#being a leftist is squaring that humanity is good and worth fighting for. and that deep down most people have a lot of goodness

[sugaredoleander]

every time i think i'm immune to parasocial disappointment, i get proven wrong.

[doktorpeace]

What would be 5 games you'd recommend to get a feel for who you are as a person

Oh, hmmmm, that’s a toughie! Just five huh? This is a bit different from just recommending my all time favorites but I think one or two will still be on the list. Lemme think... Persona 3, in spite of its flaws, is very important to me because the quality of the execution of its core themes and the through line of many character’s arcs actually helped me overcome the night terrors I used to have, believe or not. I know that’s cheesy but it’s true! Its themes resonated a lot with me and difficulties I, personally, had trouble coping with so that’s a good one. It’s also a good example of a game that actually knows how to let characters be flawed and not be completely fine or ‘better’ by the game’s end. Expanded content such as the Drama CDs add a lot to this, as well, especially for the other members of SEES. The New Wolfenstein games, either of The New Order or The New Colossus because as much as people say that these games have nothing more to say than ‘nazis bad’ they very much do. An incredibly core theme of these games is camaraderie against the oppressor, doing kindnesses to others for no reason other than simply to do so, and it does a good job showing in a fairly realistic way honestly in spite of being an alternate history game just how propaganda and nationalism work when applied in the way that fascists do. BJ Blazkowicz is a kind, good man who comes from an abusive background but still finds it within himself to do good for others because it is the right thing to do. Not for revenge, not for the sake of violence, but just because it’s right. Unlike most macho, jar headed, not too bright protagonists he’s also not snarky, he lets others speak over him and lets others lead when the situation best calls for it. I like him a lot and in a nutshell this game’s genuinely understands many things that are salient politically today: 1) If your political views and actions aren’t for the ultimate cause of making the world a better, kinder, more equitable place for others around you now and in the future then your views are worthless. The goals of leftists MUST be actionable and target systemic roots of problems so that the world can be sustainable, livable, and good at its base level. 2) Violence is the only language oppressors speak or will acknowledge. 3) Fascists will, because they must, turn on their own allies eventually. Anyone who is not of a completely ‘pure’ ingroup is temporary and no amount of appealing to them will make them see you as more human or worthwhile, simply less worth immediately killing. It is an ideology for losers and disgusting people. Xenoblade Chronicles X’s themes of a made community, transhumanism, and the concept of humanity itself also really resonate with me. The main story is serviceable and honestly undersells the game. The exploration, sense of discovery, and real impact it gives the player on the landscape of NLA, driven by overcoming cultural, racial, and other barriers to make a better shared future are, again, something I really love. The game is made by its exploration and side content, the main story is mostly an extended way to get your familiar with the world in broad strokes and with Elma as a character. God I love Elma. And then something like...Hollow Knight, Celeste, A Hat in Time, or some such. A cute, fun, game that while they are very good mechanically their charm also comes from other elements. They have something to say but it’s easy not to engage with it. Not that you shouldn’t I think people who just ignore the themes of games and their messages because ‘games should be about gameplay that’s all that matters’ are dumb. But these games could have their stories entirely removed and still be fun romps. I find a lot of indie games like this charming and I, personally, like searching every nook and cranny to get the whole story and all of the content the creators provided but even if you just Get Through The Game you’ll have had a good, fun, and memorable time. Sometimes something that’s easy to just cool off and veg with is what you need. And last find a game that’s mechanically deep that you enjoy. Be it a fighting game, an SRPG, an MMO, a card game, whatever, and really REALLY dig into those mechanics. Even if you aren’t a stellar player look into and research and explore why certain options are good, how a meta develops, and what tends to make something good or not within the context of that genre. For me I do this with fighting games all the time. I’m not stellar and most fighting games but I LOVE to dig into their mechanics. I think doing something like that would help you get me pretty well, even if the game itself isn’t one I’m into. Bonus - The Yakuza games but specifically 6 because I and my husband went to Kabuki-cho and stayed there for over a week during our honeymoon and WE WERE THERE, IT LOOKED JUST LIKE THAT, WE STAYED IN THAT APA HOTEL IN THEATER SQUARE HOLY SHIT!!!!!!!!