Top 6 Social Impact Games 2025
- Genna Revell
- Jul 23
- 2 min read
Updated: Jul 24
Games can do more than entertain - they can change minds, spark empathy, and start conversations that matter.
Here are six titles from other studios that have inspired us with their emotional depth, cultural impact, and award-winning storytelling. 1. That Dragon, Cancer – Numinous Games
A poetic, devastating interactive tribute to the creators’ son who battled terminal cancer. It turns grief into something very personal, and unforgettable.
🎖️ BAFTA Game Innovation Award (2017)
🎖️ The Game Awards – Games for Impact (2016)

2. Sea of Solitude – Jo-Mei Games
A haunting exploration of loneliness, anxiety, and emotional isolation. As Kay navigates a submerged city shaped by her inner demons, players confront what it means to be human and to heal.
🎖️ Games for Change – Most Significant Impact (2020)

3. Never Alone (Kisima Ingitchuna) – Upper One Games and E-Line Media
A gorgeous puzzle platformer co-created with Alaska Native storytellers. It preserves Indigenous culture through interactive myth and gameplay.
🎖️ BAFTA Winner – Best Debut Game (2015)
🎖️ Game for Change – Game of the Year (2015)

4. Umfeld – Hochschule RheinMain
A raw, award-winning game exploring domestic violence from the perspective of bystanders. Subtle, serious, and deeply human.
🎖️ Games for Change – Best in Impact (2024)

5. Life Is Strange – Dontnod Entertainment
A choice-driven narrative that tackles bullying, trauma, mental health, and LGBTQ+ identity with empathy and style.
🎖️ Peabody-Facebook Futures of Media Award (2016)
🎖️ BAFTA Games – Best Story (2016)

6. This War of Mine – 11 bit studios
A gritty survival game that puts you in the shoes of civilians trying to endure the horrors of war. It forces tough moral decisions and highlights the true cost of conflict.
🎖️ Games for Change – Best Gameplay (2017)
🎖️ British Academy Games Award – Game Beyond Entertainment (2017)
Content note: Rated 18+. Includes war-related violence, emotional distress, and moral dilemmas.

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