The bright screen of the game console glows in the living room. The controller’s buttons click as I navigate through the menu. A new level appears on the screen, the landscape a mix of vibrant blues and greens. A tiny character jumps across platforms, each jump calculated just right. The sound effects are sharp—thumps for landings, swooshes for air. As I move further into the game world, the background changes to a bustling cityscape at night. Neon lights flash, casting an eerie glow on everything. I pause, watching the character run through the streets, the screen flickering slightly but not enough to distract from the excitement of exploring this new land.