Games as Therapy

[Flake]

So yeah, well all play games to kill time or boredom.

But what do you play when you're in a bad mood or bummed out? What game(s) can you count on to bring you out of a funk?

For me, it's anything 8-bit Megaman or (more recently) Warioland.

[Pichu]

Mario, Smash Bros or Fire Emblem.

[MrPopo]

I generally gravitate to something visceral, like Doom or TF2. The adrenaline rush and the simple pleasure of blowing evil (where evil is defined as the minions of hell or just that damn sniper across the battlements) to bits helps me out.

[GSZX1337]

The adrenaline rush and the simple pleasure of blowing evil

:O

[Mod_Man_Extreme]

The adrenaline rush and the simple pleasure of blowing evil

:O

BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

[Onyxthecat]

going on a GTA IV rampage.

[Breetai]

But what do you play when you're in a bad mood or bummed out? What game(s) can you count on to bring you out of a funk?

I sure do. Usually a shoot 'em up on the PC Engine or Saturn (especially Gradius games, DoDonpachi or any of the Star Soldier games. Not really Radiant Silvergun, to be honest), or maybe a Thunder Force game or Outrun on the Mega Drive. Sometimes PS1 or 3 Ridge Racer (Ridge Racer 1, Rage Racer or RR7), Wangan Midnight (PS3), SFII or if I have the time I'll play Fallout3 or Oblivion.

[t0yrobo]

Most of the time if I'm feeling down games just don't do it for me. Although a good rampage in Saints Row 2 can brighten my spirits now and then.

[Gamerforlife]

Dynasty Warriors 3 or 5. Battle of Hei Fei castle I believe it was in DW3, playing on the Wei forces side. You started the stage with you and your allied officers practically inundated with enemy forces that had breeched the castle. You were heavily outnumbered and basically you had to cut your way through the hordes of enemies and try to survive. Fun to play on the highest difficulty setting with a sufficiently strong character.

The Red Star(with Makita, as she's the only one with badass combos)

Time Crisis 2(Seriously, the feel of a plastic gun in your hand as you blow people away really works)

Any good beat'em up, preferably one that's not too hard(or you risk getting MORE pissed off)

Megaman X 4(ripping people to shreds with Zero's light sabre)

Kingdom Under Fire Crusaders with the sound muted and a good metal song on as you obliterate the opposing army

[Jrecee]

When I'd get high by myself (for some reason) I'd always end up playing sonic 3.