IF YOU’VE EVER had chemotherapy, you have my undying respect. Both physically and mentally, it’s a roller coaster that I wish I wasn’t tall enough to ride. I spent a lot of time cycling between the bed and the couch, struggling to eat or sleep. Distraction from the pain and nausea was often the best strategy, and the whole experience has given me a new appreciation for PC games as a form of escapism.
I moved my PC into the living room and set up a PS4 controller link so I could play from the relative comfort of the couch. I tried to delve into some narrative-focused indie games, but found they couldn’t hold my attention. It made sense; I struggled to watch TV or movies, always thinking instead about the sickness in my stomach or when my next treatment session would be.
So I tried a different approach: hardcore games. Risk of Rain 2 was my first entry, a punishing roguelike with super-fast combat. I was hooked; this was a game that demanded my full attention. On the later stages, stopping for even a moment meant certain death.