Hopeful Games For The Future

What makes us who we are is the moment we live right now, the memories we carry from the past, and the dreams we have for the future. Life can get pretty heavy if your mind is wired to expect the worst all the time. That’s why hope is one of humanity’s secret superpowers—it helps us dream of better tomorrows and keeps us walking toward the light at the end of the tunnel, even when things get rough.

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Sometimes, we need a little push from the outside to remember that, and games are perfect for that! Whether through deep philosophical messages or totally absurd humor, it’s the message that matters, not the style. So, here’s a list of games that remind us to keep hoping for a brighter future!

10

Outer Wilds

Outer Wilds

Released

May 28, 2019

ESRB

E10+ For Everyone 10+ due to Fantasy Violence, Alcohol Reference

Developer(s)

Mobius Digital

Engine

Unity

If you love searching for answers in the dangerous depths of space, Outer Wilds might just be your jam. At first glance, it seems like a pretty grim story — a dying solar system stuck in an endless time loop? Sounds like a cosmic bad day. Themes like inevitable endings and cyclical time could feel a little bohemian (and honestly, who could blame you?).

But if you look deeper, you’ll find tiny sparks of hope buried in the cosmic gloom. Even as the universe crumbles, Outer Wilds reminds you that discovery never truly ends. The Nomai civilization didn’t chase answers out of fear — they did it because they were endlessly curious. Failure, hope, wonder: it’s all still floating out there, just waiting for you.

9

Gris

GRIS

Released

December 13, 2018

ESRB

E For Everyone

Developer(s)

Nomada Studio

Engine

Unity

As we say hello to new things in life, sometimes we also have to wave goodbye — call it one of life’s weird little curses. In Gris, you follow a young woman who’s completely lost inside her own faded, gray world. It’s a journey through her emotions, as you experience the stages of grief: denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and finally, acceptance (yes, it’s basically emotional speedrunning).

After all that heartbreak, you reach hope and freedom. Sure, loss is inevitable in life, but hope is the one thing you should never lose — and Gris reminds us of that. It’s a beautiful, wordless meditation on healing, and proof that even after falling apart, you can still put yourself back together with a splash of color.

8

Firewatch

Firewatch

Released

February 9, 2016

ESRB

M For Mature 17+ due to Suggestive Themes, Nudity, Drug and Alcohol Reference, Strong Language

Developer(s)

Campo Santo

Publisher(s)

Campo Santo, Panic

Engine

Unity

A game doesn’t need sunshine, rainbows, and singing birds to offer hope. In fact, you only understand the true value of light once you’ve stumbled through the darkest places — and Firewatch gets that. It’s a story about loss and loneliness, with Henry, our walking ball of emotional baggage, escaping a personal tragedy by working as a fire lookout.

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As you explore, you watch him wrestle with his past and regrets. No, the game doesn’t magically fix everything (sorry, no fairy godmothers here). But it gently shows that sometimes real hope is just choosing to survive — to get up, dust yourself off, and keep going, no matter how hard you fall. And honestly, that’s a kind of heroism too.

7

Horizon: Zero Dawn

Horizon Zero Dawn

Systems

Released

February 28, 2017

ESRB

T for Teen – Blood, Drug Reference, Language, Mild Sexual Themes, Violence

Engine

Decima

The most precious thing we have is the world itself — it’s humanity’s ultimate gift. Horizon: Zero Dawn shows what happens when humanity manages to misplace that gift… spectacularly. In a world overrun by wild nature and giant robot dinosaurs (because why not?), Aloy sets out searching for answers.

Her journey leads her to uncover humanity’s biggest oops moments and to lay the foundation for a hopeful future. Sure, the setting is a bit grim, but deep down, the game believes that life finds a way — even after we’ve messed up in style. Technology can either destroy or rebuild, depending on who’s holding the controller. In the end, Horizon: Zero Dawn delivers a powerful and surprisingly uplifting message about second chances.

6

Nier: Automata

NieR: Automata

Released

March 7, 2017

ESRB

M for Mature: Blood, Partial Nudity, Strong Language, Violence

Engine

Proprietary Engine

Sure, our world might not look like a dystopia yet — but give it time! In NieR: Automata, humanity has already been booted off Earth by mechanical beings (good job, us), and the hope of reclaiming the planet rests on sending stylish android soldiers into battle. Sounds grim, right? Well, it is… at first.

As you dive deeper, you’ll see both machines and androids start having emotional and philosophical meltdowns. Fun! Yet behind all the explosions, existential dread, and tear-jerking moments, the game dares to whisper: “Hey, maybe there’s still a chance for a better future.” It’s not an easy hope, but NieR: Automata proves that even in the middle of absurdity and sadness, something beautiful can bloom.

5

Plants Vs Zombies

Plants vs. Zombies

Released

May 5, 2009

ESRB

E10+ For Everyone 10+ Due To Animated Blood, Cartoon Violence

Developer(s)

PopCap

Publisher(s)

PopCap

Engine

PopCap Framework.

Multiplayer

Online Multiplayer

Franchise

Plants vs. Zombies

Games don’t always need to be super serious to give you hope. Plants vs. Zombies, a timeless classic that’s still ridiculously fun to play, is about one suburban human’s stubborn fight for survival. Your job? Stop waves of zombie invaders by planting adorable (but deadly) botanical defenses.

Sure, compared to the deep storytelling of other games, this one’s plot is about as deep as a kiddie pool — but it still delivers a surprisingly hopeful message. Even in a goofy apocalypse full of brain-hungry zombies, creativity and determination can save the day. No matter how bizarre or hopeless things look, you can overcome any challenge… even if that challenge is a guy in a traffic cone trying to eat your brain!

4

Detroit: Become Human

Detroit: Become Human

Systems

Released

May 25, 2018

ESRB

M For Mature 17+ due to Blood, Intense Violence, Partial Nudity, Sexual Themes, Strong Language, Use of Drugs

Engine

Proprietary Engine

Detroit: Become Human takes place in 2038, not too far from now, where humans have created androids that look and act just like us. The twist? These androids are basically glorified servants. The game constantly throws you into moral dilemmas, giving you countless choices that lead to a whole bunch of different endings.

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In a future where the lines between humans and AI are blurry, chaos, violence, and oppression are bound to happen. But hey, no worries! With the right choices, peace is always an option. Even in a world full of darkness and conflict, this game proves that a little thought and empathy can open the door to a hopeful, inspiring future.

3

Life Is Strange

Life is Strange

Released

January 30, 2015

ESRB

M For Mature 17+ Due To Blood, Intense Violence, Sexual Themes, Strong Language, Use of Drugs and Alcohol

Developer(s)

Dontnod Entertainment

Engine

unreal engine 3, unreal engine 4

Life is Strange starts with Max Caulfield saving her best friend Chloe and discovering she can rewind time. But of course, this is just the beginning of a much deeper, dramatic, and rich story. You’ll learn that changing the past comes with a price. Your choices can have useful or downright dangerous consequences, and they don’t always lead to what you expect.

The game gives you tough moral decisions, but also teaches you how to face challenges. The most important thing? Your choices and their outcomes. No matter what, a fresh start is always possible—if you take the right steps. But remember, hope only comes with those right steps. So, no pressure!

2

Undertale

Undertale

Released

September 15, 2015

ESRB

E10+ for Everyone 10+: Fantasy Violence, Mild Blood, Mild Language, Simulated Gambling, Use of Tobacco

Developer(s)

Toby Fox

Publisher(s)

Toby Fox, 8-4

Engine

GameMaker

There’s a lot to say about Undertale—you could just stomp through the game, smashing everything in sight, but that’d be missing its true power. Set in an underground world, you’ll find yourself surrounded by monsters, trying to survive as a human. But here’s the twist: you don’t have to fight! You can empathize and forgive instead.

If you haven’t, try playing as a pacifist— it’s worth it. Even the worst, most brutal monsters can be shown the power of empathy, and you can end the game with peace instead of destruction. Undertale teaches us that sometimes the hardest thing is finding a peaceful solution—and that’s the real hope it offers.

1

Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers Of Sky

Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Sky

Systems

Released

October 12, 2009

ESRB

E For Everyone

Developer(s)

Spike Chunsoft

Publisher(s)

The Pokemon Company, Nintendo

Engine

unity

The Pokemon Mystery Dungeon series has carved out its own special place in fans’ hearts, and honestly, it’s no mystery why. Beyond diving into dungeons and battling Pokemon, this game throws you into emotional moments that might just leave you teary-eyed. You start as a human mysteriously transformed into a Pokemon, trying to survive and make new friends. Suddenly—bam!—time itself begins to collapse as Time Gears go missing, plunging the world into chaos.

No matter how tough things get, your partner is always by your side, and together, you face down Pokemon way stronger than you. Even when you lose hope, your friends (or, well, Pokémon) are there to lift you up. With teamwork and determination, even the darkest threats—yes, even Primal Dialga—can be overcome!

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