Whilst couples celebrate Valentine's Day, a games expert has revealed five titles offering an alternative for those nursing broken or lonely hearts.
Nick Rodriguez, Dean of Games and Creative Technology at MetStudios, believes certain games do more than distract from emotional pain, providing a structure for processing difficult feelings.
Research from the Oxford Internet Institute published in April 2025 identified 13 distinct ways video games can influence players' mental health, both positively and negatively.
A separate UK study published in August 2025 found video games offered psychological benefits during times of stress by providing agency, social connectedness and a sense of progression.
Here are the top picks:







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