A shared passion for all things Disney has connected me, my mom, and my mental health for as long as I can remember. When I was a kid, I owned every Disney princess ball gown, knew every song, and wore a tiara on the weekends. My mother worked her magic to please people at her part-time job at the Disney Store, and was happy to receive a check signed by the Mouse himself.
Whenever I was feeling anxious or feeling like everything was hopeless, my mom would show me a DVD and we would sit down and watch The Little Mermaid or Beauty and the Beast to lift my spirits. I did. This tradition continued into adulthood. This story encouraged me to move forward and continue pursuing my passion.

It’s kind of nice that Final Fantasy 7: Rebirth isn’t trying to reinvent open-world gaming.
In recent years, some of the biggest open-world titles have been changing genres. That’s not the case with Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth, and it’s better that way.
Bell encouraged me to see the world and read more books. Like Ariel, I longed to be a part of that world. Where magic and music collide, I was able to become something more than just a tired kid who failed a math test (again). I wanted to go on my own adventure and encounter terrifying dragons along the way, and Disney’s Dreamlight Valley provided that opportunity.
As we grew older, our schedules didn’t match up and movie nights became less and less. Still, we enjoyed telling jokes and reciting quotes during our trip to the Disney theme parks. The reprieve Disney gave me from a world of worries allowed me to breathe and put all my problems into perspective.
I’ve always been bad at taking a slow inventory of what’s going on in my head, but cozy games like Disney’s Dreamlight Valley offer a unique opportunity to do just that under the guise of productivity. provided to me.
The heroes and villains I grew up with lived happily ever after at Disney’s Dreamlight Valley. I no longer had to fear the bad guys, but instead had the opportunity to talk to them and show them that peace is possible. Dealing with big emotions is hard and it’s easy to succumb to bad guys in the real world, but Dreamlight Valley doesn’t shy away from the ugly side of growing up and feeling out of place. It served as an escape from everyday stressors while reminding me of the tools I need to help myself.
Merlin protected me and taught me the importance of kindness and patience through his magic. The thrill of getting her very own wizard’s hat made her jump for joy, as if she had finally realized what she was missing. How could I be nervous about exams or a new retail job when the world’s greatest wizard recognized me as a worthy student?
Disney’s Dreamlight Valley is my safe haven. When a customer gets mad at me for something wrong with their order, I can cook a comforting dish at Remy’s and serve it to the guest who is happy to see me. There was no one in the village that desperately needed my attention, so I always had the opportunity to say no to taking on more than I could handle without feeling guilty.
My Switch can be picked up and played for days on end, then left to gather dust for a few more weeks. But every time an update is announced, I get sucked in again. I want to pay attention to Dreamlight Valley because I know it’s my chance to take a break regardless of what’s going on around me.
It’s calming to have moments when you’re not needed, and there’s no pressure to complete quests right away to avoid spoilers. You can work at your own pace and enjoy the game little by little. I’m not being punished for taking my time, and there’s no sense of imminent danger forcing me to act. If I want to spend 20 minutes just picking flowers, I’ll do that.
Dreamlight Valley connected me and my mother when I moved away from home. She doesn’t play much, but her love for Disney rivals mine. I plan time to meet her on holidays and we sit and play together and compare the layout of her village. She always tells me I look better, but that’s because I spend so much time decorating.
We have changed the schedule to match the release of each update. This love of Disney and video games has satisfied almost every desire I have for a comfort game. Titles like Animal Crossing: New Horizons come close, but they lack that element of nostalgia, which for me is a crucial element. My mother’s enthusiasm makes it even more appealing. They can play and spend time together or go on their own adventures.
Every time Disney Dreamlight Valley updates, it’s a reminder to slow down from your usual pace. It’s an opportunity to step back, refocus, and plan a few days to check in with yourself. I tend to work to the point of burnout, and these updates are completely designed to prevent burnout. Whether it’s new characters or the Star Path, I’m very keen to go back soon and see what’s changed.
Once updated, you can focus on other things you’ve been neglecting, like your ever-growing list of books or the novel you’re working on. Take time to deal with things you’ve been putting off because other responsibilities take priority. It reconnects me with myself and helps me remember what makes me happy, like spending an afternoon with the woman who taught me magic.

Diversity is not the enemy in the world of live services
Rather than being forced to add diversity, studios are being forced to add battle passes and endless grinds, resulting in lower quality games and cheaper demographic appeal. is born.