When we find ourselves feeling a little down or gloomy, there's no better way to revitalize the spirit than playing through a fun and inspirational video game. Sure, there may be an abundance of games out there that are designed to make players feel fear and dread as a way to immerse them into the experience, but that doesn't mean that there aren't still plenty of excellent titles that instead work to fill the player with a bunch of positive emotions, encouraging them to live life to the fullest after the credits roll.
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Most of the time, this source of inspiration comes from the protagonist, who is willing to embark on a grueling journey to achieve an ambitious goal they have always dreamed of. On other occasions, it can simply be the lovable cast of characters and compelling stories that spark a fire in the heart and soul of the player. Either way, these games below are the best examples of titles that are more than inspirational enough to get anyone hyped up with vigor and enthusiasm once they start playing.
Metal Gear Solid 2
Live Your Own Life, Create Your Own Legacy
Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty
- Released
- November 13, 2001
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M For Mature 17+ Due To Animated Blood, Animated Violence
- Genre(s)
- Stealth
The sequel to the immensely popular Metal Gear Solid may start as a simple sneaking simulator with a few goofy characters and story moments here and there, but as it nears its conclusion, it becomes clear that the game is trying to say a lot more than it initially lets on. While there are plenty of important themes that Hideo Kojima baked into this game, many players sum it up with the term 'Meme,' which refers to non-genetic information that is passed down through each generation and which cannot be controlled by the masters of society.
In the last moments of the game, Snake makes a heroic speech about how we as individuals must focus on crafting our own story to establish a legacy. The game does admittedly tackle some very serious topics throughout the story, but it's clear that the developers wanted to give the player hope that they can still live a happy and worthwhile life, even in the oppressive digital age. Snake's wise words about freedom, liberation, and life itself are more than enough to get anyone inspired to live a life they can be proud of, which is why it became one of the most iconic monologues in gaming history.
Sonic Frontiers
The Blue Blur Goes Above And Beyond To Save His Friends
Sonic Frontiers
- Released
- November 8, 2022
WHERE TO PLAY
Considering the Sonic franchise has always been most well known for its exhilarating high-speed gameplay, the story tends to take a back seat in most entries. That certainly doesn't apply to Sonic Frontiers. This semi-open-world title features a more mature narrative than what most fans are used to, with Sonic's friends all getting stuck in Cyber-Space, prompting the Blue Blur to do everything he can to rescue them one by one.
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This leads to plenty of heartfelt conversations between Sonic and his pals, which highlight exactly what brought them together in the first place, and why they have all stuck together, even though Sonic himself may not have always been the greatest friend in the past. Seeing the legendary mascot giving everything he has left in the tank to save his closest friends turns him into an inspirational symbol that both kids and adults alike can learn from.
Final Fantasy 7
Cloud Starts Off As An Emotional Mess, But With The Help Of Others, He Becomes A Better Person
Final Fantasy 7
- Released
- January 31, 1997
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- T for Teen: Blood, Fantasy Violence, Language, Mild Suggestive Themes
- Genre(s)
- RPG
Cloud Strife may present himself as a calm, cool, and collected mercenary at the beginning of Final Fantasy 7, but the truth is, this guy is hiding a lot beneath the surface that players will slowly unravel as the story goes on. As someone who is in a deep state of denial about who he is and his own history, Cloud is essentially putting on a fake persona that he has completely bought into. That's why he acts like such a merciless protagonist for much of the game, someone who pushes everyone around him as far away as possible.
While it would have been easy for Square to have Cloud remain this moody and stoic for the entire game, the protagonist actually evolves quite a lot after meeting a few allies, who eventually become his friends. It turns out that the only way for Cloud to truly accept who he is, despite all of his past mistakes, is to leverage the help of those around him who are willing to give him support. By the time he comes out on the other side, he's a courageous hero who undertaken a grueling journey to realize and accept who he truly is.
Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice
There's Nothing Quite Like Taking Down A Brutal Boss To Lift The Spirits
Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice
- Released
- March 22, 2019
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Violence
- Genre(s)
- Action RPG
It's no secret that Soulsborne games like Sekiro are brutally difficult, but that's ultimately what makes them such a great source of inspiration: there aren't many things in gaming that make a player feel like they can take on the entire world like defeating a tough boss. This is especially true for Sekiro. T he game requires players to rely heavily on personal skill, and mastering the art of parrying is absolutely crucial to avoid taking enormous amounts of damage from enemies.
Whether it's a legendary soldier mounted on horseback, a terrifyingly large snake dwelling in a cave, or just a raging bull who is laser-focused on tearing the protagonist in two, there are so many larger-than-life boss enemies that players can duke it out with throughout a playthrough. Needless to say, an enormous amount of satisfaction comes from defeating these types of enemies, especially for those players who manage to overcome a few Game Over screens before they finally secure the victory.
Minecraft
Spark Some Creativity By Building Anything And Everything With A Few Blocks
Minecraft
- Released
- November 18, 2011
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- E10+ For Everyone 10+ Due To Fantasy Violence
- Genre(s)
- Sandbox, Survival
It can be all too easy for the average person to run into a creative slump at one point or another, but if there's any game that can re-spark someone's imagination, it has to be Minecraft. On the surface, Minecraft can seem like a deceptively simple game where all the player can do is punch trees and place down blocks. However, once they consider just how many resources, items, and minerals are actually packed into the game, especially now after all the updates, the possibilities of what can be created are essentially limitless.
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Whether it's a cozy wooden shack to provide some shelter during the nighttime, or a massive kingdom full of Villagers and loyal servants, all players need to do is dedicate some time and effort to conjure up anything they can think of. It's remarkable that a game can be so inspirational without featuring a story or even any real characters, but that just goes to show how powerful Minecraft is as a gaming experience, and why it has enjoyed such an enormous level of popularity for so many years.
Spider-Man 2
Spidey Never Gives Up, And Neither Does Miles
Marvel's Spider-Man 2
- Released
- October 20, 2023
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- T For Teen Due To Blood, Drug Reference, Mild Language, Violence
- Genre(s)
- Open-World, Action-Adventure, Superhero
Peter Parker reprises his role as Spider-Man in the sequel to Insomniac's original game, but this time, he's also joined by Miles Morales. Players are able to switch between the two heroes on the fly in the middle of a playthrough. However, another prominent character from the comics who shows up for the sequel is Venom, and the conflict between Peter and the powerful symbiote is at the core of the narrative. While this does lead to some very tense confrontations between Peter and Miles, it's still made clear that the two share a brotherly affection and are more than willing to go above and beyond to help each other in their time of need.
In a broader sense, Marvel's Spider-Man 2 is also inherently inspirational because it's a superhero game, and that mean players have the freedom to rescue civilians and stop crime whenever they want, helping to make New York a safer place to live. The average human may not be able to swing around a city with webs or climb up walls, but this game emphasizes that everyone can still act as a friendly neighborhood hero, just by carrying out a simple good deed every now and then.
God Of War (2018)
Kratos Learns How To Appreciate His Son During Their Epic Adventure
God of War
- Released
- April 20, 2018
WHERE TO PLAY
Family is complicated, and that's something that Kratos comes to learn during his adventure with his son Atreus in the God of War 2018 reboot. To say that Kratos is a pretty poor father at the beginning of the game would be putting it mildly. The ferocious Greek god chooses to ignore his son any chance he gets, but their relationship begins to change as the story goes on. Eventually, Kratos acknowledges Atreus as a son that he not only needs to protect, but also to teach.
It takes a while, but the father and son eventually establish a close bond with one another after barely avoiding death at the hands of the Norse gods on numerous occasions. God of War provides an incredibly emotional story that can inspire players to show a little more appreciation and respect for family members, or even just their close friends, to make their bond even stronger than it was before, just like with Kratos and Atreus.
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