The creators of Edge were forced to come up with something different for the newest issue of the long-running game magazine. Confined to their homes and forced to cancel a traditional print distribution for “E345” due to the coronavirus pandemic, the writers and editors sat down and channeled their feelings of frustration into “Feel Better,” a list of games that might just add some color to these dark times.
I’ll let the magazine’s Editor, Nathan Brown, explain:
The games we celebrate this issue share one defining characteristic. They make you feel better. Most are non-violent, or at least nonconfrontational – games for the monkey rather than the lizard brain, that are about helping others, not hindering them. Some combat the anxieties we all feel about the rapidly changing world around us; others offer an escape to a simpler, happier place. Most are suitable for the whole family. Above all they are games that will make you feel better when you stand up than you did when you sat down. We hope that reading about them helps in some way. It has certainly helped us to write about them.
Animal Crossing: New Horizons is there, of course, as are Stardew Valley and Minecraft. But “Feel Better” goes beyond those three to feature a total of 52 games, and each one is a gem.
There’s the bright colors and boundless energy of found in games like Jet Set Radio, Katamari Damacy, and Splatoon 2. Or you can unleash your inner musician with DJ Hero and Donkey Kong: Jungle Beat. Readers are even encouraged to get on their feet with recommendations for Ring Fit Adventure and Wii Sports Resort.
“Feel Better” is Brown’s final issue at the helm of Edge, and he should absolutely be proud of his work. The entire list can be found after the break.
Edge (E345): Feel Better
- A Short Hike
- Animal Crossing: New Horizons
- Celeste
- Chibi-Robo!
- Chuchel
- Dandy Dungeon
- De Blob
- DJ Hero
- Donkey Kong: Jungle Beat
- Dragon Quest Builders 2
- Dreams
- EarthBound
- Electroplankton
- Everything
- Forza Horizon 3
- Gitaroo Man
- Gnog
- Gorogoa
- Gris
- Jackbox Party Pack
- Jazzpunk
- Jet Set Radio
- Katamari Damacy
- Kind Words
- Knights & Bikes
- The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker
- Lonely Mountains: Downhill
- Minecraft
- Mutazione
- Osu! Tatakae! Ouendan
- Outer Wilds
- OutRun 2
- Pikmin 3
- Professor Layton & The Lost Future
- Rez Infinite
- Rhythm Paradise Megamix
- Ring Fit Adventure
- Sayonara Wild Hearts
- Sea of Thieves
- Sky: Children of The Light
- Splatoon 2
- Star Trek: Bridge Crew
- Stardew Valley
- Super Mario 3D World
- Super Mario Maker 2
- Tearaway
- Tetris Effect
- Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3
- Undertale
- Wii Sports Resort
- The Witness
- Yakuza 0
UPDATE (5/17/20): In the days since the issue’s publication, Edge has uploaded several pages from “Feel Better” for all to see, including Lonely Mountains: Downhill, Jazzpunk, Forza Horizon 3, Chuchel, Gnog, The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker, Rez Infinite, Undertale, Sea of Thieves, The Witness, A Short Hike, Osu! Tatakae! Ouendan, Ring Fit Adventure, DJ Hero, Everything, Splatoon 2, and Kind Words.