Initial Game Suggestions for New Gamer?

[phlegethonic]

Escapist,
My Dad has never played a video game.After a discussion about cultural mediums, he agreed to make a dutiful attempt to play one.

What I want to do is give him an experience that will not overwhelm, but will also convey the things that are great about Video Games, such as immersion, great storytelling, and sophistication.

As he put it, "I need something that will be worth the investment of time in learning Video Game Controls.

My idea is to go with Bioshock, but do you have any other recommendations?

 

[Onyx Oblivion]

Portal.

I think anyone who wants to start gaming should start with Portal.

Good, but not the best. First Person is hard for new gamers.

Try a top down game with simple controls. Like a Zelda.

Sure, that's missing the storytelling...

 

[Darktau]

My mum was relatively interested in World of goo

I would NOT recommend complex FPS' like portal and Bioshock as they can scare off newcomers, for newcomers I would go simple. If you had to pick a FPS I would go for Halo, as it is simple and VERY forgiving (Shields and recharge )

Try a top down game with simple controls. Like a Zelda.

Actually, Zelda is a good idea aswell

 

[Onyx Oblivion]

If you had to pick a FPS I would go for Halo, as it is simple and VERY forgiving (Shields and recharge )

Not THAT forgiving. I had trouble on Normal and late game on Easy. It was my first second FPS.

My first was Prey. BECAUSE YOU CAN'T DIE.

 

[Cherry Cola]

Tetris.

Everyone must start with Tetris.

Then have him buy really crappy movie tie-in games.

Then let him learn what's good and what's bad by himself.

You know, go through the stages of a normal gamer.

 

[Optimus Hagrid]

Super Ghouls 'n' Ghosts.

Or Earthbound.

 

[Stabby Joe]

Tetris.

Everyone must start with Tetris.

Agreed. It's one of the first game I played and I've been gaming for nearly 20 years.

 

[TheFacelessOne]

Yeah, I wouldn't suggest Portal. One of my friends (a long-time gamer) had so much trouble with even the simpliest of puzzles.

Ummm...KOTOR? Or maybe Dragon Age: Origins? They're good games, not too hard...

 

[darth jacen]

Gauntlet Dark Legacy, it taught my dad how to game and is still one of the few non Madden games he is willing to play with me

 

[Keava]

Id say some not ovelry complicated strategy oriented game would be a good. I know my dad started playing more 'seriously' with first Settlers because it was a game he could just turn on, put out orders and chill out while things happned, no strain, no crazy action, just well paced thinking.

 

[Sakurazaki1023]

Stick to either a basic FPS like Halo (or an older Call Of Duty if your dad is a history nut) or something puzzle related like World Of Goo or Little Big Planet.

You really have two options, something simple and classic like Mario or something mainstream like Halo (Added bonus with Halo is that you two can play co-op campaign).

 

[jultub]

I know my dad played red alert for a while, and he's not exactly a gamer He's also quite fond of the need for speed games, though that might be because of his general interest in cars (if your dad is lacking that, don't give him racing games ).

 

[phlegethonic]

The problem with Halo is that he is under the impression that all games are for the most part mindless shooty blow-upey games, or child's toys.
I have to show him games can be mature and tell a good story, as well as be fun.

Edit: Another bit of context/clarification: He expressed interest in the premise of Silent Hill 2, as well as the idea that in Silent Hill 2, killing is incidental to the game.

 

[ma55ter_fett]

I would say Zelda, or The Hobbit, or if it must be an fps call of duty 2.

 

[wall5970]

Portal, Silent Hill 2, an early Final Fantasy (one with a not-shitty story), something from the Myst series, Hitman: Blood Money, BioShock, Resident Evil 4.

It really just depends on the type of story he's into.

 

[Torque669]

The problem with Halo is that he is under the impression that all games are for the most part mindless shooty blow-upey games, or child's toys.
I have to show him games can be mature and tell a good story, as well as be fun.

Edit: Another bit of context/clarification: He expressed interest in the premise of Silent Hill 2, as well as the idea that in Silent Hill 2, killing is incidental to the game.

Go for rather new movie style games like uncharted 2 and Heavy Rain. My dad used to be only interested in old games like Space invaders or be like yours and think there all the new ones are pointless wastes of time but lately he stops and looks at the games and I can hear him mutter "Wow ...." before hobbling off to watch Top Gear or something. Games like that are the best to choose. Bioshock and Silent Hill 2 are also very good choices. RTS's are good too. I got my grandad into Medievil Total War and he loves that as much as Spider Solitaire now. So Id suggest that too.

 

[ProfessorLayton]

Portal.

I think anyone who wants to start gaming should start with Portal.

Wrong. I started my dad out on Portal and he couldn't tell which way was up or down. The walls all look the same and to a person who's never played a game on the 360 before it's quite confusing honestly.

I'd say Gears of War 2. Not the first one because the first one is too dark and a lot harder. The second one is super easy (except on Insane... probably one of the hardest games I've ever played on insane) and the controls are extremely smooth.

 

[Blindswordmaster]

I suggest Batman: Arkham Asylum. Great atmosphere, good storytelling, and it not too hard on the thumbs. I believe this is a good suggestion based on the following factors: Simple combat(press X to kick ass, press Y to kick ass harder), fantastic presentation, and you wouldn't have to explain the story(an aspect that drives many away from gaming, seriously don't try explaining most games to parents) as Batman is a universally known property. It's also one of the greatest games ever! You can't go wrong.

 

[Ossian]

If you really get him to start playing games, PLEASE make a thread or use this one and update his progress. If you have enough writer skill, escapist might feature it, I know I'd read it, include funny/insightful moments etc.

Anyways, as for my recommendations, I've played Civ4 and many people agree that they would get their GF/Wives to play and they would love it, But I fear it doesn't have a story (You basically are making your own story.) The game can be played easily without going into city management on easy mode, as most of the complicated stuff can be automated.

I'm sort of a fanboy but Crysis is a pretty fun FPS, the story is mainstream movie type sci fi, and if you have a computer to run it that graphics will blow his socks off.
FPS games should be avoided though, they can be very disorienting for new gamers, maybe try one with a 1st/3rd person option.

I'm trying to think of a game that I found too easy but the story was good... I may post later.