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Gaming Suggestions For A Non-Gamer?

Posted by Cliff on from the jumping-in-with-both-feet dept.

StephenLegge asks: "I'm a 33 year old computer programmer and I have not played video games since X-Wing came out. My wife is going away to visit her mom for a *month* and I'm thinking about getting a video game or two -- but I hardly even know where to start!" What games out there would you recommend for a non-gamer, especially those must-play-because-they-are-the-greatest games that are out there? We wouldn't want Stephen to miss out.

"If I rent a machine from Blockbuster, should I get an X-Box or a Playstation 2?

What's a killer:
- action game where I can play a spy or a soldier?
- driving game where I can race around in cool cars?
- D&D style game so I can re-live my pubescent RPG days?

Thanks."

4 of 151 comments (clear)

  1. Here you go: by BillYak · · Score: 4, Informative

    Spy/sneak around: Splinter Cell. /Incredible/ game.
    Racing/Hot Cars: Need For Speed: Hot Pursuit 2. Nothing else comes close to the graphics, the cars, or the entire "feel" of the game. Fun, hop-in-the-car and ride.
    RPG: Neverwinter Nights. "Pen&Paper sim", TONS of third party modules for more gameplay.

  2. Planescape: Torment by Eustace+Tilley · · Score: 3, Informative

    Planescape: Torment is a superb RPG. The New York Times reviewer said "While computer games have not yet achieved Shakespearian quality, this one is perhaps as good as Marlowe." Although it is out of print (so you'll need to check the bargain bins or the web), it is not cobwebbed. This FAQ was updated in February 2003.

  3. my suggestion by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Informative

    I never post here, hence the anonymous coward tag. If you only play one game this month/year/lifetime... you'd better make it the latest Legend of Zelda game, the Wind Walker. It is being called 'the greatest game of all time', and I have to agree.

  4. Suggestion by xagon7 · · Score: 3, Informative

    You will no doubt become slathered with suggestion, but for PC....

    First go here:

    http://www.gamespy.com/articles/july01/top50inde x/

    This is Game Spy's top 100 games of all time, some may disagree to some extent, but virtually everythign worth playing is on this list.

    Personally, my recommended must play PC games of the past 5 years are:

    Homeworld
    Half-Life

    other Great PC games I have played for more than 1 month:

    Netstorm (no longer around and virtually unheard of)
    Quake2, Quake3
    Battlefield1942
    Wolfenstein 3d
    StarCraft, Red Alert (both)
    Duke Nulem 3D
    Doom

    For console:

    N64 -- Legend of Zelda Ocinar of Time
    ps2 -- METAL GEAR SOLID.. beats the crap out of splinter cell
    ps2 -- Grand Turismo 3
    ps2 -- Final Fantasy X

    I hope this helps, I can't put them in any particular order, other than this and I hope you get a few more cross matches to pick something and have some fun.