Editorial | Video Games Helping With Sadness.

By Sam Coles:

Video games have a great outlet for various emotions, such as anger, happiness and of course sadness. I have gone through a lot of dark times throughout my life and there are a select few games that I like to go to when I’m in the shadow of sadness oppressing me. They take me away from the darkness and take me on an adventure which can cheer me up or give me a new outlook on a narrative.

The types of games that I generally play when I’m feeling low are RPG’s which the top ones I liked to play are Oblivion, Dragon Age and The Witcher 2. The reason why I like to play these games when I’m feeling low is because they are mystical worlds I can visit and make an impact in, where when I switch off the console those worlds are still moving even when I have left them. Oblivion is the main game I go to when I feel the weight of sadness burdening me, as it has a beautiful world to explore, with awe inspiring landscapes and architecture coupled with the relaxing musical score by the music genius that is Jeremy Soule. This world feels like a home town, but in video game form where I know all the locals whether they are friend or foe, I can drink with them, talk to them or buy goods from them, Oblivion never fails to make me smile when I’m in that dark place.

2013 was when I first experienced pain with a close family member, who was going through mental illness, which had an impact on me as I spent a lot of time with said member. The game at the time that helped me was The Witcher 2 as it was somewhat fresh on the Xbox 360, being able to step into the shoes of Geralt of Riva slaying monsters made me feel important as if I were helping people. The Witcher 2 at the time got me back into reading books, which helped me escape and expand my knowledge about the Northern Realms and the Empire of Nilfguard. The Witcher 2 gave me a lot of confidence and encouraged me to help others that are in need so I helped my family member by taking him to the doctor alongside his friend.

Back in 2014 before I even created this blog, I was reviewing for a website at the time I was reviewing the Thief reboot on the 360. I was playing it one night with my laptop open and I heard a faint ping from my Facebook, it was a message from my friend giving the bad news that a close friend of mine had passed away. I dropped the controller in shock before a tear could even be shed, until the uncontrollable shower of tears rain down from my ducts. The next day I attended the funeral and was very quiet and isolated for about a week or two, there was a certain game that I played which I got a better understanding for the character’s pain and that game was none other than Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater.

Now I know what you’re probably thinking, MGS 3? That’s a light hearted game to a certain extent and yes that is true in some parts but it has some hard hitting moments such as the betrayal and the death of The Boss. The death of The Boss was the moment that hit me hard after my friend’s passing as I could really feel for Big Boss’s loss at the end as he morns the loss of his close friend and mentor. The end of the game as he stands over her tomb stone is extremely powerful and that made me cry all over again. This isn’t a bad thing, as I can relate with the character more as I have gone through a similar situation.

I just wanted to do a small post about this because I know you can go through dark times in your life, but video games can really help, but don’t substitute them for help from friends and family members as they come first before anything.