Gamer angst is real, and it can certainly bring out the worst in people. Whenever I feel myself “Hulking out” over a video game, I tend to overheat as if I have been marooned in the middle of Death Mountain Crater without the Goron Tunic. Like a ticking Bomb Flower, it is best to keep at a safe distance, although this seems minimal compared to the people who like to throw their innocent controllers at harmless walls! You know who you are.
The first time I experienced game rage in Hyrule was in the gut of Lord Jabu Jabu. It took me what seemed like an eternity to defeat Barinade, and when I finally accomplished what seemed like a time loop of constant failure, I was in deep euphoria. That is, of course, until I reached the Forest Temple and my house experienced a power cut, which wouldn’t seem so bad unless you have a Deku Nut for a brain and forgot to save the game since, well, never. That, however, is a memory that won’t be granted with an article of its own any time soon.
These days, with all my adult wisdom, I have found the perfect way to counter the symptoms of gamer angst and give me the power of playing like a true green-hatted champ.
Binge-playing a new video game brings the feeling of pure happiness, especially when the new game is a part of The Legend of Zelda franchise. When I first started playing Breath of Wild, I was awestruck. I finally found another game that gave me the same feeling I felt when I discovered Ocarina of Time. The rich storyline, the in-depth characters that tore through all possible emotions, the detailed locations, and beautiful pieces of compositions, I fell in love with it all. Thirsting for more and playing hours on end, I even booked annual leave from work just so I could get more gameplay into my life. Everything seemed Picto-perfect — until he came along.
Like a dismal storm cloud over my head, Thunderblight Ganon was ruining my life and was on the receiving end of every bad thing that came out of my mouth for a whole day. It was a Thursday evening and I sailed through the challenges of Divine Beast Vah Naboris as easily as a Sand Seal cruises through the desert, but I just could not get past that electrical monster. Alas, I was forced to rage quit the game, which was something that I never had to do before, but that camel-dwelling Ganon wannabe really ground my Sheikah Slate to the point of no return. Well, until the next evening at least.
A perfect Friday night in my life is pulling an all-nighter with my husband whilst we game, eat junk food, and drink rum. Lots of rum. We usually chill out for a bit in the pleasure of each other’s company before retiring to our gaming room until we are ready to pass out. This time, however, things were different. Fueled by revenge and coxed by Captain Morgan, I was ready to take on the worst of the Ganonblights in a Thunderdome rematch.
Would you believe me if I said that I destroyed that son of a Ganon in my first drunken attempt? Because, believe it or not, I bossed it like a true hero of (Dutch) courage. I remember every graceful dodge, every flurry attack, every shot of rum and every foul word that came out of my mouth that night. Forget Urbosa’s Fury, this was all about Char’s Fury and what a magical moment it was.
I know alcohol makes you feel invincible, but this was on a whole new level. I shouted out in celebratory happiness so loud that I made my husband jump, and I am sure he questioned the whole marriage thing when he turned to see me in my gaming chair, wearing my green hat with a boozy smile on my face. I am sure this is one of the reasons why he loves me though, and either way, it was a big feat from my usual “drink too much and be sick” routine. This time I felt as though I could punch out a Hinox in real life.
You could call it a fluke, or you could call it skill, but I personally think there is only one explanation: I was possessed by Thunderblight Ganon’s real adversary, Captain Morgan.
