Let’s get this out of the way first: there are a LOT of video games available, including a lot of games that don’t require you to kill people and don’t involve Mario, Luigi, Wario, or Waluigi. And among those are several games that approach mental health issues in a truthful and sympathetic way. These games, often made by small independent studios, might take place in fantastical worlds but they can involve honest examinations of depression, trauma, and anxiety. And playing the games can bring a lot more insight and relief to the player than you might think.

We talk with Maddy Myers of the Max Fun podcast Triple Click for her recommendations on enlightened independent games and Gregory Lobanov, creator of the game Chicory: A Colorful Tale.

Listen to Triple Click on the podcatcher of your choice. Visit Greg's website at greg.style. Follow Maddy on Twitter @MIDImyers and Greg @thebanov.

Maddy’s Game Recommendations:

GAMES LITERALLY ABOUT DEPRESSION

Chicory: A Colorful Tale (2021)Depression Quest (2013)Actual Sunlight (2014)

GAMES FIGURATIVELY ABOUT DEPRESSION

Celeste (2018)Gris (2018)Sea of Solitude (2019)

GAMES I’VE PLAYED WHEN DEPRESSED AND I’VE FOUND MEANING IN THEM

The Metroid SeriesDark Souls (2011)

Thank you to all our listeners who support the show as monthly members of Maximum Fun. 

Hey, remember, you’re part of Depresh Mode and we want to hear what you want to hear about. What guests and issues would you like to have covered in a future episode? Write us at depreshmode@maximumfun.org.

Help is available right away.

The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255, 1-800-273-TALK

Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741.

International suicide hotline numbers available here: https://www.opencounseling.com/suicide-hotlines

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John's acclaimed memoir, The Hilarious World of Depression, is available here.

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John is on Twitter @johnmoe.