What are some well done games that focus on mental health?

Magic-DEI-Hire

Magic-DEI-Hire

Member
As the topic title suggests, I'm really curious what games you've played that left a lasting impression on you long after playing with regard to the subject of mental health (within any relevant context). Also looking for new recommendations. 👀

For me, playing the original Hellblade with surround sound headphones was a uniquely unnerving experience, as it dealt with Senua struggling with her psychosis. The game stuck with me more so due to my own personal experiences with psychosis and bipolar disorder.
 
FFVII Remake 3 whenever that comes out

Those who played the OG know what I'm talking about (and why Cloud is cosidered the OG Amnesiac Protagonist)
 
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I'll second Celeste. It's not super in-your-face, but still has a potent message about mental health. Plus, the platforming is just sublime.

I've heard good things about Disco Elysium, but I've never played it.
 
Labadal said:
Would Spec Ops: The Line count?
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Came to post this.

The whole game is about the slow descend into madness while you question your beliefs and your reality as the brutality of war make you do more and more inhuman things.

The actual combat is okay at best but the setting and story are an absolute banger.
 
Magic-DEI-Hire said:
As the topic title suggests, I'm really curious what games you've played that left a lasting impression on you long after playing with regard to the subject of mental health (within any relevant context). Also looking for new recommendations. 👀

For me, playing the original Hellblade with surround sound headphones was a uniquely unnerving experience, as it dealt with Senua struggling with her psychosis. The game stuck with me more so due to my own personal experiences with psychosis and bipolar disorder.
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Alan Wake II
Mass Effect Trilogy
Metal Gear Solid and Death Stranding
Halo, specifically the Humans and other intelligent species, unlike John, Humans have made a lot of mistakes
Doom Eternal
The Witcher III
The Evil Within
Resident Evil
Fallout
The Chant
Silent Hill
Gears 5
Dead Space
The original Walking Dead 1 & 2
Portal
Max Payne.
 
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The games that come to mind are mgs and nier:a because the mc's are tortured. And both good at a job that wouldn't exist in a better world. I'm not the pinnacle of stability myself, and somehow these depressing stories can help me out.
 
Major Insano said:
Disco Elysium
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Excellent game.

The girl from the bar on the phone describing how you acted, the whole Tequila Sunset story, dialing the telephone number from your casefile and trying to kiss Deloras at the end where all gutting

But as others have said, Silent Hill 2. Really depressing for everyone (except Eddie IMO). The new "Stillness" ending lives rent free in my head ever since I saw it.
 
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(Spoiler ahead)



I'd tell you why here but I think this game benefits more from playing through it at least once all the way to the end, gets especially messed up in the end chapters
 
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How has nobody said Omori? Maybe I missed it. I HIGHLY recommended this one, OP.

mental-illness-omori.gif


It has the best take on mental health issues I have ever seen portrayed in a game. Depression, anxiety, isolation, trauma, PTSD, guilt, suicide, escapism, grief, etc. It touches on some of the most common mental health issues and is extremely relatable. It doesn't matter who you are, it'll speak to you. The visuals, story, characters, music, worlds, etc. are insanely captivating. I totally lost myself in it. If you're fond of games like Earthbound it'll be your favorite game of all time, but you should definitely still check it out even it if you're not. I cried in the end 😭 I really can't think of a game that made me emotional like that. For real though this game is very special. It's one of the best examples of indie gaming.
 
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Death stranding Directors cut. There are some elements of the game story and it is very catharsis exploring and appreciating the surroundings.
 
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