Best Games That Will Make You Feel Something

Summary

Movies evoke emotions easily, while games require more time & effort due to longer campaigns.
Unique gaming experiences like Journey and Undertale stand out emotionally.
Retro Game Challenge offers nostalgic vibes, while The Walking Dead is an emotional rollercoaster.

People attend movies to experience diverse narratives. If they’re after thrill, they yearn for an adrenaline rush. Humor provides laughter, while dramas evoke emotions ranging from being moved to shedding tears. It’s simple to experience a range of feelings by watching a movie, yet this isn’t always the case with video games.

It generally takes much longer to complete the campaign of a game compared to watching a movie. For instance, even a long movie like Titanic is shorter than a game like Final Fantasy 7. This raises the question of whether there are any games that truly elicit emotions from players. It’s challenging to measure, but let’s explore some examples of games that have been known to stir different feelings in their players.

This version maintains the original meaning while making it more accessible and engaging for readers.

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33

A Country’s Fight For Survival

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33″ occurs in a world shrouded in sorrow, where an annual purge by a figure called The Painteress eliminates individuals of specific ages, similar to Thanos’ Snap, but with an unusual fixation on birthdays. However, no team from the Expedition has ever returned alive after their journey, yet every year, a fresh group embarks on this quest to locate and vanquish The Painteress.

Game Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, revolves around this specific expedition group, and despite appearing meaningless at first glance, these groups instill hope not only among their people, but also within each other. On their voyage, players will encounter the advancements of past expeditions, some of which may inadvertently contribute to the progress of Expedition 33. Essentially, this game offers a profound sense of purpose and belief, however, it is also designed to evoke deep feelings of melancholy along the way.

Journey

Nonverbal Bonding

The single-player experience in this game, called “Journey”, can feel quite solitary, yet what initially drew players when it debuted on PS3 was its unpredictable multiplayer aspect. During their adventure, they might come across another character resembling them, dressed in red robes, who is controlled by a different player online.

In Journey, communication between players doesn’t rely on voice or text chat since they all share a common objective: reaching the mountain peak. Despite being a relatively short game, Journey offers a truly immersive experience, much like an adventure. Without a traditional narrative, players will undoubtedly feel something as they reach the summit individually or with a companion, making it a unique and memorable journey.

Retro Game Challenge

Feeling Nostalgic

Retro Game Challenge is a game for the DS that offers a set of pretend NES-style games and consoles. In this game, you take on the character of a child experiencing their initial 8-bit console in Japan. You’ll encounter a variety of retro platformers, shooters, RPGs, and many other types of games.

Players can seek assistance from Non-Player Characters or magazines when they encounter difficulties, much like how ’80s kids felt during their NES gaming adventures without online guides. This game caters to a particular kind of player, but it will evoke strong nostalgic feelings. Moreover, there are two sequels available for the DS and 3DS, for those who wish to continue their journey.

Shadow Of The Colossus

Loss, Emptiness, And Betrayal

As a dedicated gamer, I can’t help but rave about “Shadow of the Colossus.” This game is no ordinary description; it’s an extraordinary experience etched into console history. You find yourself immersed in a colossal open world, where titanic beings known as Colossi reign supreme. Your mission is to seek these leviathans, engage in epic battles, and ultimately vanquish them. The twist? These victories are said to resurrect your presumed bride, the main character’s beloved, from the dead. A mesmerizing adventure indeed!

Exploring these Gargantuan Statues is an eerie experience since there’s only you, Wander, and his steed, Agro, coexisting within this desolate realm. Engaging in combat against them is disquieting due to their otherworldly aura that seems so alien and disturbing. Despite fighting back, the Colossi do not die violently; instead, their demise is silent and melancholic. As players delve deeper into this monochrome world, they may find themselves grappling with a sense of guilt towards the Colossi, in any iteration of Shadow of the Colossus.

Tetris Effect

Becoming One With The Universe

Tetris Effect made its debut on PlayStation 4 and offered an exceptional integration with the system’s PlayStation VR setup. On its own, the game is enjoyable, but the VR enhancement takes it to another level, fostering an unprecedented sense of connection. It presents a remarkably relaxed gaming experience within the realm of puzzle games.

Wearing a quality pair of headphones and donning a PSVR, playing Tetris Effect turns into an immersive, almost ecstatic adventure that no other version or game can match. The remake, Tetris Effect: Connected, is particularly enjoyable for players who appreciate multiplayer action.

Undertale

Subverting RPG Expectations

Undertale has a vintage RPG feel from the ’90s, a style deliberately chosen by its creator, Toby Fox, who admires EarthBound. Unlike many other RPGs, whether from the ’90s or more recent years, Undertale doesn’t follow the formula typical of AAA studio releases.

In Undertale, players will cultivate empathy towards the monsters they engage in combat with, including the bosses. It’s possible to complete the entire game without causing a single death; instead, victories are achieved through dialogue. This unique game features both memorable friends and foes that have attracted a dedicated online fanbase since its release, which is quite remarkable for an indie game developed by just one person. That’s quite an emotional impact coming from a solo-developed indie game.

Valiant Hearts: The Great War

The Greatest World War 1 Game?

When discussing 2D games developed using UbiArt engine at Ubisoft, many people typically associate them with the popular Rayman series. However, one often overlooked example is the thought-provoking game titled Valiant Hearts: The Great War, set during World War 1 and focusing primarily on events unfolding in France.

Throughout the game’s four episodic chapters, players have the opportunity to assume different characters and mainly tackle environmental and stealth challenges. Although it is a 2D game, players can develop strong emotional connections with their crew members, and may even find themselves shedding tears when the unfortunate demise of these characters occurs.

The Walking Dead (Telltale)

Connection And Loss

The initial significant achievement for Telltale was the first season of their original take on “The Walking Dead.” This narrative runs parallel to the comics instead of being a literal adaptation, and it showcases an entirely unique cast of compelling and well-developed characters. As the series progresses, there are occasional appearances from familiar faces.

In the initial season, we follow a character named Lee, once imprisoned, who encounters a young girl named Clementine amidst the outbreak of a zombie epidemic. Together, they embark on a journey to locate a community willing to accept them. The story unfolds with many emotional ups and downs, and despite different decisions made by players to alter events along the way, the heart-wrenching conclusion remains consistent. To keep things spoiler-free, let’s leave it at that!

2025-09-11 06:05