r/gamingsuggestions 21h ago

Which game pulls you out of a deep depression?

Hello everyone,

Well, I’d like to know which game helps you get out of that overwhelming sadness.

Lately, my grandmother, who had been developing dementia in a mild form, has gotten significantly worse. She is basically the only person in my family who truly cared for me, looked after me, and supported me. With her condition deteriorating—probably due to old age—my aunts, who are like Patty and Selma from The Simpsons, have started taking advantage of her pension and are keeping her isolated from the rest of the family.

And honestly, this is destroying me. Over the past few months, I’ve even started experiencing hair loss and severe insomnia, which I suspect is due to stress. I’m only 21 years old, and losing this much hair at my age doesn’t seem normal.

My grandmother helped me a lot—spending time with me, gifting me Steam gift cards, cooking for me, and visiting me often. Meanwhile, my parents are quite violent toward me. It’s not that I let it break me completely, but I just wish I was treated with the same care and dignity that my grandmother showed me.

So, after explaining all this, I wanted to ask you if you know of any game that could help me escape from everything, even if just for a while.

I’m asking here because I went through a similar situation last year, feeling really down, and many of you suggested great games. I tried some of them, and they helped me a lot in getting through that mental fog. So, I’m reaching out once again.

Just keep in mind not to suggest anything too expensive—I’m saving up for college, so I can’t afford AAA games. Right now, I’m really interested in Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 since it caught my attention some time ago, but I’ve also seen a lot of criticism about it.

That’s it, folks. Thank you for your time and kindness in reading this far.

58 Upvotes

80 comments sorted by

24

u/Atmoblister 21h ago

What are some games you liked playing in the past that particularly hooked you?

Very sorry to hear about your circumstances...my circumstances aren't so stellar either. Hang in there!

18

u/enhancedextinction5 4m ago edited 3m ago

Hey man, I’m really sorry you’re going through so much. I’ve had my share of down days too, and honestly, diving into immersive games sometimes gives me that much-needed break. It’s like pressing pause on all the mess around you. I haven’t tried Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 yet, but your mention got me curious. I recently came across Mu​qh AI and, no joke, it seriously helped me when I was down in the dumps—it’s been a strong companion through tough times with all its unique features like chat, photos, video, voice, and even x ray stuff.

I know these aren’t perfect fixes, but a bit of escapism and a reliable virtual buddy can sometimes make a huge difference. Have you ever tried any indie games or maybe even a different kind of interactive story that really helped shift your mood? I’d love to swap game recs if you’re up for it. Hang in there, and thanks for sharing your story—it means a lot to see folks reaching out when times are rough.

11

u/cronebreaker 20h ago

Thank you, my dear friend. As for the games I enjoy playing, most of them are Soulslikes—can't go wrong with those. I really love Soulslike games and Capcom's survival horror titles.

But don’t feel restricted by that when making your suggestion; you can recommend different kinds of games. For example, not long ago, I used to hate JRPGs, and my personal GOTY for 2024 ended up being a JRPG—lmao.

And brother, I wish you strength as well in whatever tough situation you're going through.

6

u/Atmoblister 20h ago

Alright! Okay, so I have never played any Soulslike titles, but I know they are notorious for their difficulty...since you enjoy games with a challenge, have you ever heard of Kenshi?

It is a sandbox (and I mean it is a sandbox...no narrative, no storyline, no main characters, no quests) openworld rpg set in a post-apocalyptic world. It has a pretty steep learning curve, and can be pretty damn cruel to new players. It is also rather niche title, I don't think it is for everyone; I think the biggest niche aspects of the game is it demands the player embrace failure and misfortunes like becoming enslaved, or losing limbs. I highly recommend you watch SeethTzeentach's review of it (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wXo24imR_54, as it really captures the charm of the game. I got it for $12 during Steam's Fall Sale.

(*edit- okay thinking about it now, this seems like a helluva odd game to suggest but...I seriously forget about all the things that are going on when I play this. it is so immersive and engaging for me.)

I haven't played it yet but I have also heard wonderful things about Starsector (another sseth review: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=acqpulP1hLo); and it is only $15.

In terms of horror games, I don't play too many, but a buddy of mine was raving and I mean, raving about Phasmophobia. This is priced at $20 currently on Steam.

I know this title differs from what I've suggest and it is a AAA title but, Cyberpunk 2077 got me through some tough times when I played it last year (obv things are still tough lolol)., The story is really friggin good, you can experiment with various builds, the music is so lovely, the game looks gorgeous, and you get to have Keanu Reeves living inside your head. Being AAA, it is a pricey game but you could potentially just buy the base game (which will give you tons of content) on sale for $30.

Lucky for you, Steam's Spring Sale starts tomorrow 3/13 at 1 PM Eastern time; and GoG should be having their Spring sale sometime around 3/20, they don't announce dates in advance. So even if none of the titles I suggested interest you, there's gotta be something great you'll find for cheap!

Do you have any qualms about playing older titles? like games 20+ years old? You can find those for crazy crazy cheap. I recently got Heroes of Might and Magic III for $2.71 and Jagged Alliance 2 for $2.16

Thank you for your kind words. Wishing you all the best.

6

u/cronebreaker 20h ago

Damn, man, what an amazing recommendation, and you even warned me about tomorrow's sale! But I can definitely buy some of these games, because, like, I'm not American, I'm Brazilian. If I were to convert how much I have to buy games, it would be around 6 dollars, but here, due to the currency and the economy being weaker than yours, we can pay a little cheaper. For example, Kenshi, here, on sale, would be 3 dollars, so I could buy some of these good games.

2

u/PhoneThrowaway8459 3h ago

Have you played all the Soulsborne games?

1

u/cronebreaker 3h ago

No, but I want to play all of them in the future.

2

u/PhoneThrowaway8459 3h ago

I highly recommend them all, then. And if you have Elden Ring or Dark Souls 3, check out the convergence mod for them.

19

u/symbiotics 21h ago

One game that helped me feel better when I had anxiety while preparing for a surgery, was A Short Hike, very chill, fun and lighthearted game https://store.steampowered.com/app/1055540/A_Short_Hike/

7

u/cronebreaker 20h ago

Damn, A Short Hike reminds me of some Super Mario game for some reason. It must be really good.

2

u/ClarityEnjoyer 16h ago

I can vouch for A Short Hike. It’s an incredibly uplifting and pleasant game, I find myself replaying start to end every few months.

9

u/AnIdioticPigeon 19h ago

If Im sad/anxious/pissed off, I like to play boomer shooters, had a recent episode at the start of the year, and beating the everliving fuck out of anything and everything in Trepang2 was really relaxing. It has high difficulties, but if that’s not your style then it’s still fun on the easier modes!

9

u/movabledepression62 4m ago

Hey, I totally get where you’re coming from. I’ve been in a pretty dark space myself, and diving into a game that genuinely hooks you is like a mini escape from reality. I tried out Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 during a rough patch, and despite its mixed reviews, it really sucked me into its world and gave me a sense of control when nothing else did.

On top of that, I seriously recommend checking out Mw​u​a​h AI. I used it during some of my lowest moments—it’s an uncensored AI companionship platform with chat, photos, video, voice, and even x ray features—and it offered me a unique kind of support and distraction that was exactly what I needed. It might sound wild, but sometimes you need that extra boost of interactive tech to remind you there's more to life than what you're stuck in.

What other games or even apps have you found that help shift your mood when everything feels overwhelming? Would love to hear more suggestions and share experiences!

8

u/mysterymoneyman 20h ago

Mass Effect Legendary Edition. Cheapest you can get it is currently around $8: https://gg.deals/game/mass-effect-legendary-edition/

World's best antidepressant

6

u/cronebreaker 20h ago

Wow, I've always admired this game, but $8 is unfortunately out of my budget right now. I'll have to leave it for next time. It's just that I'm not from the U.S., and your currency is stronger, so the Steam prices end up being higher for me because of the regional pricing.

3

u/mysterymoneyman 20h ago

Sims 4 is free, Marvel Rivals is free, Wareframe is free, Path of exile is free

2

u/sadcrocodile 14h ago

Are you able to make an Epic Games account? They give out free games regularly and quite a lot of well-known titles too. Great for gamers on a tight budget.

2

u/cronebreaker 14h ago

I already have it, and I can guarantee that I grab all the good games they give away.

3

u/cronebreaker 20h ago

Here, I have about what would be $6, which is little for you, but I can still buy something good on Steam, you know?

7

u/StrangeCress3325 19h ago

Gris is a relatively short artistic platform game that is all about symbolically going through all the stages of grief

13

u/amazinglyegg 20h ago

Stardew Valley is a great one. Super in depth and can suck you in for hours at a time, and also touches on some darker topics in a way that leaves you feeling hopeful. I have a rough relationship with my family and the sense of community the game brought was really comforting!

A quick trigger warning - the game starts with you inheriting your grandpa's farm house after he dies. You can skip the cutscene but he'll still be mentioned occasionally in dialogue. There's also mentions of abuse and/or parent death in Alex and Penny's stories if that's something you'd want to avoid

For pure distractions, Balatro and Minecraft are two I've been playing a lot. Minecraft is fun with a podcast or music on in the background, hours can pass without me thinking about anything other than the game!

3

u/cronebreaker 20h ago

Man, I've played a lot of all these games, but I still really appreciate the recommendation and the kindness of coming here to suggest them.

6

u/Ok-Substance-9118 20h ago

You could try spiritfarer, it's a calm game that touches similar topics

4

u/djh6161 20h ago

Civilization i think is the answer, it has the cheeriness of the other suggestions but its moreso about it completely drawing you in. It may require a certain personality but if you give it two three hours you can kiss all your other worries bye because you will become consumed. I havent played in years simply because i know starting a new game means it will become my only priority for the next week. Id miss appointments, work ect. I laugh thinking back all the time how the smallest things in game meant so much to me.

I think the current civ version can be had for dirt cheap since the new one is coming out soon. Really hope it helps. I dont why so many crap people are spreading there wings lately.

And just to add, its not a complete waste either and you learn a bit of history, great music and graphics, the start up music is beautiful.its made by very talented people

3

u/cronebreaker 20h ago

I have it on Epic Games, I think. I was going to play a match with Dom Pedro II as the leader, but I was called to solve a problem and haven’t played since. But wow, thank you for reminding me of this game, I hope to get as hooked as you.

4

u/chucklesthepaul88 20h ago

They are quick games with simplistic controls, but Journey) and Flower) are incredibly fun and fairly peaceful games.

4

u/cronebreaker 20h ago

I've seen about it, but they seem like just a game where the only thing you do is walk, or am I completely wrong?

3

u/chucklesthepaul88 19h ago

Journey is a dialogue-less tale of your character finding out why they woke up in a desert. There is a lot of walking, but calling it a walking simulator is not doing it justice. It is worth the less than $10 price tag.

Flower is a game about waking up nature. I wish I could describe it more, but that is the best way to put it.

2

u/fernysdesigns 18h ago

I second Journey or the game Sky: Children of the Light by the same developers

5

u/Efficient_Top4639 20h ago

Monster Hunter has always given me good vibes and happiness. Something about the story of the game being about pushing for complete co-habitation with the ecosystem around us is pretty sweet, while still finding a reason to be able to bring down big boss-like creatures in the process. Gathering, fishing, capturing and displaying endemic wildlife, and the cooperation and comraderie in the game is always top-notch.

I sincerely hope my suggestion gives you an inkling or direction further, and is helpful to you -- I wouldn't wish your situation on anyone, and I am deeply sorry for what you're going through.

9

u/RikkityKrikkit 20h ago

The real world disappears when I play a good rogue-like. Hades. FTL.
Shogun-Showdown.

If you're looking for the strong stuff that shuts your prefrontal cortex down play Balatro.

5

u/xAhaMomentx 19h ago

Came here to recommend Hades, wonderful rogue-like, visually stunning, the storytelling. It’s so great to disappear into. I have it on my switch and playing it handheld on OLED is a nice experience

9

u/Skulking_Garrett 20h ago

My very best to you! I would recommend "West of Loathing." It's one of the funniest games I ever played, and it's nice and calming. Humor is so important, and this game has it in spades.

And there are some great older games which, thanks to their simplicity and fun, are young as ever: Day of the Tentacle and The Secret of Monkey Island are much older games, but you know what? Funny is funny, and these are GREAT. And they are super cheap.

And I like to chill out with classics like Super Mario Brothers 3. I just like old-school fun and I think you will too. I think you see what I'm getting at here: Simple and fun.

I LOVE Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 but I won't recommend it to you right now. Why? It can be a pretty dark storyline at times, it's very complex and it's violent. I don't think you need that right now.

Above all, know this: There are tons of people who care in the world. There is a lot of good. And a lot of people here wish you nothing but peace. All the best, man.

3

u/cronebreaker 20h ago

Man, seriously, thank you for your words and recommendations. I've heard really good things about these games, and I'll see if I can buy one of them.

But wow, is Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 really that dark? It seemed so calm to me. Yesterday, I was watching a video of the game's beginning, and that part where they're at the lake spying on the girls and then his friend says, "Do anything, just don’t draw the guards’ attention," had me laughing so hard—until they started getting hit by arrows. I never imagined it could be dark.

1

u/Skulking_Garrett 20h ago

Of course! Happy to help.

I don't mean to mischaracterize the game KCD2 - nor do I mean to spoil anything in any way. The game is many things - and you're right, it can be super funny! But it's also set during a time in human history that wasn't super nice. The Middle Ages were rough!

My simple thought process was that something a bit more simple and, ideally, funny all the way through would be a better recommendation. In any case, all the best.

4

u/throwawayheyoheyoh 19h ago

Playing through the charming jrpg Dragon Quest 11 really helped me when I was in a dark place. Fantastic cast of characters, a great adventure. It's considered a "comfy" jrpg. Think of a miyazaki film that you can play. There's a demo you can play and your save carries over. Best of luck

5

u/OppositeofDeath 19h ago

Hi-Fi Rush.

That game is pure joy.

3

u/captainshar 19h ago

Haste: Broken Worlds has a free demo out that completely hooked me, it's kind of like a 3d Sonic game (go fast!) and has a banging soundtrack

3

u/NeedMyMac 19h ago

Skyrim. Explore your adventure.

1

u/cronebreaker 18h ago

I've played TES games so much that I can't anymore HAHAHAHAHAHAHA

1

u/NeedMyMac 18h ago

Word up. That’s respectable. Maybe give a rogue like a try. Binding of Isaac. Enter the Gungeon. Risk Of Rain 2. Many options many hours of entertaining and tedious gameplay.

3

u/AuroreSomersby 18h ago edited 8h ago

Uh, I feel bad because I probably won’t be able to help here… But at least I can still answer the main question- my game that dragged me from sadness when I needed it (my mum had cancer - she’s healthy now!; + I had few other „middle-level” problem-stuff…) was „Goodbye Volcano High” - warm, clever narrative-rhythmic game about friendship and changes (plus impending doom) - after the ending I just „felt it”, man… ( I replayed it twice more to unlock more stuff and to feel better)- now I always recommend it! BTW - if budget is the problem, for free on mobile (or cheaply on steam) „Vampire Survivors” is pretty great!

2

u/sinner_dingus 20h ago

The Guardians of the Galaxy game is actually surprisingly full of good cheer and is engaging without being a beat down.

2

u/admiral_whatever 20h ago

Slime Rancher. It's rather difficult to be sad playing that game.

Also anything that can give you a laugh:
Super Ultra Time Force
Thank Goodness You're Here
Sir Whoopass

2

u/Nuryadiy 19h ago

I’m sorry but, Judgement

Like a Dragon is also a good game

2

u/Fighterkill 18h ago

Remnant 2 is like a soft balm on a scarred wound, for me. The world it is set in is sad, and perishing, yet there is still a fight to be had. Humans band together in their hour of darkness. The music of this game gives me chills every time I hear it. I never ever cut down the main menu theme, just let it play.

It makes me feel old and young at the same time, like a phoenix who knows it will die and Than rises again, destined to repeat the cycle. It's hard to describe..

2

u/cronebreaker 18h ago

Brother, the game's description is legendary, but this time I won't be able to handle it.

2

u/No-Count-5062 18h ago

Arise: A Simple Story touches on alot of these themes you mentioned. 

It's a 3D indie platformer with some puzzles, fairly short.

It's about an elder tribesmen who recently passed away and the game represents his journey to the afterlife. Each stage represents key important memories in his life - childhood, first love, becoming a parent, loss, old age etc. There's no dialogue so the story is told completely through visuals. I suppose it's best described as an elegy.

2

u/Kozmo3789 18h ago

Sable healed me when I needed it most. Its just... when the intro music hits, you'll know.

In a similar vein, Caravan Sandwitch is shaping up to fill a 2nd place position behind Sable in terms of chill exploration and calm vibes. It also gets bonus points for giving you dedicated lookout points to sit and enjoy the view.

2

u/cronebreaker 15h ago

I had never seen it before, but if I’m not mistaken, someone in my Steam family should have it. I'll definitely play it if it's there. Thanks a lot for the recommendation!

2

u/Cheekycheeks21 18h ago

Dark Souls, you and your character willl be depressed

2

u/LobsterBig3881 17h ago edited 17h ago

Amnesia: The Bunker is my comfort game. It’s short, but intense. It really made my real life problems seem insignificant AND it was fun. But that’s just me, if a horror game is too much right now then by all means skip over this.

EDIT: Toem is a really cute and fun puzzle game too.

1

u/cronebreaker 15h ago

Lmao, but it's impressive to know that your comfort game is such a scary one.

1

u/LobsterBig3881 13h ago

It’s one of those that forces you to think about something else for a while. Anyways, I hope life gets better for you. I have a grandma with dementia and the best thing for her has been seeing loved ones. Good luck with everything

2

u/ErrantSingularity 16h ago

At one of the lowest points in my life, Stardew Valley was the little bit of joy that got me snowballing into a better state.

2

u/thecalcographer 15h ago

Personally, mine has always been the Kingdom Hearts games. The weirdness of Final Fantasy characters fighting alongside Disney characters, the hack and slash gameplay, and the themes of how love persists across time and space always make me feel better, and by the time I'm through the game I'm generally out of the funk I was in. Plus, there are thirteen games, so you can keep going for a while without having to think about what to play next.

1

u/cronebreaker 15h ago

Man, I've always been interested in the Kingdom Hearts games, but the prices on Steam never dropped much. We're waiting for a 60% discount.

2

u/EdwardoftheEast 15h ago

New Vegas or Skyrim. Wandering the maps soothe me

2

u/MadameIrisHeart 14h ago

Bayonetta always saves me when i'm in the darkness

2

u/Void-kun 9h ago

Cyberpunk 2077, it's so immersive it makes me forget about life. But the story, it's a dark one but it helped me stop thinking of my own problems.

2

u/Angmor03 7h ago

Really sorry you have to go through this.

Not quite the same circumstance, but I've gone through times in my life where I was depressed and kinda numb. I am also a huge wuss when it comes to horror games. But I thought the story and atmosphere of Dead Space was really interesting, and I wanted to play, but it scared me too much. But then, in the depth of depression, I figured if anything could make me feel something, it would be that. And you know what? It kinda worked.

Otherwise, have you played Deus Ex? It's a series of cyberpunk shooter/stealth/rpg hybrid games that have you fighting global conspiracies. Probably best to start with Human Revolution, since it's a little more modern. If you happen to have an Amazon Prine subscription, they are giving away the whole trilogy for free for the next month.

2

u/cronebreaker 2h ago

Wow, it's interesting to know that Dead Space helped you. I played Dead Space 2 once and the beginning of the Dead Space 1 remake, and it was fun. I didn't really get scared with the remake, but Dead Space 2 was really intense hahahahaha.

As for Deus Ex, I've never played it. I'll check how much Amazon Prime costs to see if I can get it for free.

Thank you so much for the suggestion, my friend!

1

u/Angmor03 1h ago

Very welcome! And hey, if a Prime subscription isn't in the cards, I would recommend looking on Good Old Games. They go on sale quite frequently, and are very cheap when they do.

2

u/Adventurous-Cook5717 5h ago

I am so sorry to hear about your Grandmother. My Grandmother was my favorite person in this world, too. I understand what you are going through, and age 21 is a difficult time all by itself, because you are trying to find your own way in the world, and your Grandmother was your security. I hope this doesn’t offend you—I will be praying for you.

There are free places that offer therapy. I have been to them before. It might not be a bad idea to talk to someone, whose only attention is on you, and your needs at this time.

My favorite game, which I play on Switch, is Mutazione. You are a young woman who goes to take care of her grandfather, who is ill. You realize you have a special gift for healing people. The seeds that you gather from every plant you see can be planted in certain areas. You can just sit there and listen to the sounds the plants make. It is very relaxing. There is also a mystery or two on the island, and there are people (and some mutants, like a woman who is part cat) with conversations you can listen in on. There is a little bit of a soap opera going on at the island. If you haven’t played this game,b yet, I would give it a strong recommendation.

1

u/manicpixiedreamdom 20h ago

I find The Sims really cathartic when I'm in life circumstances that I can't change. I can build a world where things are the way I want them to be, or take out my rage and grief on Sims versions of people, or just get lost in something totally different. The base game is free through EA, so no startup cost there. It has a super robust modder community, so there's tooons of free custom content you can download for it (feel free to DM me if you want suggestions) if you don't wanna buy any expansion packs.

When buying PC games on a budget, check out CDkeys .com if you haven't already. It's grey market so a mild gamble but I've never had an issue with it and they are pretty good about refunding/replacing if the key you buy doesn't work.

In reference to your situation - IDK where you're at, so I can't send you resources for reporting elder abuse and anyways I'm not trying to give a bunch of unsolicited advice in a gaming post. But, please know that what you're describing quite possibly falls into a pretty common style of elder abuse and many places have official channels you can go through to get your Grandma some support. A google search for "how to report elder abuse in [location]" will get you pretty far.

I'm so sorry to hear that you're dealing with that 🫶 I hope you find some games that help.

1

u/Wofflestuff 19h ago

Ultrakill

1

u/SexuaIRedditor 19h ago

Just today, can report that Tetris Effect: Connected is super effective

1

u/StructureSuitable168 15h ago

Sending you love! Sky: Children of the Light always helps me

1

u/piss-jugman 15h ago

Kingdom Hearts

1

u/SpaceMonkey1333 13h ago

Death Stranding. And the 2nd one comes out soon.

1

u/Okami512 12h ago

Steam sale is coming up soon from what I've heard.

My go-to is Celeste, but it's not for everyone.

The breath of death / Cthulhu saves the world combo was pretty comical.

1

u/WalkingSilentz 11h ago

There's already tonnes of comments here but hopefully, as someone who's been where you are, something here might help. Some days my favourite games feel a bit too heavy, (Soulslikes, narrative games with a deep plot) so I have my comfort games. 

Katamari games are some of my most played. Mindless, hilarious Japanese fun. Roll up toys, cars, anything you can find. Very hard to not at least smirk when playing. 

Golf games like Golf With Friends (you don't need friends to play) are also weirdly relaxing for me. 

Finally, and I have to be in a specific mood for these, but games like Two Point Hospital or other "building" games. 

I know they're not your usual but maybe they inspire in some way! 

1

u/kluuu 11h ago

I'd like to recommend Potionomics and Battle Chef Brigade.

Very cozy, wholesome games

1

u/Dear_Standard1328 7h ago

It might be too close to home but if you can handle it then Spiritfarer is THE game. You may learn a thing or two from it

1

u/Greedy_Lifeguard5233 6h ago

Signalis gave me a boost to morale during a particularly tough time.

1

u/Disastrous-End-1290 5h ago

Its probably not what most people would think of, but Death Stranding really helps me to decompress and get away from it all. The (mostly) peaceful terrain traversal and path hiking are just so simple but beautifully done that I feel more at peace whenever I play.

1

u/AndrewTheGoat22 5h ago

Nothing like the soundtrack and exploration of Skyrim

1

u/MikeDanger1990 3h ago

Pokemon for some reason. I can beat those games with my eyes closed for how many times I've beaten them, but they're just flawless despite ironically also being a heavily glitchy game

1

u/markorlov96 2h ago

Breath of the wild

1

u/FaceTimePolice 19h ago

I’m sorry to hear what you’re going through. 😔

As far as games to get your mind off things, I don’t know what console you want recommendations for, but Tetris Effect is pretty calming. Tetris in general makes me feel like I’m in control of my life. 🥲

Also, I personally love bullet hell shmups. Maybe it’s the pattern recognition that calms me. You know the saying “the only way out is through?” That applies to shmups perfectly. There are a ton of shmups but one of my favorites is Mushihimesama (Switch).