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:
