October 5, 2023
Due to the neglect and stigmatization surrounding mental well-being, it can be hard to comprehend. However, video games are the perfect medium to explore this complex subject in a safe and entertaining environment. Therefore, mental health games are powerful when experienced with your community through streaming. They can foster bonds between chatters, evoke profound conversation, and inspire. But they are also great for simply having a relaxing time with your viewers. Below you can find my favorite mental health games to stream!
Gris
Gris is a short but fascinating platformer where you play a young girl dealing with a painful time in her life. As intimidating as this might sound, the game’s unique art style, memorable soundtrack, and frustration-free gameplay have delighted many streamers in the past. This is a fantastic title for discussing game theories and solving puzzles with your community! Plus, you do not need to know English to enjoy its full potential.
Spiritfarer
Stella and her cat Daffodil are the protagonists in the cozy management game Spriritfarer. In this 2D game, you manage a ship where you help lost souls in the afterlife make peace with their past. You connect with these souls as they spend time on your boat. The calming soundtrack and the story give you (and your community) the opportunity to process loss and grief in a comforting way. Additionally, you can experience Spirit Farer in co-op with, for example, another streamer.
The Pathless
In The Pathless, you are accompanied by an eagle as you traverse a deserted world on your mission to bring back life and light. The story explores hopelessness, perseverance, and acceptance while making you feel connected to nature. The unique and smooth movement add to this experience. It also has lots of speedrunning potential.
Child of Light
Child of Light is a fairytale come to live! You play as Aurora, a young princess separated from her family and lost in the magical world of Lemuria. Aurora must fight the Queen of the Night to return home. Child of Light embeds themes, such as uncertainty and loss, in a comforting environment. Like Spritfarer, it can be played in co-op. Moreover, the game’s charming characters and watercolor art style will captivate your audience!
Stray
Stray was one of the most anticipated indie games this year. Why? Because of cats! Immersing yourself in a compelling story through the eyes of a cat is a unique concept. Thousands of streamers played Stray upon release and were impressed by the authentic cat animations and incredible world-building. In the post-apocalyptic world of Stray, we ask ourselves common questions: What does it mean to be human? What is left behind when we leave? One thing is sure: Stray will leave you and your chat in awe!
Lost Ember
In Lost Ember’s post-mankind setting, you wake up as a wolf – alone except for the guidance of a mysterious ember. Together, you travel through mesmerizing sceneries, searching for the City of Light. This game’s design is minimal, with intricate world-building and subtle sounds. Your ability to hop into the bodies of every animal in this world makes it a fantastic pick for nature lovers. Furthermore, its story allows you and your community to gain a new perspective on guilt, unsolved conflicts, and family bonds.
Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice
Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice tells the story of the Celtic woman Senua, who has psychosis. Her quest is to rescue the soul of her dead lover from Viking Hell. Through Senua’s eyes, you will constantly be surrounded by ominous voices and visions, making you question what is real and not. Thanks to these details and intense voice acting, you can develop a more empathetic understanding of psychosis as a mental illness. On top of that, a second part is already in the making!
Stardew Valley
If you are into more light-hearted content, try Stardew Valley! This farming simulator classic is the perfect game to help you and your audience wind down from a stressful day. With retro charm and a cozy story, Stardew Valley compels you to build your unique farm continually. You can choose its layout, crops, and animals. But, more importantly, Stardew focuses on the relationships between your character and the other inhabitants. No wonder it has a loyal fan base that will funnel more viewers to your stream!
Nier: Automata
The action JRPG Nier Automata is loved for many reasons. One of them is the game’s intricate storyline. During multiple playthroughs, you accompany the androids 2B and 9S on their missions as soldiers in a war between aliens and humans. The story blurs the lines between good and evil and makes our protagonists wonder why. Why are we doing this? Why should we persevere? This is all wrapped in stunning world design, unforgettable soundtracks, and engaging gameplay. You will have hours of thought-provoking content with this game!
The Unfinished Swan
The Unfinished Swan takes an interesting angle on the grieving process. After the loss of his mother, one of her unfinished paintings, the Unfinished Swan, becomes Monroe’s world. Monroe attempts to color this world by chasing the most precious memory of his mother. The Unfinished Swan is a heartwarming visualization of how grief can feel. Yet, simultaneously, it reminds us of our mental strength and ability to overcome life’s challenges. This will be a meaningful experience for you and your audience!
Bloodborne
I would like to end my list with a bit of a surprise. If you are familiar with From Software’s games, you will probably wonder why Bloodborne is featured as a mental health game. However, the game’s signature challenging gameplay in an unforgiving world makes it excellent for working through anxiety triggers. On your own terms, you will learn to accept uncertainty and failure inside and outside the game. Additionally, Bloodborne offers many hours of content for new and old fans to enjoy!
Final thoughts
While mental health is still stigmatized in society, game developers increasingly focus on mental illness and well-being in their games. This opens the door to collectively experiencing and discussing such themes within streaming communities. I hope you have discovered some game gems in this list but know that they are more mental health games out there!
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