RPGs are often renowned for dealing with a wide range of serious and difficult topics. Thestory-telling abilitiesof these games allow players to become deeply invested in the world and its characters. Some of the most critically acclaimed games have garnered fame for their willingness to challenge players and evoke complex emotions.
Some RPGs dealing with mental health have become incredibly important to many gamers. These games have genuine heart and can be very relatable. As such a versatile medium, video games can often achieve things that traditional media cannot: namely, making players feel directly responsible for their character’s story, even if they can’t change it. Sometimes a lot is left open to interpretation, which can make games that much more personal - and allows players to speculate and draw their own conclusions.
The following list involves themes of a sensitive nature regarding mental health and illness, including depression, anxiety, trauma, addiction and grief.
8Heartbound - 2018 (Early Access)
Heartboundisan indie RPGcreated by Pirate Software. It follows a young boy named Lore, who deals with various mental health struggles while searching for his missing dog, Baron. Lore is very isolated, and relies on Baron to be a source of support and love. When he disappears, Lore tries to be brave in the face of his fears and anxieties, but his enduring negative outlook makes this a huge challenge
Heartboundis, at its core, a deeply emotional game that aims to be connected to people and the world. Everything players do can have an effect on the world and the story, which will continually change based on seemingly insignificant actions. This alone implies how the very smallest of behaviors can impact how an individual perceives a scenario. Although this game is still in early access, there are two chapters available to play for those who want to experience the game so far.
Heartboundis available to play on PC.
7Ib - 2012
Ibis a cult classic RPG puzzle game released in the height ofRPG horrorpopularity. As Ib, players must explore a nightmarish museum to find items, puzzles and occasionally monstrous enemies. Players will also get to play as Garry, one of the two people Ib encounters after being transported to this strange, uncanny version of the museum.
Ibis a psychological horror that explores psychosis, isolation and terror. On her terrible adventure, Ib encounters Garry and Mary who both also appear to be trapped in the museum. There are many ways to interpret the game, especially since there are multiple endings, but themes of trauma and disassociation can often be seen in the story - particularly since Ib is a silent protagonist. There is an undoubtedly psychological element to the game which relevantly explores Ib’s mind, in addition to the strange, chaotic behaviors of Mary.
Ibis available to play on PC, Nintendo Switch and PlayStation.
6Planet Laika - 1999
Planet Laikais a rare RPG released exclusively in Japan, and only on PlayStation. It follows Laika on a mission to Mars. The mechanics of the game require players to control Laika’s multiple personalities, and almost everybody on the planet deals with some form of identity struggle.
AlthoughPlanet Laikamay initially seem crude, it explores dissociative disorders and trauma recovery in a very symbolic way. Not too much is known about the game in the Western world, since players not only have to get their hands on a copy, but also have to be fluent in Japanese since the game was never released anywhere else.
Plant Laikawas released on PlayStation in Japan.
5Earthbound - 1994
Earthboundisanother cult classicRPG game first released in Japan on the SNES. Players follow the story of protagonist Ness, who is on a quest to save the planet from being overtaken by Giygas, an evil alien. Many gamers will be familiar withEarthbound, which has complex layers that range from genuine to satirical.
Earthboundexplores themes of existentialism and powerlessness in its hyper portrayal of Western culture. It uses satire to question how humans interact with one another. Even its English title,Earthbound,considers the unchangeable truth that humans are bound to one single planet - and what the implications of that are.
As a child, Ness has to deal with dramatically serious issues, and very adult themes. Players will go up against real world problems like cults, debt, and concepts of evil. Giygas is said to have brought hatred to all beings in the world, and Ness' true quest is to prevent this malevolence taking over. Although the hilarity and nonchalant judgment in the game is still central, it certainly leaves room for insight into the human psyche.
Earthboundis available to play on Nintendo Switch.
4Fractured Minds - 2017
Fractured Mindsis a BAFTA award-winning puzzle RPG. Players control an unnamed protagonist who travels through a distorted and frightening world. It aims to convey the way mental illness can warp perception and experience, and portray how that might look and feel.
Fractured Mindsuses psychological horror to manifest feelings of loneliness, paranoia and anxiety, with the world often mocking and belittling the protagonist as they struggle to make their way. Some players may find it difficult to progress through the bleakness of the game, however it is a serious and brutal portrayal that aims to help others understand how mental health can massively influence how individuals perceive life.
Fractured Mindsis available to play on PC, Nintendo Switch, Playstation and Xbox.
3Undertale - 2015
Undertaleis an immensely popular indie game with many layers to it. It quite prominentlydeals with moralityby challenging typical RPG mechanics. For players unfamiliar, it is possible to complete the entire game without directly killing any ‘enemies’.
Undertalehas a multitude of distinct characters that explore a few different mental health themes. For example, Alphys very clearly has anxious tendencies seen in her nervous stammering and reactions, as well as Toriel who has qualities that can be typical of agoraphobia and anxiety. Additionally, Nabstablook, a very sad ghost, can be interpreted as dealing with depression since he is doubtful that anyone cares about him and is always incredibly hard on himself. The primary message ofUndertaleis to pay attention to the way the players treat everyone and everything around them, and that has a resounding relevance to mental health and the treatment of others.
Undertaleis available to play on PC, Nintendo Switch, Playstation and Xbox.
2Lisa: The Painful - 2014
Lisa: The Painfulis arecently remasteredindie RPG based in a post-apocalyptic place where all women have been wiped from the planet. The world is now a wasteland, and many people have turned to a drug named ‘joy’ which allegedly takes away pain, but users will eventually turn into mindless creatures named ‘Joy Mutants’.
The protagonist ofLisa: The Painfulis a middle-aged man named Brad, and throughout the game he struggles with childhood trauma, guilt and trust issues. The game explores his traumatic past, and themes of addiction are ever-present due to the influence of ‘joy’ on multiple characters, including Brad himself.Lisa: The Painfulis another clever RPG that has players questioning the authenticity of their quest even as they fulfill it, and asks whether one person’s heroism is another’s repression.
Lisa: The Painfulis available to play on PC, Nintendo Switch, Playstation and Xbox.
1Omori - 2020
Omoriis an indie psychological horror RPG originally released on PC and Mac. It follows the aptly named Sunny, a very withdrawn and quiet child who - in the ‘real world’ - is typically alone. This game puts extra weight in emotions, which are even integrated intothe combat system- meaning characters can gain a happy, angry or sad status.
Omoriis very openly an exploration of depression, anxiety and isolation. Sunny is plagued by frightening and nightmarish hallucinations, and has to calm himself with deep breaths. When Sunny is asleep, he is transported to Headspace which is a more surreal world where his friends are. Without revealing too much, this game delves deeply into themes of psychological trauma, sadness and guilt in a creative and unique way.
Omoriis available to play on PC, Nintendo Switch, Playstation and Xbox.
