If you have ps3, I suggest Heavy Rain. Controls are easy enough and she should be able to get through it on easy setting.
I don't think a new gamer would really know enough to appreciate these games. I tried to get my girlfriend to play Portal, but she panicked and shut down in one of the early rooms. A recurring question in getting someone to play Minecraft would be "why?" and I really wouldn't have an answer. A non-gamer really just wouldn't have the experience to understand why freedom or strong storytelling within gameplay is important.The Plunk said:Minecraft would be a good game to start as it's really only as hard as you make it (just tell her not to dig straight down!)
Also, Portal and Portal 2 as the puzzles require logical thinking rather than gameplay expertise. Plus, the brilliant writing shows just how far games have come.
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)The Abhorrent said: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.
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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.
Fun fact: The Xbox 360 port actually does have a tutorial for what it's worth.EternalFacepalm said: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.
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.lRookiel said: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