Introductory games

[WouldYouKindly]

http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/9.825219-Best-Games-for-Learning-FPS-Controls

That thread got me thinking, what other games would be good at introducing a new gamer to their basic control schemes and how they generally play? These aren't going to be the deepest games or the best for story or anything really, the are going to be there as an emulation of how those kinds of games work at a very basic level.

I've compiled a list by genre.

FPS: For the newer style, either Halo or CoD 4. Both of them are what codified the modern shooter. For the older style, really any would work provided they aren't regarded as brutally hard.

RTS: Starcraft, particularly the original, checks all the boxes of most RTS games without being overly complicated. With a big enough army, most problems can be solved by the attack move command and it teaches the basics of base building, resource gathering, and unit abilities while still being somewhat accessible to a new player.

4X: Civ 4 or 5 on low difficulty settings. These games are just about as emblematic of the 4X genre as can be.

3rd person shooter: I'll admit I've got nothing here. I haven't played many that weren't also tactical shooters, which might be a bit over a new player's head.

Open World: You can't really mess this up if you use the old standbys. GTA or Saints Row would probably be good choices as there's not really skill or RPG elements to clutter things up. Would also give a basic course on 3rd person shooting.

RPG: Skyrim would probably be an excellent choice. It's got a fairly simple progression system and most benefits are plainly stated on the level up screen.

Fighting Game: Probably Skullgirls, because it's got an amazing and expansive tutorial. If you play every tutorial lesson, there's no reason you wouldn't be at least basically competent in every single major fighting game there is. Also, hand drawn fighting game? Yes please!

2D platformer: The oldest are often the best. Mario games would work quite well.

3D platformer: Once again, Mario, but the 3d games, naturally.

Racing: Mario Kart. Simple battle racing game. If you want just straight races, one of the Need for Speed games where you aren't being chased by the cops would do.

Stealth: Hmm, can't really think of one that is new guy friendly.

So care to expand this list? I know I missed genres. Also, I'd love to hear if you think there are games out there more demonstrative of those genres of game that are just as accessible.

 

[Clowndoe]

Stealth: Hmm, can't really think of one that is new guy friendly.

I don't think it's possible to have an introduction to stealth, just because each stealth game is practically it's own genre. The skill you learned in Thief have some benefit in Splinter Cell, although Splinter Cell is more forgiving, so you might want to take it the other way around. Apart from those two, there is very little relation between, say, Hitman and Metal Gear stealth systems.

 

[Glongpre]

The best introductory games are the ones the subject is interested in playing. If you have enough interest you will play said game until you get better.

 

[skywolfblue]

RTS: I'd totally disagree with Starcraft 1, and say Starcraft 2 instead. Starcraft 1 has poor tutorials that don't explain things like rushing, bad AI that loves to wander everywhere, a high micromanagement requirement, etc. Wings of Liberty is pretty much easier for new players in every respect.

3rd Person Shooter: Mass Effect 3 or Gears of War 3 would be my best guess. Neither are super easy, Mass Effect has a lot of powers that can confuse first-timers, Gears of War has some pretty difficult boss fights. As long as directions are followed they're pretty safe to learn.

Open World: Red Dead Redemption is the only one I can think of at the moment. Once you get going it's most certainly not a walk in the park and is challenging, but the tutorial in the game is excellent, covering one topic at a time.

 

[TrevHead]

Modern Bullet Hell Shmups:-
Jamestown imo is the best introduction to the genre, the devs been fans of Japanese CAVE shmups made a westernised noob friendly STG that not only babies noobs but also through it's unlock system introduces players into the correct mindset of working hard and feeling great when you beat the game or highscore. It does have one weakness as a way to learn the genre, the fact it's widescreen play area changes the whole dynamics of vertical shmups and removes alot of the complexity that traditional 3:4 has(4:3 in landscape mode).

Other noob friendly STGs are Blue Wish Resurrection, It's the STG I cut my teeth on, due to it been a freeware PC game it lacks the eye and ear candy other STGs have, but the best thing about this game is that the bullets move very slowly, great for developing hand eye co-ordination and learning ways to dodge bullet mazes, BWR+ and Green Aegis are by the same dev and worth a play too. other noob friendly STGs are Deathsmiles (360), Touhou (PC), Mushihimisama Futari (360), Kenta Cho (PC), Kamui (PC).

Fighting Games:
Skullgirls without a shadow of a doubt, it's tutorial system teaches basic FTG concepts, it uses STD Streetfighter 2 special inputs but has an ai system that makes it much easier to pull off moves than other FTGs. Skullgirls and its characters are an amalgimation of other popular titles which makes jumping into other games much easier. Plus 8 well rounded characters are easier to learn than a 30 character roster which is standard nowadays.

Street Fighter 2 is the birth of the genre and also a great way to play a simple FTG.

RTS:

Any RTS by Relic, since their games are rather casual compared to full on RTS like Starcraft.