Video games have a pretty bad reputation. Many video games are made to attract a predominantly male audience, and this often leads to extremely toxic environments within online gaming spaces. But what many people don’t realise is that there are many different types of video games that cater to whatever your interests are. Many of these online communities are less hostile than what we may be used to.
So, if you ever find yourself bored, I urge you to give some of these games a try:
1) Stardew Valley
I can’t start off this list without speaking about my favourite video game. Stardew Valley is a cosy farming- and life simulator with adorable 2D graphics. You have to run a farm by taking care of crops, mining, fishing and interacting with other characters. There is so much to do and explore and based on past experience, you will have a hard time exiting this game. It also has a co-op option so you can play with your friends, and it is available on almost all platforms.
2) Omori
In this indie game, you switch between reality and a vibrant dream-world. You play as Omori, a boy who struggles with mental illness and uses his dreams as an escape. While there, you go on a journey to find his missing friend and determine the fate of himself and everyone around him. This game is highly praised for its representation of mental health and storytelling. The soundtrack is also impeccable and keeps you completely immersed in the game the entire time.
3) Stray
Stray is game I recommend for people who want something that requires a bit more skill, while not wanting to play anything too intense. In this video game, you play as a cat that has been separated from its friends, and you have to try and make your way back to them by traveling through an infested cyberpunk city. Stray has incredible graphics and a heart-wrenching storyline and was voted Steam’s best indie video game of 2022.
4) Hades
Hades is a roguelike video game where you play as the son of Hades as he tries to escape the underworld. If you have any interest in Greek mythology, or just want to look at the gorgeous art style of the video game, I suggest giving this a try. At risk of angering the gaming community, I will say that you can play this game by just clicking buttons on your controller really quickly, – and you will eventually win.
5) Strange Horticulture
If none of the above games is of your interest, try Strange Horticulture, a puzzle game in which you identify plants. As the owner of a plant store, your job is to find and suggest plants to the townspeople whilst solving the mysteries of Undermere. Your decisions influence how the game plays out. (You also have a very cute black cat.)
Even if you have no interest in gaming, I hope you decide to try one of these games and that we can all work towards making the gaming community a safer space for everyone.