3 Video Games That Will Make You Feel Things (Vol. IV - Spooky Edition)

Happy Spooky Season, Gaming Growers! It’s my favorite time of the year, and there’s nothing like a good scary game to accompany these longer nights. Here are three horror (but not too scary) games that also feature mental health-related themes for those of us who like a side of creepiness with our feelings. Have fun!!

Note about content warnings: For each game, I’ve provided a link to its page on doesthedogdie.com where you can find an extensive list of content warnings. These games feature pretty heavy topics, so please be careful if you’re interested in playing.

Alice: Madness Returns (2011)

Besides the bonus points it earns for speaking directly to my inner emo teenager, "Alice: Madness Returns" is an amazing narrative experience. It’s a dark and surreal action-adventure video game that serves as a sequel to the classic "Alice in Wonderland" story. Throughout the game, the player takes on the role of Alice Liddell and guides her through a quest to piece together her fractured memories. Set in a nightmarish and twisted version of Wonderland, players navigate through a visually stunning yet disturbing world filled with grotesque creatures, puzzles, and combat encounters. As Alice unravels the mystery behind her family's tragic past and her own mental turmoil, players uncover a tale of trauma, survival, and healing in a beautifully haunting and macabre reimagining of a beloved literary world.

The game not only portrays mental health themes through its narrative but also integrates them into its gameplay mechanics. The game combines platforming, action, and puzzle-solving elements, mirroring the unpredictability of Alice's mental state. Throughout the journey, Alice acquires various weapons and abilities that symbolize her struggle for self-discovery and control. Her iconic Vorpal Blade represents her desire to cut through the confusion, while the Pepper Grinder acts as an outlet for her anger and frustration. As players progress, they are tasked with exploring creepy landscapes, each a reflection of Alice's subconscious, offering metaphorical insights into her mind.

Mental health-related themes: trauma, grief/loss, dissociation, depersonalization, isolation, repressed memories, confronting trauma, and the healing journey.

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cFrs5UGB-ns&ab_channel=ElectronicArts

Platforms: PlayStation, Xbox, Windows

Content Warnings: https://www.doesthedogdie.com/media/17282

Blair Witch (2019)

Full disclosure: The Blair Witch Project is my favorite horror movie ever, so my expectations for the game were unrealistically high. While "Blair Witch," the video game, doesn’t quite hold the same charm as the original film, I still think it deserves a recommendation. Set in the eerie Black Hills Forest, the game follows Ellis, a troubled former police officer with a history of trauma and guilt. As he ventures into the haunted woods to search for a missing boy, his obsession with redemption becomes intertwined with the malevolent forces lurking in the darkness. The game blurs the line between reality and delusion, mirroring Ellis' inner turmoil as players confront their own fears and anxieties. With a flashlight and his loyal dog by his side, Ellis’ journey features themes of guilt, trauma, and the human perception of reality, making it a haunting exploration of the mind while facing supernatural entities.

"Blair Witch" intricately weaves mental health themes into its gameplay mechanics. Ellis' trusty dog, Bullet, serves as both a loyal companion and a source of emotional support, mirroring the importance of connection in mental health recovery. As players progress, they must solve cryptic puzzles and unravel the mysteries of the Blair Witch, all while facing terrifying manifestations of their own inner demons. The game's camera, used to document evidence, becomes a tool for reality manipulation, forcing players to question what's real and what's a product of Ellis’ PTSD-related derealization.

Mental health-related themes: PTSD, guilt, isolation, grief/loss, perception of reality, dissociation, and self-understanding.

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m50j3t52TtY&ab_channel=GameSpot

Platforms: PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Switch

Content Warnings: https://www.doesthedogdie.com/media/20458

Scarlet Hollow (2021)

"Scarlet Hollow" is an incredibly engaging interactive visual novel that places mental health at its core, enveloping players in a captivating tale of personal struggles and supernatural mysteries. Set in the isolated rural town of Scarlet Hollow, the story follows a character whose name, gender, and personality are completely determined by the player. The start of the game finds this character visiting Scarlet Hollow for the first time at the behest of their estranged cousin. From there, the playable character goes on to uncover dark secrets and confront the town's haunting history. As choices unfold and relationships form, the game beautifully explores themes of trauma, anxiety, and depression, providing players with opportunities to shape the protagonist's emotional journey. Through immersive storytelling and character-driven interactions, "Scarlet Hollow" takes players on a riveting ride through the complexities of mental health, underscoring the importance of empathy, self-discovery, and resilience in the face of adversity.

Character development plays a significant role throughout “Scarlet Hollow,” with deep and nuanced personalities that evolve based on player choices, allowing for multiple branching narratives and endings. The game's distinctive feature is its use of a "trust and personality" system, where players must decide who to trust and how to build relationships with the residents of Scarlet Hollow, affecting not only the storyline but also the protagonist's mental state and well-being. This dynamic relationship mechanic is intertwined with the mental health themes, highlighting the importance of connections and the impact they have on one's emotional journey. As players navigate the intricate web of secrets and supernatural events in the town, "Scarlet Hollow" challenges them to grapple with their own emotional responses, making it a truly powerful and emotionally resonant gaming experience.

Mental health-related themes: grief/loss, trauma, emotional abuse, anxiety, depression, acceptance, LGBTQ+ exploration, and forgiveness.

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YThVRmSf7cI&ab_channel=GamingOnLinux

Platforms: PC

Content Warnings: https://www.doesthedogdie.com/media/708060