Back when I was more depressed/dysphoric I used to play dark souls whenever it got especially bad. The feeling of competence and control of going through the zones fighting the monsters and perfectly executing each action was incredibly restorative. Even when I died, I always felt like it was my fault, as opposed to some vague undefinable thing I couldn’t hope to fight or stop.
Even when I died, I always felt like it was my fault, as opposed to some vague undefinable thing I couldn’t hope to fight or stop.
Absolutely this.
Even some of the best players at other games (I’m thinking Starcraft, Hearthstone) can complain about unfair randomness and opponents getting lucky. But Soulsborne bosses do a really good job of training you that everything is beatable, you just need to practice and improve. (Though there are the rare engagements that give you limited control over their outcomes—like Vyke in Elden Ring.)
Back when I was more depressed/dysphoric I used to play dark souls whenever it got especially bad. The feeling of competence and control of going through the zones fighting the monsters and perfectly executing each action was incredibly restorative. Even when I died, I always felt like it was my fault, as opposed to some vague undefinable thing I couldn’t hope to fight or stop.
Absolutely this.
Even some of the best players at other games (I’m thinking Starcraft, Hearthstone) can complain about unfair randomness and opponents getting lucky. But Soulsborne bosses do a really good job of training you that everything is beatable, you just need to practice and improve. (Though there are the rare engagements that give you limited control over their outcomes—like Vyke in Elden Ring.)