Night in the Woods: Healing Existential Anxiety | Screen Therapy

[@Anxmaly666]

I wish the game industry made games like this, this really is something special. Thanks for making this video

[@ScreenTherapy]

Thank you for watching and commenting! Yeah, I really hope that someday the bigger studios/publishers can also start to use their resources and reach to make these kinds of emotionally intelligent games more regularly.

[@raphaelzion1366]

InstaBlaster

[@monstergonads11]

Yeah just a simple and heart felt tale that takes a dive into the soul and the relationships that grow and tear at it. I loved the searching for meaning and reconnecting with friends in this game. Don’t need a game to be too crazy or anything, I just want a genuine story of characters and their troubles and overcoming them together and growing together in the process, it is beautiful. I love games with involved writing and character chemistry, just like watching a movie but you are involved and part of the story itself, in the front seat for the ride. The heart felt goofy writing and unique characters weren’t the only things that made this game special to me, it was the satisfyingly colorful and simplistic paper like art style, the environment and character exploration/interaction, and the fitting soundtrack. They did it all in a natural and sincere way that grabs your emotions and interests. My only gripe was the mystery and supernatural side of the story that seemed underdeveloped and shoe horned in hastily without much thought just for the sake of having some kind of dramatic and life threatening danger implemented into the story. I felt like it could have been executed with more detail and development since it is brought up only in the beginning and in small bits here and there until it is thrown at you out of nowhere suddenly in the end. The real treat to me personally, was the character development and friendship exploration in this game, I don’t think it even needed the dramatic super natural tone and side of the story because the character dynamics are what made this game to me. In the end the game doesn’t take itself too seriously so the dramatic parts don’t end up being too much of a detatchment from the goods but it still could have been executed better in my opinion or just been left out completely. Great game that stuck with me well after playing and will definitely be going back for some more experiences for sure. 👻💜

[@_Yewrei]

In recent times, ive found myself relating to bea and mae simultaneously. This game gave me a much better sense on how to cope and understand how to tackle everyday life. With feelings of mental fatigue similar to bea but also feeling like im just trying to find a path like mae, the game makes me feel a sense of normalcy. Everything from the soundtrack to the lessons taught has helped me feel not so singled out and as stressed.

[@alx12345]

I hear ya, since i was 12 or so my times have been a roller coaster going down, down.... And down yet sometime goes back up a lil bit, i am now 28 and i can now see some slight rays at the ends of this shitty tunnels. Theres looong to say, one thing for exemple, being an outcast did suck and so being literaly being hunted by authorities and cops... Well this ended few years ago at least. This game did not really show me a path, but looking at mae, bea and gregg, was kinda like looking at a mirror... Hard to explain how it feel but i get a smirk out of it.

[@monstergonads11]

It’s a tough world out here and nothing like a video game unfortunately. We all struggle in life with different things, some just hide it better than others. The real key is to not give up and keep fighting for what makes you happy and enriches your life. If at first you fail, it doesn’t mean you will never get it, failures are learning experiences, use them to better yourself because practice and passion makes perfect. Don’t be so hard on yourself because we all have to start somewhere and are in this together.

[@ermmwhattheglorp]

Night in the woods really helped me with my mental health when I was in a dark place and it has a very close place in my heart

[@ScreenTherapy]

Thank you for sharing your experience!

[@maximilienaimant9582]

You have a cute profile picture!

[@BlazeTheFoxo]

​@@maximilienaimant9582witch dagger

[@ObsessionistVideos]

Well said re: the abrupt dark, supernatural ending. I thought it was strange how the supernatural elements never really coalesced into a readable plot that has anything to do with the main four, but I guess that's the point. Big things happen in the background all the time, and we get to choose whether they will define our individual journeys.

[@ScreenTherapy]

I really like this reading- events can hit us out of nowhere but it's our reaction to them that matters. Thank you for adding that insight here!

[@nicolasivan4451]

Your argument about the game being between hedonic and eudemonic is what really struck home with me. I played this game when i was in a similar pass as Mae (wanting to drop out of college, not knowing what to do with my life) and the fact that this game showed me all these themes and stories while being cheerful and relaxing made it all the more impactful. Amazing video! Keep up and you'll be one of the greats of the gaming essayists on the plateform!

[@ScreenTherapy]

Thank you so much for sharing your experience with the game!! I'm really glad I kept that segment in the video, I almost deleted it, but, like you said, it really is a pivotal part of the game's experience so I left it. And thank you for your kind words!! It's very encouraging! 😁

[@quantumblauthor7300]

Watching a playthrough of this gave me a gut-level dread from empathizing with the "world's moving on without you" plot, and really hit close from its parallels with my own college experience. I took that dread and powered through it to get through to the end of the playthrough, and I'm super glad I did because of how well it was handled. Shoutout to CrankGameplays for his amazing dorky self and his self-imposed commitment to the voices he picked in the name of immersion.

[@ScreenTherapy]

Thank you for sharing your experience! It was the same for me, it was challenging to deal with the dread, but the overall experience was definitely worth it. I also liked CrankGamePlays' playthrough :)

[@okeoi]

Like so many other people, NitW is something profoundly important to me. Being able to relate so well to a cartoon cat is something truly special and I am thankful for the people that put this game together.

[@AliceMadnessReturnsHere]

This game just left some sadness in my soul. Also, every time I played it, I only felt sadness that haunted me until the end of the game. The atmosphere in the game is quite melancholic.

[@probablynotalatexshork5495]

as someone with ddd (derealization-depersonalization disorder), mae makes me feel less alone. she's such an amazing character.

[@MrYFM2]

Back in 2017, I had just started college myself. I was either 19 or 20 at the time too. I had no clue this game had come out then until this year (2021) and I cannot believe how this slipped through the cracks for me. I guess it was because I was playing Zelda BOTW and Mario Odyssey at the time. At the end of 2019, I graduated and finished my AA degree program in Business and Entrepreneurship. After that, I was supposed to transfer to a 4-year University to start on my Bachelor's degree. Instead, I didn't. I ended up not going back to school because I knew I couldn't afford University without going into debt. The drive there was also a lengthy one, and I had no job at the time to pay off living in dorms. I'm also a bit of an introvert and the idea of having a roommate gave me lots of anxiety. With all that (and more) in mind, I Instead, ended up finding a hectic job near my old high school where the current students and even my past classmates (that also went to said high school) worked too. I am now at a point in my life where I'm approaching my mid 20's with no desire to go back to school (willing to be trained in something useful though), no clue on what to do with my life, and dealing with a pretty toxic family life too. Like Mae, I don't have a car, nor can drive on my own either. I am agnostic atheist. I can be pretty shy, timid, sporadic, awkward, stoic, and I too suffer with existential anxiety. Though Mae has a healthy family and supportive group of friends that I am lacking myself. With all this said, I have NEVER in a hot second in my life related to a character/ video game to this degree! Though the town I do reside in isn't even close to dying lol It was as if a video game was speaking directly to me with regarding my current life and personal issues it's insane.

[@rutviksbhandge2139]

Night in the Woods is one of my favourite games of all time, was excited when I saw this pop on in my notifications. Keep up the great work!!

[@ScreenTherapy]

Thank you very much!!

[@lucyspencer8679]

Night in the woods is one of my all time favourite games and i’ve watched many review and analysis videos on it and i have to say this one is my favourite!

[@ScreenTherapy]

Thank you very much! 😁

[@CorruptedSave]

Thank you, this was a wonderful video on the game. I think something that stands out to me here is your read of the Mae character, which I found to be extremely compassionate. Most of the videos and discussions I've seen on the game seem to overwhelmingly find Mae to be contemptable. Your recognition of her suffering and struggle for self-improvement is very refreshing, and honestly, I'm tempted to reinstall this and give the game another go to look at it again with the framework of your interpretations. Splendid as always, fantastic job!

[@ScreenTherapy]

Thank you so much! Yes, I personally found Mae kind of tragic and overlooked by many writers so I wanted to point out how we could practice compassion for her since she might represent some of the more embarrassing parts of ourselves.🙂

[@Snowfoxie1]

I’ve always thought the janitor-handyman represents the god Pastor Kay worships. A god who actively helps people, gives sound advice, and encourages others.

[@deabreu.tattoo]

this channel is criminally under-apreciated

[@ScreenTherapy]

Thank you! 🙂

[@ninjataco7777]

Thanks for posting this! You are filling the Hole in the Center of Everything.

[@ScreenTherapy]

🤯 This is an amazing comment, thank you so much!!

[@ninjataco7777]

@@ScreenTherapy Welcome :)

[@jello8178]

I binge watched the game right before school and when I went to school I actually had FUN for once. I TALKED to people and I LAUGHED and wasn’t too scared, or at least didn’t succumb to the constant spiraling thoughts. I was OKAY for once and I’m still HAVING FUN. This is such a new thing for me. I haven’t felt like this since I was in elementary, when I wasn’t always scared of everyone and everything. I let my guard down and accepted I might get hurt BUT I DIDNT GET HURT. I don’t know how to express how AMAZING this is! I’m sure it has a lot to do with watching Mae and her friends and family and even neighbors interact and support each other. There were times where people said stuff that really hurt, but that didn’t let her stop from going out everyday and meeting with her friends. It was just... nice.

[@Yesnomu]

Wow, this channel deserves more attention. You broke down Mae and the themes of the game so thoughtfully, and with so much compassion. Great analysis, and I'm excited to watch more from your channel!

[@ScreenTherapy]

Thank you for watching and commenting, I really appreciate your kind words!!

[@recon441]

I picked up this game on a whim for the Switch, just because it was so darn cute! I had no idea what an amazing experience it would be 😭

[@mcain2911]

This channel has been so helpful for me this year. I have played so many of the games you have featured and this just finished downloading to my Switch. Playing these kinds of games, especially with the chaos all around us, has helped me cope a lot better with all of it.

[@ScreenTherapy]

I'm very happy that anything I've made could be useful to you! That's why I write these videos, hoping they could be helpful. Thank you for sharing and I wish you even more enriching media experiences!

[@vanessaortiz1068]

As a person dealing with DP/DR, playing this game blindly, the theme of the game took me by surprise and made me tear up, it was such a relief to see my view of the world and struggles represented in such a caring and compassionate way

[@DerpyMuffinZzz]

This is the first video I’ve seen of yours and I loved it, and I’m very happy I found your channel and I’m excited to see what else you put out for us

[@ScreenTherapy]

Thank you very much!! Welcome to the channel! 😁

[@Lambda_Ovine]

Something that I like about the game that I don't see many pieces of media do, be it movies or other video games and even novels that explore characters' mental crisis, is that even though Night in the Woods is a story about individuals, it explicitly puts in the spot light the socio-economic conditions that either exacerbate or even are the direct cause of many of the existential threats that characters experience. Jacob Geller said it best, Night in the Woods is also a story about a town and its people. This good, because more often than not, stories like this become so individualist that you feel like, no matter how relatable, the tragedies of the characters are somewhat of isolated cases, and is up to those individuals to fix their situation, and this may limit the scope of what we can do for our future in self-actualization. In equal parts and interwoven with mental health topics, the game showcases systemic issues, like labor exploitation, economic stagnation for the working class, lack of resources such as cellular connection or access to proper healthcare, crumbling public infrastructure, etc. It's like the game is yelling, "See! There's a connection here, and if we are trapped in this together, we won't get anywhere if we don't fix this!" After all, there's so much an individual can do for themselves if the environment they find themselves does not provide any opportunity. These are very complex problems bigger than any single person, so that's why I think the game didn't prescribed any solutions (beyond favorably showing labor organizing like unions) but is important to keep that perspective in mind while we think our future and the future of our communities.

[@QueenYeenOfAberdeen]

This game saved me from myself and helped me confront the awful thoughts I was having around the time I was playing it, and its since become an actual comfort game to me. Mae especially is just too relatable a character and I love her to bits, everytime I see the funny cat I just can’t help but wanna replay this game all over again like it’s my first time. A masterpiece of a story and I make it my goal to at least recommend it to everyone I know.

[@gaydes1012]

the first time I played the game I was in middle school and I didn't really get it back then, but now that I'm in college and grappling with loneliness and an "on again off again" depression I took the time to sit down and replay the game and I'm glad I did, the themes of not living up to other's expectations resonated with me a ton, and the way Mae was grappling with existential dread mad her feel more relatable to me. and as a gay guy in a small community I relate a lot with Gregg, I've felt trapped in this place many times and have longed for a better life in another city, I know what it's like to feel like the only queer person in your area, fuck I even doubt weather I'm a good person or not just like Gregg does. I had no idea how much I needed to replay this game, I'm thinking about getting "I want to hope again, and I want it to hurt" or "pretty amazing to be something at least" as a tattoo at some point in the near future.

[@sebp9882]

I’m not gonna say this game saved my life because that’s ridiculously melodramatic. But because Mae is such a relatable character it made me and I imagine so many other people in my generation feel heard, which is something only a few pieces of media could achieve. If most of your life is just screaming into a void, then NiTW provides a brief respite from that.

[@Travisious]

Thank you so much for this wonderful video! I feel like Mae is so relatable, she's such a great representation of her environment, as well as her mental health. Can't wait to see what else comes from this channel!

[@guillermo519]

Spot on the main message of the importance of not just asking for a meaning, but finally being able to create our own meaning through small things. Your analysis is hands down the best i've seencon KZbin!

[@sad_doggo2504]

I have to rewatch a playthrough of this game every now and again. I suffer from intense episodes of derealization so I can really relate to what Mae is going through. Everything suddenly becomes unfamiliar and frightening, it's horrible. This game helps you process things and it's just generally calming, and I think for a lot of people seeing YTers react to it and sympathize is also therapeutic in its own way (adding to that sense of like, yeah, I'm not alone, other people DO get this).

[@ScreenTherapy]

Thank you for sharing your insight!! I also struggle with moderate derealization every so often, so this meant a lot to me as well. You're very right about the benefits of watching YTers play games - it's a form of social sharing which, like you pointed out, helps us feel better connected and relatable to others. I also like watching multiple different playthroughs of certain games for those effects.

[@PlaceHolder994]

I just bought the game this week and I've already finished it twice. I'll try to keep this spoiler-free, but I make no promises so... That's the warning. Some context first. Like many other people, I am in a similar situation to Mae. I just turned 22 this week on June 26 and I have dropped out of college twice, I'm currently on my third attempt at obtaining a degree. The topics that I think I connected with were the feeling of getting left behind or failing at milestones others have surpassed or want the chance to even try and tackle, the regret of things I did or didn't do, existential dread, and opening up while trying to heal. I've felt stuck in the same place for like three years, my former classmates from the last two schools are about to graduate, my older brother already has finished school and has a job, and meanwhile, I'm in the second semester of college again. I don't think my future is gonna be bright, sometimes I feel like this isn't worth it or if it's even gonna work in the end because of what has happened/is happening; thinking of how things could have been, etc. All this while thinking that opening up isn't worth it anymore. Now, has this game helped me? I think it has. The ending helped me reinforce the idea I had of living one day at a time and enjoying what I can while taking it easy with myself or at least trying to. It has renewed my interest in learning to draw. And most important, it has made me think of opening up again to my parents and letting them know what I've been thinking, or just straight up seeking professional help. Sorry if this was too long but I needed to say it. I love this game for the way it made me feel while playing it. One of my favorites on a different level.

[@tartipouss]

This game talk about so many subjects in such meaningful ways With Mae it talks about social anxiety, mental illness and existential crisis With Angus it talks about abuse With Bea it’s about stress, overwork not as a choice but as an obligation Gregg is about responsibility and maturity And a lot of other stuff like grief, poverty, kids just trying to find themselves, religion and faith (big part of the game imo). Overall the entire town and it’s citizens, including main character (mainly Bea) is spreading a message about a small working town slowly dying out, making living here hard, and being happy even harder. Simply because the world moved without it and it was left to die because that’s just how our society is. There’s not a lot that can be done, but there’s still glimpses of hope here and there (Mae opening up and feeling way better and accepted, Mae’s dad saying his co-worker and him are working towards an union. (All at the end of the game)) I just love Night in the Woods

[@ThreeLime]

I was going through a rough time in high school and playing this game actually helped me get into a better mind set and convinced me to strengthen social ties with old friends. Always remember things will always get better.

[@ScreenTherapy]

Thank you for sharing your experience with this game!!

[@pseudo3100]

Night in the Woods helped me to realize that the way I perceive the world, similarly to Mae, was not normal and how it's supposed to be.

[@pantherbeastly3934]

I really enjoy your perspective on the game! I liked Mae's character, because she felt like a realistic portrayal of someone revaluating their life and desires, while trying to steady themselves mentally and emotionally. I also feel like it exemplifies how everyone has their own way of approaching life, and that the common belief of their only being a single correct path is not only false, but destructive. This is the main reason why I take issue with how some people dislike Mae's character to the point of wishing death on her. This is something I saw a lot during that one voice acted stream over on jello's channel. While the character definitely deserves to be criticized, as she can be insensitive and unaware of other's situations, I also feel like people go way too far when they accuse her of being an outright bad person, or a parasite that seeks to make other people's lives more difficult. She makes a lot of mistakes, but none of them are made out of malice. Even in moments when she is selfish, like when she became impatient with Bae at the graveyard, she immediately recognized it and chided herself. She's someone going through the motions and dealing with a lot of emotional turmoil. That shouldn't be invalidated, even when she deserves to be called out for certain behaviors. And I'm not saying that you aren't allowed to dislike her! Just that there's more to her character than her flaws, and that we should learn to look past our own biases and see the humanity in a flawed person, as that is what the game has taught me.

[@namelessnavnls8060]

NitW really really deserves more recognition. I love it so much ;o;

[@ScreenTherapy]

Agreed!!

[@silly_fellow525]

This game makes me so emotional, just thinking of it makes me cry a mix of sadness because its over and happiness becasuse i was lucky enough to know this exist

[@Matthew-ue5fk]

A very well constructed analysis. I haven't personally played 'Night in the Woods', but I can appreciate its uniqueness and emotional depth. Thankyou for continuing to produce videos like these.

[@ScreenTherapy]

Thank you for watching and for your kind comment!!

[@BrokenHorn620]

I think this game really kinda saved my ass recently. I’ve been dealing with many of the struggles shown in Nitw. Many of which I hadn’t really realized before. But most of all it kinda broke me free from my cat god and black goat in a way. I’m still processing, and your video has been great for me right now, so thank you for making it! This game really is a masterpiece.

[@cloudshelf9052]

Now this is what I call a good video, you really did a good job on summarizing the events In the game and what it means. It even helped me understand some things about it that I’m surprised I haven’t figured out by now.

[@anonymousanon3055]

thanks for making and sharing this vid, and for your compassionate view on Mae,

[@ScreenTherapy]

And thank you for watching and commenting! 🙂

[@luisfernandopasquinelli2787]

Just finished it, and was looking for a video talking about it. Glad I found this one.

[@ScreenTherapy]

Great! Glad you found the video, too!

[@gianz73]

KZbin Is watching me and suggested two of your videos: The Longing and A Night in the Woods. Exactly what I'm going through! You got a new subscriber!

[@berniekatzroy]

Wish this video had more views, this is a really well done analysis.

[@christosmatkaris8697]

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE Come back with a video about Outer Wilds!! We miss your essay full of amazingly amazing amazigness. You are greatly brilliant!

[@splendidbananaxx8536]

This video is beautiful. I'm dense to a lot of implicit meanings in games but this video explains Mae's character and the game beautifully, I really enjoyed watching!!

[@TerranPersoid725]

Am I EVER subscribing. I have no idea where this channel came from but it is criminally underrated.

[@ScreenTherapy]

Thank you very much!!

[@caseyrau]

Last night, the KZbin algorithm recommended this video because I’ve watched so many NITW essays, and since then I’ve binged nearly all of your videos; truly fantastic work, Courtney! It’s great to learn how to more consciously think about what I get from my favorite games, rather than relying on gut-instinct feelings. I’d love to see you talk about any of the Telltale-style choose-your-own-adventure-type games, like The Walking Dead, Fables, or even Life is Strange. Keep up the great work! ☺️

[@ScreenTherapy]

Thank you much for watching and commenting, Casey! I'm really grateful for your time watching my videos and for your suggestions! I'll definitely add them to my list! 😁

[@iggystarman8009]

I still greatly struggle with existential dread and some days are far, far harder than others. Finding purpose or meaning with the people we think we love in spite of all the flaws in an uncaring world and universe, no god to soothe pains or worries and anxieties, it's a very hard struggle. Even if I were to focus everything into the now, knowing one day it will all be gone, and I will not have anything to remember, or anything to experience, like a dreamless sleep - it even makes sleeping sometimes difficult, knowing it's just practice for the real thing if I don't have dreams. Hell, even the lack of answers in science in regards to knowing the exact moment of the big bang, or before hand - or what universal entropy would look like on a viewable time scale, it leaves so many 'what ifs' open that it's hard not to get wrapped up in possible fantasies trying to grasp at ideas of peace after death. I find it extremely rad and insanely amazing we were literally born from an explosion of star-stuff that cooled down over billions of years. That's us, we were alllllllllll lumped together at some point, shoulder to shoulder as nothing but pure energy and quantum matter, and BANG!~ Everywhere - was everything, stuff eating stuff, stuff not being stuff. Nothing being something, all because 0 decided it was too boring so it twisted itself and became infinite. I get we come from an incredibly long and complicated process of singular cell division, osmosis and other biology - I've watched Bill Wurst's history of the entire world. But even then, take religion. Take the idea there is something, some kind of life review after death. How horrifying, to learn your feelings of 'someone else' being in control and watching you at all times, that the extra pair of eyes in the center of your brain that lets your meat eyes really work - that it was someone else. Something, else. Or that thing was really you all along, watching a movie, jumping from person to person, forgetting each jump. The idea of waking up from nothing, and going back to sleep to nothing, of course I wonder if I will ever wake up again after death. Like I woke up and was born once, could it happen again? Am I really entangled just to my head and every grand-idea or aspect of feeling connected to something deeper than myself is just some hopeful fallacy? Existential dread is maddening. Each day brings new questions, and without that final, resolute answer - doom and dread are the only feelings that reside in the heart of a curious, sick, sad man.

[@SerenaWisdom]

Fantastic video! This puts words on why I felt like Night in the woods and Spiritfarer gave me similar vibes after having played them, I'd say they're both doing a good balance between Hedonic and Eudaimonic.

[@ThoughtBubbleYT]

I've never played Night in the Woods before but this video was really really interesting. I might have to pick it up! I'm currently working on my Master's in Clinical Mental Health Counseling so it's really cool seeing this kind of content! :)

[@ScreenTherapy]

That's awesome! Wish you the best with your studies! Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@franciscodelgado717]

What a nice game and what a nice analysis. Playing this game made me realize that I needed help and some time off. Mae became one of my favorites characters ever and this game will forever be in my heart.

[@gwenfromfinance1450]

This video deserves more attention

[@ScreenTherapy]

Thank you!

[@mateusabreu7309]

You are amazing! I loved your analisys! At first I didnt give much worth about the game, since I don't usually play games like that, but soon I realized how awesome it is, exactly because of the thoughts it brings and the relatability with the characters and this eudaimonic feeling. I miss games that make you bethink about those real life personal problems. The struggle she is having is quite similar to what I've been feeling in some ways. And despite the game being short, it feels soooo exhausting to play, because you dive deep in its immersion and you want to explore all dialogs and possible reactions of the characters and see how it could changes Mae's life and even our life haha. Again, thank you for this video! Already subscribed and following on social medias! Wonderful work!

[@ScreenTherapy]

Thank you very much!! Welcome to the channel!

[@vrtlhvn]

I haven't played this game in a few years, but when i did it was an amazing title and i absolutely enjoyed / adored every minute. Not only does it make me wanna replay jt again and again but i learned alot about each charavter, scenario, and event within the game that also gave me a relatable view of a gorgeous and detailed world within the game.

[@Arkydos]

Wow, this video was in my recommendationslist and I couldn't be happier. Really well done. I wish your channel would have 100 times (or more) subscribers, you would deserve that :D

[@ScreenTherapy]

Thank you very, very much! Welcome to the channel! :)

[@rampantmutt9119]

"creating one's own meaning" does not sound like meaning at all, but the absence of it.

[@Alansaurus]

I have a disassociative disorder, and Mae is the first character ive ever related to. This game really helped me understand myself and just helped me in general! Genuinely my favorite game ever, and I can not put into words how much it means to me (for more context I derealize and depersonalize and I had never seen any representation of what I went through until I played this game)

[@AiQ_00]

So glad I found your channel, great video! :)

[@ScreenTherapy]

Welcome to the channel, glad you found it, too! Thank you! 🙂

[@Cataphract1236]

My favorite game hands down. You could not have described it better’

[@essaeldridgeYoBro]

I got this because I found out Jackie, like me is trans and thought it would be a game I finished in a few hours then moved on to something else. Then I realised there’s so much else I have in common with it like not being able to explain my ‘failures’ to some selfish family members who never seem to listen to anyone. Things can be a struggle but seeing people like Mae and Bea who are in similar situations and trying to get by best as possible. This game means everything to me.

[@blairethemartian7165]

I wish you could have as much love as much work goes into these videos. I got into NITW when it first came out, which feels just recent, but it was years ago. I only vaguely remembered the game, having a general idea of what happens, but my god as someone whose about to be 18 next year, it really hits home to where I'm at. I'm so scared of being an adult. This game means so much to me and it hurts that it's over, but I guess I just gotta keep living. Stay trashy, mammals 🦑🦑🦑

[@ScreenTherapy]

Thank you for watching and sharing!! I can relate to your feelings about turning 18 - as a 28-year-old I'd like to offer some (unsolicited) encouragement that there's no right or wrong way to grow into adulthood, it just take lots of time and mistakes, but its all part of the experience. :) I think this game can mean different things to us at different times in our lives - I'm planning on replaying it in a couple years to see how I relate to the characters and their struggles then, because I'm sure there are more benefits to be had from mindful replays. I wish you the best on your journey!

[@toastpoppin]

Theres so many things to think about on this one. But what i mostly think about is that theres so many questions left unanswered but maybe thats the point lol. Since in life we probably won't find out what will happen or why does it happen. Only that in the end there will be nothing. But that's ok. Kind of poetic really.

[@ScreenTherapy]

I agree! In the end, just like in real life, we have to make our own meaning out of the challenges we faced or where we go from here.

[@hckr_]

RIP Alec and thanks for this masterpiece

[@jamiebiagi5977]

This was an amazing analysis and I appreciate how you interpreted the ending and how it may not have been meant for you. Personally this game came during a dark time in my life living in a dying Bible Belt town like Possum Springs that so many described as a sand pit they couldn't escape, and I believe this game genuinely saved my life and gave me the courage to leave and forge ahead no matter how fearful I am of the future and my ability to adapt to adulthood.

[@ScreenTherapy]

Thank you so very much for sharing your experience with this game and how it affected you!! I'm happy you found this game when you did and that it helped you - wishing the best for you on your journey!

[@maximilienaimant9582]

The author of this video seems for me as a close person to me... I really love them 💜

[@yunglen2000]

such a wonderful analysis of a great game!! it made me so emotional hearing you talk about how meaningful mae's story is. i wish i could experience playing it for the first time again

[@gmagnum9011]

おお…神神ゲーですよね…私が20歳になって社会人になりたての頃、あの漠然としたやり場のない不安はキャラクターたちの何気ない会話に励まされていたり、不安と恐怖に立ち向かう姿は今でも私に勇気を与えてくれます。(ちなみにこのゲーム好きすぎて50回は泣いた)

[@christianmullen9342]

I'm not crying, you're crying!! Aaaaghhh this game is so beautiful

[@artemisarrow179]

Night In The Woods changed my life not even exaggerating

[@StevesMakerspace]

Another great video. Thank you!

[@ScreenTherapy]

Thank you!!🙂

[@Sanguimaru]

I think the ultimate matter of the ending is that the supernatural elements are ambiguous. The cultists may be entirely wrong that Black Goat exists, and are just obsessing over its related themes of entropy. Mae has strange dreams, but they may truly be merely dreams. The pieces are there for your interpretation, and considering what they mean either way is interesting.

[@PoeTeraToe]

recently played this game and it hit much different. im in a very close situation to mae, and struggle with existentialism. thank you for this video!

[@TheGullibleBrit]

hey, this was a really nice video to just sit down and listen to. Good Job!

[@jeremalice]

Night in the woods is a masterpiece that is painfully relatable, but it is because it is that relatable that we can learn from her This game felt personal and is incredibly inspiring, I've been feeling like an alien for years but this game made me feel like i wasnt alone in this struggle Sadly we will never have the sequel that we were supposed to get, but no matter what, the time in possum spring is something that will be hard to forget

[@jabbablade1884]

I just found your channel and I love it. Maybe you could make a video on Dark Souls in association with depression. Also I wasn't sure if I wanna play Night in the Woods, but now I am pretty sure I want to give it a try.

[@DivineFeminine99]

This was extremely therapeutic to watch and your voice and diction very soothing. Thank you. Great work on this channel , even though you don't post as much ! Have you ever taken the Meyers-Briggs personality test ? What are you , I wonder ?

[@justnickplease5756]

I got this game for free at the epic games store at the holidays So,yeah it is a good game, I like the music also quite a bit So,yeah a sequel would be great also. By the way if I was a mental doctor I would recommend this game to my patients maybe. I don't know really, good night.

[@ScreenTherapy]

Thank you for sharing your thoughts 🙂

[@limonlx7182]

I wish there was a sequel, but..

[@AROBOT]

Yep. All your videos are perfect.

[@ScreenTherapy]

Thank you!! I really appreciate your kind and encouraging words!!

[@papercorgi]

this was a beautiful analysis on night in the woods, thank you for making this

[@ScreenTherapy]

Thank you!!!

[@fanglyn]

it was definately something i needed to play. closest i played to a health game at the time when i was fighting existential dread and inner monsters was dead space 2... --i was not really the same after that

[@khajiity]

night in the woods......aghh , its so charming. almost every character has a unique personality (well, other than the little npcs walking aroun)

[@psychicgh05t]

bro...now im like a billion times more upset that this game isnt as well known as fnaf... and im also even more upset because first time i was playing night in the woods,i wasnt paying attention to the dialogue and lore at all so im pretty much a dummy man i need to replay it aaaaaaaaaaand im totally subscribing to this channel!who doesnt love getting a therapy while enjoying a video game?

[@-Mopo]

Great video, thank you for this

[@guardianeris]

I remember when this game came out and people started playing, it was a couple of years after I had a mental breakdown in college and had to drop out, and was stuck at home in an increasingly toxic environment as both my parents who refuse to take care of their mental health just spiraled while I took care of my baby sister. I related too personally to Mae, not only because of the college dropout and outcast experience, feeling detached from my own age group, losing my only friends (they were online friends and they were the worst, I didn't realize they were super toxic and gross until it was too late and I was caught in the crossfire of months long online drama) and feeling like I was being left behind by everyone while I was stuck in every single sense, but also because sure I don't have derealization symptoms but depersonalization is an issue I've had for a long, long while (due to gender dysphoria that I never addressed and tried so hard to repress also because anything LGBT+ related is a minefield with my parents), and I was struggling so hard to find meaning in life in general, as well as I struggled so bad with religion because I couldn't accept that if there was a god they'd be so oblivious to their own subjects' suffering while claiming to love them unconditionally, as well as I find it hard to believe in miracles and godly will and whatever else because I am a highly skeptical person by nature. It was a really dark time for me, and seeing a protagonist who was so similar finding at least some semblance of peace with herself despite all her struggles, finding some hope to cling to despite all the adversities, finding some sense in such a nonsensical existence, just deeply impacted me and made me want that for me as well. Sure, half a decade later I still haven't found my resolution to all of my problems, nor can I find myself to go to therapy because I am a very, VERY closed-off, socially anxious and highly sensitive person who can barely find courage to seek out the emergency services for physical ailments, but I am back in college and pushing steadily onwards despite all of my struggles, I have stepped away from my parents' mess to some degree, I've found peace in figuring that probably there is no god and all we have is ourselves, I've put myself more out there in hopes of finding people to connect and befriend so I don't feel so socially isolated, I've started pursuing personal passion projects to at least keep me motivated, and more recently I've started addressing the root problems of my depersonalization issues, trying to figure myself out internally and externally. I owe so much to this game and Life Is Strange for giving me at least some guidance of what to do and how to cope to some degree.

[@ScreenTherapy]

Thank you very much for sharing your experience! Wishing you the best on your future journey!

[@zarax6826]

I had no idea people could just... stop seeing things normally. The same way mae does. It scares me that people can just... break like that

[@krisvsthew0rld]

Fantastic video. Thank you

[@ScreenTherapy]

Thank you!

[@alguienanormal3040]

I love this, thank you

[@maxmad7641]

Amazing video, much appreciated as this game has so much to talk about in the modern day 🐦 ❤️

[@ScreenTherapy]

Thank you for watching and commenting!

[@autumn_redmoon]

Спасибо тебе за это видео🌌💗💕

[@clanso7887]

The only other game that ever helped me this much was Adventures with Anxiety

[@kielbasathief9576]

Being a college drop out isn't a bad thing.

[@ScreenTherapy]

You're 100% right. Mae had to deal with the judgment of those who thought it was bad and many players judged Mae for it, but it was just a part of her journey for self-betterment.

[@viniciusairton5731]

Thanks for this video

[@ScreenTherapy]

Thank you for watching!

[@moniquevandijkadema4053]

15:14 im really curious what your world view is now and what conclusions you have come to on your journy. :) it was a really good video

[@ADRIANSKA97]

Great video!!!

[@ScreenTherapy]

Thank you!!

[@thechubchubsarchives9355]

This video was extremely well written compared to other discussions on nitw. I’m considering making videos like these, can I ask how you structure your scripts (something I personally struggle with) because this is a huge video with lots of different points, how do you begin to write something like this?

[@ScreenTherapy]

Thank you!! For my writing, I first start with an outline. I sit with my thoughts about the game and I make a bullet point list of the major insights the game offered - what made it unique or helpful for me. I usually get about 4 points that become my body paragraphs. I then do research, I collect my sources that deepen my understanding of those points. Then I just allow myself to write freely on all the points separately, until I feel I've got everything out. I then delete a lot of it to try and keep it concise and reorganize the paragraphs so they flow better. It's a long process and I'm still growing as a writer, too. I wish you the best on your writing journeys!

[@thechubchubsarchives9355]

@@ScreenTherapy thank you!

[@GhostedJackal]

I have been avoiding this game because it kind of terrifies me.

[@nickk3077]

I know you just called the dialog in Animal Crossing robotic, but if you played the GameCube or DS and sometimes the Wii and 3DS game, the dialogue can actually feel fairly real at times. It was especially impressive for the GameCube game considering that came out on N64 earlier... at least to me it was...

[@ScreenTherapy]

Totally agree. It's only a recent trend that animal crossing dialogue has become less varied

[@mushroomgodalt9643]

This game saved me

[@scribblecloud]

hey whats the ost used around 16:20?

[@petrichorrrr]

idk if u still need it but im pretty sure it's mallard's tomb ^^

[@joringedamke5597]

Thing is, the supernatural is real, both the good and the bad.