Video games are an amazing pastime in everyday life. Whether you play them once a week or every day, they have become a major part of our lives. Despite the fact that many people claim that video games are a bad influence, this is far from the truth. Yes, video games are entertaining and whatnot, but they also teach us valuable lessons as well as inspire us to keep moving forward and work on achieving our dreams. After reading this, I hope you guys get a chance to play them if you haven’t. You won’t regret it at all- I promise you.
Ace Attorney (2001-Present)
“No one can change the past. The only thing we can do is strive to make up for our mistakes. Because in doing so, we can find our way back to our path. And after that, we can move on from our past mistakes towards a brighter future.”
Phoenix Wright Ace Attorney was released in 2001. With 11 games, a short manga, a side-story series, an anime, and a live action movie, it’s easy to say that this franchise is huge within the community. So much so, that it’s endlessly referenced among in other games, anime and manga alike. The games themselves have an amazing story that has plot twists in every corner; however, it’s the message each game and case has that makes it all worthwhile. During the cases, you will feel a sense of dread and worthlessness as you progress in each of the cases. With that, certain characters will start to cheer you on and help you keep moving forward no matter how the outcome will turn out. It teaches you how, even if the world is against you, the best thing you can do is smile and keep moving forward. Everything will turn out okay in the end.
Danganronpa (2010-2017)
“There’s no need to be a hero. You don’t have to force yourself just to make people acknowledge you. When you do that, you end up blaming yourself, blaming other people and feeling jealous of everyone. But still… it doesn’t have to be like that. Even if people don’t acknowledge you, you just have to be someone that you can be proud of! Cuz..you yourself are your biggest supporter! If you can learn to love yourself, that love will continue to support you for the rest of your life.”
Danganronpa Happy Trigger Havoc (the game) was released in 2010. It became a major hit within the gaming community which lead to it not only having more games added, but have its own anime series as well. What makes this series unique is the fact that it uses both the games and the anime to tell a complete story. Unfortunately, many people only see it as a game “full of death” and as a “mature version of Ace Attorney”. I can see why people would think this way; however, the series is more than just that. It teaches the reader to always keep moving forward even if the situation(s) seem impossible in doing so. The one that really takes the cake, is the final game in the series “Danganronpa V3: Killing Harmony”. Not only does it teach the same lesson as its predecessors, but it also shows how fiction can change the real world. This means a lot to me since many people think that fiction is just that- fiction. “You can’t learn anything from fiction”, however Danganronpa V3 highlights that that isn’t the case at all. I highly recommend you play the games and watch the anime if you haven’t already. It’s a wild ride, but it’s worth it.
Portal 2 (2011)
“All right, I’ve been thinking. When life gives you lemons? Don’t make lemonade. Make life take the lemons back! Get mad! I don’t want your damn lemons! What am I supposed to do with these?! Demand to see life’s manager! Make life rue the day it thought it could give Cave Johnson lemons! Do you know who I am?! I’m the man who’s gonna burn your house down! With the lemons! I’m gonna get my engineers to invent a combustible lemon that burns your house down!”
The first Portal game was released in 2007 and the second released in 2011. The first game had mostly lore and sarcastic jokes so that’s why I didn’t include it in the list. The second, however, had the lore and sarcastic jokes with also many memorable quotes and life lessons. Even after 7 years of Portal 2’s release, there are still people talking about it. At first, you start like normal, not knowing what’s going on, but after you meet up with GLaDOS and the plot twist, you start listening to recordings made by the former CEO of Aperture Science and soon enough you and GLaDOS become close. Other than the lesson that people with power can become monsters themselves, is -like in Cave Johnson’s famous quote- take life by the horns and use its force in your favor.
Kingdom hearts (2002-Present)
“If you have a dream, don’t wait. Act.”
For the past 16 years (when this was written at least), Kingdom Hearts has been a major franchise within the gaming community. With 8 games (not including the re-makes) and a manga series, this was probably the first game for many people. Although the plot can be really confusing and mind-boggling at times, every new addition to the series always keeps you engrossed every second of the way. The most fascinating thing about this game is how everything revolves on your decision on letting negative thoughts and emotions take over you and its consequences while also showing how rewarding it is when you fight against it.
Undertale (2015)
“Be careful in the outside world, OK? Despite what everyone thinks, it’s not as nice as it is here. There are a lot of Floweys out there. And not everything can be resolved by just being nice.”
This may be a particularly familiar game to you guys due to how much coverage it’s had back in 2015 in YouTube and now that Toby Fox is back with the next game: Deltarune. One thing that everyone loved about Undertale is the message that all of your decisions are a crucial part of the outcome of the game. With the pacifist route, you see that any act of kindness makes anyone and everyone feel better; however, with many cruel people in the world, you can’t be too kind.
And that concludes this edition of the inspirational series. I hope you guys enjoyed this article and have enjoyed/ will enjoy the games. Until the next time, keep your paws and bowls of ramen, everyone. Nya! 🐾
The Kitten Who Eats Ramen 