Some of you may or may not know that I've been a huge Mental Health advocate for the last 10 years; this is because I suffer from OCD and Bipolar Disorder. As a 30 year old, avid video gamer, I've heard it all. "Video Games are addictive", "Video Games are going to make you fat and lazy", "You're too old for Video Games". I beg to differ on all of these statements. Over the last few years, there have been many studies showing the benefits of playing video games and mental health.

While I am no expert in terms of Mental Health nor Mental Illness, these are subjects that I am extremely well versed in for obvious reasons. I'm a researcher by nature and thus have take a lot of time out of my life to learn about my conditions and psychology as a whole. However, I cannot speak from a professional point of view, but from a personal one.

I have been a gamer for as long as I can remember. I remember playing Mario Bro's (and that weird simpsons game) on the NES and Super Mario World and MarioKart on SNES. My love of video games only grew from there and with it, my parents annoyance of video games. My parents always saw it as an addiction and a waste of time and even now they don't quite see the positive impact that video games have on my life.

Now, lets get a few things straight: Video Games are no more addictive than, say, hiking and eating. I don't see anyone ceasing those activities because of a mild risk. Video Games can't make you fat (since they have no caloric value) nor can they make you lazy (since it has no bearing on the wiring of your brain). And no, I'm not too old for Video Games. I've never seen a game that has an age limit.

I spent many years turning to video games whenever I was sad, anxious, upset, or angry. No one understood why it was my first go-to or why I even played the games. Yes, I play them for the fun and joy of it, but there is so much more to it than that.

I suppose I wasn't the only one who thought about this, because in the Fall of 2014, researchers Adam Eichenbaum, Daphne Bavelier, and C. Shawn Green published an article that shows the long-lasting positive effects of playing video games and basic mental processes such as perception, attention, memory, and decision-making. 

It goes even further than that. When I am feeling depressed, getting out of bed can seem like a chore and brushing my teeth feels like an impossible task. Since I am primarily a handheld gamer, I always have a video game nearby. Some days, all I can do is reach for my Switch or 3DS and play a game. Lately, I've been playing StarDew Valley. This game plays on the positives of Harvest Moon and Rune Factory, but gears it towards a more adult audience (I won't spoil parts of the story line, but if you can make beer in a game, I doubt it is meant for children). Each day, you have a variety of tasks to complete; watering your plants, feeding your animals, catching fish, mining, completing quests, and the list goes on. These may seem like meaningless tasks and goals, but when you are under the clutch of depression, even completing a virtual task, that really doesn't mean anything in the real world, can make you feel really great about yourself.

Sound dumb? Maybe it is, but all I know is that it helps boost my self esteem and self confidence for the day. It can give me enough of a positive mood to get out of bed and brush my teeth. And if that's all I do on those days, then that's okay.

Boosting my mood during a depressive episode isn't all, though. I also suffer from OCD, which primarily presents itself as rumination (think of a broken record but in your head. Repeating the same thing over and over and over and...well you get the point). Recently, I have been under a great deal of stress due to some things happening in my personal life; as such, the rumination has been horrendous. 

This is where playing video games has come in quite handy. Using StarDew Valley as an example again, there are a multitude of tasks that you have to remember and focus on each in-game day to complete quests and achieve goals. It's a lot for your mind to focus on...which is great for someone like me. It distracts my mind from the anxious ridden thoughts playing on repeat and, in stead, focus my thoughts on what I am currently doing in-game. Mindfulness anyone?

StarDew valley has been a blessing the last month or so. Since I always have my Switch by my side, I always reach for it when my anxiety starts to peak and my thoughts begin to spiral.

I'm sure there are many more applications for video games in relation to Mental Health, but I can only speak from what I know and what I have experienced.

I would love to hear from you and any experiences you have had playing video games. How has it helped you? Let us know in the comments below or on any of our social media!

Developer: Harmonious Games

Release Date: 10.19.2017

What, at first, looked like a super cute casual game quickly became the thing of obsession and wonderful frustration. Putty Pals...you have overtaken my life...

Our scene opens with our little blob friends having a wonderful little get together. SUDDENLY, a massive storm appears and sucks up our little friends and flings them on to different continents! No! Not my adorable and fun colored little friends! Now begins the challenge of saving my new little friends!

Can you believe that this fun and challenging game began as a university project as part of the Swinburne University of Technology? It was brought to PAX Australia in October 2015 and quickly became a big hit with the public. Families and young children praised the game, and understandably so...as soon as I began the tutorial, I knew that my kids would get a great kick out of this game. 

With the success Putty Pals sad at PAX Australia, the recently graduated development team saw an opportunity and thus...Harmonious Games was born. Developed on the Unity Engine, the game can be ported to almost any platform. Currently, the game is available on Nintendo Switch, Windows PC and Mac. The team hope to announce PlayStation 4 and Xbox One versions of Putty Pals in the near future.

Jump, Bounce, Swing, Stick, Fling your way to success in this great co-op game. Ideally, the game is to be played with two people. You will have to communicate to beat each level, or else you will meet your lava end as I did. 

"Cooperative use of bouncing and swinging physics lets players lift each other to new heights"

Yes, you will absolutely have to communicate and work together. I have played quite a few co-op games, but none like this. Placing your blob in the right spot to let your partner bounce off of you provides quite the challenge for sure. While you can play this game solo, I highly suggest playing it as a co-op game. Putty Pals has been built to be your perfect party game.

With graphics reminiscent of Nintendo 64, you're sure to find a great time with your friends. Ditch the pro controller and use your JoyCon's to succeed in this great game. 

I find the JoyCon's to be quite...difficult to hold on their own, so I suggest getting some JoyCon Grips to play co-op games. My favorite are the Fast Snail JoyCon Grips. 

Pick up your copy of Putty Pals today on the eShop

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Developer: Baroque Decay & Ratalaika Games               Publisher: Merge Games

Release Date: 10.18.2017

When I first came across this game, I thought that it is an incredibly perfect game to release as we lead up to Halloween. Scary monsters, death at every turn, suspense? Sign me up! I'm a horror movie fanatic, so a great horror/adventure game to play as I gear up for attending Atlanta's scariest Haunted Houses seemed like the perfect way to spend my time.

Or so I thought...

I'm not sure if I just built the game up too much in my own head, but alas, I didn't enjoy it nearly as much as I thought I would. On the plus side, it plays much like a horror game should; blood splatters and creepy music with whispering voices. At first, the hairs on my neck stood up in anticipation of what would happen next as I lead Hans through this scary world. 

But enough of my negativity, lets get in to the meat of this game. Count Lucanor revolves around a boy named Hans. His father has gone off to fight in a war and he is upset at being poor. The game opens on Hans birthday and he is disheartened when his mother doesn't have gifts, cake, or even a special meal prepared for him. 

Hans decides, at the ripe age of 10, that he is a man and he will leave home, "Just like dad did." His mother can't stop him, so she gives him her father's old cane, all the money she has (3 gold coins) and some cheese. At first the game starts off simple enough and not scary in the slightest. You will encounter people who ask for your help (and don't give you jack diddly in return). But as the game progresses, things get bloody (but at least people that need your help give you rewards in return). 

Soon, Hans finds himself at Tenebre Castle and decides to prove himself worthy by accomplishing the Count's trials. If he accomplishes it all, he will find himself with a worthy title...a title that means he will no longer be a poor little boy.

I won't spoil the game past that, you will just have to play it to find out what happens to little, 10 year old Hans. 

The game does feature some unique aspects and fun that I will forever remember. As they boast,

"The Count Lucanor features a soundtrack by the greatest composer of all time, Johann Sebastian Bach, that will remain etched in your mind forever. Using chiptune tools, the game features a transformed series of hidden gems from the composer to create a unique soundscape."

That part is definitely a game after my own heart, as I am a lover of music.

Features that you will find throughout the game are:

* Exploration: Search Tenebre Castle, placing candles on the ground to light up your path.

*Conversation: Talk to NPCs to get important clues and learn the hidden history of The Count Lucanor.

* Stealth: Hide under tables and behind curtains to go undetected.

*Puzzles: Use the items you found wisely to progress

*Skill: Avoid traps and enemies in the castle by anticipating them.

While I may not have been the biggest fan of this game, I do see its appeal to others and how they may enjoy it. So don't take my word on it, try it out for yourself and let me know what you thought about it in the comments below!

     

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