Getting into video games

[cosmonaut]

Hi. I haven't had much experience with video games but I'd really like to get into them as I hear people talk about how fantastic they are. What would you recommend I start with? Something that will make me go 'Wow!' but nothing too difficult.

[mltvcocktail]

What system are you thinking of getting into because that is probably the first major decision.

[cosmonaut]

Well I've got a PS2 and PC and I'm getting a Wii for christmas.

[svgamer]

Well I've got a PS2 and PC and I'm getting a Wii for christmas.

How do you NOT have much experience with video games then?

[cosmonaut]

How do you NOT have much experience with video games then?

Because the PS2 isn't actually mine and I'm getting a Wii because my sister says it's really good.

[heyseuss]

Having a PS2 already gives you the most options. There's a jennifer lopez buttload of titles available. You need to be more specific about the kind of game you want to play. If you have a spare $20 a month, get a gamefly account and rent some games that seem interesting to you. I'm glad as hell I didn't buy about 25 games I've rented and quickly returned, and glad as hell I rented and liked and then kept the few great games I found.

EDIT; nevermind about the Gamefly account I guess, I just noticed you're located in London. But you should still come clear about the type of games you want to play.

[diane]

There's a jennifer lopez buttload of titles available.

That has got to be the best metaphor for a large number I have ever heard.

[ookla]

perhaps... a J-Load?

[MaxTheSilent]

You've come to the right place, little Radling.

[zelnox]

What genre of games do you enjoy?

For a tactical squad-based strategy game that should run on most PCs (from the 90s!), try to find X-COM: UFO Defense (http://www.xcomufo.com/). Amazing game. I think that site even has a download link for it.

Another strategy game I loved was Kohan (http://www.timegate.com/kag/). Should be able to find this in the bargain bin. Company of Heroes is a modern take on this, but the pace I found too fast to be tactical.

For a shooter on PC. Play Half-Life 2.

[cosmonaut]

Okay cool, thanks.

What types of games are there to choose from?

[wizmaster]

Okay cool, thanks.

What types of games are there to choose from?

Lots and lots and lots. Did I mention lots? If you can imagine it, someone probably made a game to that effect.

You have first person shooters which focus around shooting but may feature other aspects. You usually want a multiplayer game since you can get used bots and predict their movements.

There are games that focus on exploration and adventure. These tend to have deep stories. These range from Metroid Prime games (lots of shooting with exploring) to japanese RPGs (a lot of random battles to level up your characters) to many other types. Suffice it to say, stuff happens and you have to pay attention. They usually have puzzles. Zelda also falls under this category.

Then you have full blown puzzle games. These can vary but are usually casual and pick up and go. These are your Magneticas, Tetrisi, and even sudoku can be placed here. These are more prolific on handhelds and work well as pick up and go. Picross is a popular example as well as Brain Age(2) (the sudoku is better on these games then the sudoku only ones). I believe there's also a crossword game on the DS. Suffice it to say, you have plenty of games to choose from.

You have platformers which is basically Mario. Jumping everywhere. Usually have puzzles and possibly a story but it's all about the jumping (not really but you jump a lot).

You can probably get the list on genres on wikipedia so I'll stop using them.

There are rhythm games like Dance Dance Revolution (goes by many names), Elite Beat Agents, and Guitar Hero which is basically doing something at the right time.

There are also games that are completely story driven like Pheonix Wright, Hotel Dusk, and Trauma Center. Just because it's story driven doesn't mean you don't do anything though.

You have social games like MySims, Animal Crossing and the like where you have a town/character that can interact with a friend's town/character. MMOs also fall in this category IMO (WoW is only fun if you play with friends).

Sports games are pretty obvious.

Real Time Strategy

you know what, tell us what you would like to do and we'll see if we can find a genre or game that fits it.

[serenity]

For Tetris-like obsessive compulsive gaming I recommend Katamari Damacy.

[mltvcocktail]

That has got to be the best metaphor for a large number I have ever heard.

I'm extremely scared, the minute I read that sentence the Jennifer Lopez rhapsody commercial came on the TV.

[cosmonaut]

Alright thanks. I think I'll just buy a few different games and see which kind I like best.

[wizmaster]

Alright thanks. I think I'll just buy a few different games and see which kind I like best.

Rent, borrow, or gamefly. No point in buying unless you know you will like it.

[cosmonaut]

Rent, borrow, or gamefly. No point in buying unless you know you will like it.

Yeah true. I'll probably do that instead.

[d3isme]

Thanks for the writeup WizMaster.

I'm also looking at getting into gaming (no system yet) as I'm fascinated by what I see on reviews like TRS. But with very little background it's intimidating and you don't always see enough to really tell what is going on (and how it's done).

I have a number of games on my Mac (hidden object, word games, pinball type) which I like for relaxation.

I'm attracted to the gorgeous graphics of the new gen stuff, though since that seems to go hand in hand with lots of bloody violent deaths. (I don't mind shooter type games, but am uncomfortable with fountains of blood, etc).

Portal caught my attention.
Does anyone have any other suggestions?

Thanks. - D.

[kahunablair]

I am by no means a hardcore gamer, so take that into account that I might be way off here.

It sounds to me like you'd be prime canidate for the DS. Simple, fun Tetris-like games.
Puzzle Quest seems to be the ultimate recommendation around here for puzzle style games.