Why “Night In The Woods” Was Made To Be Played During Quarantine

Most people who start to play “Night in the Woods” without prior knowledge of the game are shocked when a story about cults, death, and mental health revolves around main characters that are cats, bears, and dogs. Yet that is what makes “Night in the Woods,” published by Finji, so great.

As players go through the game, they follow a black cat named Mae Borowski who abruptly leaves college following a break in her mental health. Upon returning home, Mae reconnects with her friends as they uncover a decades-long mystery in their town. During this time, players get to explore a colorful and anthropomorphic community of woodland creatures, while also discovering the different conspiracies in their town of Possum Springs. This mix of adventure and idyllic small-town life creates a peaceful yet engaging experience for gamers. Despite the game being made in 2017, “Night in the Woods” crafts a world perfect for players to escape into during a pandemic. 

A Story On How To Cope

Anyone who has played “Night in the Woods” before knows that Mae has some serious issues. Mae has had problems with her mental health since she was a kitten. Six years prior to the game, Mae became so dissociated from real life during a softball game that she was led into bludgeoning a teammate with a bat. Mae continued to experience episodes of dissociation until they ultimately caused her to drop out of college. Over time everything around her became meaningless shapes and she hoped that returning home would bring her back some normalcy.

As people living through a global pandemic, we too have a tendency to dissociate at times and struggle to make meaning out of our now monotonous lives. Like Mae, we struggle with our new perception of the world around us and fear what’s to come. However, by playing “Night in the Woods,” we are given a guide in how to cope and handle these emotions. One such coping mechanism that “Night in the Woods” provides is writing down your emotions.

Throughout the game, Mae writes down what she sees and feels. This is something that players can easily take into real life. The notebook provides an outlet for Mae to make sense of what’s around her, giving meaning to what could soon just be shapes. We can copy Mae by incorporating journaling into our own lives to keep track of our emotions. More importantly, though, following Mae on her journey as she grapples with her mental health provides players with the sense that they are not alone in their own struggles. They have Mae right there with them as they fight to get better together.

A Menagerie Of Friends

When Mae returns home from college she immediately seeks out her friends. This includes Bea, a crocodile, Greg, a fox, and Angus, a bear. Her friends welcomed her back into their group, although Mae must adjust to them having become adults since she left. Until Mae’s sole mission becomes solving whatever mystery her town is hiding, she spends the first part of the “Night in the Woods” simply hanging out. Players come along with Mae as she goes to the mall with Bea, visits Angus at his video store, and roams around in the woods with Greg. Through Mae, gamers are able to experience what it is like to socialize again.

For the past few months, we have all been restricted to staying inside and away from our friends. Playing “Night in the Woods” can help make up for that. Mae’s time with her friends can temporarily act as a stand-in for what we would like to do ourselves. The dialogue in this game is so well written, you feel as if you are a part of the gang. So, for a short while, when playing this game you get to experience what it is like to be a part of a group and do something as simple as sit in a diner with your best friends.

A Colorful Change Of Pace

“Night in the Woods” has two distinct color palettes, the first one being seen when Mae is awake. When Mae is awake there are a lot of cool tones, such as dark blue, orange, and green. These colors mimic a crisp fall with dynamic shading that overall creates very soothing scenery.

These colors are a huge change from what players are most likely experiencing right now in quarantine: dull, neutral colors. “Night in the Woods,” on the other hand, provides a bright and colorful new world for players to escape into.

The second palette appears whenever Mae is dreaming. As Mae gets closer to understanding what her town is hiding she gets unusual dreams that take place in a very vivid landscape. While cool tones of dark blue and purple remain, there is now neon blue and pink as well. The first color palette provides players with a landscape that is idyllic and creates a picture-perfect town to escape into. Meanwhile, the second neon palette creates a whole new reprieve for players, one that is fantastical and could not be further from reality. Together these two palettes create a new world that is perfect for players stuck in quarantine.

The Soundtrack Of Life

Streets around the world have gone silent as people stay inside their homes and refrain from venturing outside. In “Night in the Woods,” however, people continue to make noise as the soundtrack of normal life plays. Every song on the “Night in the Woods” soundtrack is underscored with sounds of nature and people moving around. When Mae walks around in her hometown, sounds of birds chirping, people driving, and neighbors going about their day can be heard.

This is quite the opposite of a quarantined gamer’s daily background noise. Through the use of calming music, mixed with sounds of real life, “Night in the Woods” creates the kind of soundtrack that, if a player closed their eyes, they could feel as if they are out in the world again.

Relaxation Or Exploration?

“Night in the Woods” works to create a balance of relaxation and engagement for players with its gameplay. For large portions of the game players simply follow Mae as she goes through the storyline. They are only required to make small decisions such as what Mae will say to each person she meets and who she hangs out with each day. As a result, players are given the option to simply relax and experience Possum Springs. On the other hand, players are also offered the chance to fully engage in the story.

In Mae’s town, there is much to explore. By jumping around the town, climbing up power lines, and going to church, gamers can discover hidden storylines. In order to find these storylines players need to interact with the community. For instance, to complete the storyline in which Mae learns about constellations, she must visit Mr. Chazokov on his roof each day and look for stars with him.

This engagement gets players involved and entertained, while also giving them the knowledge that they are welcome to sit back and relax while Mae solves the mystery. The balance the game curates gives players who may be stressed due to the pandemic the chance to calm down, while also giving those who are a bit restless the opportunity to have an adventure.

Come To Possum Springs

Overall, “Night in the Woods” feels as if it was made to be played during quarantine. Through its colors and soundtrack, a peaceful town is created to give players a welcome reprieve from their familiar surroundings. Meanwhile, its gameplay and narrative elements distract players from the world around them while also providing comfort to those who need it. If Possum Springs were a real place I think we’d all be trying our best to quarantine there instead.