Okay, real talk, story-driven games that rival Hollywood films are the only thing keeping me sane right now while the radiator in my apartment clanks like it’s auditioning for a horror movie and my cat keeps walking across the controller. I’m writing this at 2:47 a.m. because insomnia won again and I just finished another replay of The Last of Us Part II and I’m a mess. Like actual tears on my hoodie, snot everywhere, the whole pathetic package. Anyway.
Why I’m Addicted to Story-Driven Games That Rival Hollywood Films (Send Help)
Look I used to be that guy who only played COD and talked mad shit about “walking simulators.” Then 2020 happened, I was unemployed, eating nothing but taco bell and regret, and Red Dead Redemption 2 absolutely bodied me. I’m not even exaggerating, I spent an entire weekend in february just riding Arthur’s horse around while it snowed outside my window and I swear the horse’s breath looked exactly like the steam coming off my microwave burrito.
Rockstar straight up made a western better than 99% of actual westerns. The slow scenes?? The campfire singing?? I once sat there for twenty real minutes just watching the gang eat stew because it felt rude to skip. Yeah I’m that far gone.
The Last of Us Part II: The Game That Ruined Me (And I Paid $70 For The Privilege)
Everyone warned me about the golf scene. Nobody warned me about the farm flashbacks. I had to pause the game, walk to my kitchen, and stare into my empty fridge for a solid five minutes trying not to ugly cry because I once ghosted someone I cared about and wow the guilt hits different at 3am when you’re playing story-driven games that rival Hollywood films.
Also I accidentally killed the dog in the seraphites section and felt like actual garbage for two days. 10/10 would suffer again.
God of War Made Me Call My Dad (No Seriously)
Kratos yelling “BOY” used to be a meme. Then I’m 30 hours into the 2018 reboot and he’s teaching Atreus how to hunt and I’m suddenly having flashbacks to my dad trying to teach me to throw a spiral in the backyard and missing every time because I sucked at sports.
I literally paused the boat conversation before helheim, grabbed my phone, and called my dad for the first time in like eight months. We talked for 45 minutes about nothing and everything and I didn’t even mention the game I just said “hey I miss you.” Gaming is weird dude.
Quick Chaotic Tier List Because I Can’t Sleep:
- Red Dead 2 – would die for Arthur AND his horse
- The Last of Us Part I & II – emotional terrorism, highly recommend
- God of War (both) – dad of the year award but make it norse
- Witcher 3 – I romanced both Yen and Triss in the same playthrough don’t judge me
- Detroit Become Human – I killed Connor three times on purpose just to see what happened
- Life is Strange – made me text my high school best friend at 2am apologizing for shit from 2011
- What Remains of Edith Finch – played in one sitting and stared at my ceiling for an hour after
Anyway I’m Rambling
Point is these story-driven games that rival Hollywood films (and honestly kinda surpass them half the time) have seen me at my absolute lowest and somehow made me feel less alone. My apartment’s a disaster, I haven’t done laundry in weeks, and I definitely forgot to feed the cat until she bit my ankle but damn if these stories didn’t make the world feel a little bigger.
Drop your own emotional-damage games in the comments. I need more ways to ruin my sleep schedule.
Now if you’ll excuse me I’m gonna go make some actually decent popcorn this time and probably cry about fictional characters again. Send help (or more games).
peace out from my messy chicago couch
