Leveling Up Through Disguise: How Video Games Help Us Rethink Masking

Ever wish you could slap on a mask and instantly gain new abilities? In video games, that’s a totally normal Tuesday. Whether it’s channeling the spirits of fallen warriors, unleashing hidden powers, or just looking really cool, masks in games often serve as more than just fancy headgear. But beyond their in-game perks, masks also hold deeper meanings—especially for those of us navigating the world with a neurodivergent skill tree.

So, let’s equip our best loot and dive into how Wéko the Mask Gatherer, Kena: Bridge of Spirits, The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask, Hollow Knight, and Splatterhouse use masks for more than just stat boosts. And while we’re at it, let’s talk about how these digital disguises mirror real-life experiences of masking in the neurodivergent community.

Mask Mechanics 101: More Than Just Cosmetic DLC

Wéko the Mask Gatherer – Gotta Collect ‘Em All

In Wéko the Mask Gatherer, masks aren’t just stylish accessories—they’re the key to survival. Each mask grants Wéko new abilities, making it essential to switch things up depending on the challenge ahead. Sound familiar? Neurodivergent folks often switch up their social personas in different settings, adapting to keep things running smoothly. Unlike in Wéko’s world, though, we don’t get a handy inventory screen to keep track of all our masks.

Kena: Bridge of Spirits – A Guide to the Spirit World, One Mask at a Time

Kena doesn’t just collect masks; she uses them to honor and guide spirits to the afterlife. These masks symbolize unresolved emotions and personal growth—kind of like how neurodivergent people sometimes mask to manage social interactions or process emotions. The difference? Kena gets a cool magic staff, and we just get existential questions at 3 AM.

Majora’s Mask – The Ultimate Identity Swap

When it comes to masks, Majora’s Mask is the OG. Link doesn’t just wear masks—he becomes them. Whether he’s rolling as a Goron or swimming as a Zora, each transformation comes with new powers and new burdens. Neurodivergent folks know this game all too well—masking can be a useful tool, but wear it too long, and it starts to weigh you down. And don’t even get us started on the moon looming over Termina. Talk about social anxiety in celestial form.

Hollow Knight – Life Bar? More Like Mask Bar

In Hollow Knight, masks are more than just headwear—they’re your literal health bar. Lose too many, and you’re in trouble. For neurodivergent players, this hits home. Keeping up a social mask all day? That’s an energy drain. Unlike our favorite little bug knight, though, we don’t get to recharge by smacking enemies with a nail (as much as we’d sometimes like to).

Splatterhouse – The Mask That Bites Back

What if wearing a mask gave you super strength but also tried to take over your mind? Welcome to Splatterhouse, where the Terror Mask turns the protagonist into a rage-fueled monster. It’s a classic “power at a price” deal. Neurodivergent folks might relate—masking can help navigate tricky social encounters, but over time, it can feel like losing touch with your true self. Also, fewer haunted mansions in real life. Usually.

Kena: Bridge of Spirits

Gaming IRL: The Psychology of Masking for Neurodivergent Players

In gaming, masks are fun. In life? They can be exhausting. Many neurodivergent folks engage in a real-world version of “masking,” where they suppress natural behaviors to fit societal expectations. It’s like running a stealth build when all you really want to do is go full berserker mode.

How These Games Help Us Rethink Masking

1. Adapting to Different Roles (Wéko the Mask Gatherer) – Neurodivergent people often change how they act depending on the social situation, just like Wéko switching masks for different challenges. Unlike in the game, though, there’s no inventory limit—just energy levels.

2. Processing Emotions (Kena: Bridge of Spirits) – Kena helps spirits find peace, much like how neurodivergent individuals use masking to manage emotions. Only, instead of mystical powers, we just get awkward small talk and overthinking.

3. The Burnout of Masking (Majora’s Mask) – Link’s masks come with weight, just like the burden of long-term masking. Ever feel like you need a Song of Time to reset your energy? Same.

4. The Fragility of Identity (Hollow Knight) – The protagonist’s mask represents how identity can feel delicate when constantly adjusting to expectations. Unlike in Hollow Knight, though, we can’t just buy a new one from an NPC.

5. The Cost of Masking (Splatterhouse) – The Terror Mask gives power but at a cost. Much like prolonged masking, it can lead to losing a sense of self. Thankfully, most of us don’t have to battle eldritch horrors on top of that.

Wéko the Mask Gatherer

Final Boss: Accepting Ourselves, Glitches and All

In the end, video game masks teach us a valuable lesson: transformation isn’t a bad thing, but it’s important to know when to take the mask off. Whether it’s Link, Kena, Wéko, or a bug knight with excellent platforming skills, each of these characters learns that their masks are tools—not permanent fixes.

For neurodivergent players, these games offer a safe space to explore identity and the challenges of masking. And just like in games, it’s okay to take breaks, recharge, and sometimes just be your unmasked self.

Because whether we’re glitching out or grinding for glory, we’re all leveling up in our own way.