Autumn in video games

All the seasons have their special charm, but autumn really is in a league of its own. The weather is pleasantly cool while you stroll around watching the leaves turn gold and brown—it’s the perfect setting for many types of video games!

Most cozy sims like Animal Crossing: New Horizons excel in making you feel the relaxing effect of autumn as a season. Paired with the right music and graphics, autumn in sim games can easily alleviate the stress you’ve been feeling over the day.

Don’t have access to a sim game? No problem! Go for a stroll in the park and take a seat on a bench, then max out the soothing vibe by playing a bit of Crosswordle as you’re surrounded by vibrantly-colored leaves of fall.

Five game insights we think will pique your interest!

Autumn isn’t just for cozy games. It’s also the perfect season for narrative-driven games like Night in the Woods. You play as a cat person who dropped out of college and went back to your hometown during autumn. But as you return home, things aren’t the same as they used to be; your friends have all grown up, the town is beautiful but starting to get weird, and something lurks in the woods.

Do you want to play something more immersive? If we’re talking about a game set in autumn with nice graphics and a gripping story, you must try The Vanishing of Ethan Carter. A murder mystery set in a rural area, the place is gorgeous and eerily soothing, even when you traipse through spooky locations like graveyards.

And if you’re looking for a murder mystery puzzle without the exploration, then try out Murdle!

If you want to experience autumn in-game and just relax as the seasons pass by, then Walden, a game is what you’re looking for. It’s different from the usual sim game, as it’s a lot more introspective and meaningful in its approach. If you’re interested in knowing more about it, then check out our podcast episode for it!

Good fishing games are not common, and good fishing games set in fall with a tinge of horror are even more uncommon. If you want to have a different take on an autumn-themed adventure, Dredge is the fishing adventure for you. Imagine roving around the coast while the colors of fall paint your background as you go fishing for eldritch horrors from the deep. Yey!

Who knew that from bouncing dots from one end of the screen to the other, we’d get breathtaking and memorable iterations of real life seasons? Video games have come so far that there are times when the worlds we play in them feel more relaxing and welcoming than our own.

Many parents of the past really did not like video games and how they captivated audiences, especially children. But now, video games have made even education more engaging, and have inspired so many industries through innovation. And to that, we share this wonderful quote from Jane McGonigal, American game designer and researcher:

“Video games are not the enemy. They are an interactive form of entertainment that can be enjoyed by people of all ages.”

Fall is in full swing, and it’s time for you to enjoy this fleeting season! While you’re relaxing with autumn in the background, check out our newest behind-the-scenes HGG episode!

And if you want to learn more about what we’re up to at Hey, Good Game, you can find out more right here.

That’s all for this week. See you next Friday!

-The Hey, Good Game Team