Games to get into gaming?

[Impswitch]

So I'm not an avid gamer, but I like to think I'm well versed in gamer culture and I've always wanted to "get into gaming", I just can't seem to find games that might allow me to do that.

As I've never really been a gamer I'm not particularly skilled at gaming. I get frustrated fairly easily if I'm trying to do something and I just keep dying over and over again; I'm not inclined to continue with a game that I've spent 30-40 minutes attempting to do the exact same thing and failing. Additionally, excepting Minecraft and iPhone games, I've never spent more than a few hours playing a game before; if the play is the same and the story doesn't move quickly enough then I get bored and put it down (oddly I have no trouble watching people play games for hours on end). I've only ever finished one 'gaming' game in my life: Portal, which was awesome. I enjoy puzzle games, games that make you think, and games with decent-paced, well thought-out storylines, more than I enjoy FPS or combat games (although I'm not averse to them).

Does anyone have any advice on what games are good games to get into for someone who enjoys the concept of gaming but has trouble with the execution?

 

[Hyperactiveman]

Saints Row 2... It's simple, pickup and play, you don't need to give it time to get into it and it has bucketloads of fun things to do that will last you hours on end.

It isn't my only top recommendation it just ticks all of the boxes needed to get someone into gaming.

Here are some others that I would say try next but you may need to read up on them first to see if they're right for you:

Minecraft
Halo
Left 4 Dead
Red Dead Redemption
Magicka
Bulletstorm
Half Life
Gears of War
Mass Effect

 

[lemiel14n3]

Well... Let me think for a bit.

I'd start off with some of the bigger, more "basic" titles. Legend of Zelda titles are fairly easy to get a hang of, and while the over-arching story is hardly original, it's fun and well nuanced.

Maybe the basic 2D games, Mario, Sonic.

Check out titles on XBLA and Steam. you can get a few decent games on the Indie market for about $1 each.

For detailed and nuanced stories I'd recommend titles by Bioware. Although their gameplay can be a little prohibitive to new players.

Bioshock is very good, but once again the gameplay might be kind of difficult for people starting at zero.

 

[triggrhappy94]

Any of the Lego games are a great place to start, escpecially if violence is an issue.
Its a good stepping stone to get into more violent, more competetive games.

 

[Soviet Heavy]

Check out the original Prince of Persia trilogy. Simple platforming, engaging story and pretty graphics, three good checks to have on a list.

 

[Najos]

Yeah, I'd suggest multiplayer games. Any variation of Mario Kart is an awesome place to start. I also think sports titles can be a good place, if you're into any sports. I started with early NES games, but I think I really got into gaming with Street Fighter 2. I'm not sure if I just got old enough to start appreciating games more or what, but I played A LOT of SF2. I don't even play fighting games anymore...which is kind of odd.

 

[Still Life]

1. The original Spiro the Dragon game.

2. Doom.

3. ????

4. WIN!

I would also recommend Call of Duty. I'm a Battlefield fan, but they are harder games to get into. With COD, it generally doesn't take too long to get up to speed. Though, for some reason I couldn't quite get into the eb and flow of Black Ops online play.

 

[starwarsgeek]

Chrono Trigger. Practically no grind, one of my favorite combat systems in any RPG, and a surprisingly varied world and cast (gotta love time travel). And it was just added to the virtual console.

Fable would be another good series to start with. It's relatively easy, and the writing can be hilarious.

If you're a Star Wars fan, then the two Knights of the Old Republic games are a must play. The second was, unfortunately, sabotaged because Lucas Arts wanted it out for Christmas, but the story--in my opinion--still salvages the wreck of glitches and cut content. I consider the sequel to be the best Star Wars story outside of the original trilogy.

Nintendo's games would be another good place to start. Stuff like Mario, Zelda, Kirby, Smash Bros., Mario Kart, and Pokemon are easy to get into but have a lot to offer for those who want to stick around. Kirby was even specifically designed to be a beginner's game. They may not be gaming's best examples of story telling, but these classics have lasted for this long for a reason.

Capcom's another good choice, but some of their stuff (Mega Man) can be incredibly difficult. Resident Evil, Street Fighter, Vs. Capcom, Dead Rising, and their many obscure games that didn't sell to well are a lot of fun. If you want to try an older classic that I've been plugging a lot lately, there's Sweet Home--now there's a game with great story pacing!

Spoiler

I wouldn't really recommend any those for a game to get you into gaming, but try some of there stuff later. Especially Sweet Home.

 

[psicat]

I'd recommend: Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlines, Mass Effect, Terraria, Tales of Monkey Island Complete, Broken Sword Triple Pack, Left 4 Dead 1 and 2, Saints Row 2, and Beyond Good and Evil.

 

[Layz92]

I would say Army of Two. Not particularly challenging, plenty of chance for friends to resurrect you, no cover system other than standing near it. I got my girlfriend who never played a game other than Pokemon to have a go at it, she did reasonably. Splinter Cell however? Not so good.

 

[Maxtro]

If you have access to a PS3, play Uncharted: Drakes Fortune.

Absolutely amazing game. It's a third person cover based shooter. If you enjoyed that then play number 2.

If you like swords and sorcery then pick up Dragon Age: Origins. It's on the PS3, 360 and PC. It's fairly cheap now. Long game with a great story and cast of characters.

 

[Nicolairigel]

I would say Bioshock, go on easy mode and takeit slow but you will find the story and atmosphere outstanding.

Also the mass effect series, as well as COD as it is a very simple but fun game.

 

[tharinock]

Prince of Persia looks like it's right up your alley. A little more platformy than puzzly, but still fun. Then if you like that Assassin's Creed is very similar stylisticly. The Final Fantasy series is pretty big on story, as are many other JRPG's. However, depending on the game, the storyline might not always move so quickly in those. It's a little old, but if you have a PS2 you may want to pick up ICO. I have heard great things about it. Then there's the original digimon world on the ps1, every once in awhile i pick it up again, because i still find it amazing to this day. Ape Escape as well, that has a relatively light-hearted feel, good platforming/puzzles, unique gameplay, and in my opinion possibly the best use of the right analog stick ever.

If you really are out for a killer storyline, I'd suggest reading a book. I've played games with amazing storylines, as well as watched movies with amazing storylines. But neither compare to the awesomeness of books that I have read.

 

[LordLundar]

Magicka

You are evil, you know that?

 

[mireko]

First, what consoles have you got access to?

Second, if you don't like execution challenges you should try more turn-based games. Persona 4, Valkyria Chronicles, Dragon Age: Origins, Final Fantasy: Tactics, all of those.

Then play Portal 2. Seems like the obvious choice if you liked the first one.

Chrono Trigger. Practically no grind, one of my favorite combat systems in any RPG, and a surprisingly varied world and cast (gotta love time travel). And it was just added to the virtual console.

I don't mean to be a dick, but how is Chrono Trigger's combat system any different from, say, classic Final Fantasy? It's been quite a few years since I played it, am I forgetting something huge that makes it special?

 

[SammiYin]

Hmm, the advice here seems to be just to list favourite games in the hopes you get into them. If you get frustrated easily, I'd avoid the more advanced deep games and focus on very simple things, have a look through some of the more casual Nintendo stock and see what grabs your eye. If you can get your hands on an N64 I suggest Mario 64, if that's an issue then get Galaxy on the Wii.
All I got.

 

[EricSmarties]

Jak and Daxter i just love these titles and i got into gaming through them