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Home » Blog » 10 Best Games That Help Improve Mental Health (Backed by Science)
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10 Best Games That Help Improve Mental Health (Backed by Science)

Osher Deri
Last updated: 08/09/2025 6:49 PM
Osher Deri
2 months ago
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Disclosure: We are not a registered broker-dealer or an investment advisor. The services and information we offer are for sophisticated investors, and do not constitute personal investment advice, which of necessity must be tailored to your particular means and needs. !
10 Best Games That Help Improve Mental Health (Backed by Science)
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In this article, we will talk about the Best Games That Help Improve Mental Health (Backed by Science). These enjoyable games help alleviate stress, foster emotional strength, and enhance mindful awareness.

Contents
  • Key Points & Best Games That Help Improve Mental Health (Backed by Science) List
  • 10 Best Games That Help Improve Mental Health (Backed by Science)
    • 1.Celeste
    • 2.Animal Crossing: New Horizons
    • 3.Journey
    • 4.Tetris
    • 5.Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice
    • 6.Stardew Valley
    • 7.Monument Valley
    • 8.Flower
    • 9.SuperBetter
    • 10.Mindlight
  • Conclusion
  • FAQ
    • Can video games really improve mental health?
    • Are these games suitable for all ages?
    • Are these games a substitute for therapy?

If you struggle with anxiety, experience depression, or just need a mental technology detox, these games, which are supported by science, can deliver immersive and engaging therapeutic benefits.

Key Points & Best Games That Help Improve Mental Health (Backed by Science) List

GameKey Mental Health Benefit (Backed by Science)
CelestePromotes emotional resilience and coping with anxiety through story-driven gameplay.
Animal Crossing: New HorizonsReduces stress and provides a sense of control and routine.
JourneyEnhances mindfulness and emotional reflection with calming visuals and music.
TetrisProven to reduce PTSD flashbacks and improve cognitive flexibility.
Hellblade: Senua’s SacrificeIncreases awareness and empathy for psychosis and mental illness.
Stardew ValleyEncourages relaxation, goal-setting, and community engagement.
Monument ValleyPromotes problem-solving, spatial reasoning, and stress relief.
FlowerInduces a meditative state and reduces heart rate and anxiety.
SuperBetterDesigned with psychologists to build resilience and combat depression.
MindlightUses neurofeedback to help children manage anxiety through play.

10 Best Games That Help Improve Mental Health (Backed by Science)

1.Celeste

While Celeste is a challenging platformer, it tells a story of anxiety, self-doubt, and depression through the life of its protagonist, Madeline. Scientifically supported narratives and mechanics help foster self-compassion and emotional growth, and Celeste is no exception.

As players metaphorically battle through struggles alongside Madeline during her ascent to Celeste Mountain, they are encouraged to build emotional resilience.

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Celeste

Soothing music paired with warm in-game messages makes this game a favorite among those tackling mental obstacles.

Professionals have praised Celeste for its ability to normalize the emotional turmoil, and for providing the powerful affirmation “You can do this—even if it’s hard.”

FeatureDetails
GenrePlatformer
Mental Health FocusAnxiety, depression, self-doubt
Core MechanicClimbing and overcoming obstacles
Therapeutic ValueBuilds emotional resilience and perseverance
Visual & Audio StylePixel art with soothing soundtrack
Scientific SupportGames that reward persistence help combat negative self-talk
Unique ElementEncourages positive inner dialogue and personal growth
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2.Animal Crossing: New Horizons

Through the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, Animal Crossing: New Horizons served as a mental health refuge for people all over the world.

The game itself is designed for a relaxed play style, devoid of the stress of time frames or rigid objectives, sparking creativity and even establishing a sense of routine.

Animal Crossing: New Horizons

Players are free to engage in fishing, gardening, decorating, or even chatting with the kind animal inhabitants, all of which are scientifically shown to lower cortisol (stress hormone) levels. In addition, the game offers structured daily activities, goal-setting, and enhances overall mental well-being.

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FeatureDetails
GenreLife Simulation
Mental Health FocusStress relief, structure, social connectedness
Core MechanicReal-time routine building, customization
Therapeutic ValueEncourages mindfulness and reduces stress
Visual & Audio StyleBright, cheerful visuals with ambient music
Scientific SupportRoutine and low-stakes decision-making reduce anxiety
Unique ElementFacilitates virtual socializing and creative self-expression

3.Journey

Journey is an indie game praised for its stunning visuals and emotional storytelling. It possesses meditative qualities that players can indulge in. There is no spoken or written dialogue, and the controls are simplified—players traverse a massive desert and can connect with other players silently.

Mindfulness and the ability to immerse oneself in awe can greatly alleviate anxiety, and Journey encompasses both. The game’s ambient music and calm pacing instill a sense of flow, which is the ability to fully immerse oneself in an activity. Players are helped to disconnect from their worries.

Journey

The cooperation, albeit silent, fosters shared, wordless collaboration with people from across the globe cultivates empathy while lessening the sense of loneliness. The game is over described as soothing and grounding, with a transcendental quality that is deeply calming.

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FeatureDetails
GenreAdventure / Art Game
Mental Health FocusMindfulness, emotional clarity
Core MechanicExploration and non-verbal multiplayer interaction
Therapeutic ValuePromotes awe, reflection, and peace of mind
Visual & Audio StyleMinimalist with emotional orchestral soundtrack
Scientific SupportEvoking awe reduces stress and boosts well-being
Unique ElementAnonymous cooperative play encourages empathy

4.Tetris

Tetris is not only highly addictive, but it also provides beneficial effects to mental health. One of the most well-known studies conducted by Oxford University found that playing Tetris for a few minutes following a traumatic event can drastically lower the likelihood of intrusive flashbacks.

Tetris

This is the case because the game Tetris requires a great deal of visuospatial focus, which helps disrupt the brain’s ability to encode troubling memories. Apart from trauma, Tetris improves cognitive agility, visual perception, and working memory.

The game’s repetitive yet rewarding nature induces a flow state that is known to enhance mood and lower anxiety. As a straightforward and portable game, Tetris can provide a mental reset at any time.

FeatureDetails
GenrePuzzle
Mental Health FocusPTSD, anxiety, cognitive improvement
Core MechanicBlock alignment and pattern recognition
Therapeutic ValueImproves focus and reduces trauma flashbacks
Visual & Audio StyleSimple visuals with rhythmic music
Scientific SupportProven to reduce flashbacks by occupying visuospatial memory
Unique ElementQuick, effective mental reset tool
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5.Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice

Through the lens of Senua, a Celtic warrior, Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice addresses the issues of psychosis and mental illness. The game’s developer worked with neuroscientists and individuals with schizophrenia to accurately depict the condition’s hallucinations and delusions.

Although the game’s content is heavy, it offers a glimpse into the reality of living with psychosis, and in doing so, it fosters empathy and understanding. Research shows that accurately depicting mental illness in media can help to destigmatize the condition and provoke important dialogues. 

Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice

Hellblade goes beyond being a game: with its immersive design that simulates hearing voices and a powerful, haunting narrative, it is a bold statement towards the need for mental health awareness in gaming.

FeatureDetails
GenrePsychological Action-Adventure
Mental Health FocusPsychosis, trauma, inner voices
Core MechanicCombat, puzzle-solving, hallucination-based gameplay
Therapeutic ValueEnhances empathy and awareness of mental illness
Visual & Audio StyleDark visuals, binaural audio for hallucinations
Scientific SupportCreated with input from neuroscientists and patients
Unique ElementAccurate portrayal of psychotic episodes

6.Stardew Valley

Stardew Valley combines farming, community interaction, and exploration into one soothing package. Players receive a neglected farm and, over time, restore it while working with seasonal activities and interacting with different townspeople.

For those battling with anxiety and depression, having a routine and a system to work towards is highly helpful. Studies suggest that games that offer autonomy, relatedness, and competence are likely to enhance mental well-being, and Stardew Valley provides all three.

Stardew Valley

In addition, the game’s soothing music and temperate pace allows users to enter a meditative environment that enhances focus and offers an escape from stress. The feeling of being able to tend to crops and improve relations provides emotional satisfaction and purpose.

FeatureDetails
GenreFarming Simulator / RPG
Mental Health FocusAnxiety, depression, burnout
Core MechanicFarming, building relationships, managing routines
Therapeutic ValuePromotes relaxation, accomplishment, and routine
Visual & Audio StyleRetro pixel graphics with calming music
Scientific SupportGames that offer autonomy and structure aid emotional recovery
Unique ElementEmotional bonding with NPCs and personal story arcs
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7.Monument Valley

As an architectural wonder, Monument Valley also serves as one of the most colorful puzzlers. It’s use of surreal designs and soothing colors serves as the perfect set up for creative thinking and relaxation.

While tackling its Escher-inspired puzzles, there is an immense feeling of accomplishment one receives at the end which is highly soothing. In a psychological sense, solving puzzles is known to improve stress, memory, and overall problem-solving skills, and Monument Valley delivers just that.

Monument Valley

The game’s calm aesthetic, ambient soundtrack, and intuitive controls promote focus. Monument Valley is an escape from the ordinary, bringing the player to a world that is slow and free of fast-paced violence. Its almost non-existing while still highly engaging narrative of forgiveness and restoration offers emotional depth to a relaxed experience.

FeatureDetails
GenrePuzzle
Mental Health FocusCognitive stress relief, creative thinking
Core MechanicSolving spatial puzzles with optical illusions
Therapeutic ValueEnhances concentration and provides calm problem-solving experiences
Visual & Audio StyleArtistic, pastel visuals with ambient sounds
Scientific SupportPuzzle games improve mental flexibility and reduce stress
Unique ElementZen-like experience with no risk of failure
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8.Flower

Flower is a non verbal game where players control the wind to lead flower petals through different beautiful landscapes. It is developed by That game company and is used in clinical practice to reduce anxiety and aid relaxation.

Research reveals that even digital nature scenery can help in reducing one’s heart rate and stress levels. Flower replicates this effect through visuals that mark relaxation, smooth animations, and a soundtrack that changes according to the players’ movements.

Enemies, time constraints, and other stressors are absent, allowing the game to provide a balance and emotional rise experience. It fosters a sense of deep and boundless wonder, thus making the experience therapeutic in nature.

FeatureDetails
GenreInteractive Art / Relaxation
Mental Health FocusAnxiety reduction, emotional uplift
Core MechanicControlling the wind to collect petals
Therapeutic ValuePromotes tranquility and mindfulness
Visual & Audio StyleNature-inspired, flowing animation with adaptive soundtrack
Scientific SupportDigital nature scenes reduce cortisol and heart rate
Unique ElementNon-verbal, emotion-driven gameplay focused on nature’s beauty

9.SuperBetter

Psychologist Jane McGonigal created SuperBetter—a game and app ritualistically designed to improve mental health issues such as anxiety and depression—to help players improve mood and mental resilience.

Using positive psychology and CBT, players “take quests,” “fight bad guys” such as their own negative thought patterns, and recruit allies.

SuperBetter

traditional games, SuperBetter strives and is specifically designed to improve mental health. The game helps to reframe self-care as engaging, turning the often cumbersome act of caring for oneself into something enjoyable.

Its structure helps people face their challenges as heroic battles, and believe in their ability to become ever stronger.

FeatureDetails
GenreSelf-Help / Resilience Game
Mental Health FocusDepression, anxiety, resilience building
Core MechanicCompleting quests, reframing struggles as challenges
Therapeutic ValueBoosts motivation, optimism, and self-efficacy
Visual & Audio StyleApp-based with colorful interface
Scientific SupportDeveloped by psychologists using CBT principles
Unique ElementTurns therapy into a superhero-style game
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10.Mindlight

Mindlight is an example of a neurofeedback game aimed at children’s anxiety management. The game actively adjusts to how relaxed the player is by measuring their brain activity with an EEG headset.

In the game, children explore a haunted mansion using light generated by calm thoughts. Light allows children to navigate the mansion, and their ability to explore increases with relaxation.

Mindlight

Research shows that anxiety and emotional self-regulation are improved with biofeedback training. Mindlight transforms mental health games, making them more accessible and less burdensome, especially for children who find traditional therapy challenging.

FeatureDetails
GenreNeurofeedback Adventure
Mental Health FocusChildhood anxiety, emotional regulation
Core MechanicBrainwave-controlled gameplay (requires EEG headset)
Therapeutic ValueTrains relaxation and focus through biofeedback
Visual & Audio StyleSpooky yet child-friendly setting
Scientific SupportShown to reduce anxiety in clinical studies with children
Unique ElementReal-time brainwave interaction for mental training

Conclusion

To sum up, the Best Games That Help Improve Mental Health (Backed by Science) games have actual psychological and mental benefits because they assist with emotional management, reduce stress, and enhance cognitive function.

The research available on the subject affirms that these games are a good mental health treatment. These titles demonstrate the power of gaming in nurturing mental health during daily life, whether you’re after relaxation, resilience, or mindfulness.

FAQ

Can video games really improve mental health?

Yes, studies show certain games can reduce stress, anxiety, and depression while improving focus and emotional resilience.

Are these games suitable for all ages?

Most are family-friendly, but some (like Hellblade) are intended for mature audiences due to intense themes.

Are these games a substitute for therapy?

No. They can support mental health but should not replace professional help when needed.
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