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Intriguing topic. I just hope that I can make proper use of this knowledge. Thank you for sharing. ❤

thats actually sick but? does the remastered RE4 like that? just wanted to ask?

Coincidentally, my master's thesis is asking the same question you posted at the end there. I am investigating the interaction with stress and various game mechanics. I investigate what happens when the development experience is collaborative for stress management, and we personalize adding game mechanics. Maybe in a few years I will have my work for you to reference as well

I'm still recovering from the emotional damage that the Full Grown Fallingstar Beast gave me...

Never forget "hell" is a place spoken of by ancient biblical authors who used names and places of their time to define what the place is like. Gehenna,hades,hell all these places mention a truth....there is a place where our souls go that isnt good and it is eternal and alone and inescapable.

Very interesting seeing it from this light and I agree . Never looked at gaming this way . I remember i couldnt play san andreas . When i finally sneakily bought it i would only play it sneakily . And it was normal . The pegi age was actually something alot of parents looked at then i think . In 2004/6 or something. I also sneakily played MANHUNT of all games . If i turned out fine playing that then theres nothing to worry about . The whole game was sneaking around and killing people in brutal fashion . With plastic bags and shanks and crowbars . It was brutal

oh hey, its the bad prey

I think one huge factor that shouldn’t be ignored for “difficult” RPGs is that you can level or upgrade gear to make up for a lack of mechanical skill. I hit a roadblock in these games, I know I will eventually get enough resources to be unstuck without really improving (which is not stressful, it’s comforting). Something like puzzle, arcade, or 1v1 competitive games are actually stressful because I have to figure out what I’m doing wrong or find a solution rather than having an easy out. Those games are much better at getting you into that exhausting, but euphoric flow state that can feel rejuvenating afterwards. I think those kinds of games are more what you’re getting at than RPG’s like Elden Ring, because while it does have skill based elements, they aren’t forced like they are in the other kinds of games I mentioned. I never feel a flow state when I know I don’t need to be in one to succeed. Still an interesting video, I just don’t think this was the right game to highlight this phenomenon with.

omg this was such a joy to watch while filing at work! i recently purchased elden ring and while i find it to be an incredibly steep learning curve for beginner gamers it is enjoyable despite the stress! i appreciate how engaging the visuals are plus the citations are such a good touch. what a lovely and wonderfully researched video, thank you!

Great work, man. Its been 2 years since this game released, and I still think about this gem. I'm happy to know that I'm not alone.

Me?

Dark souls series including elden ring is really something great, no other games give you the same feeling

Lots of thoughts and feedback here. I'm torn between a thumbs up and a thumbs down, so I'm just not doing either. You keep asking, "What's the purpose of living in a time loop?" with all these film and video game references, but no one in reality actually experiences these things...I think this could have been more insightful and intriguing if you explored why in modern society we seem to have a fascination with fictional media and narratives that use time loops and time travel as a part of the story. In all fairness, you kind of do, but it comes across (to me) like you're investigating what the moral of the time loop situations are in these fictional situations...but they're made-up stories in the first place - the moral, if there is one in a given story, is at the mercy of the writer and whatever they leave open ended for the consumer; which has its own significant merit and importance in human history, but nowhere was there any clarification, thesis, or conclusion stating that the purpose was to explore how our modern media has explored this science-fiction topic. There's no real-world sources to help further dive into this objectively fascinating topic. I think doing so would ground this exploratory video-essay in a way it desperately needs. Nonetheless, this was well put together and I feel like I could really enjoy the way your other content may more fully explore gaming and film culture, and their inspirations and impacts, which I think is such a cool, necessary, and undervalued work in our present history.

Reminds me of Jacob Geller's vid on the topic. Nice work.

Something something Silent Hill 2 time loop theory (personal shoutout to Madoka).

This was very insightful thank you as a souls player I can now articulate why dying 100 times is good

Both as a school tech coach whose Master’s thesis was on gamification and as an edutainment gamer baby much like yourself, I love the passion and clarity you put into this breakdown. It’s refreshing to how you approach your topics and really dig in. You are bringing new perspectives into TH-cam, no small fear nowadays. Enjoying your work! (Parting thought: no citations later than 2015?)

Currently on a kick researching time loops, so I’ve seen dozens of similar videos on time travel, time loops, and confronting mortality/identity, etc. This is by far my favorite take - superb!

Seamless co op with my friends has been truly my new cozy game after work.

I went through most of Bloodborne during grief over a lost pregnancy. To top off the cosmic horror vibes, it was quite serendipitous that pregnancy is featured so heavily in that game. It was very off putting at first, but my sticking with the game helped me process my grief more than anything else. It really felt at times that the Great Ones guided me toward Bloodborne at the exact moment I needed it most. I still get very emotional playing that game, because of the deep association with pain and sadness, but it's still very much a game that I need to play every so often, as if the Hunter's Dream tethers me to the waking world. Playing that game in that time and reading Blood Meridian are my two most important media experiences.

I beat Elden Ring something like 17 times, then 3 times with the DLC. Something is wrong with me.

Beautifully made and written video!

Great video! It really shows why video games are such an underrated medium for storytelling and exploration of philosophical questions.

Notably you can pause in Sekiro, that game is hard for other reasons like finite health upgrades

this is an absurdly less made video, I am surprised you have so few subscribers, either way you gained a new fan!

The game’s hard, but I’m harder Fr

I feel so odd because people around me are like "I'm so stressed." And I'm just like ununderstanding cause I've never felt stressed. I feel so odd for not getting stressed.

I wonder how many people experience their day to day lifes as an never ending loop with only fractional, momentious oasis of differences throughout the day. Anyways, coming from your outstanding video on stress relief with elden ring, i am very greatful for the content you are creating. Outstanding work

Incredible video. Sending to all my friends that ask why I play stressful games all the time and why I’m obsessed with horror instead of explaining it myself 🤣🤣

Put everything I couldn’t say into words

Kinda like Eustress and Distress, not the same thing, but similar.

wow cinema🤗

I'm about to check out your recent videos, your work is very impressive. As someone who's wanted to make content for a while, I encourage you to continue your journey ☝️

⚫ Minos is the Guardian of the I Circle Limbo. The element is Ash. Limbo is a mountainous and rocky domain. 🟣 Python is the Guardian of the II Circle Lust/Pride. The element is Snow. As monsters there are: Serpents, Moray Eels, Pegasi, Lobsters, Crocodiles, Lizards (all six humanoid), Gorgons, Lamias, Hippocampi and Ophiotaurs (both serpentine), Vampires (draconid), Dracaenas, Sirens/Mermaids, Oceanids, Nereids and Tritons/Mermen (all four with two serpentine tails), Gorgotaurs, Dragons (humanoid and serpentine), Ichthyocentaurs (equine/serpentine), Satyrs/Fauns (with two human legs), Giants, Naiads and Lampads. 🟠 Cerberus is the Guardian of the III Circle Gluttony. The element is Clay. As monsters there are: Giants, Octopus (humanoid), Satyrs/Fauns (with two human legs), Oreads and Cyclopes. 🟡 Plutus is the Guardian of the IV Circle Greed. The element is Sand. Gold pearls are better than gold coins (example the gold lake of Plutus rich in gold pearls). As monsters there are: Scorpions (serpentine), Giants, Golems, Salamanders and Unicorns (both humanoid) and Satyrs/Fauns (with two human legs). 🟢 Hydra is the Guardian of the V Circle Envy/Sloth. The element is Poison. “See the souls over whom Envy has prevailed. In the warm bath of the sun they were once hateful; down here in the black sludge of the river Styx do they wish they had never been born.” “Souls indignant! How many up there now count themselves kings, that here shall lie like worms in the mire, leaving their condemnations far behind!” "The Styx, a toxic marsh. Those awash with Envy drowned again and again, choking on their own venom." Centaurs must be in the V Circle, using the Centaur Cacus as an example. As monsters there are: Centaurs, Dryads, Giants, Bears, Owls, Hawks, Wyverns, Basilisks, Crabs, Sharks, Turtles, Toads, Bats and Crows (all eleven humanoid), Beastmen (Goatmen), Skeletons, Wraiths and Necromancers (mummified). 🔴 Phlegias is the Guardian of the VI Circle Wrath/Heresy. The element is Fire. The Devils's Heresy is Wrath, for example Lucifer's Heresy of Wrath (which made the Devils wrathful towards the Angels and God)! The City of Dis is practically divided into three Rings: Wrathful, Pagans and Heretics. "The City of Dis held Hell's deepest secrets and the worst violent and treacherous sinners. The fallen angels guarded it's walls and flaunted his kingdom." As monsters there are: Beastmen (Goatmen), Colossi, Giants, Griffons, Vultures and Eagles (all three humanoid). 🔴 Minotaur is the Guardian of the VII Circle Violence. The element is Metal. As monsters there are: I Ring Ravens (humanoid), Beastmen (Goatmen), Minotaurs, Werewolves and Giants, II Ring Harpies (humanoid), III Ring Colossi and Lions (humanoid). 🟢 Geryon is the Guardian of the VIII Circle Fraud. The element is Poison. To torment the Hypocrites there is not lead but mercury (much more symbolic). 🔵 Ephialtes is the Guardian of the IX Circle Treachery. The element is Ice. In the I Ring of Treachery, among the Traitors of Relatives, there are also the Traitors of Friends.

I hadn’t played any games in years. And always played on easy mode. Then randomly I decided to get Lies of P. Best it twice, now on Elden Ring and DS3, and I swear it’s so damn helpful. It’s like working out for your brain.

What people who dont play souls games dont understand is “get good” is the best advice anyone can give. That is integral to what the experience is trying to teach you about yourself

I haven't watched this whole vid but as a psych grad with probably a thousand hours into replaying elden ring and DS3, I already agree with everything you were going to say. Take my like and comment and leave to my drudgery lol

Most stressful thing about this video was seeing that tiny health bar not growing when you entered late game areas. All jokes aside tho loved this video you clearly did your research.

I kept telling my friends I play EldenRing to relax. I was never able to explain that further, thanks for doing it for me in a science-ish way!

Amazing video!!!

Great video, i really appreciate the effort that went into this and i love the combination of seemingly unrelated or contradictory topics here. Subbed.

I needed this Moebius landscape to free myself in after a great loss in my life. I cried leaving the Ibexi camp. The Japanese Breakfast soundtrack soothed me. Everything about this game is medicine. It came to me in the right time. ❤️‍🩹💓🐾 Thank you Shedworks. Thank you 🙏 for making this video essay. 🌀

I think it's funny you mentioned Tetris. It's the only game that makes me able to not think 😂❤

Dude this is my life RN lololol Coming home to lose yourself in the souls games really chills my mind. ❤ Ive literally wanted to record my gameplay and voice while i talk about my build or what im currently doing in the game, and post it on my channel. Anyway, i'll give you a like and finish the video ^_^ currently on minute 3 lol

way to do your research man. this was top tier. you got a new fan.

I found Elden ring to be surprisingly, a calming game. Most souls likes force you to play them in a way where you have to be methodical. patient. as soon as you starting playing 'stressed' (frantically pressing buttons) you get dunked on. The way the game is structured also does this; with its open world exploration backdropped by beautiful landscapes, soothing music / ambience inducing a mood of calm, especially in limgrave and Liurnia. the eb and flow of the gameplay from bosses, to exploration creates a gameplay loop that I find makes the majority of the experience quite soothing (until you get stuck on a boss).

Great, original content. Easy sub. Keep it up!

I’m so happy you made this video, it’s been hard for me to articulate why such a stressful and intense game like Elden Ring can be incredibly therapeutic for me… and as someone who’s on 15 playthroughs, the repetition itself has become relaxing! Not to mention controllers are like giant stress toys with all the button pushing and muscle memory. Don’t even get me started on the artistic beauty of this game as well-that in itself makes the game such a pleasant experience. Anyway, love these styles of videos. And I especially like that you cited sources and expanded on them, like a true video essay! Always nice to find a kindred spirit , tarnished 😊💕