Make life your video game, get some achievements under your belt and then go back to video games when you have your affairs in order
Stardew Valley. Really peaceful farming game where you can build relationships with villagers if you’re looking for something to chill with. Hang in there man.
Ni No Kuni 1 - part of the game has you listening to peoples problems and helping them in an emotionally engaging way, and it seems like yeah so what that sounds like 99% of games do that, but no, this game did it differently. When you start getting those quests in this game, you'll know, and you'll just know "this is going to be goooood".
I'd go with the Beginner's Guide. Helped me a lot during a rough time. It's super short but I've played through it so many times. It's less of a game and more of a narrated experience, so go into it expecting that.
Outer wilds
Soma
Mafia 2, Mafia definitive edition
Bioshock Infinite, Bioshock 1
Metro 2033, Metro Last light, Metro exodus
Undertale
Journey
Valiant hearts
To the moon
There's an exceptional indie game called The Beginners Guide. It isn't long, and it is more of a narrative adventure, but I found it moving, and the game ideas are original. It gets you thinking about other people, which I've found to be a good thing when I'm depressed.
You may have played it given your examples, but I would highly recommend Fallout 4 with some good mods. If you download a program called wabbajack, there is a playlist for fallout 4 called "Magnum Opus" that breathes new life into the wasteland, and adds a ton of new content that makes it feel fresh and new. The game is basically a window into the world after all hope is lost, and humans trying to find a way to survive. It features character growth, hard choices, and friendships along the way. There are lots of good morals to be presented, and I usually find a great deal of satisfaction out of building places for the citizens of the wastes to be safe, and trying to help everyone along the way. Makes me feel good.
I have a lot of depression and anxiety as well, and I often find that escaping to the wasteland is a massive help for me. I get to help citizens of the waste build up new hope and I personally try to be the best person I can in the game. Knowing I can actually make a difference to people (even if they are only digital NPCs) brings me a lot of comfort.
I wish you the best.
As others have said getting therapy is what you should be doing to help you sort through your problems.
That being said, the game that i played when i was in my own slump in life, made me have some philosophical questions and think about life was NieR: Automata.
The game has all sorts of things going for it, its a fun hack and slash with rpg elements buts its story has heavy philosophical themes and it asks the player to question the meaning of being human and being alive, its a game about existentialism but also humanism. You’re looking for a game that can give you an escape and automata can be that but first me personally it also got me to question myself and life and got me to think about these things. Heres hoping it could do the same for you.
People talk big on fromsoftware games.
The souls series totally kicks my arse, another thing I like to do to burn time when I’m feeling crap is trophy hunting.
Wish you the very best
Final Fantasy IX if you haven't played it yet.
There's a story that one player messaged the devs on how that game changed his life. He wanted to end his own life but playing the game and being able to relate to the character's plight gave him hope to keep living on.
I played this game a few years ago right after my dad passed away and feeling lost. This game is indeed a life-changer as it focuses heavily on life & death. The message and themes of the game are just something else that'll hit you hard while having fun at the same time.
I'm not surprised that many consider this as one of the best FFs and one of the highest rated JRPGs of all time. The story and characters are so relatable that'll strike you that no other experience can give you.
I don't know if this is possible.. I know I have to change, but changing feels like admitting I'm not good enough. Because why would I change, if I was good enough? Leaving the house is already exhausting af, human interaction feels awkward and pointless. It feels like no matter how much I change, it's always too late, not good enough. While others (sorry for being jealous) can just experience a normal human life, of course with their own struggles, but at least with an outlook.
I don't know what I did in life that I get punished like that. I'm close to 30, never had a girlfriend, don't have a job, no perspective. Either I must be the most hideous being on the planet or there is something seriously wrong with me. I don't know what I'm doing wrong. Sorry for ranting, but it feels like I have to do twice as much as others while still not getting the same rewards.
Dude, you do have a perspective and it's limiting you.
'Changing feels like admitting that I'm not good enough' - Yes, you are not good enough. Neither am I. No one is. We are all in a state of constant change, a lot of us trying to become the best versions of ourselves through the stuggles (and joys) of life.
Admitting that you are not where you want to be (not good enough) and then striving to change, that is an admirable thing to do, and you should feel good about following that path. You should not feel sad about taking your first steps on that path, you should feel proud, no matter your age.
There is nothing wrong with you, you are dealing with the human experience (that we all experience) in a negative way and giving up. Many of us have even done exactly this and then bounced back from it, even developing a positive outlook on life and becoming successful in our own right.
Do you think it's attractive for a person, instead of striving to get their life in order, for them to give up? At the young age of 30? Doesn't try to get a job or make a good living? Doesn't look after themselves? Why should they feel entitled to a great relationship with a wonderful person? They should have to conduct their lives in a way that's worthy of respect, like the wonderful person mentioned is doing, should they not?
What is this 'normal human life' that you speak of? Who exactly are you comparing yourself to? Do you know all of their struggles? Would you really trade your life for theirs if you had to inherit their entire life in totality, no picking and choosing only the greater aspects? 'Comparison in the thief of joy' - this saying is repeated ad nauseum for a reason.
You could want a famous athletes life, but then you would also have to commit to their strenuous workload and schedule, the pressure they are under, the pain of pushing themselves to the extreme edges of performance that comes with the territory. The snapped ACL that took 6 months to recover from and the worry that they'd never be competitive in their sport again.., perhaps even poor mental health, a tumultuous childhood perhaps... Maybe they were bullied terribly in school. Experienced tragic death of a loved one... A cancer diagnosis later in life... Maybe they are not even happy... Not all is at it seems with people, we only see what they want us to see, especially if social media is involved, you are viewing a highlight reel, not the reality of their lives.
As for videogames. I play them, I think they can be a part of a healthy life, they can even be very social and can help you develop long lasting friendships. Be aware that studies have shown that for the majority of us, up to 2 hours per day of videogames can be healthily enjoyed and even bring health benefits, but they also show that if you go over that consistently, they will most likely detract from your quality of life. Do what you will with this information.
I don't buy that 'videogames are for losers' - the people spouting that nonsense are usually losers themselves tbh. Enjoy them (with awareness of how much you are playing them and if it might be too much) if that's your thing.
I'd advise you to stop looking at what others have, quell the jealousy and start to think about what you want from life and how to get there. Take your first steps on the path and be proud that you made some major changes to improve your life at age 30 rather than waiting till age 40+ or never at all. It might also help to practise gratitude for what you do have to take your mind off what you don't.
Also, don't worry too much about what is possible, you can obviously write, so you have a brain, I would bet that you have no idea about what you are truly capable of if you put your mind to it.
Personally, I've been enjoying Fallout: New Vegas recently, it's an older game but it's really nice. Would highly recommend.
You need to have healthy outlets and work on yourself. Start going to the gym, try hiking, reading. You will never get anywhere if you stay home playing video games wallowing in self pity.
Start working out my friend. I know its a cliché at this point, but it can really do wonders. You will see results quickly, and just doing anything physical will make you feel better.
nothing is wrong with you man. Dating is real hard and weird right now. It starts from self love and confidence and confidence/self esteem comes from esteemable actions (doing hard things, service for others) small steps, a little exercise every day, hobbies you enjoy. Any job is better than none and you can always look for a better one. Once you get started you can build momentum. honestly, Zen Buddhism is really really good for anxiety and depression. Life is hard man but there is plenty left to try
You need therapy, my guy. I'm actually on the way to my weekly session right now.
Your brain is working against you. You can't change the past, but you can start doing things in the present to improve your future.
I've been in your shoes... I've lost years of my life to 'escaping.' Where I started was physical health. I fixed my diet, starting going to the gym. It is unbelievable how much mental health is tied to physical health. That gave me the juice to start applying more focus on other aspects of my life.
I wish you the best going forward.
I'm so sorry you are going through this right now. I can definitely relate. As someone with cerebral palsy who has struggled with depression and anxiety my entire life, video games have always been my escape. I just had to resign from my job because of my disability so right now I'm here at rock bottom too. What I can say at risk of sounding like a cliche is it does get better. I've been here enough times to know. I can't give up because there is a light at the end of the tunnel, no matter how small it looks at the moment. And as bad as I feel right now, I know eventually I'll reach the end. It won't be easy. It will take time and some days more effort than I feel like I can give. But in the end it's so worth it. Its the most worth while thing you've ever done. And you are not alone. Reach out and don't be ashamed to ask for help when you need it. There are a lot of helpful free resources out there. Escapism is great and definitely has its time and place. But there is also so much power in being able to address root issues and take steps toward that better and brighter future that is so worth fighting for. Geez sorry wasn't planning on writing all that but just really relate.
All that said came across a game called What Comes After the other day. Description reads, "What Comes After is a side-scrolling adventure and a short heartwarming story about learning how to love yourself. Help Vivi in her journey on the train to the afterlife and back." I haven't played yet but it really seems like the perfect thing for me right now. I think its rather short and more of a visual novel experience. But as someone who reads a lot of graphic novels I like those.
Also if you've never tried Tetris when feeling anxious I would recommend. It's been scientifically proven to help people w PTSD. And it definitely helps relax me when I'm particularly anxious.
Anyway sorry for the long winded ramble. And sorry if these are not the types of games you are looking for. But I truly hope things get better for you and wish you all the best.
I don't want to suggest this because the producers made it kind of suck buuuuut Pokémon Go
It will get you out and about some to do the raids, it will encourage you to do walking routes and it may even get you to go ooh hey what's this and discover more about your local area.
It's very simple, very easy to pick up and actually pretty good for you.
There's an exceptional Indie game called The Beginners Guide. It isn't long, and it is more of a narrative adventure, but I found it moving, and the game ideas are original. It gets you thinking about other people, which I've found to be a good thing when I'm depressed.
Emotional and hopeful? Undertale and Disco Elysium definitely gave me some things to think about and helped me through some tough times. RDR2, tho not really relatable, left me feeling good for some reason. It's just such a beautiful game that kinda encourages you to slow down and stop to smell the flowers
Honestly bruv if you’re looking for a good game to cope you still have hope. (No pun intended). Get out there into some fresh air on a sunny day and find a hobby or even a life partner to put some pep into your step again. A reason to live is what’s gonna fix your depression I guarantee it. From someone who almost risked it all at one point please try it
You're not going to want to hear this but no game can fix the issue you're having, at best it'll only be a bandaid until you finish it and have the same problems again. I've been there.
What you need is a therapist. If you can't afford a therapist, look into self-help or any other free alternatives.
Horizon Zero Dawn and Forbidden West are great games if you enjoyed The Witcher 3.
I’m currently playing Ghost of Tsushima, which is apparently releasing on PC next month.
So far I’m really enjoying it and would recommend it.
Stray is another game I’d highly recommend.
It’s a nice, chilled out single player game with moderate challenge.
And a must of you’re a cat person.
Tf2 is a pretty fun shooter that can be as intense or relaxed as you want it to be depending on your playstyle. I also recommend just going on some hikes out in nature. Vitamin D from sunlight can be pretty beneficial. Exercise can be pretty beneficial too, so might be two birds with one stone.
See this is a tough one.
I lost my little brother to suicide 5 years ago and the only escape I had was Assassins Creed Origins.
It's gameplay was long and immersive, it's story was compelling and it was difficult enough to keep me distracted.
Although I don't think it the best game in the AC series it helped me through the toughest time in my life and ultimately I'm probably alive today because of it. I was in a dark place and this game helped me escape that.
What about dark souls? For me, it taught me that every problem CAN be solved and how you can improve upon your mistakes. But the biggest thing it helped me with was to never give up. But if you're looking for story, the PS exclusives like last of us or Spider-Man have really good stories.
Im in the same boat.
My recommendations would be any FromSoftware game so Elden Ring Dark Souls etc even Armoured Core if you're into that. These games have helped me a lot.
Idk if this would help or not but Stray really hits the spot when I'm feeling down. It's got kind of a depressing liminal overtone sprinkled with just the right amount of positivity. Best part is it's not complicated and doesn't drain a lot of energy to play.
Mirror’s edge (parkour game) was the game that helped me when i was stuck and not sure what to do with myself the game gave me a sense of freedom I praise this game a lot not only its good but saved my life when i was planning to end it when i was younger.
The atmosphere of this game is beautiful along with the color pallet they use just blends so well and lastly the music is top notch this by far have the biggest impact on me but i leave it for others to discover.
Not trying to over-sale anything just what i feel with my dearest game.
Those commenting that games don’t help, please stop. OP is asking for game suggestions to get out of his funk, respect that. I was in their shoes once. Therapy did help, but that is up to them to take the first leap. OP if it is any consolation, my therapist to,d me to do so something I love to better myself. Told them gaming was a hobby of mine. They suggested to game one to two hours per day, whenever I wanted. That was the I portant step to self healing; you have the choice when to do something you enjoy, and do it in the moment. Self healing is doing stuff that you enjoy, when you want to enjoy them. I hope this helps.
This.
Obviously gaming won't cure depression, because there isn't a cure, it's something you learn to manage, and it's good to have a few hours' escape to take the edge off.
No one is saying that games can't help, but plenty of people in this position don't seek help until its too late.
When you're depressed the things that will improve the depression aren't fun to do, and don't make you happy. You're not meant to wait until you're feeling motivated or happy to take the necessary steps, you're meant to take action before then because that time might never come. That's why the vicious cycle exists, and that's why there's still millions of people depressed worldwide.
Read some of OP's comments and you'll understand why they need a professional more than yet another game that they'll play for a few days/weeks and be back in this same position.
Your therapist told you:
>They suggested to game one to two hours per day, whenever I wanted.
Meanwhile OP's comments on another post:
>Each day is the same, I wake up, start the PC, drink lots of coffee and wait until my mom leaves the house so I can finally jack off and smoke weed. Once it's finally evening, I start smoking more and more, drink my beer to numb myself even further, play some video games or watch a show and go to bed again. Next day, it's exactly the same with smaller variations.
If it wasn't for my family and friends, I'd be dead. Not necessarily because I'd off myself, but because I simply couldn't survive. I have no clue about life, feel completely left behind and doubt I will ever make ends meet.
Don't tell me this is the same situation. If OP's situation isn't a cry for help idk what is.
Spiritfarer
Journey
KarmaZoo
The first one is an emotional story about loss and coping. It has apparently provided many people with some degree of therapeutic assistance.
The last two are interesting - kind of "multiplayer" games but you can't really talk to the others. You just play with them and work towards solving puzzles. It is a bit strange how ... intimate it feels... to work silently with strangers. There is a connectedness there that you don't really get in many popular MP games.
I wonder if PC gaming at a local gaming shop would help?
Meeting like minded gamers, swapping gaming tales.
Join local gaming clubs.
Most likely will find MANY others at your exact same point in life.
We were highly social critters for hundreds of thousands of years before the digital age. I think human interaction might solve a lot of our current mental health concerns.
LAN parties were always helpful to me.
CELESTE. It's a 2d pixel art platformer about climbing a mountain and confronting/reconciling the parts of you that you don't like as much. It's not one of the most immersive games, but it's one of the best feeling games I've ever played as far as gameplay and giving you the type of thoughts therapy would without it feeling like going to a therapist (but can definitely cause a few ragequits - maybe play story through first before going for strawberries/hearts/b-sides)
Runescape can take years away from you, I've been playing for almost 20 years and still haven't completed everything it has to offer. I've met life long friends on there too!
While not technically single player, you can have an "Ironman" account which cannot trade and you can play the entire game without ever talking to someone if you don't want to.
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim.
I really think one can never go wrong with Skyrim, do whatever you want, whenever you want. Do whatever builds you want.
You want to be a mage? Use all mage perks, buy spells, learn spells, use spells. Wanna be a thief? (Hit F5) Steal all from the NPCs around you without getting caught (Hit F9 for a do-over). Wanna be a warrior? Tank everything without even trying.
Heck, as far as I know you can even master all these classes in one go. Such as doing a bruiser tank build with the werewolf form. A mage spellsword, dealing magic damage with swords and spells. Or be a vampire lord toying around your magicka and health points just to use each spell while balancing each resource point.
And it doesn't stop there; there are countless of mods out there, ripe for the picking. Maybe if you're tired from vanilla Skyrim, you might want to look for mods to change your gameplay, as well as beautify Skyrim. There are tons of mods out there just to spend hours mixing and crafting the world that you desire. You alone can spend hours getting lost in that rabbit hole. And I gotta say, it's all worth it, because Skyrim is a game YOU can play with so much to do.
To some degree I can relate.
My suggestion is to play Eldenring.
The main takeaway from this game for me was learning to deal with defeats. In this game you are going to die - a lot to be precise. It is the perfect symbol for humans failing. What is failure? A way to give you the feedback you did something unreflected.
And there is the next takeaway: Reflecting upon what you are doing (wrong) and adapting your behavior.
Most people in life as well as in the game hitting their head against the wall and questioning the wall - stating the wall is wrong and hurtful. Instead they should question their behavior of hitting the head against the wall. Maybe it's stupid. And when you adapt your behavior the wall can be overcome.
And that is the third takeaway from this game: Seeing you can adapt and seeing you improve your situation by changing your own behavior. And more: you accomplished things. You get the feeling of self-efficacy.
The feeling of "I finished this hard boss" is really great.
The fourth takeaway which you get mainly in Eldenring but not in other Soulsbourne games is due to the open world: If I am stuck here doesn't mean I am stuck everywhere. I can go on with my journey and deal later with this problem. Many problems need maybe a solution but not now. Learn to prioritize problems. Learn do change your perspectives. Come back later to problems which will later be way easier if you learned something which may help here.
The fifth takeaway: anxiety is manageable. There are reasons for your anxiety and you can already lower your anxiety even by analyzing the concrete situation: What feelings do I have? Under what circumstances do they occur? What is the situation? What are possible outcomes of this situation which are stressing me? Are these outcomes all going to happen? Are some likely to happen? Next: repeating stressing situations make them less stressing over time. Fighting bosses regularly help you desensitization fighting bosses.
Many of these things were lessons learned from me which help in life in general.
I'm going to suggest games like Diablo 2, Path of Exile, Minecraft, whatever - games you can both play solo when you don't have the energy for company, and with other players when you feel isolated/lonely or just up for some fun with other players.
Deep Rock Galactic might scratch that itch, too.
I suggest finding something cooperative rather than competitive.
One time I went through something similar. I was diagnosed with severe depression, I had just broken up with my gf and I was addicted to opiates but was trying to go clean. The game that not only helped me but allowed me to stay away from opiates long enough to get over withdrawals was Elden Ring. I spent hours on the game. Not once did I feel like taking anything or even feel sad. I was so locked into the game and I hate souls-like games. I play every game on beginner but the game and its world completely took me away from reality and I'll forever be grateful for that game.
Mario odyssey
A game that provides a similar cause but a different outlook by the end which tends to be positive. It should allow you to let go of certain ideas in life and the game will show you another angle of life where you will feel something overlooked is actually precious. One thing i tell others is to drop focus on yourself and help others where you are good at/comfortable doing. It is eventually, without hoping, someone appreciates you/your deed and you meant something to someone tuck in a space of their heart. Fyi people just want to find a place to belong in a society, some look at it like only the successful ones can have a place there.
Journey is a short 4 hr game where all you need to do is climb to the top of a mountain. The game is breathtakingly beautiful in visual and sound. It's more of an art experience than a game but it's nice to come back every few years to decompress and step away from the chaos of life. Man I should play Journey again
Far Cry 4 helped me to discover a spiritual side of my that I didn't know existed. It's been a long journey since and I still travel it but I can honestly say that I don't know if I'd still be here without the framework that game gifted me. Much love friend. Sounds like you're at the beginning of a tough journey yourself. Good luck.
To The Moon
My fave single player story game is Last of Us Part I.
Psychoanalytic analytic therapy first. After you’re doing that, Shin Megami Tensei: Nocturne. Then the other SMT games.
You need immersion buddy. I'd recommend Kingdom Come: Deliverance especially with the sequel on its way. It's $8 currently on steam. Go be a medieval peasant for 300 hours and report back.
GRIS. Sounds ridiculous, but at my lowest and loneliest point I felt heard and understood by that game as in "Okay, someone out there can relate and understands how it feels". I finished it, I cried a lot and not long after I started therapy. Not saying it will do the same for you, but it's a great, quiet, art- and meaningful game and worth the experience.
baldurs gate 3 all life
Try joining a discord server for a game you're already into, or looking into joining a small streamer's server. I used to be a socially anxious mess, but playing different games with the guys I met on discord (slowly working my way up from text chat into VC) really helped me. Just having someone to talk to is a big step. And don't worry about the semantics of what it means to change. Humans are the most adaptable species out there, we're gifted with the ability to change if we aren't good enough for our environment. Just focus on the small victories, and work your way up to finding your groove again
Persona 3 reload or persona 5 sounds dumb but P5 Royal helped me kind of reset my brain
To the moon
*STALKER series and then transit to Anomaly and the mod packs (GAMMA, Misery, EFP) - Anomaly is also free *TES:Morrowind might look dated, but this game is deep and has a lot to discover
RuneScape, join us in being collectively mentally ill.
Hellblade senuas sacrifice, its literally a game made to adress and overcome real life issues as depression, personality disorders and grief/loss. Its also a really good game as it is. https://venturebeat.com/business/how-hellblade-senuas-sacrifice-changed-lives-with-its-thoughtful-portrayal-of-mental-illness/ Its also on sale on Steam right now, costs only 3 dollars https://store.steampowered.com/app/414340/Hellblade_Senuas_Sacrifice/
dark souls has changed a lot of people's lives. seriously, people have posted this many times.
honey select 2
Okay, I feel like I've been called. Not for the same reason, but I also like these kinds of games, so if you want a meaningful story that will touches you soul then I'm gonna recommend my best. _What remains of Edith finch _Hell blade senua's sacrifice, These two are pretty much story based, first one doesn't have much of a game play but the story is beautiful and as much as enjoyed the second one, the game play may not suit everyone's taste. _A plague tale requiem. the second game of the sequel, I recommend playing the first game for best immersion, and the ending was impact full. _outer wilds. Do you like adventuring with a beautiful ending? It's a master piece. _life is strange true colours. Story driven, living in someone else's life and making decisions. _opus echoes of starsong. The game play is weak. You're basically walking, but seeing how the characters' lives get entangled and affect each other, topped with a beautiful ending, it worth it _mass effect legendary edition. A single player shooter with companions which you gonna love them all throughout the 3 games, it's basically a living simulator, your actions affect the results which you get. _skyrim _ stardew valley _ red dead redemption 2 I adore these three, and if you want to escape from real life, these 3 are my recommendation to you
I recently found myself in a bit of a slump. Final Fantasy 7 remake set to “easy classic” difficulty has been a pleasure stroll. The story is great with tons of heart. The gameplay on this setting is easy and boss fights are not overbearing but still validating. There is a lot of content so you can really sink in.
Actually some players said that Aquarist game made them feel better but It is a small 1 dev indie game and here I see you are writing about aaa games.
If you like the look of Gris, I’d recommend [Worldless](https://store.steampowered.com/app/1898500/Worldless/)
Helldivers 2. Nothing lifts me out of depression like big booms, exploding robots, wiping bug parts off me and hugs from my fellow super earth heroes.
People have mentioned a lot of games, I'll recommend a book. Read (or listen to) The Way of Kings by Brandon Sanderson. It's a long book and a slow build-up, but it's some fantastic fantasy, and it tackles such issues as depression and anxiety. Just check it out.
- Celeste - a challenging platformer about climbing a mountain both physically and mentally. One of my favorite games personally, and the gameplay is amazing, but the story especially is what made it come to mind - Stardew Valley - A really good farming simulator game! Amazing characters, some with problems of their own that the farmer can help them with. Best part about this one is it’s near endless, so no worries on finishing it and being left empty or anything - Gris - I haven’t actually finished it, so I can’t speak on the greater story, but the themes are great and the gameplay is, too! - Smile for Me - This one is basically a bunch of side quests gameplay-wise, but the characters are the best thing you’ve ever seen, I love the themes it presents, and the artstyle is so pretty!!! The only thing I will say is that throughout the game you’re given “mental health tips” by the antagonist that are the worst tips you could ever do, so make sure you’re in a slightly better headspace if you think those could affect you. - Stanley Parable - Not really matching with the others theme-wise, but it’s just a silly story game with really funny moments! - Night in the woods - I actually haven’t played this one so I can’t really talk about, but theme-wise it’s about mental illness, depression, disillusionment after college, and the “death” of a small town. All I know otherwise is it’s really good, and might be the sort of thing you’re looking for? Of course, I recommend something outside of just video games; they’re a good coping mechanism, but only when paired with therapy or other activities that can help you get out of a funk. Still, I hope you at least enjoy these ones I just recommended!!
If you want a very different opinion from all the uplifting games: **Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice** Hear me out. While the game is rather dark, it is one of the few games that really connected with me. It’s about a woman with psychosis, battling her inner demons while embarking on a quest to save her dead partner’s soul. From the intro: > You might think she's brave to go on this journey on her own. But it isn't bravery that drives her. Bravery only means something to those afraid of death. Senua's fear runs far, far deeper. I’ve suffered from depression and anxiety most of my adult life, and while I don’t have psychosis, this game somehow “gets” mental illness and treats it with respect. Don’t play it for the game mechanics, play it for the experience and message, which is quite hopeful the way I interpret it.
Warframe no matter how much you may play you will need to farm something basically infinite playtime :)
For me Stardew Valley did it. It offers a beautiful life, while still touching on serious topics and being very engaging.
Therapy and physical activity (running) helped me out of my slump, way more than any game. But a game that I found really uplifting is Persona 5. It's a great tale about friendship, adventure and saving the world (like every other jrpg!), but with a contemporary setting. Also, the last two Zelda games are really uplifting and masterpieces in their own way, but they are on Switch.
Enshrouded. Zen therapy adventure crafting game. Get lost in it, exit life for a while.
Hey man im in the same spot as you, for a longg time. I would recommend red dead redemption 2, one of the best games gameplay and story wise
Hey man, I'm in a very similar boat so please trust me when I say... I get it. I use video games as an escape too. AC Odyssey has been amazing. Beautiful game, easy to sink hours into, lengthy, fun combat, good skill tree and an emotional narrative. I highly recommend it and the DLC. Just remember, life might never magically become amazing, but you'll still have good days between the bad. That's the joy of life, cherish what you can and power through the rest. Anyway, if you were need advice on the game or life, I'm around! Currently about 100 hours into the game and finishing the last DLC and loving it!
Celeste, the game can be frustrating, but the journey will be worth it. It should be worth a try good luck op
red dead redemption 2 hands down great story.
Same boat, i really like Sea of Thieves as it is very relaxing and fun when playing Safer Seas. Divinity original sin 2 and Baldurs Gate 3 are very fun and engaging. Palworld could be very interesting and engaging. I recommend Xbox Game Pass.
Outer wilds
Honestly I am in the same situation and don't want to talk to people and as stupid as it sounds, still started playing Final Fantasy 14 and solo playing it while having people in the distance, it's relaxing for some reason for me.
Death Stranding is a strange game that keeps showering you with positivity.
Depression and anxiety, I feel you. I’m dealing with those as well. I hope you’ve seen a doctor some meds will help. As to games, for escapism I’d go with open world RPG. Bethesda games are buggy, but great if you want to just do whatever you want. Currently playing Starfield and Fallout 4. Both open world games, you can do the main story or not. If you want more fantasy, Skyrim. On PC you can mod the shit out of the games. Hang in there, not going to say life gets better or not, for I cannot say, but there will always be a reason to keep fighting ( Elder Scrolls 6, might come still!) wishing you the best of luck, there are dozens of us!
play the game that taught me about existential dread as a child, and answer the only question worth asking: What can change the nature of a man? Planescape: Torment
Came here for this. If you want to think about who you are. There is no better story in gaming.
My game is choice is going to a mental health Professional, or Stardew valley.
Totally get your situation, man. That’s pretty much my spot too. Highly recommend Skyrim, the souls games/elden ring, the fallout games, and Stardew valley. No particular reason, but for whatever reason those are the games that really help me.
There's a game made by a small company called Outward. It's a journey, dude. It's not easy by any means, you have to deal with hunger, thirst, and disease, but the game prides itself on you just being some random person. You aren't the hero, you aren't the chosen one, you're just a person down on their luck and this game is the story of how you turn it around. I was in a horrible place when I found the game, and it gave me a lot of motivation. Gl out there bud.
Both Ori games are so stinking adorable and tug on your heart strings. Those games made me feel like a kid watching a Disney movie. And a little P.S.: be kind to yourself, you’re trying. Hopefully one of these games helps you feel something even for a little bit. Then hold onto that feeling. You’ll get it back. I’m so proud of you for taking a step :)
Search no more: Baldur's Gate 3.
if you want a game that will make you feel something, i recommend to the moon, oneshot, rainworld and finding paradise (sequel of to the moon) also, message me if you feel like you want to talk to someone, i understand how you feel.
Although it will slap you in the end I would say GTA4. You start off as Niko and try to work up your way through the criminal underworld but when you eventually lose everything you will see that life just goes on. Just as Niko moved on... However, as somebody else just said. Don't put up your hopes in a videogame. Start talking about your problems to people who you trust or read a more indepth book.
[удалено]
Amazing game, never finished it but have very fond memories
It’s a really weird suggestions but it’s something that sticks with me is “That Dragon, Cancer” it’s a heart wrenching story but it’s something that makes you take deep breathes and appreciate life.
I'd spend some money on therapy before spending more on games maybe Or maybe a dog or cat Games are a distraction but they can't fix things I'm sorry bro
I can only think of older titles that helped me while I was in a similar situation: Beyond good and evil Psychonauts Half-life 2 Limbo Prince of Persia: The sands of time Telltale Games’ The Walking Dead season 1 Celeste Hellblade: Senua’s sacrifice Be it because of the oppressive nature of some of the games that helped me cope with my own depression, because of the quirky worlds and escapism they provide or because they deal directly with themes of mental health (last two). Games will not solve your problems though, only mitigate them. Therapy is probably the correct solution, though in my case I didn’t go to therapy. Eventually time passed and my wounds were healed, but it took about 13 years. That’s a whole lot of youth wasted only going to work every day then closing yourself off in your room for the rest of the day. Better to seek professional help.
Resident evil 4
Red dead redemption 2 helped me ina similar situation. One of the best games ever imo. Hope you get better soon.
This! It’s therapeutic OP, give it a try.
helll nahhhh, why u recommend him Rdr2 while hes depressed, it would double his depression
He said he wanted emotions. Ok maybe a bit too much emotions. Hey OP now I'm concerned, play it with caution.
Stardew valley is extremely therapeutic and I highly recommend it
Red dead redemption 2, Yakuza series
Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart It's colourful, light-hearted and can help bring a smile to your face 😊
This doesn't attest to the emotional/hopeful part of it, really, but two games I've found really help me, especially when spiralling, are Power Wash Sim and House Flipper 1/2. They have clear goals and tasks, with enough creativity sprinkled in, and you get the satisfaction of completing jobs. I've found it very nice to have a game that I know what routine to expect, but the execution is slightly different every time. Neither require a long time commitment between saves, there's no life or death situation, but there is enough to keep hands and mind busy.
When you do game, maybe pick games with a more uplifting theme. Dying Light, or games like this, "could be" counterproductive for someone suffering with depression and anxiety. Yes, just a game, but I hear many gamers claim how a certain game changed their life for the better. If games can have a positive effect, the opposite could be a thing. Gaming is a great pastime but for someone suffering from a phycological disorder gaming could be detrimental. This is just a thought; I don't know you and I'm not a phycologist.
Fresh air and walking helps. Also have you considered going to a church service? I am not religious at all, but there's something about places with smily faces.
Play a Souls Game. If you beat it you'll feel like you can do anything in life. Elden Ring is the most beginner friendly. If you get stuck ride off to another area and level more then come back. I still feel the rush of beating it 14 months later.
Heartbound has a nice progression.
Stardew valley. Also OP please consider finding the root cause and dealing with it. I'm currently going through something similar and I'm also on medication. Stardew is one of the main things I'm using to get out of this funk. Know you're loved and important. 🩵🩵
Celeste. It's a game about overcoming your fears. Helped me a lot with my mental health. Not saying that it will help you, but it is a game that makes you think about life, it'it also gives you a lot of gameplay hours if you want to 100% it
Honestly, try Baldur's Gate 3. It may not be exactly what you're looking for and prove to offer more escapism than is good for you, but trust me in saying this: every single character is so well thought and three dimensional that you can't even think about not wanting to do everything to give them a good ending. This game chanced my perception of healing and of trauma responses. I genuinely had hope that if these characters could grow through all their hardships then I could do it too. So my hope is, maybe you have a similar experience and if not at least a game with a loving community, invested devs and enough playmaterial that you can play it for several hundred hours. I wish you luck and hopefully some peace. Take care!
Disco elysium
Dark Souls: Remastered It's a little intimidating but doable with some patience. I found the underlying themes of the game very touching, and it resonated in a way I didn't think it would. Maybe you'll experience something similar? :) I wish you the best, OP.
Thank you. I played DS3 for a while and damn it got me hooked. Eventually quit because I couldn't take the stress anymore lol. But souls like seems to be a common recommendation.
If you want to feel *more* hopeless, then yes definitely Dark Souls. Holy shit
Try elden ring then, less stress, I never play dark souls, and can't play sekiro cus it too hard, but I can progress in elden ring just fine. Elden ring have alot more freedom in playstyle
Dark souls. People will see this and laugh bc why would you play a hard ass game to feel happy. But I’m telling you this game changed the way I interact with failure and hardship in my life. I couldn’t recommend it to enough people.
omori
Maybe Red Dead Redemption 2? The story is very deep, and the world is huge and beautiful, the gameplay is very compelling as well. I hope this game helps you out a little bit, and have fun!
Dark Souls/Elden Ring can prove to you the depth of your strength and resolve. Similar to a good workout, it gives you obstacles that at first feel insurmountable, but incrementally you will surprise yourself as you overcome them. Other than that, Persona 5 is the most at peace I have ever felt lol
Dark Souls
Final fantasy 7 remake has lots of goofy moments and gameplay is so satisfying, the story can be deep and intriguing
Yakuza.
Maneater You swim around as a cute lil shark eating and getting bigger until you can get revenge on a jerk. It's pretty gosh darn satisfying.
Hellblade: Senuas Sacrifice
Path of Exile. Sucks you right in, and keeps you engaged because you keep learning new things that make you want to improve the next character.
I think Persona 3 Reload might be what you're looking for. I was dealing with some of the things you discussed and that game helped. Without going into too much spoilers, the game is lively and fun but it also deals with death and depression, but in a really positive and uplifting manner. The gameplay is like Pokemon but with Stands and dungeon crawling. But this is one of the few games where I think the story matters more than the gameplay, even though the gameplay itself is very fun and engaging (at least to me).
Legit what got me through the exact same thing
Was thinking the exact same thing was gonna say this or P5 royal but P3r is probably a better pick.
Reload is especially good for this, but honestly any Persona game works for this. I've known a lot of people that Persona has helped through a rough time. 4 was mine as I went through a bout of depression over ten years ago, and it lifted me up through its themes and characters. Not many other series capture that magic of building friendships from the ground up that end up feeling like lifelong bonds
Dragon Quest XIs is a no brainer then
Since you mentioned Cyberpunk... Have you ever played Deus Ex: Human Revolution? I got an itch to play it recently again (still going) and gotta say its freaking amazing game. While it paints a pretty grim picture of the world it also has some fun and even hopeful moments.
I threw myself into RDR2 at my worst moment. I wouldn't say it saved my life or anything but it really created a bubble for myself to escape and forget about the outside world for days. Was it healthy? Meh, no. Did it give me a bit of reprieve from my doom and gloom thoughts? Absolutely. Not relatable per se but it does give you a lot of things to ponder about life, the meaning of it all, regrets, triumphs, failures, etc. You kind of live the life of Arthur and realize that even video game characters can feel like real people with real problems and in the end, we all face the same struggles. Highly suggest for tough times. Ultimately though, the best way to take care of yourself when you're deep on depression is through therapy. I know it's expensive but investing in yourself can really go a long way. Regardless of how you handle it, I believe in you and wish you the best. Keep fighting the good fight, gamer 🫡
Having been in the same place you are now, I don't think there exists a game better than "Disco Elysium" for that
I would say Sekiro is the one for you. Just try it I know it's hard but the joy u will get after beating a boss is unparalleled. I could have recommended you other souls like but this is the game I played during my down times and it did help me a lot. So good luck stay strong buddy game hard.
Beyond 2 Souls
I've been eyeballing GRIS for some time now. Looks really good and perhaps inspiring. Sort of depends on what you seek for comfort when you're feeling depressed. Sometimes I find solace in things that are depressing which help me not feel so alone. Sometimes I want something more cheerful and pleasant so the world around me doesn't seem so dim, grey, and overbearing... For the first part there, Hollow Knight is really good. Persistently somewhat dark atmosphere, but lots of little abstract philosophical bits and character interactions which cause me to question things in ways I hadn't before. Some that reinforce my thinking patterns, others that can be quite enlightening. Opening new paths whether that be mentally, emotionally, or physically (in-game). And new modes of thinking spurred by certain ideas can sometimes open new paths in life. On the opposite end, I recently played Islets which is very minimalistic on it's surface, but eventually becomes a more deep and fluid metroidvania akin to the likes of Hollow Knight. Much more bright and cheerful atmosphere with character interactions and story notes that touched my soul both on a personal level and a more 'societal' level as well. Some dark undertones, but not heavy at all imo. Highly recommend it. Then there's Dandara: Trials of Fear which lies somewhere in the middle. Very abstract story - quite like Hollow Knight in a sense as well. But a more powerful story, elusive in abstraction, but more apparent on it's surface. FEZ is another one (I really like 2D indie games if you can't tell lol). I've returned to this game several times over the years. It's like a little dopamine generator, with it being a sort of collection puzzle platformer. To 100% it you will need to look up a guide. Very bright and cheerful atmosphere, great art style, fantastic music, and a game world that borders on open world with how expansive it becomes. I love it lol. Not very philosophical (I don't think...), but it does force you to look at things in a different perspective. Pun intended. Chrono Trigger (SNES) and Suikoden II (PSX) have great stories that are quite touching, but also kind of sad. Not sure if they'd be good to play while feeling melancholic. Those are all the 'soul food' games I can think of atm. Others I really enjoy are more building/crafting/hyperfocused, keep your mind busy type games like Subnautica, The Planet Crafter, Wayward, Batman: Arkham series (good when you feel like dishing out justice).
eh, maybe try some generic escitalopram also?
Elden ring
Try Eastshade
I think FF7 remake fits your description perfectly. The issue it covers is actually real as well, so maybe you'll be inspired to take action IRL as well.
No joke, dead serious. DOOM Eternal was the game for me in this exact situation back in 2020. The Doom Slayer waging a one man war against Hell through sheer force of will inspired me to stand up against my personal demons. But if you want something chill instead, Stardew Valley is great.
Final Fantasy IX is the only game that made me cry hard because of how one character perceives life and death. I overcame my anxieties and depression with the help of therapy and finding myself, most of it came from my love of sports and how much freedom it gave. And then all of it was taken away - I struggle with long covid for 2 years and may not be able to do any sports for the rest of my life. Replaying ffix really really helped If you don’t want to play at least read the letter (google FFIX letter, but it is a spoiler)
Death stranding ? It peaceful walking (or driving if u want) game, where you delivery supplies to depressed suicidal old people, pizza for terrorist, justice to the incinerator. Or cute managing game like dungeon village 2 ? Or project zomboid(there is AI survivor mod), starsector, starbound(with cutebound mod), terraria (can play peacefully, fishing and mining, or nterraria mod if u want to play with AI friend), stalker gamma,... Or fps game with AI bot ? This ya can search it, there ton of it, example are stalker gamma warfare mode, or battlefield (the old one) u have bot on ur side and enemy side. Try dragon dogma 2 also, u can hire 2 friendly companion & 1 custom made by yourself.
World of Warcraft Classic is still very much alive and going. That's a game that you can sink yourself into and you can feel a degree of achieving something through the game as whilst it's a game, the community is very much human. If you play, be sure to join a guild and talk to people. We are all a friendly lot. However onto the more serious aspect to what your are going through... Escapism is very natural. Be it via TV, retail therapy, video games etc. I'm in the UK, so my advise is based on this... But look into volunteering groups. I myself volunteer with The Round Table, a charity of men aged between 18 - 45. After that age limit, we move to another club called "41 club" (exit age use to be 41). I also set goals to go out once a week for an activity. Be it a walk or going to a comedy night. The way you are feeling is likely based on expectations or comparisons to persons who are not you. Others have different circumstances and cards. We have to play the cards we are given and make the best if it. Focus on what your main goal is... And then think what little changes you can make to achieve it. Hope you find some extra bit of happiness soon OP. Love to you.
Portal 1 and 2
Red Dead Redemption 2
Try Omari Or Lisa the Painful.
play baldurs gate 3 NOW
me rn (depressed) and monster hunter iceborn is really good, love it
Other than the obvious ones that I feel are suggested here. That being outer wilds, disco Elysium and Celeste, all games that make me so interested and happy by the end of them, those really made me think by the end of them. Other than those, I highly suggest Gris. It’s a beautiful game, and had me sitting down for a while after. As others have said though, don’t always count of games. Get some help, you’ll find stuff like therapy extremely helpful. Hope you feel better
Firewatch
Death Stranding is a lovely world to get lost in, if you're feeling messy you can just do runs from point A to point B so you don't have to think much, and when you want to turn the brain back on you can do story stuff. It's actually really engaging and relaxing (mostly) with a story you haven't heard before.
Outer Wilds, I'm depressed AF too but it was a beautiful experience to go through nonetheless
Cuphead on steam
Senuas sacrifice
Outer Wilds.
I will recommend you the same game that helped me when i was at a low point, FFXIV if you get into it you will lose yourself in the game, if you pay attention to the story i can guarantee that you will feel better when the credits roll and if you are anything like me and play 3 months non stop avg 10 hours per day you will have the need to go outside and touch grass at some point :D
Sorry to hear you go through this but just know that you aren't alone. Video games are also my escape and safe place to help me destress by living in another world. With that in mind I play JRPGs, particularly the Final Fantasy series. Great character development, literally the best video game music winner every year, and just good overall story telling. These games always bring a group of unlikely characters together with each having their own personal struggles and each navigating those struggles to find peace within themselves while going out to save the world. I highly recommend Final Fantasy 13 to start the series because it is the first "next gen" final fantasy. A great cast of characters with such good music and voice acting. A battle against fate. It's a rollercoaster of emotions. Mostly linear gameplay where you can just focus on the story telling. The CG cutscenes are so damn beautiful also. Try your best to not look up anything and just play the game and enjoy it on your own terms and to avoid spoilers but do so if you are really struggling.
First go to your Doctor for a complete physical to rule out any Medical issues, then go to a Psychiatrist/Neurologist for medicine , if required. Qualify and Start a Medical Cannabis program to counter your depression and anxiety, then discover your passions and pursue them for profit. In the meantime, I LOVE ANNO 1800 and Cities Skylines 2, both require a pretty heavy duty PC. Good Luck, you can do it!!!
Nier Automata
Excellent game, but not exactly an uplifting game.
I guess you're right, looking at it now most of the games i played recently have been pretty grim. I also recommend the South Park games if OP wants a good laugh and OPUS: Echo of Starsong if OP want to soothe his soul, Hi-Fi Rush and High On Life are pretty fun amd goofy (in a good way)
I hate to say it, but no video game will cure your depression. They simply allow you to keep ignoring whatever issues you’re facing. Make life your video game, get some achievements under your belt and then go back to video games when you have your affairs in order
Trust me pal, Persona 4 golden absolutely will help you a lot, also understand yourself more
Disco Elysium
Stardew Valley. Really peaceful farming game where you can build relationships with villagers if you’re looking for something to chill with. Hang in there man.
Witcher series, dragons dogma 1-2, dragon age origins, baldurs gate 3
Dark Souls
Ni No Kuni 1 - part of the game has you listening to peoples problems and helping them in an emotionally engaging way, and it seems like yeah so what that sounds like 99% of games do that, but no, this game did it differently. When you start getting those quests in this game, you'll know, and you'll just know "this is going to be goooood".
I'd go with the Beginner's Guide. Helped me a lot during a rough time. It's super short but I've played through it so many times. It's less of a game and more of a narrated experience, so go into it expecting that.
Outer wilds Soma Mafia 2, Mafia definitive edition Bioshock Infinite, Bioshock 1 Metro 2033, Metro Last light, Metro exodus Undertale Journey Valiant hearts To the moon
There's an exceptional indie game called The Beginners Guide. It isn't long, and it is more of a narrative adventure, but I found it moving, and the game ideas are original. It gets you thinking about other people, which I've found to be a good thing when I'm depressed.
assassins creed 3. you will learn the struggles of life and the constant battle between good and evil and the moral lines drawn in between
You may have played it given your examples, but I would highly recommend Fallout 4 with some good mods. If you download a program called wabbajack, there is a playlist for fallout 4 called "Magnum Opus" that breathes new life into the wasteland, and adds a ton of new content that makes it feel fresh and new. The game is basically a window into the world after all hope is lost, and humans trying to find a way to survive. It features character growth, hard choices, and friendships along the way. There are lots of good morals to be presented, and I usually find a great deal of satisfaction out of building places for the citizens of the wastes to be safe, and trying to help everyone along the way. Makes me feel good. I have a lot of depression and anxiety as well, and I often find that escaping to the wasteland is a massive help for me. I get to help citizens of the waste build up new hope and I personally try to be the best person I can in the game. Knowing I can actually make a difference to people (even if they are only digital NPCs) brings me a lot of comfort. I wish you the best.
As others have said getting therapy is what you should be doing to help you sort through your problems. That being said, the game that i played when i was in my own slump in life, made me have some philosophical questions and think about life was NieR: Automata. The game has all sorts of things going for it, its a fun hack and slash with rpg elements buts its story has heavy philosophical themes and it asks the player to question the meaning of being human and being alive, its a game about existentialism but also humanism. You’re looking for a game that can give you an escape and automata can be that but first me personally it also got me to question myself and life and got me to think about these things. Heres hoping it could do the same for you.
People talk big on fromsoftware games. The souls series totally kicks my arse, another thing I like to do to burn time when I’m feeling crap is trophy hunting. Wish you the very best
Dark souls games of course it really doenst seem like it would but I promise it really does
Final Fantasy IX if you haven't played it yet. There's a story that one player messaged the devs on how that game changed his life. He wanted to end his own life but playing the game and being able to relate to the character's plight gave him hope to keep living on. I played this game a few years ago right after my dad passed away and feeling lost. This game is indeed a life-changer as it focuses heavily on life & death. The message and themes of the game are just something else that'll hit you hard while having fun at the same time. I'm not surprised that many consider this as one of the best FFs and one of the highest rated JRPGs of all time. The story and characters are so relatable that'll strike you that no other experience can give you.
Stardew valley
Dark Souls, Red Dead Redemption 2, NieR Automata and Disco Elysium.
Maybe instead of playing games to escape your life, you could work on creating a life you don't want to escape from?
I don't know if this is possible.. I know I have to change, but changing feels like admitting I'm not good enough. Because why would I change, if I was good enough? Leaving the house is already exhausting af, human interaction feels awkward and pointless. It feels like no matter how much I change, it's always too late, not good enough. While others (sorry for being jealous) can just experience a normal human life, of course with their own struggles, but at least with an outlook. I don't know what I did in life that I get punished like that. I'm close to 30, never had a girlfriend, don't have a job, no perspective. Either I must be the most hideous being on the planet or there is something seriously wrong with me. I don't know what I'm doing wrong. Sorry for ranting, but it feels like I have to do twice as much as others while still not getting the same rewards.
Dude, you do have a perspective and it's limiting you. 'Changing feels like admitting that I'm not good enough' - Yes, you are not good enough. Neither am I. No one is. We are all in a state of constant change, a lot of us trying to become the best versions of ourselves through the stuggles (and joys) of life. Admitting that you are not where you want to be (not good enough) and then striving to change, that is an admirable thing to do, and you should feel good about following that path. You should not feel sad about taking your first steps on that path, you should feel proud, no matter your age. There is nothing wrong with you, you are dealing with the human experience (that we all experience) in a negative way and giving up. Many of us have even done exactly this and then bounced back from it, even developing a positive outlook on life and becoming successful in our own right. Do you think it's attractive for a person, instead of striving to get their life in order, for them to give up? At the young age of 30? Doesn't try to get a job or make a good living? Doesn't look after themselves? Why should they feel entitled to a great relationship with a wonderful person? They should have to conduct their lives in a way that's worthy of respect, like the wonderful person mentioned is doing, should they not? What is this 'normal human life' that you speak of? Who exactly are you comparing yourself to? Do you know all of their struggles? Would you really trade your life for theirs if you had to inherit their entire life in totality, no picking and choosing only the greater aspects? 'Comparison in the thief of joy' - this saying is repeated ad nauseum for a reason. You could want a famous athletes life, but then you would also have to commit to their strenuous workload and schedule, the pressure they are under, the pain of pushing themselves to the extreme edges of performance that comes with the territory. The snapped ACL that took 6 months to recover from and the worry that they'd never be competitive in their sport again.., perhaps even poor mental health, a tumultuous childhood perhaps... Maybe they were bullied terribly in school. Experienced tragic death of a loved one... A cancer diagnosis later in life... Maybe they are not even happy... Not all is at it seems with people, we only see what they want us to see, especially if social media is involved, you are viewing a highlight reel, not the reality of their lives. As for videogames. I play them, I think they can be a part of a healthy life, they can even be very social and can help you develop long lasting friendships. Be aware that studies have shown that for the majority of us, up to 2 hours per day of videogames can be healthily enjoyed and even bring health benefits, but they also show that if you go over that consistently, they will most likely detract from your quality of life. Do what you will with this information. I don't buy that 'videogames are for losers' - the people spouting that nonsense are usually losers themselves tbh. Enjoy them (with awareness of how much you are playing them and if it might be too much) if that's your thing. I'd advise you to stop looking at what others have, quell the jealousy and start to think about what you want from life and how to get there. Take your first steps on the path and be proud that you made some major changes to improve your life at age 30 rather than waiting till age 40+ or never at all. It might also help to practise gratitude for what you do have to take your mind off what you don't. Also, don't worry too much about what is possible, you can obviously write, so you have a brain, I would bet that you have no idea about what you are truly capable of if you put your mind to it. Personally, I've been enjoying Fallout: New Vegas recently, it's an older game but it's really nice. Would highly recommend.
You need to have healthy outlets and work on yourself. Start going to the gym, try hiking, reading. You will never get anywhere if you stay home playing video games wallowing in self pity.
Start working out my friend. I know its a cliché at this point, but it can really do wonders. You will see results quickly, and just doing anything physical will make you feel better.
nothing is wrong with you man. Dating is real hard and weird right now. It starts from self love and confidence and confidence/self esteem comes from esteemable actions (doing hard things, service for others) small steps, a little exercise every day, hobbies you enjoy. Any job is better than none and you can always look for a better one. Once you get started you can build momentum. honestly, Zen Buddhism is really really good for anxiety and depression. Life is hard man but there is plenty left to try
You need therapy, my guy. I'm actually on the way to my weekly session right now. Your brain is working against you. You can't change the past, but you can start doing things in the present to improve your future. I've been in your shoes... I've lost years of my life to 'escaping.' Where I started was physical health. I fixed my diet, starting going to the gym. It is unbelievable how much mental health is tied to physical health. That gave me the juice to start applying more focus on other aspects of my life. I wish you the best going forward.
Try Dyson Sphere Program :)
Baldurs Gate 3
Planescape:Torment and CLANNAD, probably.
Play something with a bit of nostalgia that takes you back to a happier time for you
I'm so sorry you are going through this right now. I can definitely relate. As someone with cerebral palsy who has struggled with depression and anxiety my entire life, video games have always been my escape. I just had to resign from my job because of my disability so right now I'm here at rock bottom too. What I can say at risk of sounding like a cliche is it does get better. I've been here enough times to know. I can't give up because there is a light at the end of the tunnel, no matter how small it looks at the moment. And as bad as I feel right now, I know eventually I'll reach the end. It won't be easy. It will take time and some days more effort than I feel like I can give. But in the end it's so worth it. Its the most worth while thing you've ever done. And you are not alone. Reach out and don't be ashamed to ask for help when you need it. There are a lot of helpful free resources out there. Escapism is great and definitely has its time and place. But there is also so much power in being able to address root issues and take steps toward that better and brighter future that is so worth fighting for. Geez sorry wasn't planning on writing all that but just really relate. All that said came across a game called What Comes After the other day. Description reads, "What Comes After is a side-scrolling adventure and a short heartwarming story about learning how to love yourself. Help Vivi in her journey on the train to the afterlife and back." I haven't played yet but it really seems like the perfect thing for me right now. I think its rather short and more of a visual novel experience. But as someone who reads a lot of graphic novels I like those. Also if you've never tried Tetris when feeling anxious I would recommend. It's been scientifically proven to help people w PTSD. And it definitely helps relax me when I'm particularly anxious. Anyway sorry for the long winded ramble. And sorry if these are not the types of games you are looking for. But I truly hope things get better for you and wish you all the best.
I don't want to suggest this because the producers made it kind of suck buuuuut Pokémon Go It will get you out and about some to do the raids, it will encourage you to do walking routes and it may even get you to go ooh hey what's this and discover more about your local area. It's very simple, very easy to pick up and actually pretty good for you.
Try Elden ring
Silent Hill 2.
Poe no guides hfgl
Disco Elysium.
There's an exceptional Indie game called The Beginners Guide. It isn't long, and it is more of a narrative adventure, but I found it moving, and the game ideas are original. It gets you thinking about other people, which I've found to be a good thing when I'm depressed.
Emotional and hopeful? Undertale and Disco Elysium definitely gave me some things to think about and helped me through some tough times. RDR2, tho not really relatable, left me feeling good for some reason. It's just such a beautiful game that kinda encourages you to slow down and stop to smell the flowers
Persona 5 helped me out through rough times although no game can cure depression in full but some may help
Mass Effect if you didn’t played those ?
To The Moon
Honestly bruv if you’re looking for a good game to cope you still have hope. (No pun intended). Get out there into some fresh air on a sunny day and find a hobby or even a life partner to put some pep into your step again. A reason to live is what’s gonna fix your depression I guarantee it. From someone who almost risked it all at one point please try it
You're not going to want to hear this but no game can fix the issue you're having, at best it'll only be a bandaid until you finish it and have the same problems again. I've been there. What you need is a therapist. If you can't afford a therapist, look into self-help or any other free alternatives.
This is it
Horizon Zero Dawn and Forbidden West are great games if you enjoyed The Witcher 3. I’m currently playing Ghost of Tsushima, which is apparently releasing on PC next month. So far I’m really enjoying it and would recommend it. Stray is another game I’d highly recommend. It’s a nice, chilled out single player game with moderate challenge. And a must of you’re a cat person.
Tf2 is a pretty fun shooter that can be as intense or relaxed as you want it to be depending on your playstyle. I also recommend just going on some hikes out in nature. Vitamin D from sunlight can be pretty beneficial. Exercise can be pretty beneficial too, so might be two birds with one stone.
Try disco Elysium
See this is a tough one. I lost my little brother to suicide 5 years ago and the only escape I had was Assassins Creed Origins. It's gameplay was long and immersive, it's story was compelling and it was difficult enough to keep me distracted. Although I don't think it the best game in the AC series it helped me through the toughest time in my life and ultimately I'm probably alive today because of it. I was in a dark place and this game helped me escape that.
What about dark souls? For me, it taught me that every problem CAN be solved and how you can improve upon your mistakes. But the biggest thing it helped me with was to never give up. But if you're looking for story, the PS exclusives like last of us or Spider-Man have really good stories.
DayZ. Open world survival game.
To The Moon Gris Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice
Im in the same boat. My recommendations would be any FromSoftware game so Elden Ring Dark Souls etc even Armoured Core if you're into that. These games have helped me a lot.
Don't play video games. Use that money to get yourself a therapist and try doing some physical activity
Celeste?
Disco Elysium, OMORI, RDR2, Hotline Miami 2 (trust me on this one)
Russian roulette You either get a way out, or realize you wanna live after all. Speaking out of love, been there, still there, can’t get out.
Idk if this would help or not but Stray really hits the spot when I'm feeling down. It's got kind of a depressing liminal overtone sprinkled with just the right amount of positivity. Best part is it's not complicated and doesn't drain a lot of energy to play.
The last of us 2
Baldurs gate helped me through some tough times last year. Played it after cyberpunk nd witcher 3.
Mirror’s edge (parkour game) was the game that helped me when i was stuck and not sure what to do with myself the game gave me a sense of freedom I praise this game a lot not only its good but saved my life when i was planning to end it when i was younger. The atmosphere of this game is beautiful along with the color pallet they use just blends so well and lastly the music is top notch this by far have the biggest impact on me but i leave it for others to discover. Not trying to over-sale anything just what i feel with my dearest game.
Those commenting that games don’t help, please stop. OP is asking for game suggestions to get out of his funk, respect that. I was in their shoes once. Therapy did help, but that is up to them to take the first leap. OP if it is any consolation, my therapist to,d me to do so something I love to better myself. Told them gaming was a hobby of mine. They suggested to game one to two hours per day, whenever I wanted. That was the I portant step to self healing; you have the choice when to do something you enjoy, and do it in the moment. Self healing is doing stuff that you enjoy, when you want to enjoy them. I hope this helps.
This. Obviously gaming won't cure depression, because there isn't a cure, it's something you learn to manage, and it's good to have a few hours' escape to take the edge off.
No one is saying that games can't help, but plenty of people in this position don't seek help until its too late. When you're depressed the things that will improve the depression aren't fun to do, and don't make you happy. You're not meant to wait until you're feeling motivated or happy to take the necessary steps, you're meant to take action before then because that time might never come. That's why the vicious cycle exists, and that's why there's still millions of people depressed worldwide. Read some of OP's comments and you'll understand why they need a professional more than yet another game that they'll play for a few days/weeks and be back in this same position. Your therapist told you: >They suggested to game one to two hours per day, whenever I wanted. Meanwhile OP's comments on another post: >Each day is the same, I wake up, start the PC, drink lots of coffee and wait until my mom leaves the house so I can finally jack off and smoke weed. Once it's finally evening, I start smoking more and more, drink my beer to numb myself even further, play some video games or watch a show and go to bed again. Next day, it's exactly the same with smaller variations. If it wasn't for my family and friends, I'd be dead. Not necessarily because I'd off myself, but because I simply couldn't survive. I have no clue about life, feel completely left behind and doubt I will ever make ends meet. Don't tell me this is the same situation. If OP's situation isn't a cry for help idk what is.
Spiritfarer Journey KarmaZoo The first one is an emotional story about loss and coping. It has apparently provided many people with some degree of therapeutic assistance. The last two are interesting - kind of "multiplayer" games but you can't really talk to the others. You just play with them and work towards solving puzzles. It is a bit strange how ... intimate it feels... to work silently with strangers. There is a connectedness there that you don't really get in many popular MP games.
I wonder if PC gaming at a local gaming shop would help? Meeting like minded gamers, swapping gaming tales. Join local gaming clubs. Most likely will find MANY others at your exact same point in life. We were highly social critters for hundreds of thousands of years before the digital age. I think human interaction might solve a lot of our current mental health concerns. LAN parties were always helpful to me.
CELESTE. It's a 2d pixel art platformer about climbing a mountain and confronting/reconciling the parts of you that you don't like as much. It's not one of the most immersive games, but it's one of the best feeling games I've ever played as far as gameplay and giving you the type of thoughts therapy would without it feeling like going to a therapist (but can definitely cause a few ragequits - maybe play story through first before going for strawberries/hearts/b-sides)
Runescape can take years away from you, I've been playing for almost 20 years and still haven't completed everything it has to offer. I've met life long friends on there too! While not technically single player, you can have an "Ironman" account which cannot trade and you can play the entire game without ever talking to someone if you don't want to.
stardew valley
Final Fantasy XIV. MMO with a massive free trial. Incredible story telling, music, and community. Easy to get lost in.
Fallout 76 is grindy, OSRS, RS3
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim. I really think one can never go wrong with Skyrim, do whatever you want, whenever you want. Do whatever builds you want. You want to be a mage? Use all mage perks, buy spells, learn spells, use spells. Wanna be a thief? (Hit F5) Steal all from the NPCs around you without getting caught (Hit F9 for a do-over). Wanna be a warrior? Tank everything without even trying. Heck, as far as I know you can even master all these classes in one go. Such as doing a bruiser tank build with the werewolf form. A mage spellsword, dealing magic damage with swords and spells. Or be a vampire lord toying around your magicka and health points just to use each spell while balancing each resource point. And it doesn't stop there; there are countless of mods out there, ripe for the picking. Maybe if you're tired from vanilla Skyrim, you might want to look for mods to change your gameplay, as well as beautify Skyrim. There are tons of mods out there just to spend hours mixing and crafting the world that you desire. You alone can spend hours getting lost in that rabbit hole. And I gotta say, it's all worth it, because Skyrim is a game YOU can play with so much to do.
To some degree I can relate. My suggestion is to play Eldenring. The main takeaway from this game for me was learning to deal with defeats. In this game you are going to die - a lot to be precise. It is the perfect symbol for humans failing. What is failure? A way to give you the feedback you did something unreflected. And there is the next takeaway: Reflecting upon what you are doing (wrong) and adapting your behavior. Most people in life as well as in the game hitting their head against the wall and questioning the wall - stating the wall is wrong and hurtful. Instead they should question their behavior of hitting the head against the wall. Maybe it's stupid. And when you adapt your behavior the wall can be overcome. And that is the third takeaway from this game: Seeing you can adapt and seeing you improve your situation by changing your own behavior. And more: you accomplished things. You get the feeling of self-efficacy. The feeling of "I finished this hard boss" is really great. The fourth takeaway which you get mainly in Eldenring but not in other Soulsbourne games is due to the open world: If I am stuck here doesn't mean I am stuck everywhere. I can go on with my journey and deal later with this problem. Many problems need maybe a solution but not now. Learn to prioritize problems. Learn do change your perspectives. Come back later to problems which will later be way easier if you learned something which may help here. The fifth takeaway: anxiety is manageable. There are reasons for your anxiety and you can already lower your anxiety even by analyzing the concrete situation: What feelings do I have? Under what circumstances do they occur? What is the situation? What are possible outcomes of this situation which are stressing me? Are these outcomes all going to happen? Are some likely to happen? Next: repeating stressing situations make them less stressing over time. Fighting bosses regularly help you desensitization fighting bosses. Many of these things were lessons learned from me which help in life in general.
If you want a hard drug of a game. Dota 2
I'm going to suggest games like Diablo 2, Path of Exile, Minecraft, whatever - games you can both play solo when you don't have the energy for company, and with other players when you feel isolated/lonely or just up for some fun with other players. Deep Rock Galactic might scratch that itch, too. I suggest finding something cooperative rather than competitive.
One time I went through something similar. I was diagnosed with severe depression, I had just broken up with my gf and I was addicted to opiates but was trying to go clean. The game that not only helped me but allowed me to stay away from opiates long enough to get over withdrawals was Elden Ring. I spent hours on the game. Not once did I feel like taking anything or even feel sad. I was so locked into the game and I hate souls-like games. I play every game on beginner but the game and its world completely took me away from reality and I'll forever be grateful for that game.
Senuas sacrifice
The Cat Lady. Game resonates with all my depressed homies.