Can a video game improve your relationship life?

Love Letters

What about “The Last of Us,” “It Takes Two,” “Final Fantasy,” or … “Pac-Man”?

When I think about my parents’ divorce, sometimes I hear a song.

The “Super Mario Bros.” theme song.

Why? It’s the game I played during those complicated years. Anytime I needed to self-soothe, I got out the controllers and earned myself some coins and mushrooms. I saved a princess. It was a nice distraction.

But I’m not sure it helped me — or changed me. It simply gave Younger Me something escapist to do.

These days, video games offer more. They can present moral questions and help a fully grown person consider the ramifications of a pandemic, the trajectory of a love story, or the trials of caregiving.

That’s what I’ve learned, at least.

In today’s episode of the Love Letters podcast, we explore how games can change us and help make our relationships better.

Through the story of Anthony Ureña, Assistant Professor of Sociology at Rutgers University-Newark, we’ll learn how games have evolved, how people can bond over them, and how, for some, an intense graphic narrative can help make sense of the real world.

You’ll hear about “It Takes Two,” a game about divorce; “Final Fantasy,” a game with tragic tales of love; “Pokémon GO!,” and why it brings pleasure; and even “Pac-Man,” a game that bonds generations.

Join the episode for a deep dive into a world I’d never really understood until now.

Also, if you have a favorite game — or if there’a a favorite video game in your family that helps everyone learn and thrive — please share. You can also just say you loved Duck Hunt. Then I’ll know how old you are.

We’ll get into it more next week, but my pick for games right now would be Dream Daddy. It’s a relationship sims game where daddies meet each other and navigate the world of single-parent dating.

Turns out, I am good at being a daddy.

Find the new episode of the Love Letters podcast here. Perfect for a commute or folding laundry.

Love Letters is a podcast, advice column, and newsletter. Send your anonymous relationship and dating questions to [email protected] or fill out this form. Meredith Goldstein can be reached at [email protected].