Trying to get my mother into gaming. I need help.

[DigitalAtlas]

Animal Crossing. You'll win that war.

 

[DJjaffacake]

Personally I'd be wary of Soul Calibur, especially to play together, it could get pretty awkward. I'm pretty sure it features lots of ridiculously proportioned women wearing very little. Not a game to play with your mum.

 

[culpeo]

I applaud you for making this effort. It took my mom years before she was comfortable with anything but Microsoft Solitaire and Hearts. Now she's into puzzle-games (baby steps and all). I figure she'll become hardcore after she retires, but we'll see.

If you're looking for something gentle, what about Braid? It's a pretty straightforward artsy puzzle-platformer in a fantasy setting.

 

[Lugbzurg]

I've gotten my mother to play Pac-Man: Adventures in Time and Plants vs. Zombies. She's also into Bejeweld. My sister is into Roller Coaster Tycoon, The Sims, Terrania, Fallout, and Portal.

Maybe, you should try some of these.

 

[Leemaster777]

WoW.

The vast majority of female gamers I know are big MMO fans.

This, a thousand times this. WoW would be a great starting place for a fledgling gamer. It's easy to play, and easy to learn (the basics). As an online game, you can totally play together as well.

Just go with the 2 week trial to start her out. After that, maybe buy one month of play. At the very least, the game will teach her the basics of RPG play, and make the leap into games like Skyrim a bit easier.

 

[iLazy]

Sims is probably the best choice. Maybe Dragon Age Origins or Mass Effect. I'd keep her away form multiplayers for a bit though...

Nonetheless, OKAMI, OKAMI, OKAMI!!!

 

[DragonStorm247]

My mom's into the sci-fi horror genre, so I tried Dead Space. I know, the irony.

 

[MrHide-Patten]

Well I've got an older sister who never plays video games, and she really liked playing LIMBO and my mother thought it looked rather good.

 

[JaceArveduin]

You could also get her to try LotRO, while you can't adjust your cheekbones with it, you can customize your characters features decently well (along with being able to go back and change your hairstyle any time you want) and it's got a great cosmetic system. I introduced a gal to it who plays games as much as me, and the first thing she did when I explained the cosmetic system is to go and get herself an outfit set up. It's also easy to get into and the classes really aren't complicated. Oh, and it's Free to Play, you can get into the 30's (cap is 75) before having to worry about paying anything. They also give you some change in Turbine Points for doing deeds n such, so most things aren't out of reach if you have a little bit of determination.

[edit] I forgot to mention that LotRO is good for scenery too

Spoiler

http://www.flickr.com/photos/katia_stef/6726509501/
this is a decent group of screenshots I came across when I stumbled upon a site called casualstrolltomordor.com

 

[Lord Beautiful]

Seeing as she's a fantasy fan, I emphatically suggest Street Fighter III: Third Strike.