Open-world video games, which allow players to explore vast virtual environments, may offer more than just entertainment — they could also provide significant mental health benefits, according to a new study.

Researchers from Imperial College London and the University of Graz in Austria surveyed over 600 postgraduate students about their experiences playing open-world games. The results showed that these types of games, including The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, helped players reduce stress, take mental breaks from real life, and improve overall well-being.

The study found that open-world games significantly boost “cognitive escapism” — a mental state where players can disconnect from daily worries and responsibilities. These games also promote relaxation and emotional relief, providing a healthier alternative to other digital activities like social media scrolling, which has been linked to declining mental health.

“Open-world games offer large, freely explorable environments where players can interact with the game world with minimal restrictions,” the researchers explained in their published paper. “These detailed, expansive worlds invite players to explore diverse landscapes, towns, and hidden secrets.”

Gaming as a Form of Mental Escapism

The study involved 32 in-depth interviews and 609 survey responses. Participants frequently reported feeling calmer, more relaxed, and emotionally rejuvenated after playing open-world games. Some described the experience as a form of meditation, saying it helped them “switch off” from real-life stressors and find “inner peace.”

“I can forget my daily worries and immerse myself in a different world,” one participant shared. Another explained that playing these games helped them grow personally and emotionally, describing a sense of purpose and achievement within the game.

The research highlights how the freedom and autonomy given to players in open-world games contribute to their mental health benefits. Unlike traditional games with strict missions and time constraints, open-world games allow players to move at their own pace, explore, and experiment without pressure.

A New Tool for Stress Relief?

The findings build on existing research showing that video games can relieve stress and promote satisfaction when played in moderation. However, this study focuses specifically on the unique qualities of open-world games — where players can create their own experiences and immerse themselves in richly detailed worlds.

As gaming technology continues to advance, these virtual worlds have grown in scale and complexity, offering players nearly unlimited freedom to explore. This sense of autonomy and discovery appears to be a key factor in the positive mental health outcomes observed by the researchers.

“The open-ended nature of these games offers players a sense of control and freedom that can be therapeutic,” said one of the researchers. “Unlike social media, where users are bombarded with information and comparisons, open-world games offer an environment where players can focus on themselves.”

Could Gaming Become a Mental Health Prescription?

Given the study’s results, researchers believe open-world gaming could eventually be recommended by therapists and mental health professionals as a way to help patients manage stress and improve emotional well-being.

“Future research that uses physiological measures to examine the effects of open-world gaming on mental health is richly deserving,” the study authors noted.

With more evidence, we may one day see doctors prescribing some time in The Legend of Zelda or similar games as part of mental health care routines.

The study has been published in the Journal of Medical Internet Research, and it adds to a growing body of evidence showing that video games, when played responsibly, can have positive effects on mental health.

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