Finals Stress Relief Links

Enjoy some stress relief sites, videos, songs, and games as you study. These lists were carefully curated by your academic advisors and School of Music faculty for your amusement. We hope you enjoy perusing this site and good luck with finals!

VIDEOS

GAMES

Recommendations from your video game-loving academic advisors (they also work at the School of Music in their spare time).
Octopath Traveler
Octopath Traveler
Gino’s Video Game/Movie Reviews
Video Games:

Resident Evil Village (8): At this point I am sure that everyone can tell I have a much different approach to what I might call “stress relief” and suggesting that you all play a survival-horror game serves the exact opposite purpose.  With that said, Resident Evil Village is my second favorite game of the franchise right after the masterpiece that is Resident Evil 4.  The environment in the game is incredible and borrows heavily from a lot of past RE games, but primarily from Resident Evil 4. However, this game delivers the best of all the games that came before it absolutely smacks it out of the park.  The multiple layers and variety of tension that this game creates is phenomenal.  Once you complete this game you should feel unstoppable and ready to take on any lycan and vampire…I mean exam or project that comes your way!

Octopath Traveler: If you are looking for a new RPG that mixes some retro RPG elements with some modern-day RPG elements, then this game is a fun one to consider.  This game was developed by Square Enix and although I’m only about 10 hrs or so in the game, I’ve thoroughly enjoyed and welcome all the elements in the game.  The battle system is especially fun and keeps you on your toes, with needing to guess the enemy’s weakness and attack from there.  It can be a bit grindy, I’ll admit, but luckily there is a phenomenal soundtrack that that accompanies the game which makes it an absolute delight to play. In fact, I came across this soundtrack and it inspired me to play the game.

Movies:

Godzilla vs. Kong (20121: Okay, I’m sure everyone has seen this by now, but I absolutely loved this film. Tons of awesome Kaiju action!

Mortal Kombat (2021): Again, another film a lot of people have probably already seen, but super entertaining.  Plenty of action and some awesome fatalities that you can unleash on your final exams!

BUGSNAX
BUGSNAX
Tabetha’s Video Game/Movie Reviews
Video Games:

IT TAKES TWO: such a fun co-op game! The animation style is adorable and it has one of the best stories I’ve played in a while. It’s a lot of teamwork and really rewarding.

BUGSNAX: honestly just a feel-good game. It’s cute and sometimes a bit challenging!

BORDERLANDS 3: the opposite of the above, lol. I think this one is supposedly the worst in the series, but I think if you’re one who destresses by punching things, this is a good one for you!

Movies:

The Muppets (2011): I’m not being dramatic when I say that I’ve watched this movie once a week for the past couple of months, and I’ve listed to the soundtrack even more. It is impossible to feel pain watching this movie. It has a perfect soundtrack and will just make you smile. Every time I remember this movie exists, all stress is gone. Like, “Man or Muppet”? C’MON!

Mortal Kombat (2021): This is just the most okay-est video game movie in a really long time. It looked surprisingly good and the story was pretty solid and not too hard to follow! (That’s two votes for Mortal Kombat!)

Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney Trilogy
Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney Trilogy
Emily’s Video Game Reviews
Video Games:


Nintendo Switch:

  • Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney Trilogy — An awesome stress relief game that doesn’t require *too* much thinking. Please note that this isn’t how the law actually works, so if you’re planning to go to law school, this won’t actually prepare you at all. 🙂 Nevertheless, it has some very iconic storylines and a great set of characters! Pure serotonin.
  • Famicom Detective Club — I preordered these two games because visual novels are a great wind-down activity at the end of a long day, and I’m excited to dive into these remakes! I preemptively suggest them. If they’re bad, I’m sorry.
  • Oxenfree — This is a pretty short thriller visual novel/choose your own adventure type game, now on Switch! I played it on PC first a year or so ago. It’s probably one of my favorite games! I really like the storyline and the art. I believe the sequel is coming out soon too.
  • Kentucky Route Zero — Admittedly, I played this a long time ago and never finished the last chapter because it wasn’t out yet. But now it is, and I think I may pick it up on Switch because it was really beautiful. Same as the others, it’s kind of a mystery visual novel. The art and ambience of the game is really breathtaking.
  • Monster Hunter: Rise — Nothing says stress relief like beating up some monsties with cool armor/weapons. 😀

PC:

  • NieR ver.1.22474487139… — This is a new port of an old game with some new content! The music is breathtaking and the story is heartbreaking. So, maybe not stress-relieving, but definitely worth a spin.

MUSIC

Listen to some tunes suggested by School of Music Student Affairs Staff!
Ratatouille Ambient Music
Ratatouille Ambient Music
Music Recommendations:

Gino’s Recommendation

Octopath Traveler Soundtrack

Emily’s Recommendation

Nier Gestalt and RepliCant Soundtracks

Tabetha’s Recommendations

The Mountains Are Calling – An Indie/Folk/Pop Playlist: to keep you sane as we head into Summer!
2000’s Throwback Songs that Make You Feel Like a Kid Again: TBT to when finals weren’t a thing
Ratatouille Ambient Music: it’s just so good
Dancing with your comfort character under the starlight in your dreams for the last time: so specific yet so relatable
you once had a dream of sleeping peacefully in a forest: goblincore. That is all.

And leaving my own from last time as well ?
Anti-Productive Productive Playlist: when you need a study break, here are some absolute bops to get your mind off of your work!
Immaculate Vibes Playlist: a lot of what I have on when I’m working (I cannot focus with lyrics in the background to save my life).

ACTIVITIES