What would you recommend?

[zombi2989]

This is my first post here at The Escapist and I'm sure this question has come up many times but I would like to see some answers anyway. If you knew someone who has never had any prior interest in gaming but they came to you for a recommendation for the first game they should play; what would you tell them?

 

[GRoXERs]

Well, welcome to the Escapist!
On topic:
Hmm... I'd have to say, first, that it depends entirely on the person, and second, that Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time would be my first choice for just about everybody. For frothing-at-the-mouth violent dumb people, possibly Gears of War, for people who just can't handle violence, one of the Katamari games, and for people who are really smart and/or value story over gameplay, the Half Life or Final Fantasy series.

 

[runtheplacered]

First off, welcome to The Escapist.

I'd really need to know more about your interests to answer that question. Is there anything about gaming that brought it to your attention in the first place? Do you find yourself wanting to slay beasts or jam on a plastic guitar? Maybe slay dragons and rescue fair maidens (you get the point) or would you rather jump around platforms and shoot fireballs at mushrooms? Are you "Wow'd" by graphics or does that not mean anything to you? (Does CGI do anything for you when you see it in movies? Or do you prefer the good ol' fashioned use of puppets and creativity?) Do you like historically accurate portrayals or do you see yourself in an imaginative fictitious world?

Just a little bit about your interests can help make this conversation go along way.

It couldn't hurt starting off with some user-friendly casual games, like Mario or Zelda. But at the same time, that may scare you away from gaming altogether if you don't happen to like them. Let us know a little bit about you and why you'd be interested in gaming and I bet we can make some great recommendations for you.

 

[TsunamiWombat]

Screw that Ocarina of time crap. Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past.

 

[darthzack79]

I would suggest a nice, classic platform game...just about everybody can squeeze into those. Things made by Valve are always of high quality, too.

 

[Snake422]

I shall follow everyone's lead and welcome you to the Escapist as well.

Anyway I would say Little Big Planet it's simple and anyone who knows how to jump can
play it and plus it's not that terribly difficult so it's fun and easy for anyone new to gaming to understand and pick up and play.

 

[runtheplacered]

Also, it wouldn't hurt to know what system(s) you want a game for.

 

[GRoXERs]

Screw that Ocarina of time crap. Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past.

Dude, that's... that's a GBA game (yes I know it was originally on the SNES). LoZ:OoT is (almost by definition) a deeper game. Plus, it has a deeper storyline.

 

[Lord Krunk]

Depends on what they like. i would start them off with a good platformer like the original Crash Bandicoot or Psychonauts.

 

[DoW Lowen]

Depends on what they like. i would start them off with a good platformer like the original Crash Bandicoot or Psychonauts.

For a new gamer? Crash Bandicoot is a bit much of the newbies isn't it? Or perhaps it was just I was a lot younger when I played it. Although those cuts on my wrists shall remain forever...

 

[Lord Krunk]

Depends on what they like. i would start them off with a good platformer like the original Crash Bandicoot or Psychonauts.

For a new gamer? Crash Bandicoot is a bit much of the newbies isn't it? Or perhaps it was just I was a lot younger when I played it. Although those cuts on my wrists shall remain forever...

Hey, it's my first game, and I never looked back.

I know its a good starter game from experience.

 

[Eagle Est1986]

I'd have to say it depends on the person, for instance my friend doesn't like games that give him too much freedom (something I literally can't understand).

I'd probably be between LittleBigPlanet, Halo:CE and a few others that don't spring to mind right now. I'd prefer to introduce them through the ways of co-op.
For single player, I think I'd go a bit retro and go with something like an older Zelda or similar.

 

[AndyFromMonday]

I'd say it depends on what they prefer. To be honest I'd tell 'em to try Age of Empires 1. That was my first game....well not really my first one was Solitaire. (Weird thing is, I never beat it)

One game that would really be good for a beginner tho would be, in my opinion, Star Wars Jedi Knight Jedi Academy. It has both fps, and 3rd person action, and it's just plain fun.(Just..don't try the single player).

 

[Calax]

Oh noes. Lack of search button, generic number name, overdone topic. Flee before the nazis get here and ***** at you. XD (sorry, inside joke from recent topics)

Anyway I would just take a sample of diff genres.

FPS: Black, CoD4, L4D, Portal
RTS: Dawn of War, Warcraft 3
RPG: Final Fantasy 7, Star Ocean 2
Platform: Kingdom Hearts, Psychonauts
Survivial: Resident Evil 1&2
Action: God of War, Legacy of Kain

... Before I toss people to the dogs with Dawn of War and Warcraft I'd probably try to hook them up with a more forgiving game like Command and Conquer, as to FPS's I'd agree to CoD4, but also raise the possibility of Half Life 2 and disagree with Left 4 Dead because L4D requires at least some foreknowedge about FPS's and some skills to it. RPG's are fine, and otherwise I don't think you can go very wrong with these choises. Unless the person in question is under 15 then skip god of war.

 

[Cxizent]

Welcome! You're one of us now, there's no turning back (mwa ha ha ha).
Also, Peggle.

 

[Abedeus]

Screw that Ocarina of time crap. Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past.

Dude, that's... that's a GBA game (yes I know it was originally on the SNES). LoZ:OoT is (almost by definition) a deeper game. Plus, it has a deeper storyline.

Just because it's a GBA game doesn't mean it's bad. I know few.. okay, a lot of GBC/GBA games that are better than PC/PS2 games.

 

[Reaperman Wompa]

A simple Rpg or FPs. FPS for simplicity and enjoyability, or RPG for the scope and detail in them, which would get most people hooked as they keep playing to discover more of the story.

 

[GRoXERs]

Screw that Ocarina of time crap. Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past.

Dude, that's... that's a GBA game (yes I know it was originally on the SNES). LoZ:OoT is (almost by definition) a deeper game. Plus, it has a deeper storyline.

Just because it's a GBA game doesn't mean it's bad. I know few.. okay, a lot of GBC/GBA games that are better than PC/PS2 games.

Quoted for truth! Just saying, as someone who's played and beaten both at least twice, i have to go with OoT as the better game.