I have always wondered what video games would be like without all the ingenious ways video game developers choose to heal their beloved game protagonists. If I were to be walking down the street and someone suddenly set me on fire, I would not be able to turn around and fight. However, if I were a video game character all I would need to do is slam back a potion, slap on a band-aid, or eat a small meal, and I would be ready to go!
So, to honor all the many methods used to fill life bars and regain hit-points, here are three of my favorite healing methods.
On Fire? Have a Band-aid!
1. World of Warcraft – First Aid
Aside from collecting vanity pets, one of my favorite World of Warcraft passtimes is training my first aid skills. I love to collect cloth for bandages, make bandages, and then use them in the field. It adds a sense of power to the act of healing my character, and takes less time than sitting down to eat vendor-bought foodstuffs.
2. Odin Sphere – Food
I was never able to finish this game because I had so much trouble with it disagreeing with my PS2. However, I really did enjoy the food system in this game. I liked that I could grow the materials and then return to a shop to combine them into different dishes. These dishes, in addition to restoring HP, also grant experience and life bonuses. I thought it was quite interesting that players were given the opportunity to take such a large part in creating items used for healing– through the gathering, growing, and mixing of materials found in the game itself.
It certainly beats buying potions.
3. Final Fantasy – Tents
If I am feeling a little under the weather, my favorite solution is a good nap. So why should it not be the same for our favorite protagonists? The tent, an item that you can pull out in the depths of the darkest dungeon or the sunny forests of your world map, is the cure all solution for wounded characters. Day or night, Zidane and his friends can pitch a tent and restore those treasured life and mana numbers.
As always, I hope to hear about everyone’s favorite healing methods! Have a fantastic weekend, readers!
