Like a good book, an engrossing binge watch or a particularly juicy piece of gossip, the best gaming experiences always capture the imagination of whoever takes part in them. From the most basic of phone games that your mom plays at the bus stop to the complex, critically lauded storylines of the best indie releases, they all perform one vital role: they are a form of escapism. 

Nothing stimulates a miniature existential crisis quite like finishing a really good game, because they are so effective at absorbing all of our attention. You can do all the numerous pointless side quests that you like afterwards, they will never bring back the expectant feeling that is almost like turning a page (or throwing the whole book across the room, because you keep getting defeated by that one annoying boss). 

This is one of the reasons why there are so many memes about gaming, because everyone wants to relive the best moments of gameplay. They can be frustrating at the time, but at least they’re relatable now.