Video games have become more inclusive in recent years as developers aim to free-up gender barriers. In a famous example, Sims 4 expanded its gender customization options and improved upon its create-a-sim mode to be more inclusive allowing sims to dress and look however the player wants, regardless of gender identity.
In a 2016 study, Aloma found that video games that deal with gender identity issues can provide positive psychological benefits in addition to being a great educational tool. Let’s take a look at some indie titles that explore gender identity in an impactful way.
Night in the Woods
Night in the Woods is an adventure game that explores a small town with interesting characters and a heavy focus on story-telling. The protagonist gets to know the townspeople, ventures throughout the world and engages in introspective dialogue.
This charming and melancholy game features same-sex couples, a non-binary god and a pansexual protagonist. The title deals with heavy topics like isolation and depression, so it’s not a light game. However, it’s a very human game (despite the characters being animals) making it a great game to cozy up with.
A Normal Lost Phone
A Normal Lost Phone is a narrative game that focuses on exploring the intimacy of an unknown person through a lost phone. As this immersive game progresses, the player unlocks a compassionate, meandering story through puzzle-solving. It’s a test of building empathy and exploring difficult topics.
Without spoiling anything, this title aims to explore gender identity and expression. It can be a heavy experience, but the story is educational and impactful.
One Night, Hot Springs
A short and cute visual novel, One Night, Hot Springs is a free indie title about a young, transgender woman simply wanting to enjoy a night in the hot springs.
The sweet, warm game is an educational one as it explores Japanese laws in regard to trans rights. It depicts very human emotions in a message that focuses on love and acceptance. While it’s a short one, taking only a half hour or so to complete, its story is impactful enough to make it worthy to grab on Steam.
A journalism graduate from the University of North Texas, Allyson loves writing about games almost as much as she loves playing them.
