The format of these posts is simple: let’s discuss a specific game or series!

I’m in quite a bad place mentally at the moment, so I wasn’t really feeling like making a post. But then I thought, I could combine this in the form of a special discussion topic:

Let’s discuss your favorite Uplifting Games. What helps you when your feeling down or stressed out. What game series has comforted you in harder times. Are there certain genres that work better for you in these times? Feel free to share anything that comes up and react to other comments. Let’s get the conversation going!

If you have any recommendations for games or series for the next post(s), please feel free to DM me or add it in a comment here (no guarantees of course).

Previous entries: Final Fantasy, Visual Novels, Hollow Knight, Nintendo DS, Monster Hunter, Persona, Monkey Island, 8 Bit Era, Animal Crossing, Age of Empires, Super Mario, Deus Ex, Stardew Valley, The Sims, Half-Life, Earthbound / Mother, Mass Effect, Metroid, Journey, Resident Evil, Polybius, Tetris, Telltale Games, Kirby, LEGO Games, DOOM, Ori, Metal Gear, Slay the Spire

spoiler
  • LassCalibur@beehaw.orgEnglish
    0·
    2 months ago

    Actually playing games during dire emotional states throws fuel unto my dissociation/depersonalization/derealization problems; but just mindfully sitting in my favorite place in the Temple of Elune on a private vanilla WoW server works great for me. The sounds, music, colors, lighting effects, and water create a very zen space that helps me observe my thoughts and feelings without getting so tangled up in them. That kind of presence helps me better understand what is really going on and how it all happened.

    If things are merely bad then maybe I’ll play some original Sims or Rimworld on the coziest of settings. So long as there’s no nest of trash around then it’s probably okay. Eufloria in relaxed mode is a lovely RTS game that hasn’t ever caused me any problems.

    Hopefully you find your way through this soon!

  • HER0@beehaw.org
    0·
    2 months ago

    I see a bunch of mentions of Journey. Recently, I’ve been playing Sky: Children of the Light for the first time, which is made by the same devs. It is beautiful, and feels like a spiritual successor to Journey, to me. It is also free to play, so it is easy to recommend trying it out.

      • blindsight@beehaw.org
        0·
        2 months ago

        I just read the top review on Steam and it answered this question well: TL;DR it’s a shame this is a F2P game since the seasonal cosmetic FOMO is diametrically opposed to the message/spirit of the game, but if you can ignore the cosmetics, then it’s a fantastic experience that’s completely free.

  • Dr. Wesker@lemmy.sdf.orgEnglish
    0·
    2 months ago

    • Gris - A beautiful platform puzzle game. A very emotional game, but one that makes you feel like you’re rebuilding something in yourself. Gorgeous art, amazing dynamic soundtrack.

    • Meadow - I don’t know how to describe this game. You log onto a server, pick a woodland animal as an avatar, and then you explore the world and meet other players. Your only means of communication is noises and emojis. It’s so simple, yet so fantastic.

    • Bokida - Heartfelt Reunion - A minimalist art puzzle game. I haven’t played it in a while, but I remember it being super immersive. I just had to finish it, to see how all of the pieces of the story fit together.

    Also, I hope you feel better soon.

  • saigot@lemmy.ca
    0·
    2 months ago

    Outer wilds felt really good to play, optimistic nihilism and a happy lonliness. One moment that really stood out to me was when I followed a certain object out of the solar system, spent pretty much 20minutes drifting in space listening to the other astronauts play together planets apart and watching the stars

    spoiler

    Watching the stars slowly blink out and realizing that I won’t be able to save the sun, that it’s the whole universe going away. Givining in to the inevitability of it all ending and just watching everything end.

    It’s one of the most peaceful times I’ve had with a game, and playing it in the middle of covid I cried happy tears. Go in as blind as you can.

    • WaterWaiver@aussie.zoneEnglish
      0·
      2 months ago

      It’s a gorgeous game experience. Not to mention they put so many other gamedevs to shame with their technical accomplishments (especially in the expansion – flooding waves in a ringworld!).

      Don’t look up spoilers. Get yourself a copy and play it. Find somewhere to land your spaceship :)

  • BlushedPotatoPlayers@sopuli.xyz
    0·
    2 months ago

    Kerbal Space program wasn’t on the list, and maybe OpenTTD? The latter is also great when you have a random setup (the game is 10Mb, runs in anything and has zero needs) and have only 20 minutes to play.

  • Vilian@lemmy.ca
    0·
    2 months ago

    I’m playing factorio with my friends two days straight and we plan to keep playing, it was years since I could play for so long with them, normally I start to fell bored and hang up, but i’m 14 hours in and stil want to play more!

    • cows_are_underrated@feddit.org
      0·
      2 months ago

      Factorio is great. I don’t think Theres another game that sucked up so many hours so quick. I absolutely love it. It takes a shit load of time(my first world took 40 hours and didnt complete the game). I’m now starting a new world because of space age, and already have a lot of plans on how to improve my world to male it better(starting with currently building a blueprint for a mall and rushing to robots in order to not being forced to build everything by hand). Also, disabling biters is a very good thing to do. I don’t want to focus on fighting biters. I just want to see the factory grow.

  • bbbhltz@beehaw.org
    0·
    2 months ago

    I found Iconoclasts to be pretty uplifting to play. The ending is marvellously satisfying.

    The Shantae games are good.

    Disney Illusion Island fits in here too.

  • SuperSaiyanSwag@lemmy.zipEnglish
    0·
    2 months ago

    Wandersong: that game has so much character, it’s insane. The game can feel very emotional without heavy themes, idk how it did it.

  • DesolateMood@lemm.ee
    0·
    2 months ago

    I’m gonna go with Forza (Assetto Corsa also works to a lesser extent). Sure the focus of the game is on racing, but it can be extremely relaxing to hop into any car you want from any era and just take a cruise and look at the scenery

    • HER0@beehaw.org
      0·
      2 months ago

      Sometimes I chill after work by driving around the Nurburgring in a touring car in Automobilista 2.

      Alternately, for more driving games:

      1. Art of Rally has a free roam mode, which is pretty chill.
      2. I’ve been playing Sledders, a snowmobile game. It is super early in early access, but it can be fun to just roam around (and learn how to drive a snowmobile).
    • N00b22@lemmy.mlEnglish
      0·
      2 months ago

      I like Forza, but have caution with the online players. Most of them love ramming people

  • fracture [he/him] @beehaw.org
    0·
    2 months ago

    rarely, i like to play a fluffy, feel good game with no real stakes. enter: Flynn, Son of Crimson

    there is absolutely no chance of anything really bad happening in the game, the worst that happens is your powerful guardian diety dog loses his powers at the beginning of the game (but it’s OK, he just rests until you reclaim his powers and he feels better). you never really feel like anyone is really in danger, you get to play a pretty fun 2d action platforming game, and it has some really fun sections later on that make you feel awesome

    it wraps up nicely in probably 20 hours too, if you want to 100% it, so it doesn’t overstay its welcome and lets you experience all of its content with low demands. really a lovely little experience. it’s not pushing the envelope at all, but if you want basically 20 solid hours of lighthearted fun, this is a great way to get it

  • Druid_Moo@kbin.earth
    0·
    2 months ago

    Pokemon Emerald: I used to play it a bunch to escape reality. Now my mind just associates it with safe spaces. It never fails to cheer me up when I hear the ost or see pokemon from that gen. Only bad part is that I can’t play for longer than 20 mins without feeling so cozy I fall asleep.

    Guilty Gear Strive: Strangely relaxing once I got a hang of the controls. I just play a few rounds against the AI for a pick-me-up. Not sure if it’s still uplifting at higher levels.

    Muse Dash: The music and cutesy artstyle are so overwhelmingly positive, it’s hard to stay negative when you’re in the zone and grooving.

  • majestictechie@lemmy.fosshost.comEnglish
    0·
    2 months ago

    Dave The Diver: you run a sushi restaurant and go diving to catch fish. The writing is quirky, it’s full of interesting characters and there’s no time limits except for some events. I’ll spend days just fishing for the restaurant instead of doing any “story stuff”. I picked a steam key on CDkeys for £7 and I can already see myself pouring 40 hours in this thing if I want. The trailer if anyone is interested

  • knokelmaat@beehaw.orgOP
    0·
    2 months ago

    Well, I personally have several “types” of game that help me feel comfortable when things are tough:

    • Puzzle Games: in relatively small doses, a good and somewhat challenging puzzle game can help by requiring focus, while not being stressful.
    • Deckbuilders: Slay the Spire and Monster Train are similar games that require mental engagement, without being to stressful.
    • Immersive Games: Games with an interesting mystery or otherwise immersive experiences. I am currently playing Killer Frequency and Hacknet, both for that reason.
    • moonlight@fedia.io
      0·
      2 months ago

      I’m not sure if I would really say it’s that uplifting, but if you like puzzle and card games, you’ll love Inscryption

    • AFallingAnvil@lemmy.ca
      0·
      2 months ago

      Might I recommend Journey and Abzu? They’re both wonderful experiences with a healthy dose of zen if you decide you want to just pause and appreciate the environments.

    • Haraknos@jlai.lu
      0·
      2 months ago

      I think you should try “outer wilds” as it is a puzzle game and also quite immersive. I am not done yet with this game (only 15h or so) but it is a master piece. If you never heard of it, do not look any video or guide on the internet !

  • ProdigalFrog@slrpnk.netEnglish
    0·
    2 months ago

    Sorry to hear things are rough for you. I hope whatever is causing it improves!

    Mine is an odd choice, or maybe not, but its the first thing that came to mind: Night in The Woods

    It’s about a girl that comes home from college to her old dying town. I know that doesn’t sound terribly uplifting, and there’s some downer stories mixed in there, but overall I found it a very heartfelt and uplifting game, because the main character’s friends are the most wonderful bunch of people, and you hang out with them and go on little adventures throughout. It’s got a cool creepy mystery story going on, but the game is mostly about deep friendship, family, and overcoming struggles with their help, and I found that very uplifting and worthwhile.