Video games have been used in various ways over the years, be it to set up marathon events for charity or to send important messages to the players. As such, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that they can be used for relaxation purposes as well. Of course, even the simple act of playing a video game can be considered relaxing in a way, but there are plenty of content creators online who constantlymake ASMR videoswhile playing particularly quiet and restful games. ASMR stands for Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response, and it is often perceived as a soothing feeling that comes with a tingling sensation induced by different stimuli that largely vary in nature.
There’s a certain allure to dystopian worlds, their beauty, and their dangers, and this is further highlighted by the fact that games likeGhostrunner,Shadowrun, andDeus Exhave been thriving for a while now. Then, of course, there are games likeCloudpunkandCyberpunk 2077that stem from the same niche and offer completely different experiences when compared with one another. This genre inspired plenty of ASMR videos, which see content creators playCyberpunk 2077and wander in Night City to music and ambiance inspired by these titles.
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How ASMR Changes the Gaming Experience in Cloudpunk
It should be noted that ASMR is not something new in itself, but instead, something that has been around for a really long time. In fact, some people experience it frequently without ever knowing that there is a term for it. Hearing someone whispering or making specific sounds could have a relaxing feeling associated with it for some individuals, and video games are a great way to become acquainted with ASMR. Creating ASMR content has, over the years, become a new practice on YouTube and Twitch. However, it was also a reason for controversy, and especially soon Twitch because of ASMR being perceived as sexual contentin some instances.
ASMR works wonders with games that feature reduced full-steam action, as well as a combination of lower tones in their soundtracks, pleasing aesthetics, and atmospheric sounds that feel familiar. This is the case with a beautifully designed cyberpunk game by the name ofCloudpunk, which combines theecosystem of a dystopian cityand the sound of rain on the roof of the protagonist’s vehicle, the HOVA. This is made all the more immersive thanks to the beautiful and vibrant neon lights in the city of Nivalis. Navigating through the buildings and billboards with the light sound of rain against the windshield, occasional muffled sirens in the background, and wipers in motion are also highlights. In Cloudbpunk, players take all of this in while trying to make deliveries on time, and not look at what’s in the package.
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This creates an environment that can feel especially soothing while playing at night, or maybe with artificial lights turned off, building from an innate sense of peace and tranquility. The beauty ofCloudpunkis that this contrasts the game’s story and the way corporations became mankind’s overlords. While these are often common themes for other cyberpunk games, inCloudpunk’s story things take a few twists and turns based on the players' choices. This builds tension ifCloudpunk’s story and DLCare pushed through quickly, but the gamemanages to give players plenty of freedom in how they want to play the game.
Hypothetically speaking, gamers could turn onCloudpunkand simply drive around for hours, enjoying what this title has to offer with itsgorgeous setting and synthwave soundtrack. Overall, gamers interested in ASMR should giveCloudpunka try, or at least check the game out online from the perspective offered in YouTuber videos.
Cloudpunkis available now on PC, PS4, Switch, and Xbox One.
