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Not all games focus on action or competition. Increasingly, creators are using interactive entertainment to tell stories about mental health and difficult life experiences. One such title is Blueberry, the new release from MELLOW Games. The game follows a woman trying to understand her past and confront traumatic memories from childhood. The game's creator drew on personal experience and consulted with psychologists to faithfully portray the workings of human memory and emotions. The result is a game that prioritizes emotional storytelling and reflection.
Blueberry shows childhood from the perspective of someone struggling with trauma
The story begins when the protagonist, now an older woman, tries to understand why her relationship with her son has worsened. Her memories transport her to a childhood presented as a fairy-tale world full of talking toys and platforming levels. It soon becomes clear, however, that behind the colorful veneer lie family problems and the difficult experiences of growing up in a dysfunctional home. One of the most important gameplay elements is an emotion meter called the "Blues Bar." The more emotionally overwhelmed the protagonist becomes, the more the surrounding world loses color and turns blue. The player must make decisions that affect both Blueberry's mental state and that of her parents. Some situations force a choice between her own well-being and trying to help loved ones. Memories also play an important role, changing as the protagonist grows up. Revisiting past events reveals new story elements and gradually pieces together a picture of the past.
Creators worked with psychologists to faithfully depict how memory works
The game's producer emphasizes that during the making of Blueberry they collaborated with three psychologists who specialize in video game consultation. The experts helped refine the portrayal of depression, trauma, addiction, and the mechanisms of memory. The developers note that memories are not fixed and each time we return to them they can be altered. Especially traumatic events often trigger bodily reactions similar to reliving the situation. For this reason, when the protagonist revisits her most difficult memories she again takes the form of a child or a teenager, regardless of the age she currently is in the story. This mechanic is meant to help players better understand how traumatic memories function. The creators also hope the game will help people struggling with similar issues feel less alone and make it easier for other players to understand the effects of depression and difficult childhood experiences. Depending on choices made during gameplay, the story can end with reconciliation with the past or leave the protagonist with unresolved problems. Blueberry also shows that thanks to the brain's adaptability, the process of healing and change is possible even after many years.
Blueberry is an unconventional game that uses an interactive format to tell a story about trauma, depression, and the healing process. In collaboration with psychologists, the developers sought to accurately portray the workings of memory and the impact of difficult experiences on adult life. The title is aimed primarily at players looking for an emotional, contemplative narrative rather than a traditional action game.
source: Xbox
