Being one of the ambassadors for Safe in Our World 2026 has made me think a lot about mental health. The workshops and training sessions have encouraged me to reflect on many things, especially moments from the last few months of my life as my trip to Brazil, the end-of-year celebrations, and the pressure that always comes with the beginning of a new year.
For me, video games have always been a great escape, and some games can even support mental health and emotional well-being. And during more complicated moments, playing a calm and thoughtful game can help more than we sometimes realize. That’s why I decided to share five games that can help with mental health, offering relaxing experiences, emotional storytelling, and comforting worlds.
This list focuses on games without combat, with strong narratives and emotional depth. Some of them may bring comfort, others may make you reflect on your life, and a few might even surprise you in how deeply they connect with you.
Here are five games that I believe can support mental well-being through gaming.
5. Lake
Developer | Publisher: Gamious | WhiteThorn Games
Location: Haarlem, Netherlands | United States
Style: Narrative Walking Simulator / Graphic Adventure
Release: September 2021
Platforms: PC (Steam), Xbox, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5
In Lake, you travel back to 1986 and take over your father’s old job delivering mail in the peaceful town of Providence Oaks, Oregon.
You play as Meredith Weiss, a woman who decides to take a break from her demanding corporate career and return to her hometown for a few weeks. During this time, she becomes the town’s temporary mail carrier, reconnecting with old friends and meeting new people.
The story explores Meredith’s near-burnout and the emotional process of rediscovering what truly matters in life. The game allows you to choose who you interact with and how you reconnect with the community.
Two years later, the DLC Season’s Greetings expanded the story by letting players experience the perspective of Meredith’s father, Thomas Weiss, during Christmas 1985.
Important note: WhiteThorn Games has built a strong reputation for publishing peaceful, non-violent games. If you enjoy Lake, I also recommend Mythwrecked: Ambrosia Island and Botany Manor, both excellent examples of relaxing narrative experiences.
4. To a T
Developer | Publisher: uvula LLC | Annapurna Interactive
Location: San Francisco, CA and Japan | West Hollywood, CA
Style: Narrative Adventure
Release: May 2025
Platforms: PC (Steam), Xbox Series, PlayStation 5
To a T is the latest project from Keita Takahashi, the creator of the beloved Katamari series.
This touching narrative adventure follows Teen, a 13-year-old teenager born with a condition that leaves their arms permanently stuck in a T-pose. The game explores their daily life and the small challenges they faces, from getting dressed to having breakfast, while trying to live as normally as possible.
Teen’s journey isn’t always easy. Bullies sometimes make life harder, but the love and support from their mother and their loyal dog help them navigate the world.
Gameplay plays a major role in helping players understand Teen’s experience. By interacting with everyday challenges, you become part of his journey and their resilience.
Set in a charming small town, the game balances emotional moments with humor and optimism, delivering a story that is both heartfelt and inspiring.
3. Henry Halfhead
Developer | Publisher: Lululu Entertainment | popagenda
Location: Zurich, Switzerland | Montreal, Canada
Style: Sandbox / Narrative Adventure
Release: September 2025
Platforms: PC (Steam / Epic), PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch
In the wonderfully strange world of Henry Halfhead, you play as Henry, a character who, as the name suggests, is literally half a head.
Henry appears to be the only visible character in the game’s world, but he possesses a unique ability: he can transform into any object around him. From toys to vegetables to furniture, nearly everything in the environment can become part of Henry’s adventure.
The game gradually tells the story of Henry’s life through playful interactions and environmental storytelling. It mixes humor, creativity, and surprisingly thoughtful reflections about routine, identity, and personal growth.
With clever puzzles, colorful environments, and a charming sense of humor, Henry Halfhead offers a short but memorable journey that quietly encourages players to appreciate the small moments in life.
2. Wanderstop
Developer | Publisher: Ivy Road | Annapurna Interactive
Location: United States | West Hollywood, CA
Style: Narrative Adventure / Cozy Simulation
Release: March 2025
Platforms: PC (Steam / Epic), Xbox Series, PlayStation 5
In Wanderstop, players follow the story of Alta, a once-legendary warrior who is no longer performing at her best. Struggling with declining abilities, she sets out to find a legendary mentor who might help her regain her strength.
However, she collapses in the forest before reaching him.
She is rescued by Boro, the gentle owner of a small teahouse hidden deep in the woods. Boro offers Alta a place to rest, and unexpectedly, this peaceful place becomes exactly what she needs.
Between brewing tea and speaking with travelers passing through the teahouse, Alta slowly confronts her trauma, exhaustion, and burnout. The game beautifully explores themes of mental health and self-acceptance.
Wanderstop disguises its deeper themes behind cozy gameplay, but its emotional storytelling makes it one of the most thoughtful games I’ve played in recent years.
To be honest, some moments in this game made me reflect deeply on my own life decisions.
1. Spiritfarer: Farewell Edition
Developer | Publisher: Thunder Lotus Games
Location: Montreal, Canada
Style: Narrative Adventure / Emotional Management
Release: August 2020
Platforms: PC (Steam), Xbox, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch
How well do you cope with loss?
Because Spiritfarer is a game about death, farewells, and the complex emotions that come with saying goodbye.
You play as Stella, the ferrymaster of the deceased and her cat, Daffodil. Your task is to help spirits complete their final journeys by caring for them aboard your boat before guiding them peacefully into the afterlife.
Throughout the game, you explore beautiful locations, gather resources, cook meals, and build spaces that make your spirit passengers feel at home during their final days.
For me personally, this game was emotionally devastating in the best possible way. I struggle with the loss of loved ones, and Spiritfarer helped me reflect on grief and empathy in ways that few games ever have.
The Farewell Edition includes the complete game plus three free content updates that introduce additional characters and stories.
It’s an unforgettable experience, and one that stays with you long after the credits roll.
Why Games for Mental Health Matter
Video games can be more than entertainment. Sometimes they become safe spaces where we can reflect, relax, and reconnect with ourselves.
These five games show how interactive storytelling can support mental health and emotional well-being, whether through calming gameplay, meaningful narratives, or simply giving us a quiet place to breathe.
If you enjoyed this article, feel free to share it with others.
And if you’re curious about another recommendation list, I wrote a Top 5 Games with Stunning Visuals last year, and you can read it here.
