Episode notes
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 Series
Dark Souls (2011)
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Help is available right away.
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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.
In this episode...
Guests
- Maddy Myers
- Greg Lobanov
About the show
Join host John Moe (The Hilarious World of Depression) for honest, relatable, and, yes, sometimes funny conversations about mental health. Hear from comedians, musicians, authors, actors, and other top names in entertainment and the arts about living with depression, anxiety, and many other common disorders. Find out what they’ve done to address it, what worked, and what didn’t. Depresh Mode with John Moe also features useful insights on mental health issues with experts in the field. It’s honest talk from people who have been there and know their stuff. No shame, no stigma, and maybe a few laughs.
Like this podcast? Then you’ll love John’s book, The Hilarious World of Depression.
Logo by Clarissa Hernandez.
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@depreshpod
@depreshmode.bsky.social
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