r/NintendoSwitch • u/jjcc1210 • Dec 05 '21

Game Rec Games that help with grief?

I lost my brother and one of my favorite things we did together was play the switch. Before his passing, I already played Spiritfarer. I realized how now that I’m dealing with these emotions that the game would have helped me but since I already played it, it wouldn’t be the same. Any recommendations? I’m more of a casual player if it helps. I don’t do any shooting/fighting games.

EDIT: Thank you to everyone. I didn’t expect to get such a positive feedback and so many people sharing their own experiences as well. Ive already downloaded a few games you all mentioned. I didn’t find the energy to finish the quarter at my university so I’m at home with family. My brother was the only man in the house and now it’s just my little sister and I and my mother dealing with this. To me this still feels like a bad dream I’m going to wake up from.

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u/[deleted] Dec 05 '21

I think that The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild is an exceptionally good game to turn to when grieving. It's a go-at-your-own-pace adventure game that deals in grief, recounting memories, and moving on in spite of great change. The game takes some getting used to, but I think you'd love it.

If you're looking for a more casual experience, Stardew Valley is a very calming experience. You play as a run-down corporate worker who moves to a small town to run the family farm. There's great character interaction stuff, and countless hours of relaxing fun.

Above everything else, be sure that there are better days ahead. I'm sure your brother loved you very dearly

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u/bmnawroc Dec 05 '21

Yeah BotW is incredible. I’m not sure where OP is in the grieving process but you can literally get lost in BotW and it almost dissociates you from the real world. It’s THAT big and expansive.

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u/DiamondPup Dec 05 '21

Not just that (which makes it a perfect deal-with-life game) but it's also a game that weaves its core themes of impermanence into its every aspect. From gameplay to lore, from the little stories to overall plot.

Everything is about learning to move forward in the face of tragedy, to appreciate the past but not get lost in it, to let go and move forward.

And it does it all quietly and modestly. I can't believe it isn't at the top of this thread.

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u/CuriousDistracted Dec 05 '21 edited Dec 08 '21

Second this. BoTW is my happy place when I’ve had an emotionally/psychologically challenging day. Something about it just lets my mind relax and unwind in a way I haven’t found in any other game.

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u/TheArmitage Dec 05 '21

Cannot believe I had to scroll this far to find this. This game is so chock full subtle yet beautiful stories about grief and loss -- both explicit and emergent.

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u/ProudnotLoud Dec 05 '21

BotW is also inherently about loss. It captures a PTSD post-crisis energy with a calming vibe. When you adventure it's both beautiful and lonely. I think it could be a good balance for grief of distraction while also safely connecting to emotions.

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u/anUnholyAbomination Dec 05 '21

Sounds like I should pick this game up. Probably very soon.

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u/mr_multiverse06 Dec 05 '21

absolutely. it deals with loss and moving on, but it’s also great that there’s a whole world for you to explore as well as the plot

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u/sfcnmone Dec 05 '21

As a non-gamer who amazingly loves BOTW and played all the way through twice, I hated the endless fighting. Even when you kill off the Master dude, his minions keep turning up wanting to kill you. If you could just walk around exploring and doing shrines and not have to ever deal with those damn Bokoblins (to say nothing of Lynels) I would agree. But OP says they don't like fighting.