A Good Game for an Absolute Beginner?

[EternalFacepalm]

Tons are recommending Minecraft. NO, NO, NO. That game is really confusing to new players unless you go through the wiki constantly (which probably won't be enjoyable), due to it not having a tutorial.

I would second Portal, however it's first person, which might confuse her considering her inability to control Ghost Recon.

Y'know what might really work? Cave Story. Simple, free, extremely fun.

 

[Treblaine]

zDoom.

That is, Doom with full mouse-look and jump mods. It is a fundamental yet very simple shooter.

 

[mysecondlife]

Spoiler

The Portal series is a great place to start, as both are known for being 90%+ tutorial for the player and entertaining the whole way through. Not too difficult, and puzzle games aren't too demanding in terms of reaction times and that; controls are quite simple as well, and introduced at a rate that's perfect for gaming newbies. To top it off, the games aren't too violent nor offensive in any way (GlaDOS' scathing remarks aside)... though the humour can be a bit dark at times. Portal 2 comes with a co-op mode as well, though it's recommended that both parties got into it dark (haven't played the co-op mode before); that way you can solve the problems together, not just have one guide the other through it.

For other PC suggestions? Maybe the two recent re-releases for the Monkey Island franchises (for the first two games of said franchise, called "Special Editions"). Point-and-click adventures are a bit dated as a genre at this point, but those are whole-heartedly entertaining and hilarious.

And so far, everything is available on Steam.

---

Now for the mildly tricky part, platformers. While it was requested to keep things on the PC, platformers are a bit rare on it; Nintendo has some of the best ones on the Wii, if you're able to get her on it. The reason you want to look at platformers is because they're more or less pure gaming fun; and as a result, a great way to get someone into gaming (by showing them what it's all about). While the genre definitely has a "for kids" look to it, anyone can have fun playing them; they're just that damn good.

Super Mario Galaxy and it's sequel are probably the best to go with, both of which received near-unanimous praise from both critics and players. Again simple controls are at work here, but they also have motion controls; while that might seem off-putting at first, the game's design knows they're new to everyone and eases players into them. Someone who's completely new to gaming might actually have an advantage here, as they don't have to fight the muscle memory developped from years (or a couple decades) worth of playing games with a standard controller.

I disagree with Portal. I've seen newcomers confused with the game play and controlling dual analog (my father didn't understand game play, my sister struggled with dual analog)

 

[Mysterious Username]

Tons are recommending Minecraft. NO, NO, NO. That game is really confusing to new players unless you go through the wiki constantly (which probably won't be enjoyable), due to it not having a tutorial.

Fun fact: The Xbox 360 port actually does have a tutorial for what it's worth.
Although I agree that the game is far too complex for an absolute beginner.

 

[BreakfastMan]

Try any Point N' Click adventures. Good ones are everywhere on the internet (some even for free), and usually have very simple control schemes that utilize abilities most of us have already learned (point at things and clicking on stuff), so they should be easy for people who do not game to get a handle on. Try those before you try anything else (and I mean anything). Trust me, for an older person, those are by far the best.

 

[Kungfu_Teddybear]

Try Demon's Souls and Dark Souls.

*evil grin*

OK, what about Skyrim on PC? Simple enough, but really good game.

 

[gmaverick019_v1legacy]

EDIT: Quite hard since most of my games have a fair amount of action in :/

However, I think Portal(+ Portal 2) is a fun puzzle game that is not too challenging, it's just an absolute joy to play the game(s).

Oh and ofcourse the Nintendo platformers :3

yeah, my 4 year old brother was having lots of fun with portal when i first showed it to him, besides the later levels there isn't much on "dying" or anything, so playing around with the mechanics is fun at first.


also, as mentioned, any nintendo platformer, especially on the wii. however, you said pc, so maybe the sims? (no offense on this, i play the games and love em too) but alot of moms tend to like those games.

 

[Vuliev]

Have you gotten her to play Bastion yet? The "No-Sweat" mode seems like it would be a perfect fit, and the game has an amazing story to boot.

 

[Cowabungaa]

The Fable franchise is very easy on new gamers, so I'd suggest that. Scarygirl is a fun little platformer she might enjoy as well.

Thing is, it's hard to recommend things when we have no idea what sort of stuff she likes. Is she fond of sci-fi, fantasy, both or neither? Does she mind violence or not, or does she actually love things like action flicks? Does she like horror or not? Etc etc etc.

We sort of need more to go on if you want us to make good suggestions. Tell us more about her tastes in entertainment.

 

[Evilpigeon]

Point and click adventure games. Story focused, challenging and engaging puzzles, simple controls.

If you're trying to get somebody into a new form of entertainment you need to give them things they're familiar with. I doubt many non-gamers are going to take to mario or any other very mechanics focused experiences in a big way. This is why Portal is an amazing gateway game, it has an intriguing story and puzzle based gameplay which means that people who aren't going to be mechanically competant can still get into the experience without much difficulty.

Examples of stuff my Mum has enjoyed:

Discworld 2 Point'n'click
Myst series
World of Goo
Heavy rain

 

[Aeonknight]

Alot of people are probably going to foam at the mouth at this suggestion, but I'd say CoD4.

Available on PC, no "trenches" to speak of, pulls you in within the first 5 minutes, not too terribly difficult, and she's already familiar with shooters.

 

[Smallells]

Lego games.
Lego Star Wars to be exact.
My parents never play video games because they get motion sickness JUST BY WATCHING IT.
However, I remember trying to play Lego Star Wars with my mother and it was a blast. Get the original game, play with her, and Just.Have.Fun.
You can't lose, there's incentive for you to do better, and it brings quite a few elements of challenges to attempt to get completion rates. It's fun for two or one players. THE ORIGINAL LEGO STAR WARS!
My advice anyway...

 

[Zaydin]

There's always the Civilization series, or Plants vs Zombies. I'd also recommend Bastion, let's see.... Braid might be good, too.

 

[Nightmonger]

What about the recently HD'ified monkey island games ? simple point and clicks reasonable visuals now and quite a few funny moments which is always a good thing.

On the other hand I would suggest looking at your mothers interests and asking her what she would like to play or heck ask her to sit down infront of steam and have a browse and see what looks interesting and then take it from there.

 

[laggyteabag]

Dark Souls! I kid, I kid

But yeah, Bastion is pretty simple to play, I only ever really used 2 buttons (aside from wasd)

 

[IRBaboon]

What about the recently HD'ified monkey island games ? simple point and clicks reasonable visuals now and quite a few funny moments which is always a good thing.

On the other hand I would suggest looking at your mothers interests and asking her what she would like to play or heck ask her to sit down infront of steam and have a browse and see what looks interesting and then take it from there.

If on the PC I'd recommend the non HD'd version. The HD versions controls are kind of terrible on the PC

 

[Combustion Kevin]

I recommend "Manhunt" for the PC or PS2.

classic entertainment for the whole family, right up there with monopoly or disney movies.

 

[TrevHead]

If she is totally new to controllers and has bad hand eye coardination i'ld recomemnd puzzlers

Crayon Physics: very relaxing and theres several ways to beat each puzzle.
Any connect 3 puzzler would be good like Sega's Dr Robotniks Mean Bean Machine & Columns (They are both mega drive games but I beleive they are both on steam.)
I highly recommend Might and Magic Clash of Heroes its a very intresting connect 3/ chess/ rpg hybrid. (this is on console and PC and plays very well with a pad)

Also try out simple 2D indies like-

Noitu Love 2 its mouse and keyboard (check out Konjack org for his other freeware games like chalk)
Carpe Fulgur's Reccetear: Its a mix of shop management and simple hack and slash dugeon crawling.
Aquaria: A mix of echo the dophin and a shooter its both mouse and pad also
Lesbian Spider-Queens of Mars: despite its name its actually a good take on Wizards or Wor
Mighty Jill Off
Don't Look Back
Robot Unicorn Attack and Canabalt
Amnesia
Staking

you might need to use xpadder to use a pad with those that are flash games

Sonic 1 (on steam) or any Ninty 1st party games like Mario, Mariokart, Zelda and especially Kirby which is super easy

Try out some co-op with her
Streets of Rage 2 or any other beat em up like Castle Crashers on XBLA
Borderlands
Any Diablo Clone
Dungeon Defenders
Terraria
Jamestown (play on easy and aslong as 1 player is alive they can revive ther other)

EDIT if you are into emulators try out Warsong an easy but enjoyable TRPG, and Jak and Daxter 1

also for semi challenging 2d platformers Love and VVVVVV (super meatboy might be too difficult for a platformer newbie)

For 3d PC Strategy, Company of Heroes, Homeworld or any other Relic Entertainment game will do

 

[WaysideMaze]

Go for the most basic of platformers.

Super Mario, Sonic the Hedgehog, Kirby, that sort of stuff.

Simple mechanics, but good gameplay.

They could buy the latest indie bundle and get her playing Super Meat Boy and Braid.

Those are platformers

 

[SuperSuperSuperGuy]

I actually got into gaming through Pokémon, so I'd recommend that, starting with first gen. As the series went on, it got more complicated, so it'd be best to start off with something simple.

Portal's also great due to the fact that it requires thinking skills rather than gaming experience.

Kirby is excellent due to overall low difficulty and attractive art style.

Old platformers like Mario and Sonic are alright because of their simplicity, though I'm not a big fan of them.

Mario Party seems to be good for introducing others to games; it's a social experience with a bunch of simple mini-games with good variety.

Or you could try something with a good story. Think of what she likes and then go from there. Just try not to pick out anything too difficult; Persona 4, for example, may have a good story, but it can be a bit difficult at times *cough*ShadowYukiko*cough*.

The problem with my suggestions is that none, except Portal, are PC games. Pokémon's easy to emulate, but y'know, who does that? If you must use a controller, I'd recommend things that require little from one's reaction time or knowledge of a controller. Once again, Pokémon's great like that.