The Beautiful World of Mentally Nutritious Video Games

Let’s get this out of the way first: there are a LOT of video
games available, including a lot of games that don’t require you
to kill people and don’t involve Mario, Luigi, Wario, or Waluigi.
And among those are several games that approach mental health
issues in a truthful and sympathetic way. These games, often made
by small independent studios, might take place in fantastical
worlds but they can involve honest examinations of depression,
trauma, and anxiety. And playing the games can bring a lot more
insight and relief to the player than you might think.


We talk with Maddy Myers of the Max Fun podcast Triple Click for
her recommendations on enlightened independent games and Gregory
Lobanov, creator of the game Chicory: A Colorful Tale.


Listen to Triple Click on the podcatcher of your choice. Visit
Greg's website at greg.style. Follow Maddy on Twitter @MIDImyers
and Greg @thebanov.


Maddy’s Game Recommendations:


GAMES LITERALLY ABOUT DEPRESSION


Chicory: A Colorful Tale (2021)
Depression Quest (2013)
Actual Sunlight (2014)


GAMES FIGURATIVELY ABOUT DEPRESSION


Celeste (2018)
Gris (2018)
Sea of Solitude (2019)


GAMES I’VE PLAYED WHEN DEPRESSED AND I’VE FOUND MEANING IN THEM


The Metroid Series
Dark Souls (2011)


Thank you to all our listeners who support the show as monthly
members of Maximum Fun. 


Hey, remember, you’re part of Depresh Mode and we want to hear
what you want to hear about. What guests and issues would you
like to have covered in a future episode? Write us at
depreshmode@maximumfun.org.


Help is available right away.


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1-800-273-TALK


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John's acclaimed memoir, The Hilarious World of Depression, is
available here.


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John is on Twitter @johnmoe.