Video games have become common for people to have. With growing accessibility, many are inexpensive to purchase. 

Playing video games when feeling down has been discovered to be a successful coping skill, boosting emotional regulation, social health, and mental health overall.

Those that have a relaxing atmosphere and have simplistic gameplay, such Minecraft, help to decrease negative emotions. Playing video games, much like other forms of media and entertainment, help to escape from the world for a moment in time.

On the other hand, games that are difficult or more intense help to engage the mind in game-oriented tasks. 

Cait Le plays lots of games, and has ranked her top five.

“I really like GTA, Hollow Knight, Roblox, Minecraft, and Destiny 2,” sophomore Cait Le said.

Out of her top five favorites, she likes GTA the best, and feels ‘amused’ when playing.

“I really like GTA because the story and the campaign are really fun, and the heists are fun too,” Le said. 

Multiplayer video games are a great way to socialize with friends without having to meet up in person, and help improve social health.

“VRChat is really fun for me. I’ve met some great people online, and it is always fun to chat with other content makers, or even avatar makers,” senior Kota said.

He also enjoys playing Osu! and Rhythia, both games that center around music but differ in gameplay.

Osu!’s gameplay is a lot like Friday Night Funkin’, Dance Dance Revolution, and Guitar Hero, while Rhythia is a pointer game, the goal being to hit squares in a 3×3 grid.

Sophomore Angie Sadowski enjoys playing video games for leisure. Her favorites are Team Fortress Two and Overwatch. When playing video games, she gets invested in the game. 

“I feel wholly focused on the game, and nothing else in my life,” Sadowski said. 

Video games, much like books and movies, allow the player to put their focus on the gameplay and plot, putting a pause to real world stress.