By skyforbes Avowed, Blue Prince, Clair Obscure: Expedition 33, South of Midnight, Keeper, and The Outer Worlds 2 are six games released this year that I found a deeper message in. Let me know others that you experienced or how any of these 6 also clicked with you!
It started off in February with Avowed where we got to understand the importance of being consistent with how we portray our own values and beliefs. How are future generations and those who come after going to interpret and learn from the things we do and say? Is it enough to say “do as I say, not as I do” or do we need more consistency between our words and actions so those who learn from us have a clearer path? Such a phenomenal idea to use a newborn deity as our pupil!
In the beginning of April we got Blue Prince. A game of continuous mystery, one that begs the question “how important is it that we understand our full history before moving on to take on what our future holds for us?” How does our perception change as we open ourselves up to greater scrutiny? When we reach what we previously believed would be the end of our quest, only to find it stretch out before us ever more, are we forgiven for giving up and forging a separate path, or are we applauded to continuing on?
Followed quickly at the end of April by Expedition 33. I really appreciated this game because as a story that deals so much with death and loss, they managed to make the primary theme not one of grief, but rather of one’s agency in the face of your own demise. What will you do with the time you have left? How much time do we dedicate to those who come after? How do we find happiness and contentment in the most dire of situations?
Also in April we got South of Midnight but I played it after the previously mentioned games.
This one teaches us to appreciate the every day acts of service that everyone in our lives offer us. Foster that relationship and don’t take for granted a caring home. It also teaches how equal amounts of criticism and acceptance are important and often times having a good balance can make the difference in the development of a kind or hateful heart.
First in October we got Keeper. One of, if not the only interpretations of Nature vs Machine where the two are not at odds with one another. Instead they have formed a beautiful codependency for the purpose of thriving together. Friendship and mutual respect build a foundation stronger than what either could build independently. Also just artistically one of the most awe-inspiring things I’ve seen in gaming.
And then The Outer Worlds 2. How driven are our present and future goals by the grudges we hold from our past? Do we have what it takes to renounce everything we’ve learned and been told throughout our lives if suddenly opened up to conflicting views? What if our past mentors were proven to be wrong?
Overall, I felt like I grew as a person from the experiences I got out of gaming this year. So grateful that we have this wonderful hobby!