For many, video games offer a unique form of escape, a place to relax and recharge away from the pressures of everyday life. As part of Eurogamer's Optimism Week, the team reflected on their personal "happy places" within gaming.
Some find solace in the predictable routines of life simulation games, like the "cosy idylls of the farming life" or the "comforting mundanity of turnip whispering." Others seek refuge in nostalgia, returning to cherished retro favorites. For one staff member, the vast, procedurally generated universe of No Man's Sky serves as a tranquil retreat, allowing for serene exploration, base building, and engagement with its supportive community.
Meditative Worlds and Smashing Pots
Darker, more demanding worlds can also be havens. The meticulously crafted, melancholic landscapes of FromSoftware's Souls games are cited as personal happy places. While not conventionally relaxing, these games foster a meditative state through their requirement for calm, cautiousness, and focused execution. The challenge itself becomes a form of mindfulness, where survival hinges on clear-headed play.
Another contributor finds joy in the simple, repeatable act of destruction within The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, specifically in Hyrule Castle Town's pot-filled house. The ability to smash these items endlessly and have them reset upon leaving offers a "nirvana of pot smashing."
Enduring Virtual Homes
For some, the concept of a happy place is tied to long-term engagement and familiarity. RuneScape, with its expansive world of Gielinor, has been a consistent presence for nearly two decades. Even when not actively playing, logging in to simply "go for a walk" through its diverse landscapes feels like returning home. Similarly, Super Mario 64's Princess Peach's Castle evokes a sense of homecoming, offering a blend of nostalgia and comfort, whether navigating familiar levels or revisiting fond memories.
Escapism Through Creation and Destruction
Theme park management games like Rollercoaster Tycoon Classic provide a sandbox for creativity and optimization. The "joyous screams of a working park," the "clack-clack-clack of chains," and the "cha-ching of money rolling in" create a satisfying loop, allowing for endless experimentation in park design and management. The Spyro Reignited Trilogy offers a similar comfort through its familiar characters and straightforward gameplay, providing an entertaining yet undemanding experience.
Jak and Daxter: The Precursor Legacy is another game that elicits a strong sense of happiness through its established routines, characters, and world. Even the recurring "Daxter's sarcastic quips" contribute to its comforting familiarity.
Mastery and Melancholy
Quake 3 holds a special place for one editor, not for its entirety, but for a single map, Q3DM17, "The Longest Yard." Repeated play has fostered a sense of mastery on this specific map, recalling past victories and providing a reliable boost of confidence. This specific, attainable skill within a broader chaotic environment serves as a personal pick-me-up.
Hades 2 has emerged as a current favorite, its roguelite structure lending itself to repeated, satisfying play sessions. The game's generous content, fast-paced action, and deep build theorycrafting contribute to its engaging and replayable nature.
Beyond Traditional Gaming
While not strictly video games, certain digital media have also become happy places. Critical Role, a Dungeons & Dragons web series, offers a calming viewing experience with its focus on character work, improvisation, and storytelling, providing a refreshing contrast to high-octane television.
Foundational Experiences and Ongoing Journeys
Lost Odyssey, an early RPG experience, remains a cherished memory due to its captivating story, evocative music, and immersive world. The effort required to play it, even involving physical disc swapping on an older console, underscores its significance.
Guild Wars 2 is lauded as a favorite MMO, praised for its beautiful world, engaging gameplay, and the meaningfulness of its activities, from collecting achievements to trying out new combat styles. The game's enduring popularity and positive player community contribute to its status as a happy place.
Unconventional Comforts
Football Manager offers a unique form of escapism through its deep simulation of team management. The game's focus on optimization, planning, and problem-solving within a predictable system provides a sense of control and reward, a retreat to a world where actions have clear, solvable consequences.
FTL: Faster Than Light provides a different kind of meditative experience. The isolation of space, the quiet moments between jumps, and the need to carefully manage resources and crew create a unique atmosphere of focused decision-making and inevitable, yet engaging, failure. The game's quiet moments of suspended chaos are a personal form of silent contemplation.