Hacker News Board Hacker News, browsed like a classic message board
Live data from Hacker News

Iyashikei: Japan’s Genre of “Healing Games” (2018)

screentherapyblog.wordpress.com

Post reply on HN
Print view View original

71–80 of 114 posts

Re: Iyashikei: Japan’s Genre of “Healing Games” (2018)

#71

Post by Barrin92 »

zmix wrote: post #62

You don't get healed by kitsch. You get healed by facing the issue and working (out)/fighting hard.

You can't face every issue, because some issues are larger than you or simply final. I think it's no surprise that this genre rose to prominence in Japan earlier than in the US or Europe because the idea that you can roll your sleeves up and fight everything is a pretty stereotypical Western attitude.

During this pandemic many people are for the first time faced with the fact that, after taking precautions and staying healthy, nothing is to be done other than sit it out, healing does indeed simply take time and waiting and not doing anything.

I think these games remind people of that fact. If someone you know dies you can run a hundred laps and read 15 self-help books, but at the end of the day recovering just takes time and doesn't involve 'doing' anything. In that sense those games are just like meditating and being mindful.

Re: Iyashikei: Japan’s Genre of “Healing Games” (2018)

#72

Post by whywhywhywhy »

billfruit wrote: post #4

What might be western games of a similar bent, with a focus on soothing game play: -Stardew Valley -My time at Portia -Euro/American Truck Simulator -Anno series I personally find snooker/pool simulations very soothing.

My Summer Car. I know it gets rep for being a frustrating unforgiving game but that’s only part of it the other part is an excellent virtual remote Finnish village, saunas, fishing, trips to the pub, downloading Finnish shareware games from bbs.

Re: Iyashikei: Japan’s Genre of “Healing Games” (2018)

#74

Post by koonsolo »

I'm making a tool to easily create your own RPG's. In true MVP sense, my old version was missing combat. This didn't stop my users (mainly teenagers) to create their own games, which of course were more or less 'Iyashikei' because of this missing feature.

For example one of those games is Baby Quest, where you are a baby that can explore the town (https://rpgplayground.com/most-played/). You can find plenty more of such games on my website.

But since I support combat now, most of the newer games are not like this anymore, although there are exceptions.

My engine is https://rpgplayground.com

Re: Iyashikei: Japan’s Genre of “Healing Games” (2018)

#75

Post by sirmarksalot »

spinach wrote: post #16

I played Ni no Kuni on DS and though it was beautiful it was much like any other rpg with a main focus on battles, seems strange to include it here. There is a similar genre in Western games (mostly indie) of these sorts of types of games, filed under 'cozy'.

Especially considering how unforgiving the battles can be at times. The slapdash "throw every mechanic in" gameplay design and stair-step leveling curve makes for an ever-repeating swing between complete invulnerability and intense frustration.

Re: Iyashikei: Japan’s Genre of “Healing Games” (2018)

#76

Post by hinkley »

danbolt wrote: post #45
munificent wrote: post #44

Minecraft is so open-ended that it can be molded into almost any genre. But the way I play fits entirely within this. I play in survival mode mostly to make the world feel more grounded, but I sleep every night and rarely explore caverns. The game is mostly me building living spaces, mining for supplies, mapping the world, and collecting items. It's really satisfying.

I wish more AAA games industry designers recognized this about a lot of players.

My read is that he's also treating this as an exploration game, and that at least has some traction in AAA games.

I mean people are still playing Skyrim for Pete's sake.

Re: Iyashikei: Japan’s Genre of “Healing Games” (2018)

#77

Post by Noos »

dragontamer wrote: post #39
Noos wrote: post #22

Earlier quoted context omitted.

A Channel is another healing anime, as is Song of the Sky. Laid-back Camp is probably the most recent and most popular healing anime out there. Welcome to the NHK isn't one, but in the manga the game the two protagonists are working on is a healing/erogame, and the main protagonist goes into length about why he is making it.

> Song of the Sky Do you mean "Sound of the Sky", the post-apocalyptic Iyashikei? EDIT: The anime community sometimes sticks with the Japanese title in Romanji, calling it "Sora no Woto". Same show, but depends on how various people feel like translating the title.

Yes I mean that. I mixed the titles in my head and didn't catch it.

Re: Iyashikei: Japan’s Genre of “Healing Games” (2018)

#79

Post by ngold »

dan_quixote wrote: post #31

Zelda: Breath of the Wild has strong elements of Iyashikei. I picked this up recently after years of no video games. And I find myself just wandering around marveling at the sights and sounds. I mostly avoid conflict while performing the more ancillary quests. It's just so much more relaxing than the platform/shooter games I grew up with.

Ive been goofing around in gta, by following traffic laws. Very relaxing, and just observing the natural chaos and beautiful setting. Put some tunes on and it reminds me of the old outrun games.
Post reply on HN