Tag: gaming

Stardew Valley: Antisocial Farming

I’ve been meaning to write this article for a week now as it was meant to come out before the Syndicate one, but ironically, I couldn’t write about Stardew Valley because I was too busy playing Stardew Valley. I’ve logged about 100 hours on my Steam account in the picturesque world of Pelican Town, with a single save file. A couple weeks ago, I saw that it was on sale on Switch and decided that it was the perfect game for me to get on the handheld console – as my laptop can be a tad temperamental at times, especially if I’m compiling some code.

For those not in the loop, Stardew Valley is a country life RPG developed by ConcernedApe. It takes inspiration from games such as Harvest Moon and Animal Crossing, producing a much-beloved game that has a dedicated fanbase and has inspired an outpouring of creativity from the community – from art to custom mods. The game has been released on nearly every platform imaginable, with more ports being designed as I write this.

stardew
The game was in development for a long time but was definitely worth the wait.

The gameplay breaks down into six categories that the game keeps a track of – Farming, Mining, Combat, Foraging, Fishing and Socialising. All of these tend to intersect with one another, but most players tend to choose one specialism to focus on and divert all their resources to it. These categories continue to subdivide into further specialisms such as raising animals or producing artisan products like jams or cheeses. No matter your interest, Stardew seems to have something for you. If you want to fight monsters, the mines hold an infinite amount for you to challenge. For the romantics, you can date 12 different people – regardless of your gender choice at the beginning of the game.

As a major introvert, I tend to avoid the socialising aspect of Stardew Valley – only really trying to get to know one or two of the characters, because the prospect of having to maintain so many friendships is terrifying. On my first playthrough, I clung to Penny and Leah. However, the game does encourage you to get to know the whole town, after all, you do live there now. It’s only polite that you get to know your neighbours. (Not that I can talk, I don’t know my neighbours except that one of them has some children and the other has cats)

events
Every event in Stardew, allows you to feel a part of the community.

 

One of the main criticisms of games such as Stardew is the repetitive nature of the game’s activities. Sure, we can grow some crops but what happens when there’s nothing left to grow? Obviously, if you find these types of games boring then I doubt you’ll be able to get much out of Stardew. However, if you are willing to give it a chance – the game has countless opportunities to learn and grow as a player, without having to constantly reset the game.

A good example of this is shown by the cutscene at the beginning of the 3rd year. Your grandfather visits you from beyond the grave, to judge the quality of life that you are leading – encouraging you to make more of this second chance at life. Even if you don’t meet all his criteria and you need to improve on something (e.g. fixing the Community Centre or getting married), the game gives you every chance to meet those goals.

grandpa
As someone who has lost a grandparent, I did tear up a bit at this.

During my first year at university, I found Stardew a refuge from the anxiety that I was facing every day. I was alone in a city that I was unfamiliar with, having to forge my own path and not rely on what I knew. Each social event I forced myself to attend was terrifying, often resulting in a panic attack and isolation. My room became my safe place and my laptop my source of calm. I would put on my headphones and lose myself in the world of Stardew for a few hours. Every aspect of the game is made to be calming and enjoyable – even the combat can be quite therapeutic at times.

Now I am a lot happier at university, but I still have those moments of fear and panic. The soundtrack of Stardew has slowly built up an association in my mind with those feelings of calm and peace. I do not have to even open the game to calm myself, the music can just wash over me like waves lapping onto the shore. I do not think people realise what powerful influences games like Stardew can have upon someone’s mental health. Being able to step away from your own life for a while and lose yourself in something simple like a farming game, lets you rest for a little while – letting your brain process the swirling emotions inside you without causing you unneeded anxiety.

An interesting aspect of Stardew Valley and this concept of escaping the stresses of our lives is the fact that your character is doing the exact same. The opening sequence shows your character realising they are unhappy in their current job at Joja Corporation (probably because of the DEAD GUY A FEW CUBICLES DOWN) and moving to Stardew Valley to start anew on your grandfather’s old farm. You both need to escape from the world, be it exam stress or unhappy work life. These stories are remarkably common in all forms of media – new beginnings. Even in history, people throughout the world sought out somewhere to start a new life, away from the darkness they were facing before.

joja
Capitalism.

Stardew Valley builds an immersive community and world for you to delve into to your heart’s content. No matter what aspect of it appeals to you, the game allows you to throw yourself into it completely, with no fear of consequences or repercussions. The relationships you form with the characters is up to you, but their problems are much deeper than they appear to be – much like the people we see in everyday life. There is much more to Stardew Valley than meets the eye, meaning that no player has the same experience.

Give it a go. I guarantee that even if you don’t enjoy it, you’ll learn something about yourself from it. If you like what I write, be sure to follow the site, my Twitter @OurMindGames and comment below any feedback/future requests!

Thanks,

CaitlinRC.

Assassins Creed Syndicate: Stabbing In London Town

I first got into the Assassins Creed series when I had finally saved up enough money to buy a PlayStation 4. After doing my research and considering that the PS4 had been out for around a year already, I decided that it would be more economical in the long run if I just skipped the PS3 altogether. This meant that I missed out on the first few games, only joining the series around the release of Black Flag in 2013. Despite this late entrance, I fell in love with the series almost immediately.

Video games have always been my way of bonding with my parents. The simpler platforming games, like Spyro The Dragon, are my mother’s indulgence. However, I didn’t really have a game series to play with my dad – after all, there are only so many races you can do in Mario Kart before it becomes a tad… predictable. After all, I am the queen of Mario Kart in my house. So, when I discovered my love for Assassins Creed, I wanted to share it with my dad. To this day, whenever I am home, we sit on our beanbags and proceed to hunt down those pesky Templars.

This is where my love of AC began. Twas a pirate’s life for me.

Obviously, every instalment in the franchise brings a new twist or mechanic to the well-known formulae. From pirate ships to completely revamping the combat system, every game has something that makes it unique. However, none of the games have really got into my head. Sure, Ezio’s story had me bawling like a small child who has lost their parents, but I haven’t gone back to any of the AC games as much as I have Syndicate.

I am not a Londoner and only really spend time there when I go to events or when my dad wants to go wandering around. I’ve never been comfortable with cities, as the crowds and noise can be overwhelming and overload my senses. When I was younger, I would have regular panic attacks on the Tube and refuse to go back for long periods of time. Due to this, I never really got to explore London as much as I wanted to. As much as I dislike cities and their business, I know that every place has some form of beauty, you just must find it.

For each of the other AC games, I had never been to where they were set. So, my idea of what the locations would be like was mostly based on geography and descriptions from various friends. With London however, I already had that drive to explore and to see as much of the city as possible. This was made possible through the great traversal options in Syndicate. Running, jumping, climbing, swimming (looking at you Altair), carriage riding and my favourite method, the grappling hook.

The closest I’ll get to properly exploring London for a long time.

The grappling hook is probably one of the most satisfying mechanics in an AC game (at least for me). Being able to fly across the rooftops, zip to the top of Buckingham Palace and cheese it away from any intense combat situations is a brilliant feeling when done correctly. Jacob’s in-game reaction to getting the tool is far too relatable – I too would refuse to do anything until it was fixed, and I could play with it. Everyone has thought about what it would be like to fly and with the grappling hook, it’s probably as close as Evie and Jacob will get.

The Frye twins are my favourite assassins (though Kassandra does come close), as well as battling the Professor Layton cast for my top gaming characters of all time. The sibling dynamic between the twins felt genuine, even when they were against one another. Snide remarks, mockery and jokes made at one another’s expense – these are all trademarks of a brother-sister relationship. I routinely joke around with my older sister, so these two assassins spoke to me on a personal level.

The dynamic duo.

As much as I love Jacob, Evie has always had a place in my heart. As the first female playable assassin, who is feisty, determined, logical and intelligent. Yet, she is brave and cunning, fierce and strong. As a late teen just finding herself in the world and looking to the future, Evie was an inspiration to me. I think part of it was the fact that I felt represented in games, an issue that still needs to be addressed for many minorities (a topic for another day). Her anguish in the Jack The Ripper DLC is brilliantly performed by the voice actress, as the genuine fear for her twin washes over you like a stormy night on the sea.

If you haven’t played AC Syndicate, I do highly recommend it. There are a few details in the game that I do not enjoy (and never will so go away Henry Green, Evie doesn’t need a husband to define her), but that true of all games. After playing some of Odyssey, I can see where Syndicate inspired it – such as the “conquest” system for each of the lands, instead of the gang fights in the boroughs of London. Obviously, the combat systems are completely different from one another, but Syndicate did make steps forward in improving the fluidity of combat – rather than the awkward attempts of past games.

Each conquest of a borough in Syndicate requires you to take on the gang leader in a fight. Each leader has a different gimmick, such as guns or grenades etc.

Syndicate feels real if that makes any sense. Obviously, in a gaming series based around Assassins and Precursors and Templars, it’s a bit of an oxymoron to say that a game feels “real” but let me explain. The story and the world are inseparable. It wouldn’t work for any other location or for any other characters. It is truly the tale of the Frye twins and their bid to take London back from Starrick’s control. It has conflict, danger, loss, fear and reconciliation. It’s more than just “go here, stab this person”, which I find some AC games can veer towards, where the historical characters don’t feel as forced as they did for Connor.

Jacob and Evie complement one another perfectly. A mixture of wit, comedy, intelligence and bravado. They work together, instinctively putting themselves in the firing line to save one another – case in point, the final fight against Starrick. When they try to fight Starrick alone, they end up edging closer to death but together Starrick falls easily. In the end, Syndicate isn’t about saving London or meeting the Queen. It is about the importance of family. In this case, their family is each other. Yet, for the rest of us – family is not defined by biology.

United, not estranged, is how the Frye twins will ensure Stannis’s fall.

I adore my parents and my sister. Yet, they are not my only family. I have friends who I consider siblings, who I would go to hell and back again for. They would do the same for me. We choose our own family; it is not defined for us – we can take control. Every member of my family, whether I share blood with them or not, has been with me in the darkest times. They are the best things in my life, and I am forever grateful for them staying by my side. They are the Jacob to my Evie.

Tell your family you love them, no matter where they are. Thanks,

CaitlinRC.

The Walking Dead: More than just a river of tears.

I’m not an openly emotional person. Sure, video games and their stories can move me in ways that I’d never expect, but I’m rarely openly sobbing with grief or screaming in fear at a jumpscare. One company that can consistently move me emotionally though, is Telltale Games. Obviously, they’ve been in the media recently due to the financial troubles and mass layoffs they’ve been experiencing. However, despite this they managed to finish off the story of Clementine – a character from their Walking Dead series that we as players, watched grow from a frightened child to a badass survivor who was probably more capable than every player combined.

Clementine in Season 1 – a sweet, innocent girl. For now.

This emotional journey is one that we can all relate to, despite the fictional setting that it is based in. As players, we walk alongside Clementine as she grows up, faces hardship and struggles in a cruel, unfair world. Sure, we don’t have the living dead walking around trying to chew our flesh off but then again, have you been to a student night out when they run out of Jaeger? By the time we, as the players even meet Clementine, she’s been surviving on her own against the undead population for three days already. Her parents are gone, her babysitter has turned into a monster and her life is turned into a manic scramble for survival.

Why am I talking about this? Well, the four seasons that follow Clementine have recently come to an end. For me, that’s closing a big part of what has formed me into who I am today. My experience with games such as those written by Telltale, ones that demand choices and force you to think about how your actions will affect others, have always had a strong impact on me. I make it my motto in life to never allow my actions to cause harm to another, be that emotionally or physically. Obviously, I cannot always be successful, as is the way of life.

Little Clem isn’t so little anymore.

Games like the Walking Dead demand a moral choice from you, but they do not provide a truly “good” option. They force you to choose between a rock and a hard place. Do you allow a father to shoot his dying son or do you do it yourself? Strong arguments can be made for both sides and there will always be repercussions. A good game leaves a strong impact on you, even weeks after playing it. The Walking Dead is one of those games for me, considering I haven’t played the original season in about 5 years and I’m writing about it right now.

How does this relate to mental health then, I hear you cry? After all, this whole site is about gaming and mental health! Well, the morality of your decisions, be they in a fictional world or in your everyday life, will affect your mental state. One of the most commonly portrayed symptoms of anxiety in media such as games and films is panic attacks caused by overthinking. Normally, it is visualised by a protagonist receiving bad news or a negative response, then spiralling internally until they struggle to breathe and cannot stop shaking. Some people do experience these types of attacks; however, it is not a universal anxiety symptom.

The right choice is never easy to make.

The smallest choices we make tend to be the ones that come back to haunt us the most. For example, if a friend had suddenly stopped messaging you, some people’s reaction would be to think that they had done something wrong and made them angry. The mind would pour over past events, searching for the tiniest detail that might explain their behaviour and latch onto it, ignoring the more logical option such as they may have turned off their phone in the cinema or their parents rang them.

This is often seen in Telltale’s games, where your idle conversation with the colourful cast of characters is brought up later down the line, either in support of you or to put you on trial as the bad guy (despite the millions of zombies surrounding them). This is particularly focused on in the final season where the choices you make and the lessons you teach to young AJ, mould him for the rest of his life. My favourite example of this is in the first season, where if you swear in front of Clementine early on, she will continue to swear later down the line. Though considering the trauma she ends up experiencing throughout all four games, I say swear all you want kiddo.

Don’t swear in front of the child Lee!

The powerful sequences written by Telltale, combined with a loveable cast of characters (except Ben, screw that guy) results in painful decisions that genuinely hurt you. This cannot be said of every Telltale game, but we’ll get to that another time. Every person you come across in the fictional apocalypse feels like they could walk out of the screen and sit in front of you. Which is why those decisions you make about their lives, become so much more than just choosing between a few boxes on a screen. If you are playing with a kind nature at the forefront of your mind, each loss comes as a personal attack on your choices.

One thing I will repeat throughout every article I write is that mental health is entirely unique to each person. My experience of anxiety is completely different from that of my friends or my family. This is because it is based on both my unique biological factors such as genetics, as well as my past experiences – e.g. any traumatic incidents or childhood fears etc. Poetically, everybody’s experience of a game like the Walking Dead series, is completely unique as well. There is a very small statistical chance that people will have the exact same run through, dialogue trees and all, but their reactions to what is occurring on the screen will still be unique.

Trust me when I say, Telltale aren’t messing around with this disclaimer.

That unique impact on your mental state, on your future decisions and on how you approach these types of games in the future, is a tribute to how important and powerful video games can be in shaping us. Although it was only a small factor of my younger years, I can say with absolute certainty that those games have moulded me into the person I am today. As a writer, a student, a friend and a family member, I owe the kindness and resilience I learnt from these games to those who created it.

More games in this genre do exist, not just ones created by Telltale. Though there is room for more games, and I welcome any developer who wishes to take a crack at it. I’ll talk about another game close to my heart soon. I’ll give you a hint, it involves debt and angry moles.

Till next time,

CaitlinRC.