Strange game request

Tusky · 22-03-2008 2:33pm #1

I'm looking to get a pc game for someone who has never played games before. They are over 50 so anything that requires quick hand eye coordination is out. (so no FPS etc).

It also has to be able to run on an old laptop, 1.5ghz 512mb ram. Ive been racking my brain all day trying to think of something suitable.

All I can come up with is Grim Fandango or the Monkey Island games. Mainly because of the slow pace and the point and click nature. However, I seem to remember both series being really difficult.

Hmm. Any ideas ?

Bubs101 · 22-03-2008 2:54pm

If they like football get Football manager. If not maybe Broken Sword or sim city

johnny_ultimate · 22-03-2008 3:13pm

Point 'n' clicks would probably be most apporpriate. They are generally difficult however: I'd agree with Bubs that Broken Sword would be one of the most accessiable, but not necessarily 'best' examples of the genre.

Also, Age of Empires seems to be a really popular game with non-gamers I know. Don't ask me why, but seems to suit more casual and beginner gamers well.

Kinetic^ · 22-03-2008 3:15pm

johnny_ultimate wrote: »

Point 'n' clicks would probably be most apporpriate. They are generally difficult however: I'd agree with Bubs that Broken Sword would be one of the most accessiable, but not necessarily 'best' examples of the genre.

Also, Age of Empires seems to be a really popular game with non-gamers I know. Don't ask me why, but seems to suit more casual and beginner gamers well.

I've got AOE1&2 + expansion packs, still in their wrapping, can have it for some eurons if you want :pac:

Creature · 22-03-2008 3:28pm

What about strategy games like Civilization 2/3, Age of empires and Sim City. My dad is in his late 50s and still plays Civ and Sim City games religiously.

L31mr0d · 22-03-2008 3:47pm

is this person a male or a female

Bubs101 · 22-03-2008 4:14pm

You could just download a snes emulator

L31mr0d · 22-03-2008 4:24pm

Bubs101 wrote: »

You could just download a snes emulator

in before the lock

yes what bubs means to say is that he assumes the individual already owns a SNES and games and therefore would be able to use an emulator to run "backups" of his games.

Also, you can't really go wrong with popcap games. Anybody and their dog will have fun playing them and they'll also run on anything.

Bejeweled and Peggle being 2 good examples.

Bubs101 · 22-03-2008 4:51pm

L31mr0d wrote: »

in before the lock yes what bubs means to say is that he assumes the individual already owns a SNES and games and therefore would be able to use an emulator to run "backups" of his games.

Of course that's what I meant.it would be a shame not to backup those games incase something happened

Tusky · 22-03-2008 5:19pm

Cheers for the suggestions. Bejeweled, Sim City & Broken sword might be worth a shot alright.

I'm gonna give them Grim Fandango first though.

stevenmu · 22-03-2008 7:12pm

Possibly some sim type games, an older flight sim, a driving/racing sim or maybe a naval sim ?

seraphimvc · 22-03-2008 7:18pm

i remember there was a game called God back the day i was using Windows 3.1,good fun!

trout · 22-03-2008 9:23pm

If you can track down a copy ... I think The Neverhood would be a winner here.

Cracking puzzle game ... it's a classic ... claymation, frame by frame animation, great soundtrack, and it will run on a very modest spec PC.

No cat like reflexes required ... just a sense of humour, and a willingness to try, try again. Very rewarding game, challenging, but not too hard ... and if your pal get's stuck ... there are any number of walkthroughs online.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Neverhood

Steez · 22-03-2008 10:27pm

Carmageddon or Interstate '76.
Or Cannon Fodder!

And in the other direction I'll go with Day of the Tentacle or City Of Lost Children. Played the last one when I was 7 i think, and it was just...weird. Stuck with me ever since.

amp · 23-03-2008 12:56pm

Civ3, very slow paced and great for older machines.

the_syco · 24-03-2008 8:39am

seraphimvc wrote: »

i remember there was a game called God back the day i was using Windows 3.1,good fun!

An excellent game, one that is on the SNES, should you have an emulator (oh, and the game of course;))

=-=

Card games, and mahjongg. Also, remember to get a big clunky non-wireless mouse for them to plug in. Laptop mouses ftl.