Yes, it can help some people—but it is not a proven treatment for grief. Story-driven games about death, separation or letting go may give players a structured way to recall memories, name emotions and consider what a loss means. They can also function as distraction or avoidance, and an emotionally intense scene may increase distress rather than relieve it.
The strongest available evidence is small and qualitative. A 2023 study of 12 bereaved adults found several ways players made meaning while playing Bear’s Restaurant and Spiritfarer. That finding supports games as optional reflective or coping activities, not as substitutes for counseling, psychotherapy or other grief care.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
What the evidence actually shows
Most evidence about commercial games and grief describes players’ experiences rather than measuring whether a game reduces symptoms compared with counseling, no treatment or another activity. That distinction matters: a moving play session can feel meaningful without demonstrating a clinical effect.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →A 12-person qualitative study
Eum and Doh (2023) studied 12 bereaved adults—six men and six women, ages 20 to 31—who played Bear’s Restaurant and Spiritfarer. Participants kept diaries and took part in interviews. The authors identified seven meaning-making themes:
#1 Best Overall
- Read Before You Buy — No Video Output: These adapters support charging and USB 2.0 data transfer, but cannot transmit video signals. Except for standard USB webcams (which use USB data only), they are not compatible with HDMI/DisplayPort cables, video-capable USB-C hubs, or docking stations with video output.
- Convert USB-A Ports to USB-C: Designed to connect USB-C earphones, cables, flash drives, card readers, and other USB-C accessories to standard USB-A ports. Plug-and-play with no drivers or software required.
- Aluminum Alloy Housing: Built with a sturdy aluminum alloy shell that aids in heat dissipation and protects against daily wear and scratches. Designed to maintain a stable and secure connection.
- Compact & Travel-Friendly: The ultra-compact design allows the adapter to stay plugged into your device without blocking adjacent ports or adding bulk, reducing wear and tear on your original USB ports.
- 12-Month Warranty: Backed by a 12-month manufacturer warranty for peace of mind. Designed to meet strict quality control standards for reliable everyday performance.
- Recalling memories
- Avoiding engagement with the pain
- Recognizing positive emotions
- Acknowledging the deceased’s perspective
- Reviewing the meaning of the loss
- Planning a better future
- Fulfilling a wish
The same game could support reflection for one person and avoidance for another—or both for the same person at different points in a session. Because the sample was small, young and self-selected, the findings show possible experiences rather than a result that can be generalized to everyone who is grieving.
A conceptual review of 14 commercial games
A 2024 interdisciplinary preprint examined 14 commercial games and how their audio, visual, verbal, haptic and mechanical systems create metaphors for grief. Its central observation is that “Video games provide players with new metaphors to express and explore grief.” The review also asks what those metaphors make visible and what they leave out. It offers recommendations for therapists and developers, but it is an analytical review, not a clinical trial.
Other relevant work
Sabine Harrer’s 2018 book Games and Bereavement: How Video Games Represent Attachment, Loss, and Grief (Columbia University Press, 274-page paperback, ISBN 9783837644159) examines five videogames and a participatory design study with grievers. A 2024 Springer study focused on Spiritfarer reported themes including addressing personal loss, emotional acceptance and letting go. That study likewise does not establish treatment efficacy.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
A 2021 systematic review and meta-analysis covers internet-based grief interventions generally. Its findings cannot be transferred automatically to an entertainment game, because the interventions, support arrangements and goals differ.
Rank #2
- 5-in-1 USB-C Hub: Experience comprehensive connectivity featuring a Power Delivery input, two USB-A 2.0 ports, a USB-A 3.0 port, and an HDMI port. (Note: The USB-C power delivery input port is only for connecting an external wall charger to power your laptop and cannot power peripheral devices.)
- 90W Pass-Through Charging: Achieve optimal charging with 90W pass-through power to your laptop, supported by a total input of 100W, with the hub reserving 10W for operational efficiency. (Note: Wall charger not included.)
- Quick Data Transfers: Accelerate your productivity with rapid data transfers using a high-speed 5Gbps USB 3.0 port and two 480Mbps USB 2.0 ports.
- 4K HDMI Display: Enhance your visual experience with a hub capable of delivering 4K resolution at 30Hz in both mirror and extend modes. Please note that this hub is compatible with MacBook (macOS 12 and newer), Windows 10 and 11, ChromeOS, and laptops equipped with DP Alt Mode and Power Delivery. Note: This device is not compatible with Linux.
- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (5-in-1, 4K HDMI), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
How a game can support grieving
Games do more than show a story: they ask the player to act, choose, repeat, explore and sometimes care for fictional characters. That participation can create a personal bridge between an imagined loss and a player’s own memories.
Agency turns observation into participation
In a film, the audience watches a character leave. In a game, the player may decide when to visit, what to say, which task to complete or whether to linger. This agency can help someone test feelings at a manageable pace and construct a narrative around an event that otherwise feels chaotic. It can also create pressure to “perform” grief correctly, so the effect depends on how the player’s choices are framed.
Metaphor gives difficult feelings a shape
Games may represent death as a journey, a changing landscape, a final request or the gradual release of a relationship. A metaphor can make an abstract experience easier to discuss with a partner, friend or therapist. It is still a representation, not a literal model of bereavement: a game’s orderly progression may suggest closure that real grief does not provide.
Positive emotion is not betrayal
Players in the 2023 study described recognizing positive emotions alongside pain. Moments of humor, beauty, competence or connection do not prove that a person has “moved on.” Grief commonly includes shifting emotions, and a game can provide a temporary safe context for noticing that range.
Rank #3
- Sleek 7-in-1 USB-C Hub: Features an HDMI port, two USB-A 3.0 ports, and a USB-C data port, each providing 5Gbps transfer speeds. It also includes a USB-C PD input port for charging up to 100W and dual SD and TF card slots, all in a compact design.
- Flawless 4K@60Hz Video with HDMI: Delivers exceptional clarity and smoothness with its 4K@60Hz HDMI port, making it ideal for high-definition presentations and entertainment. (Note: Only the HDMI port supports video projection; the USB-C port is for data transfer only.)
- Double Up on Efficiency: The two USB-A 3.0 ports and a USB-C port support a fast 5Gbps data rate, significantly boosting your transfer speeds and improving productivity.
- Fast and Reliable 85W Charging: Offers high-capacity, speedy charging for laptops up to 85W, so you spend less time tethered to an outlet and more time being productive.
- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (7-in-1), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
Distraction and avoidance can coexist with insight
Escaping into a game can be restorative, especially when concentration, sleep or daily functioning is impaired. It becomes a concern when play is the only strategy, prevents necessary tasks or repeatedly postpones any contact with the loss. The study’s explicit “avoiding engagement with the pain” theme is a reminder to assess what play is doing for you, not just how absorbing it feels.
What games cannot establish
- No controlled comparison in the cited literature shows that a commercial game treats grief or works as well as grief counseling.
- There is no established clinical effect size for Spiritfarer, Bear’s Restaurant or commercial grief games generally.
- A compelling story cannot diagnose complicated grief, depression, trauma or suicidal risk.
- Game endings are authored. Bereavement in real life may involve unresolved conflict, financial strain, caregiving memories or repeated reminders that a narrative cannot settle.
For these reasons, describe a game as an optional adjunct, reflective medium or coping activity. Do not treat completion, emotional release or tears as proof that grief has been resolved.
How to compare a game about loss
Use the following dimensions before starting. A title that fits your preferred emotional distance and practical circumstances is more likely to be useful than one chosen solely because it is famous for being sad.
| Dimension | Questions to ask | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Type of loss | Does it portray death, separation, illness, disappearance or another life change? | A close match may feel validating; a different kind of loss may create useful distance or an upsetting mismatch. |
| Emotional intensity | Are there scenes involving death, terminal illness, suicide, traumatic loss or sudden bereavement? | Content warnings help you avoid surprises and choose when you have enough emotional capacity. |
| Player agency | Can you explore, pause and choose your pace, or does the story force a sequence? | More control can make difficult material feel manageable; tightly scripted scenes may feel overwhelming. |
| Social format | Is play solitary, cooperative or easy to discuss while someone watches? | Sharing can support connection, while private play may suit people who need quiet or control. |
| Accessibility and platform | Do you have the required console, computer or mobile device? Are subtitles, remapping, text size and audio controls available? | Physical, sensory or financial barriers can add stress to an already demanding activity. |
| Purpose | Do you want reflection, distraction, emotional release or a way to talk with someone? | The same title may help with one goal and be unhelpful for another. |
What to know about Spiritfarer and Bear’s Restaurant
Spiritfarer
Spiritfarer was one of the two titles in the 2023 participant study and the subject of a separate 2024 Springer study. Reported themes included addressing personal loss, emotional acceptance and letting go. Those findings explain why some players describe the game as a prompt for reflection; they do not show that it is suitable for every bereaved person or that it produces a therapeutic outcome.
Rank #4
- Dual Converters, Infinite Potential：Includes 2× USB C male to USB A female adapters and 2× USB A male to USB C female adapters. Perfect for a wide range of uses—tablets with Bluetooth keyboards, expand USB ports on macbook, and more. Two different converters for all your daily needs
- Next-Level 10Gbps & 3A Charging: No more slow 480Mbps, this usb to usb c adapter has a transfer speed of up to 10Gbps, allowing you to do more transferring in less time. This usb adapter fits both USB A and USB C charger, supporting up to 3A fast charging
- Upgraded Exquisite Craftsmanship: With an aluminum alloy housing and metal connector, the usbc to usb adapter is extremely durable and sturdy. Rigorously tested to withstand more than 10,000 times of plugging and unplugging, ensuring long-lasting performance
- Broad Compatible: The usb c to usb adapter widely supports all USB C/ USB A devices like laptops, tablets, cellphones, car chargers, and phone chargers. Such as compatible with MacBook Pro/Air 2023/2022, Thunderbolt 4/3 Devices,Apple MagSafe Watch 9/8/7/SE/Ultra, iPad Pro 2022/2021, Samsung Galaxy S23/S20/S10, and iPhone 17/16/15 Pro. Plug and play
- Please Note: To reach 10Gbps speed, keep the cable under 3.3 ft. For USB A Male to USB C adapters, try flipping the USB C connector. USB C Male to USB A adapters support bidirectional 10Gbps transfer within 3.3 ft
Expect an emotionally direct treatment of death and farewells. Check current platform accessibility options and available content information before playing, particularly if illness, death or separation is a recent trigger. You can stop before a farewell, reduce the session length or play with another person present.
Bear’s Restaurant
Bear’s Restaurant also appeared in the 2023 study. Participants connected its story and tasks with memories, wishes, the deceased person’s perspective and ideas about a future after loss. The inclusion of “avoiding engagement with the pain” in the study’s themes means the title should not be presented as universally healing: a player may use it to approach grief, sidestep it or alternate between both.
Neither title is a prescription. Their relevance depends on the player’s relationship to the loss, current symptoms, preferred level of control and access needs.
PC Slower Than It Used to Be?
A free scan shows the junk files, broken settings and background clutter dragging Windows down - then fixes them in one click.Free scan · Windows 10 & 11Outdated Drivers Are Slowing You Down
One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware matchA safer way to try a grief-focused game
- Set a modest aim. Choose one goal—such as remembering a person, finding a language for a feeling or taking a short restorative break. Do not require yourself to reach acceptance or finish the game.
- Check the content first. Look for warnings about death, illness, suicide, traumatic events and sudden loss. If the available description is unclear, begin with a short session when you can stop easily.
- Choose the setting. Keep water nearby, silence notifications and avoid starting immediately before work, driving, sleep or an important appointment. If you tend to become overwhelmed alone, tell a trusted person what you are doing.
- Use a stop rule. Pause when distress keeps rising, your body feels unsafe, memories become intrusive or you notice yourself playing compulsively to avoid every other activity. Saving the game is not a failure.
- Notice your response. Afterward, write one or two sentences about what you felt, remembered or avoided. You can also ask whether the session left you calmer, more connected, numb, agitated or unable to function.
- Decide what comes next. Return to an ordinary grounding activity, contact someone you trust or bring the reaction to a qualified grief counselor. If the game consistently worsens your symptoms, switch to a less intense activity or stop.
When professional support is the better next step
Consider a qualified grief counselor or mental-health professional when distress remains severe, daily functioning is deteriorating, sleep and appetite are persistently disrupted, trauma symptoms keep intruding, or avoidance is narrowing your life. A game can be mentioned in therapy as a conversation starter, but it should not be used to delay needed care.
Best Value
- 5-in-1 Connectivity: Equipped with a 4K HDMI port, a 5 Gbps USB-C data port, two 5 Gbps USB-A ports, and a USB C 100W PD-IN port. Note: The USB C 100W PD-IN port supports only charging and does not support data transfer devices such as headphones or speakers.
- Powerful Pass-Through Charging: Supports up to 85W pass-through charging so you can power up your laptop while you use the hub. Note: Pass-through charging requires a charger (not included). Note: To achieve full power for iPad, we recommend using a 45W wall charger.
- Transfer Files in Seconds: Move files to and from your laptop at speeds of up to 5 Gbps via the USB-C and USB-A data ports. Note: The USB C 5Gbps Data port does not support video output.
- HD Display: Connect to the HDMI port to stream or mirror content to an external monitor in resolutions of up to 4K@30Hz. Note: The USB-C ports do not support video output.
- What You Get: Anker 332 USB-C Hub (5-in-1), welcome guide, our worry-free 18-month warranty, and friendly customer service.
If you may harm yourself or someone else, feel unable to stay safe, or are in immediate danger, stop playing and contact local emergency services or an urgent crisis service. A fictional story cannot provide the assessment and immediate support those situations require.
Questions readers commonly ask
Can a game make grief easier?
It may make particular moments of reflection, memory recall or emotional expression easier for some players. The available studies do not show that commercial games reduce grief symptoms in a predictable or lasting way.
Is playing about death unhealthy?
Not automatically. The useful test is your response and functioning: play that supports reflection or a restorative break is different from play that escalates distress or replaces all other coping and support.
Recommended Free Tools
Should I play alone or with someone?
Choose the format that matches your needs. Solitary play offers privacy and control; sharing a session or discussing it afterward can turn a metaphor into a conversation. Neither format is inherently therapeutic.
What if I feel happy while playing?
Positive emotion can coexist with grief. Enjoyment, humor or curiosity does not invalidate your relationship with the person who died or the significance of the loss.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
