My partner is interested in learning some of the games I play, so I’m trying to find some introductory games to get her used to the common control schemes.
Off the top of my head, it’d probably have to be games that…
- Have few inputs beyond the basics
- Are not difficult or punishing
- Are approachable mechanically (So as not to overwhelm them when they’re focus on learning basic controls)
- 2D is probably preferable, since its easier to understand and process whats happening at a glance.
- Multiplayer would probably also be a strong bonus, but also not required
The only game that particularly comes to mind is Portal, but hopefully others will have some better ideas.
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The various valve games would probably be ideal.
Portal 2’s co-op mode perhaps.
Fortnite’s Lego mode would probably work very well. Since it’s targeted towards younger kids that are still learning how games work.
Serious Sam franchise would be fun too.
The Stanley Parable, and similar “walking simulator” type games.
Second this genre, one of my favorite is What remains of Edith Finch
This is probably the best choice. There is basically no failure state, so there is no impetus to act under pressure, which is probably the biggest demotivator if someone is at that stage of learning how to play video games.
I always use controller but I recently played Oxenfree and it was much easier with keyboard and mouse.
DOOM (1996)
Doom 2 is 1994, Doom 64 is 1997…
DOOM (1969)
Assassins creed. Ignore the game and any of the extra’s, and just enjoy a walk around the city
Are not difficult or punishing
Oh. So, not Noita…
I used to always use Minecraft for this. Sure, they can’t do everything immediately, but I put the game on peaceful and let them explore at their own pace.
I say “used to” because Luanti (formerly MineTest, an open source Minecraft Clone*) is finished and free.
(Okay, Luanti is a lot more than a Minecraft clone. But for this discussion that’s all one needs to know.)
There is Portal: Flash, a browser-based Flash game, if you can run it. Tons of fun. Also Minecraft (BUT maybe use version 1.13 or earlier in order to cut out some harassment, Illagers and raids might deter new players. Mainly they just piss me off. Go 1.12 or earlier to avoid Drowned and Ocean Monuments/Guardians) and The Room 1-4
Minetest.
renamed to Luanti ~5 months ago!
I’d go down the route of so called ‘Walking Simulators’* though I use the term First Person Experiances, such as Dear Esther, Gone Home or maybe even Firewatch. Games were you can take you time and practice the feeling of movement. From there if you are looking to get into shooter style games go for something Co-Op. My wife and I started on Time-Splitters where she basically stayed back as a sniper whilst I ran in. (This was back in 98/99) From there we ended up going through Halo, Gears and eventually Borderlands as they came out. Anything where you have a bleed out / respawn mechanic is great.
*For me a walking simulator would be more like Octodad where you actually have to work at the walking! :D
phasmophobia
Maybe Valheim? You could turn the settings to peaceful mode if you don’t want to deal with combat quite yet - although combat at the beginning isn’t super in-depth - but it doesn’t have a ton of buttons and the start of the game is a lot of basic “walk around and find things to interact with.”
This might sound weird but the first game that came to my mind was cod. If the goal is only to familiarize her with the controls then you don’t even need to play online. Just load up in a private lobby alone and learn how to walk while looking around, add in sprinting and jumping, then figure out how to aim and shoot at stuff (stationary if necessary). I imagine that if she’s able to get comfortable with all that then she’ll be fine with literally anything else.
Other than that just play games that you’re both interested in and the controls will come with it
2D: Survivors/Bullet Heaven type games. Most are WASD to move, mouse to aim (if at all).
3D: Vampire Hunters. Since it auto shoots the focus is on movement: strafing, aiming, and avoiding getting hit by mobs. Dying early is expected, so no pressure on getting a perfect run.
Portal maybe
