“They’ll tell you that the arts and humanities aren’t practical… Surviving is one type or practicality, knowing why we bother is another.”
—On the Importance of the Arts & Humanities by Joel Uili
This Video Game Day, I’m highlighting the quieter corners of the gaming world—narrative games.
Growing up, I was always taught that games were violent and senseless. However, as the new kid in the neighborhood, I always struggled to fit in. That’s when I discovered gaming—and one of the genres closest to my heart is narrative games, which feel like an extension of my love for reading.
Narrative games often focus more on storytelling through plot, characters, and interactions. They pull players into their world, allowing them to make choices, much like in real life. Navigating the game through the characters adds another layer of immersion and helps us understand the story more deeply.
When I got my Switch, one of the first games I played was Little Misfortune, a game about a little girl who introduces herself as Misfortune Ramirez Hernandez, navigating the journey to find her mom’s eternal happiness. The game is whimsical—with talking foxes and amusement parks—however, as the story unravels, it explores how children carry emotional burdens. You’ll never see glitter the same way again.
If you need a game that feels like a warm hug and a cup of tea, there’s also Spiritfarer—a game I spent way too much time playing. If you love management games that aren’t farming games, then you’ll enjoy this one. The story is set on a ship that slowly expands as you pick up more passengers, and you’ll get to explore other places as well. As you continually interact with them—and put up with their almost impossible requests—you realize that they all hide their grief in their own ways.
Lastly, the most recent narrative game I played is Night in the Woods, a story about Mae Burrowski, a college dropout who returns to her hometown Possum Springs. As you play through her character, you’ll slowly discover the real reason for her return. It’s the perfect story to play whenever you’re feeling a little lost. The story is set during fall season, so while you immerse yourself in the game it’s nice to play it next to your night lamp as you wait to fall asleep.
If you’re feeling heavy, lonely, or just need a quiet friend for the night, these games are here to hold your hand. Their stories don’t shout, they sit beside you, gently reminding you that you’re not alone. Sometimes, that’s all we need to get through another night.
Matcha-fueled shoujo heroine who loves gaming.
