Mom-friendly 'pretty' rpg

[Katana314]

My vote: Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney.

The game is all about its story and decisions. It makes its gameplay and goals very clear to you, and doesn't require anything in terms of avatar movement or reflexes. You can save at any time, even mid-conversation.

And in terms of story? Let's just say this...we've had Metal Gear Solid. We've had Heavy Rain, and LA Noire. All of us can breathe a sigh of relief in admitting that they all had SHITTY, ridiculous stories. Phoenix Wright does not. People definitely "wow" over the endings of EVERY game, always filled with such unpredictable twists and reversals of fate that you're always left on the edge of your seat. The best part is that any and all plotholes the fans have come up with are very easily explainable (except in Apollo Justice).

Finally, the game is very, very funny. All the characters are well-written and make lots of amusing commentary despite the dire appearance of a game primarily about murders. The game doesn't even try to sell itself on its humor, the way so many horrible games have. It takes you from pop culture references to very real dramatic tension to the celebration of a finished case all in a matter of minutes. So many of the characters are unique as well, even if only through very unusual character quirks.

So I'll say it again: Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney.

Furthermore, if you're slightly amoral, there are ways of getting the original ROMs for an emulator. This being a public forum, I will not help you along that end (but if it matters, I will say the game isn't really in production now, and it's near impossible to find a copy that will fund the developers).

 

[Ushiromiya Battler]

Valkyria Chronicles!

It's a tactical RPG and it's a beautiful game if you like CG.
And the story! I love it, heart wrenching!

Definitely worth playing!

 

[thenamelessloser]

I wouldn't go with Oblivion. You'll probably bore the shit out of her. Get something with good writing and more story driven.

Uh what? I'm still playing Oblivion 4 years after release and I think I spent 8 hours yesterday just running around and exploring caves for treasure and questing. Some of the story arcs in Oblivion, especially Knights of the Nine, are epic in scope. And I say this as an English major.

Bethesda has their strengths and writing, quest design and dialog is just not one of them.
Some of the quests like the Dark brotherhood aren't terrible, but most of it is very average.

Try playing some Planescape:Torment and you'll see what i'm talking about.

Totally different style rpgs, but we are talking about writing and story here.

Planescape: torment did have its share of fetch quests. Probably the best side quests in games were Fallout 2 and Arcanum. Planescape: Torment has very strong writing and story but its quest design is not that great.

I think the Fable series is ideal for somoene who wants an easy, pretty game where you can customize the main character.

Not RPGs per say but I think games like The Longest Journey could be very fun for people not into games especially if they aren't into having violence.

Actually come to think of it Planescape: torment may be worth it as well. The game has tons of text but if your mom enjoys reading fantasy books then she shouldn't mind having to read so much for game.