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

Need more info.

[SuperguyA1]

I would guess, since you haven't played games in a long time you also haven't kept up on the gaming hardware, since the only reasons to have the latest and greatest video cards is gaming. What are you running? This makes the difference between a recomendation of Spinter Cell versus say red alert or even half life if it's been that long.