Best game about hope in hard times

Important takeaways

• Video games offer stories of hope in times of darkness, showcasing triumph and perseverance.
• Games like This War of Mine emphasize the importance of survival and helping others in war-torn countries.
• Titles like Kingdom Hearts show that hope is the driving force against darkness and unite even unlikely heroes.

Video games are a favorite escape from reality for many. They have engaged individuals worldwide in compelling stories, as well as providing fun experiences with strangers over the internet or friends on the couch. While these experiences are entertaining, they can often resonate with individuals on a deeper level.

For some, video games offer stories of hope. They feature heroes who face insurmountable odds in the most difficult of times, and yet the characters find ways to triumph – or at least to persevere and find moments of happiness. In these difficult, uncertain times, the world needs hope more than ever. Perhaps these titles can provide a little light in the darkness.

9 This my war

Hanging on for another day

While most titles dealing with war focus on soldiers, This my war follows the civilians who bear the brunt of the destruction from all armed conflicts. The game focuses on managing a group of survivors in a war-torn country, sending them out to find supplies and avoiding other competing survivors.

This my war is gloomy. Dilapidated buildings are everywhere, and party members can be killed instantly if not careful. The characters do what they can to survive. One can also choose to have their scavenging survivors help others survive, such as attacking a man who wants to assault a woman.

8 Resident Evil 5

“For a future without fear… Yes, it's worth it”

Resident Evil 5which recently celebrated its fifteenth anniversary, was the hotly anticipated follow-up to the celebrated Resident Evil 4. Along with his new partner, Sheva, former STARS agent Chris Redfield once again faces murderous biological entities, while once again dealing with the villainous Wesker.

At the beginning of the game, Chris feels cynical about whether everything he does is worthwhile, considering all the lives lost. These include the apparent death of Jill Valentine, his former partner. His journey leads him to the conclusion that maybe it is worth fighting for, that there is hope for a brighter tomorrow, one without fear.

7 Kingdom Hearts

“You have the most powerful weapon of all”

No one in their wildest dreams would have thought of an epic action RPG that unites Disney and iconic Final Fantasy sign. Nevertheless, in 2002, Kingdom Hearts launched on the PlayStation 2. It quickly became a hit and spawned a huge franchise with increasingly intricate lore. The game's protagonist is Sora, who is separated from his friends when dark creatures known as the Heartless consume his world, as they have many others. He soon finds himself teaming up with Donald Duck and Goofy, while also possessing the Keyblade, a legendary weapon that can kill the heartless and close the paths between worlds.

Hope is the ultimate driving force in this story. Sora and his Keyblade are the only hope the universe has to fight the darkness. The hope of reuniting with his friends is why Sora keeps fighting. Even when the Keyblade temporarily abandons him, he presses on, believing in a power within him stronger than that.

6 The Legend Of Zelda: Twilight Princess

Illuminates the darkness

The Legend of Zelda The series is known for its fantastical adventures in Hyrule, where Link travels across the land to protect the kingdom and its princess, Zelda, from the malevolent and power-hungry Ganondorf. Twilight Princess is the darkest franchise entry yet (except maybe Majora's mask). The ruler of the Twilight Realm, Zant, shrouds Hyrule in eternal twilight, leaving its inhabitants as spirits condemned to live in eternal fear. He is forced into a partnership with Twilight who is Midna to track down a weapon that will fight Zant, in exchange for her helping him find his abducted friends.

In this darkness, Link becomes a source of light. It's hope that drives Link. The hope of a champion is what sustains Princess Zelda during her imprisonment by Zant's forces. Unlikely heroes also step up, including Midna, who ends up understanding that the destinies of the worlds of light and twilight are one and the same. Hope is a theme that continues to echo throughout the franchise today.

5 High tide

Life goes on at the end of the world

High tide mixes turn-based combat with real-time exploration. A young man named Nikos and his companions navigate a world ravaged by a climate disaster that floods planet Earth. Their ultimate goal is to reach the rumored spaceship that will take a wealthy select few to Mars.

Hope is a central theme throughout the game. The ship itself offers the promise of a better life, free from the ravages of climate change and militia conflict. Hope manifests itself in other ways throughout the game as well. Even at the end of the world, life goes on. A rock band ends up on a raft, people get married and Niko's home offers a strong sense of community, where everyone looks out for each other.

4 Terra Zero

“Life, Uh, Gets Away”

Terra Zero is a unique twist on the city building genre. Instead of building human settlements, the goal is to restore ecosystems on a barren planet with futuristic technology. The end result leaves no trace of human activity and sees wildlife return to the game's various maps.

Terra Zero is the game for our time. Planet Earth is in deep trouble. Historic droughts, fires and floods have become the new normal. To see animal and plant life return Terra Zero gives a sense that perhaps all is not lost, that humanity can still heal some of the damage it has caused.

3 Dishonored

“Can you feel the new day rising?”

Things can't get much worse for Corvo Attano, the queen's protector. Rats are spreading a plague in the city of Dunwall, the queen has been murdered and her daughter has been kidnapped. On top of that, Corvo has been accused of the crimes and sentenced to death. Fortunately for him, he manages to escape and make contact with a rebel faction that claims to be fighting to restore the royal family. This takes Corvo on a harrowing journey of revenge, aided not only by the rebels, but a paranormal being known only as the Outsider, who gives him unnatural abilities to fight his war.

Dishonored is a game where choices affect the story and gameplay. Corvo can create a path of destruction across Dunwall – or keep the body count down. Areas that can be sources of infection beyond zero return can also be refuges for survivors. An optional side quest gives one the chance to save an ally's uncle from being murdered. Corvo's actions will dictate the outcome of the story, whether light, dark, or somewhere in between.

2 In due time

No one is beyond redemption

Olly is a young boy who struggles to balance his school life with caring for his sick mother. When he is forced to break into the house of an old man named Joseph, he agrees to help find the parts for a machine the kids stole. Joseph also agrees to do what he can to help Olly's chronically ill mother.

In due time is a game that brings comfort to those who have lost a loved one or are experiencing family struggles. It shows that forgiveness and reconciliation is possible, if one is only willing to be open to it. Things are also left with the feeling that even if everything isn't okay, Olly will be.

1 Alan Wake

He walks through the darkness, but he is not alone

Alan Wake is the ultimate spooky game for all fans of Stephen King. Popular thriller writer Alan Wake and his photographer wife Alice travel to the remote town of Bright Falls for some much-needed relaxation. What begins as a peaceful retreat turns into a twisted nightmare when a malevolent entity kidnaps Alice. This forces Alan to confront otherworldly enemies known as the Taken. During the day, he looks for clues and gets to know the town's odd inhabitants. At night, he must fend off the Taken by shining a light on their dark force field.

Alan Wake is a game that teaches you to believe in the light. Light is what damages the Taken, and standing in a source of light heals the damage he has taken. He faces hell on earth, but he perseveres, hoping he can find Alice. However, he does not walk his path alone. Along the way, he is aided by his agent and best friend Barry, as well as unseen characters who drop off boxes of supplies and pages from a mysterious manuscript, telling him how his own story unfolds. Although he cannot always see who or what guides him in his quest, he knows they are there. There was a light, and the darkness could not overcome it.