How Spiritfarer Helped Me Through the Pandemic

by Matthew Tyler (@PalliDad)During what can only be described as a challenging year, I found Thunderlotus ’s gameSpiritfarer just in the nick of time. In this “cozy management game about dying,” you assume the role of a young woman named Stella who is charged with shuttling spirits to the gates of the afterlife. Unexpectedly,Spiritfarer served as both an escape from and means of processing my experience as a healthcare worker during the pandemic.From top to bottom,Spiritfarer exudes tranquility. The animations are bright and vibrant, and the music is soothing yet melancholy, invoking nostalgia for younger innocent days. With this backdrop, you spend your time in game managing the physical and emotional needs of your passengers. This entails gathering materials to upgrade your boat ’s ability to reach more distant islands, constructing customized quarters to accommodate your growing roster of spirits, and cooking meals uniquely suited to each passenger’s preferences. I was especially delighted to learn I could hug passengers to boost their mood, though sometimes they will decline your offer - bonus points to the devs for promoting autonomy! Your efforts are reflected in the mood of each spirit - as it improves they share more about their lives. Ultimately, each story arc culminates in a heartfelt goodbye at the gate to the afterlife. For most of the spirits, at least .One day, I was passing by the home of one of my favorite companions and saw the outside had been cov...
Source: Pallimed: A Hospice and Palliative Medicine Blog - Category: Palliative Care Tags: covid grief palliative care pandemic Tyler video games Source Type: blogs