So you're introducing someone to videogames. What games should you use?

[Charli]

You don't ever know what is going to capture a person's imagination, find an array of games to introduce them to. Chances are a particular genre will ignite the spark.

...Or if the goal is more sinister and you want to wreak their social life, MMO's can be a good place to start.

 

[Sam Warrior]

Do they like challenges? Dark Souls, Demon's Souls, Devil May Cry and Dragon's Dogma would be good choices.

If they like lots of action: (see challenging games list), Sly Cooper, Prince of Persia and Lollipop Chainsaw would all be splendid choices.

Fantasy settings? Elder Scrolls series, Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning, Dragon Age: Origins, Dragon's Dogma, White Knight Chronicles and anything in the Tales of Series would be awesome choices.

If they're major music lovers then I would recommend Guitar Hero, Band Hero, Rockband and DJ hero as pretty solid choices.

Choose something easier, more casual, first. If it's too easy for them, pick something more challenging. Too hard? Something a little bit easier with a bite would be desirable. I would first ask them what kind of setting they like. Cyberpunk, Steampunk, Fantasy, Sci-Fi, War, Medieval, that kinda stuff.

I personally would never ever introduce someone to gaming with demons souls or dark souls (though haven't played that one) being as there the sort of game which scares off experienced gamers with the difficulty at times. Unless the person to be introduced is a glutton for punishment and loves being killed I would definitely avoid those two to start with. Maybe introduce those once they were getting better at 3rd person adventure/ RPG games to show how hard/rewarding gaming can be. I just cant imagine anyone being able to get into games after having that as their first experience of it, the game is fantastic but amazingly frustrating sometimes. I agree with pretty much all your other recommendations though the Prince of persia series and DA:O are both good choices for introductions. I would be inclined to avoid first person games as a lot of people seem to have real problems with spacial awareness when they cant see their character.

 

[sabercrusader]

I would suggest a platformer, such as Spyro, and Jak & Daxter, and Ratchet & Clank. Platformers are generally very easy to get into, and have a nice enough difficulty to them at the end normally. Unless they're interested in mobile or RPG and RTS type games. Don't know how to help you there.

 

[TheYellowCellPhone]

I say Portal. Small size, small length, easy to learn, very cool concept, pretty funny, has a sequel if they liked it.

 

[Exius Xavarus]

Do they like challenges? Dark Souls, Demon's Souls, Devil May Cry and Dragon's Dogma would be good choices.

If they like lots of action: (see challenging games list), Sly Cooper, Prince of Persia and Lollipop Chainsaw would all be splendid choices.

Fantasy settings? Elder Scrolls series, Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning, Dragon Age: Origins, Dragon's Dogma, White Knight Chronicles and anything in the Tales of Series would be awesome choices.

If they're major music lovers then I would recommend Guitar Hero, Band Hero, Rockband and DJ hero as pretty solid choices.

Choose something easier, more casual, first. If it's too easy for them, pick something more challenging. Too hard? Something a little bit easier with a bite would be desirable. I would first ask them what kind of setting they like. Cyberpunk, Steampunk, Fantasy, Sci-Fi, War, Medieval, that kinda stuff.

I personally would never ever introduce someone to gaming with demons souls or dark souls (though haven't played that one) being as there the sort of game which scares off experienced gamers with the difficulty at times. Unless the person to be introduced is a glutton for punishment and loves being killed I would definitely avoid those two to start with. Maybe introduce those once they were getting better at 3rd person adventure/ RPG games to show how hard/rewarding gaming can be. I just cant imagine anyone being able to get into games after having that as their first experience of it, the game is fantastic but amazingly frustrating sometimes. I agree with pretty much all your other recommendations though the Prince of persia series and DA:O are both good choices for introductions. I would be inclined to avoid first person games as a lot of people seem to have real problems with spacial awareness when they cant see their character.

That's why I've got it in the challenges category. Although to be honest, I don't understand what everyone's problem is because neither Demon's Souls nor Dark Souls are nearly as difficult as everyone says they are. They certainly aren't easy by any means, but they aren't as controller smashingly infuriating as they're being held up as. I would indefinitely recommend Dark Souls to anyone who loves a good challenge. And the Elder Scrolls(or possibly Deus Ex: Human Revolution) are the ONLY games I would recommend that are in first person. And in Elder Scrolls you can switch to third person if you so desire.(I play in third person when I'm exploring, switch to first person when I engage in combat)

 

[Kargathia]

Portal. It's funny, does a great job of introducing mechanics, and requires relatively little physical skill.

 

[Treblaine]

Doom for the very basics (via Zdoom emulator)

Then Team Fortress 2 to dive into the thick of it.

 

[Fractral]

Pokemon works well- its easy to learn, fun, cute and has plenty of depth to make for long lasting play.

 

[Kaytastrophe]

Once again depends on who the person is, and what their interests are, and perhaps what some past games they played are. I have found that little big planet was a good one to introduce people to gaming. In fact it was the first game my girlfriend played. However she also liked the uncharted series as well as splinter cell conviction. Other games I would recommend are games like crash bandicoot, sly cooper, etc. Ultimately I think platformer games are a good place to start.

 

[SuperNova221]

Katamari damacy.

On the other hand, if you wnat to discourage people from playing games, introduce them to EVE Online.

 

[go-10]

really depends on the person and what they're into

still I think almost everyone will enjoy Saints Row The Third, the amount of craziness and the simplicity of it all will likely pull in anybody if not Uncharted 2 will probably do it, given that person likes movies... is there anybody out there who doesn't like movies?

 

[GoaThief]

There are some really horrible suggestions here, particularly Dark/Demon Souls and Portal. As I said in another thread recently, these are very much Gamer's games and much will be lost on or frustrating for absolute beginners.

 

[Bato]

Dwarf Fortress. The frustration would be palpable.

You are a terrible, abhorrent, sadistic person.
With the greatest account I have seen, because The Mystery of the Druids is awesome in it's own way.
Good show.

 

[Surpheal]

Shadow of the Colossus: Boss fights

Ico: Platforming/puzzles

Minecraft: Creativity

Portal: Puzzles

Red Faction Guerrilla: The world can be a weapon

MAG: Teamwork

That is all I can think of right now.

Edit: Just thought of one just as I posted this,

Amnesia: The Dark Decent: Fear can be tasted.

 

[EvilMaggot]

Depends on their taste in media outside of gaming. Do they already like fantasy stuff? Get them Fable. Sci-fi? I'd say Mass Effect isn't too complicated.

It all depends.

Dwarf Fortress. The frustration would be palpable.

I love you man.

Minecraft is always a good kickstarter imo for beginners to gaming

Nope. An already confusing first person perspective (us gamers often don't realize how confusing that is to control for a non-gamer) mixed with, basically, a virtual box of Lego's? Not a good idea.

but.. but.. but they can be creative..

 

[Windcaler]

Generally none. You let them choose what they want to play by their standards of fun. I find cooperative games are best for bringing a person into the fold.

For example if a friend likes the idea of Modern military shooters then some co-op battlefield 3 is a good choice. If they like puzzle games try some co-op portal 2. If theyre more creative then I would probably recommend Terraria or Minecraft. For just a silly fun time either Earth Defense force (seriously few things will get someone into a game faster then the silliness of blasting space dragons with increasingly awesome weaponry)

 

[purplecactus]

Depends on the person, I'd say. I was introduced to gaming via oldies like Half Life and the original Doom games and kinda picked it up from there. Others just see something that looks good and give it a go. It's probably best to see what kind of things they're into and suggest games to match those interests, or something along those lines.

 

[Arif_Sohaib]

Do they like challenges? Dark Souls, Demon's Souls, Devil May Cry and Dragon's Dogma would be good choices.

If they like lots of action: (see challenging games list), Sly Cooper, Prince of Persia and Lollipop Chainsaw would all be splendid choices.

Fantasy settings? Elder Scrolls series, Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning, Dragon Age: Origins, Dragon's Dogma, White Knight Chronicles and anything in the Tales of Series would be awesome choices.

If they're major music lovers then I would recommend Guitar Hero, Band Hero, Rockband and DJ hero as pretty solid choices.

Choose something easier, more casual, first. If it's too easy for them, pick something more challenging. Too hard? Something a little bit easier with a bite would be desirable. I would first ask them what kind of setting they like. Cyberpunk, Steampunk, Fantasy, Sci-Fi, War, Medieval, that kinda stuff.

Most of these are way too hard.
Dark Souls and Demon Souls? These are famous for being hard so is Devil May Cry the first two were made because people were thinking games are getting too easy. Prince of Persia Sands of Time may be good, any other is too hard or too boring(2008 and Forgotten Sands).
Dragon Age Origins's interface(on PC)was too confusing even to me and I have been playing games for a long time. You would have an easier time teaching someone Programming or Advanced Math.

 

[Terminate421]

I might try Pokemon White/Black

If not that, a mario game works. Portal as well.

 

[Arif_Sohaib]

For full AAA 3D the best introductions are Half-Life 2 or 1 if they don't mind the graphics(the story is explained as you move through the station and after some time enemies come at at you and difficulty ramps up slowly). Call of Duty 4(The same thing). GTA 4 (you arrive, you learn to move then you learn to drive and story is explained slowly and it is one most people will enjoy if they don't like stories with aliens or fantasy worlds or warfare).

There are others, just think of games that introduce themselves slowly and allude to a good story from the begining.