I’ve been taking it slow on IF and … well practically everything lately, because of an emotional/depressive breakdown.
I’ve played Blighted Isle , which was a tremendously escapist adventure-experience. That helped a lot.
Now I’ve started playing Eric the Unready, which is a hilarious romp that gives me a smile everytime I start it up (I insist on watching the opening sequence everytime because it’s so funny.)
IF can be therapeutic. More than books, sometimes, in my case, because it’s YOU doing these hilarious/heroic/adventurous things and overcoming these obstacles. The sense of accomplishment doesn’t replace real-world problem-solving, but it can sure give a boost to a weakened confidence.
(And as always, I have to point to Molly and the Butter Thieves - Details (ifdb.org) as my first go-to feel-good adventure.)
Hoo boy, has this been an absolutely terrible couple of years. I get close to melting down about once a week, and IF surely does help. Writing IF has been an even greater gift than playing it. Getting caught in the thorny problems of coding is a welcome frustration that takes my head out of all the awful stuff IRL.
I think I’m going to take another stab at Castle Ralf, 30 years after my first try. I remember that being funny as hell, frustrating, and long. Just what I need.
Sorry to hear about your troubles, TC. I have a lot of digital media fallbacks in times of trouble. There is a silly anime I will rewatch. I have a tendency to replay 100+ hour (J)RPGs. I also eat a lot of junk food, unfortunately.
So far as IF goes: it is probably not surprising that I enjoy text adventures from the 80s. They offered me comfort and escape as a child, and I still feel their echoes today. I don’t think very well when severely depressed, so taking on new games is hard in that state.
I’m glad you’re finding enjoyment in IF–pleasure is hard to come by in difficult times!