I am currently enjoying Gris. In which we are an emotionally fragile person who is slightly lost, exploring a slightly broken, weird and entirely beautiful world. It’s PACKED with mental health metaphor along the themes of solidarity and reaching out for community & support. But… not a single word of dialogue has been uttered so if that’s not your thing you can just sit back and enjoy the escapism of a wondrous world.

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@herdingdata Supergiant Games’ Transistor is great in a similar way (and differently beautiful but just as emotionally moving).

BTW the new game from Gris’ creators looks incredible also
https://youtu.be/4ZUAIgeq0bU

@herdingdata I truly love spiritfarer. Beautiful art, mostly about connecting with the spirits you meet along the way, helping them prepare to leave the world behind. It sounds sad, and it's not NOT das but it's also funny, beautiful, clever, and deeply relaxing. https://store.steampowered.com/app/972660/Spiritfarer_Farewell_Edition/

@discontinuity omg yes how did I forget spiritfarer in this thread!!!! I haven’t quite got round to finishing it yet but yeah it truly is beautiful ❤️

@flaki oh wow that does look incredible! Thank you, I did not know of the existence of either of these ❤️👀

@herdingdata I abandoned it very quickly when I tried it on Game Pass a few months ago, but you're making me think I should give it another chance 🤔

Jusant. In which we are in a world with virtually no water, climbing a huge stack of rock which reaches into the sky as we pass through remnants of civilisation past. Themes of connecting with & nurturing nature. Another relaxing slow burner puzzle game. The little friend who lives in our backpack is VERY cute.

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@herdingdata i cry at least once every time i play this game, so i play it a lot when i am grieving and the feelings are stuck. i highly recommend. i do not know how they made such a perfectly ethereal game that can be just played or tug at your heart if you want to let it

@gremlins this beautiful game is honestly therapy in and of itself. I can really see how it would help with those emotions. It’s amazing how they’ve accomplished that without words. I think I’m going to end up going back to listen to the soundtrack again and again and again for similar reasons

Far: changing tides. Another puzzle game in which we are a lone wanderer in a dystopian world. It’s so fucking beautiful I’ve played it twice through. A peaceful & relaxing nautical adventure.

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@herdingdata I keep seeing this on Game Pass, might have to give it a go. Given the love of weird slightly dystopian worlds here you may enjoy NORCO (or you might hate it, it’s got a pretty unique set of vibes).

@herdingdata Also their second game is just as great, I keep checking to see if they've written a third one. Must retry Jusant!

I am so glad I asked for recommendations because I’ve already received loads from you wonderful folks and I can’t wait to play them all ❤️

I forgot to mention the music of these games! All 3 are beautiful soundtracks. The soundtrack to Gris is worthy of particular celebration for being egregiously good. It tells so much of the story, somehow without using words and without ever becoming the centre of our attention. So much love has been poured into this and it really shows.

@herdingdata also Citizen Sleeper, which I’ve only played a small amount of but keep meaning to go back to when I can approach it like a book at bedtime. Loved what I played but I can’t do visual novels on a TV.

@jon ooooh thank you x2 ❤️👀

@herdingdata further recommendations along the story driven games line:

Venba, a game about cooking, and being a child of immigrants. It doesn’t quite hit the mark but got me thinking.

Unpacking, which unexpectedly made me cry. Did not see that coming when I started a game which consists entirely of unpacking boxes after moving.

Botany Manor, in which you play a regency(? maybe Victorian) lady solving puzzles to grow plants in her stately home.

@herdingdata I’ve been on a short games with something to say kick lately and loving it. Feels like we’re in a golden age of games being about more than clicking on enemy’s heads.

@dalelane you definitely should! They have really thought a lot about the mechanics. There are a good few hints about how to solve the various puzzles as symbolism in the surrounding scenery. It’s a masterpiece in digital navigation/ signposting: the world seems to be endless in every direction but we are never far from what we need to move foward. The feeling of being a little lost is really well done.