Aside from baking, working out and re-creating TikTok challenges, gaming has been a very popular quarantine activity. “Animal Crossing: New Horizons” alone has become a recognized quarantine game, with people holding events and hangouts in their virtual islands.
Using games to manage symptoms of anxiety is not a new concept, in fact studies have proven that games often help anxious people stay calm, remain motivated and stay engaged with the world. Spending hours getting lost inside a game world can not only make you occupied, it can also help in combating feelings of loneliness or helplessness. If you’re looking to rein in your worries about yourself and the world post-coronavirus, here are some of the games that can help you out.
“SuperBetter”
Created by game designer Jane McGonigal, SuperBetter actively engages the user in exercises that can help them take control of their negative reactions to anxiety. The game has a bright color scheme and presents quests that will have players do tasks such as deep breathing or light physical activity. Users can also link up with real-life friends as allies in order to battle bad guys like overthinking or catastrophizing. This game was developed with extensive research, owing to McGonigal’s studying game psychology for over a decade.
“Personal Zen”
The gameplay of “Personal Zen” is relatively simple. Based on personalized daily or weekly goals set by users, players have to follow friendly “sprites” (spheres that have smiling faces) as they make their way to achieving a goal while also dodging negative sprites. Goals can vary from “Stress Busting” to “Maintaining Positive Outlook.”
“Journey”
While many users praised “Journey” initially for its stunning visuals and art direction, many reviewers have praised this game as an emotional journey. Patrick Shaw from Wired calls the game an emotionally fulfilling adventure and compliments the visuals and soundtrack, saying that “‘Journey’s’ worlds are simultaneously barren and beautiful, a duality echoed by the game’s minimalistic but moving musical score.” Users will be playing as a robed figure in the middle of a desert trying to get to a mountain. The game is quiet and often creates a sense of partnership between the player and the robed figure they are helping to reach their destination.
“Casanova”
If you’re looking for a cute and simple game where you’re a giraffe trying to kiss other giraffes, then “Casanova” is the game for you. Playing the game can be quite funny as you help a young giraffe extend its neck to kiss as many passing giraffes as possible. The music is cheery, fun and calming. Gameplay is easy enough not to be stressful, but enjoyable enough to keep your mind off your worries, at least for a little while.
Photo by Josue Ladoo Pelegrin on Unsplash
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