Gaming Suggestions For A Non-Gamer?

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."

Comments

Rent a Gamecube

[Enrico Pulatzo]

You get all sorts of great games from Zelda to Splinter Cell.

I think Nintendo has the best exclusive games (Halo aside). Outside of that, all 3 consoles have pretty much the same games nowadays.

Pikmin alone is worth renting a gamecube.

You'll probably be familiar with more characters from Nintendo to reconnect to the whole youth thing, too.

The only downside is you can't play Grand Theft Auto 3.

Depends vastly on platform

[SnowDog_2112]

It sounds like you're talking about getting a console and geeking out on it. I'll offer two recommendations for PS2 games, then.

Grand Theft Auto 3 (or GTA3: Vice City), as long as you aren't offended by senseless acts of violence. There's a certain joy in playing that game for the first time and the freedom you have to just walk up to someone, kick them out of their car, and go for a spin in it. If you're around 30, you'll definitely dig the Vice City vibe for some 80s retro action, and the soundtrack cannot be beat.

This is not a racing game, but you will get to drive around in fast cars. Plus, you can whip out an uzi in a mall, blow away a store full of gangsters, hop in your car, and escape to the beats of Michael Jackson.

Dark Cloud 2: I haven't played this, but a friend whose opinion I trust was totally sucked into it and spent far more time than makes sense playing this game. Great RPG-style goodness, lots to do, minigames, etc. A real great look at where "video games" have gone since you left the hobby.

Have fun with your video game craziness!