Good games for when you are depressed

I say play games like terraria minecraft and lets see maybe a action game like Cod or Bf.... And stay away from thomas was alone because that game is really sad or the walking dead is sad too. Good luck and maybe talk to someone on skype or steam if u can while playing that game take your mind of it :)

Good luck if u want to add me its
darksiderz11 for skype

And maybe music like techno or trance depends what u like I would stay away from u know hip pop i don't like it but ya music can help too!
dark47killer for steam

This one. Make sure to get the dlc as well

Games that are not sad. Entertaining and distracting and do not take themselves too seriously, for example Garry's Mod. If derpness was a game genre, Garry's Mod would be number 1. Maybe Saints Row The Third. It has so much stuff in it and it's open world, it's so much fun, but i'm not in your possition, so i'm not sure how that'll work. A game that is great and i'm sure it'll vive you up a bit is Mirror's Edge, it's calm and actioned at the same time. It's also such a beautiful game.

I hope I helped

-Robz. Need anything? add me on steam :D

Anything Japanese (Katamari), music/rhythm games, Harvest moon/Rune Factory series, or watch an episode of Baka to Test to Shoukanjuu.

Eroge

Spelunky!

Scribblenauts Unlimited

Antichamber, QUBE, Minecraft.

Edit: Okami (never gets old <3) if you have a PS2

Alan Wake, Sonic and Sonic & All Stars Racing Transformed :)

Let me start off by saying, reading the whole topic almost made me depressed, so thanks for that :D...but Id play games that require a lot of thinking. Starcraft 2 for example, I cant think of steam games at the moment, but stuff like that. Strategy games that are constantly changing and can take your mind off of stuff. XCOM comes to my mind, but that game can be extremely depressing if you like your squad and so on...so Ill stick with Starcraft 2 right now :). Need anything just let me know.

Civ V if you're in the category of me! But you said you don't like strategy so it doesn't really apply to you, sorry :/

Gnomoria is relaxing when I just want to sit back and watch other "people" live their lives. But you get a say so in those lives. Kind of like gently pushing them along, suggesting what to do. Though there is little social interaction, watching a kingdom of gnomes rise (and fall)can be interesting in of itself. If you want to put forth the effort in learning how to play it (there are great beginner guides up) then its definitely worthwhile experience.

Agricola Flashpoint: Fire Rescue or Caveman Curling which before you say it... look here and here (sorry no luck for Flashpoint)

Seriously, playing these games with (and even sometimes without if it has a solitaire game) always helps me if I am feeling down and in the dumps, or even just pissed off. It takes all of my attention, and if I'm with someone I like to be around, I soon forget all about whatever it was i got mad/sad/.... wtf was i depressed about?

Its not just limited to those, they are just some good examples of what I would play in that situation because they don't breed very competitive behavior.

I have three categories of depressed and a game for each:

1. I want to pull out of it: Botanicula or Machinarium, really any cutesy point-and-click
2. I want to wallow in it: Minecraft
3. I'm progressing towards anger: Left 4 Dead 2

I've struggled with severe depression in my past. Some of the games that helped me out were MMORPGs (I sunk a good portion of my life in EverQuest and WoW, but take your pick as there are plenty of free ones as well); the sense of community and family you get once you delve into things is really amazing and I still talk to people regularly 6-10 years later. You don't really need a "happy" game, just something that grabs you. As for simpler games that don't require such a commitment, I would suggest:

Dust: An Elysian Tail
Grand Theft Autos/Saint's Row series
Just Cause 2
Beyond Good & Evil
Deponia
Devil May Cry (dark setting, but you feel like a badass if you enjoy them)
Orcs Must Die
Borderlands!
Psychonauts
Portal series
Torchlight II
Garry's Mod
Burnout Paradise (blow sh!t up!)
Monaco
Serious Sam
Euro Truck 2 is super chill (this one caught me by surprise and didn't think I would like it at all)
Faerie Solitaire (I wish I was joking...I picked this up as a joke and ended up getting hooked - I hate faeries AND solitaire FYI)
Civilization IV and V
I'll second Thomas Was Alone

Those are what come to mind as I scrolled through my Steam list for games I would/do gravitate towards when I'm down. If you would like some more suggestions, feel free to add me on. Best of luck to you and hang in there. This, too, shall pass.

EDIT: Added some more to the above list, and I'll add a few more of the darker games that I still enjoy.
The Longest Journey
Bioshock series
Deus Ex 1 or HR
Dishonored
PAYDAY 1 & 2
STALKER series - this can be a total hit or miss
Battlefield 2 & mods (Project Reality promotes teamwork, which feels great once you're accepted in with a group of people)
EVE Online (boring as hell or perfect for your situation)
Braid
any of the Elder Scrolls games you can mod up and get lost in for minutes/hours/days/years

Euro Truck 2 is what I use, strangely enough finding a decent radio station to listen to and just driving lets me disappear from reality for hours on end. Does more than any shrink, friend, or self-help book ever has. :)

Any game that lets you lash out on opponents and turn weakness into anger.

ANGER IS GOOD FOR YOU.

THIS! Check out this thread. It contains a game that may be what you're loking for. Enjoy! and forgive me(because it's so addictive) for sharing, lol. http://www.steamgifts.com/forum/CVtPL/forgive-me

Here are some songs. just a quick selection, tried to get a lot of different genres.

this

This

This

this

this

this

this

This

EDIT: just realized your original post asked for games.

There are many ways people deal with depression, with some of them working better than others. Withdrawal. Acting out. Seeking escape. Sometimes, a combination of more than one way at the same time. How you choose to deal with your depression will tend to be mostly habit, the same way(s) you've done in the past. Generally speaking, however, you will either be seeking to change your mood, or simply waiting it out.

"Waiting it out" means "getting by" until your emotional pendulum swings from the extreme of depression back to "normal functionality." If you are waiting it out, you will want a game you can play while in the middle of depression. Something that fits how you are feeling or that you can get through with minimal demands on you. That will usually be a game with simple parameters and a non-taxing control scheme. If your habit is "withdrawal," however, you are unlikely to be playing computer games at all. Withdrawal typically involves pulling away from interaction and the "outside world," so common practices include TV surfing, sleeping, and listening to music.

If you are trying to get out of your depression, on the other hand, then you want something that will coax you in the direction you want to go. If your habit is to "act out," you will want a game where you can successfully overcome an opponent (creating movement and building confidence). If your habit is "escape," you will want a game which is pleasing and far removed from your current reality, preferably one where you can "achieve" goals (thereby meeting your unmet psychological needs). Numbing the pain is an offshoot of the "escape" habit. To accomplish "numbness," you will want games that keep your mind occupied and unable to dwell upon your depression.

The most effective way of dealing with depression, however, is to change your environment. Get out of the house and spend time with other people. You can warn them in advance that you're not in a good mood, and tell them they are not required to cheer you up, but simply being around other people who are living their lives will drag you out of your depression. Depression feeds on itself, and it starves to death in an environment filled with activity and personal interaction.

Act, and your emotions will follow.

Limbo.

Rayman Origins is such a happy game.

Manhunt 2, i take out my frustration on murdering peoples.

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2's No Russian mission.

Also, Civilization V.

Monkey Island 1, 2, 3.

The World Ends With You is a nice game, you should try it, it's nice to see the main character's interactions with other people