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Reader Discussion: What Game Soothes Your Soul?
Life can be stressful, and sometimes the games we play to unwind from it all can be stressful, too. On the other hand, some games are like that steaming bowl of chicken noodle soup you need to find your happy place and relax. What game does the trick for you?
Recently I started playing the SNES JRPG classic, EarthBound, on my Wii U. I didn't grow up with a SNES, so I ended up missing this one. The fervor around the goofy, heartfelt little game is too much for me to ignore (especially given the influence it had on Undertale), so I decided to finally start it recently.
Hey man, just relax...
I'm not sure if it's the comforting and modest 16-bit visuals, the laid-back pace the game sets, or the odd sense of humor that does it for me, but EarthBound is a real charmer. Just thinking about booting up the game when I get home and hearing the funky, chill soundtrack is lowering my blood pressure right now. Even better, you can click on auto-fight for the simpler encounters, or just stomp a lesser critter without ever leaving the overworld if you're lucky. You fight enemies and level up, but all the systems are simple enough that I feel allowed to soak in the scenery and weird characters.
The bond that EarthBound and I are forming right now is strong, but I want to know what settles the turbulent waters of your mind. Share your picks in the comments below.
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