In 2019, I played the PS2 classic Shadow of the Colossus for the first time. As I delved deeper into this masterpiece an odd feeling set in. Despite it being my first playthrough, everything felt strangely... familiar? Join me on my bizarre quest to come to terms with this feeling as we explore the role nostalgia plays in shaping our experiences, the uncanny allure of liminal spaces, video games unique ability to induce a wistful yearning for the past, and attempt to answer the question: How can you feel nostalgic for something you have never experienced?

We’ve all heard the warnings: video games will rot your brain and waste your time. It’s clear the medium has developed a poor reputation. The prevalence of the notion that games are mere commodities leads me to question how and why this issue persists. Let’s journey back to the industries genesis to determine how this stigma originated, how its presence endures, and what we can do to ensure video games are embraced as art rather than products.