What type of games do I like and what draws me to these games?
This is quite a tricky question for me to answer, as my taste in games seems to be changing over time. I often find myself in phases where I crave something different! Whilst I might gravitate towards First Person Shooters and Action Adventure games as a way to unwind after a long day at work - this wouldn’t necessarily be my go to answer.
When reflecting on what I have enjoyed recently, my mind drifts to the quirky Indie titles which have left a lasting impression on me. Games that made me feel at peace and were a joy to play, such as A Short Hike, FAR: Lone Sails, Sable, Townscaper and Unpacking. These games may not demand much of your time or take very long to complete; but I've found myself immersed in their worlds and puzzles for hours on end, they’ve managed to find a special place in my heart for this reason.
They’ve helped me through some of the most challenging times in my life. I think back to when I lost my Mum, there were many months where I couldn’t focus on much. Yet these games kept me going and distracted me in the best of ways, letting me escape into a colourful or unusual world for just a little while.
Looking at these titles as a whole, a common theme jumps out at me: they all feature beautiful moments of calm and tranquillity: Whether it's the autumn delights and cozy campsites encountered in A Short Hike, a game where you can spend hours exploring on a late summer’s day, carefree as a young pixel art bird. Or the thought provoking dystopian landscape found in FAR: Lone Sails, where the simple sound of the wind fills you with excitement as the rumbling of your engine fades away across the horizon. Perhaps finding yourself, while wandering the sparse sci-fi dessert in Sable. And then there’s the simplicity of planning a beautiful town in Townscaper, where every click makes a beautiful ‘pop pop’ sound. Or the beauty found in the mundane yet magical task of taking someone’s belongings out of a box in Unpacking.
All of these games share a remarkable ability to provide moments of peace and calm. Despite their seemingly simple stories, they are able to captivate you and evoke the strongest of emotions within their players. They even have the ability to generate deep discussion.
On the other end of the spectrum I also have a love for multiplayer adventure games, with Sea of Thieves being an all-time favourite of mine. Developed by Rare, this action-packed pirate sandbox offers a shared world which encourages teamplay and is able to bring complete strangers together with a common goal. With simple ship management systems, like lifting the anchor, adjusting the sails, or repairing a breach to the hull, the crew is forced to work together. Other features, such as exploring tropical islands, fighting mythical pirate lords or digging up a treasure chest enhance the feel of adventure. Communication is vital, yet you can even succeed without saying a single word thanks to the inclusion of a speaking trumpet - which offers a radial wheel with pre-determined contextual phrases.
In Sea of Thieves you’ll soon find yourself coordinating with a group of strangers on the deck of a pirate ship in the midst of a storm, locked in a heart-pounding chase as you try to flee an enemy ship. There’s nothing else quite like it, the adrenaline and sense of fulfilment you experience when everyone falls into their role. Working together like a well-oiled machine is what makes Sea of Thieves such a fun and social game.
My taste in games combines a variety of experiences – from the serene tranquillity found in unique indie games, to the adrenaline-fueled cooperation of a multiplayer adventure. I find the attraction of these games is their ability to transport you to strange worlds and make you feel a range of emotions. I love how gaming can bring people together and build communities around shared experiences or even simply help us to talk about our feelings.