The answer is either Oblivion, UFO50, the or Super Mario RPG. I… like one of those games
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I know someone like this. Specifically, Game Boy Tetris. He played it a lot and nothing else (maybe still does), though I suppose it’s likely he tried another video game in the distant past.
How about Katamari Damacy? It might be easier to pick up tank controls than other modern control schemes. And it should be easy to find a used PS2, hack it, and send it with the game pre-installed and simple written steps for menu navigation.
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In theory sure, in practice fps controls, or any control scheme with independent camera control, is a total nonstarter for a complete novice
Now we’re talking
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I really think “no independent camera control” is the gospel here, depending on the person’s other hobbies & interests you could potentially hook them with anything that doesn’t have that:
point n click adventure
crpg
jrpg
arpg
platformer/run n gun/beatemup
4x/strategy
citybuilder/godgame
Each would work for certain types of folks.
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too stressful
am thinking back to the Game On! exhibit at the museum a few months back, 100+ consoles and games already set up. truly the best game was Combat on the Atari 2600 with a half-busted controller
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Acceptable.
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Sometimes I think about becoming this
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i would like to know why this is my goal. am i trying to make a friend into a game buddy i can talk about games with? why do i need to get them a new hobby; can’t i just show them a game? i know this sounds idiotic (and also, it is, because i’m me), but if someone is an adult who does not play videogames i’m initially thinking like… good for them! need i pass my curse onto others??
guess i’m curious why i want this outcome in the first place! now, if they want to make gaming a hobby, hey!
ANYWAY, let’s assume that this innocent, blissfully ignorant non-gamer making gaming a hobby is really what i want and i’m not at all conflicted about that since i think that’s the intent here…
i’d probably tell them to install Delta on their iPhone and send them a ROM of Pokemon Crystal
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can I let them use my own equipment? If so, everybody’s golf hot shots for the ps5 once it releases, simple control scheme, everyone basically understands golf rules already, enough chaos for it to be fun even if you are bad at it, etc.
Also I give them my ps5 afterwards because I never use it and just play it on a switch 2 if I ever get one.
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I would start with iOS IF, I think starting with CYOA style (80 Days, Astrologaster, other Inkle games), then more puzzley IF (Zarfhome stuff like Hadean Lands, Gorogoa) and finally more longform / strategy games like Six Ages.
IF is a good jumping off point because while you can replay occasionally, you don’t generally stick to one forever - and they tend to be pretty short and straightforward, while still being interesting enough to want to seek out more on your own.
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Warcraft III RPG Map or Diablo 2
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!!
didn’t know this was coming out, thanks!
apparently also coming on switch and pc (!!)
EDIT:
Developer: HYDE, Inc.
huh, what? oh Clap Hanz don’t own the ip, sony do (??)
gemstone…
and I’d lie and say all games are like this
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I probably wouldn’t force on or suggest anything to them, instead just playing whatever I’m interested in and if they want to try it, then we have something to work off of instead of me going “this is video games”
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I like Rudie’s Kirby’s Adventure suggestion.
- Aesthetically, it’s very charming and approachable.
- It’s one of the easier platformers around but doesn’t feel condescending at all.
- It’s got that NES simplicity, and you don’t need a manual to figure out the controls.
- I think a platformer immediately scans as an archetypal Video Game for someone who doesn’t know games, so they’ll feel like they’re really Doing It, not getting the kid gloves treatment or being given something like Wordle that they don’t even think of as a video game.
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depends how young and open to new brain damage they are
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I fucking miss sid meier’s Gettysburg
to the thread title,
Kentucky Route Zero
Stardew Valley
Pokémon Gold maybe?
Halo is a little tough controls wise
really depends on the person’s artistic taste
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i would make it my first priority to teach this hypothetical loved one (and i obviously love them quite a bit if im willing to put in this level of care for them) the basics of emulation. and dropbox. and i would dropbox them a little starter kit of emulators & roms based on their interests and just say go nuts
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The Witness, absolutely The Witness:
- Runs on MacOS and iOS
- A very robust click-to-move feature
- Super pretty, play at your own pace
…being a game I can blabber about for days also helps.
re: Portal, I’ve tried getting my dad to play Portal but he got motion sick in chamber 0.
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This is a pretty good one. The Delta emulator on iOS is really easy to set up, my answer might be that and Earthbound.
I would try to figure out what drives their interest. Is it how their (siblings’) kids talk about them? Are they trying to connect with someone or understand an experience (they think) someone else is having? This is a problem I think about all the time, what a person wants vs what’s appropriate for them and the risk of disappointment and disaffection.
It’s a little bit of a cop-out but: breath of the wild. imo the answer has to be a game aimed at kids, with enough depth for adults to take it seriously. Like it’s very important that when you check in two weeks later they tell you about what a great time they’re having and they’ve played 30 hours without leaving the great plateau.
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