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.
Some particular reasons why I’d recommend Minecraft for this:
- it’s very easy to get started, but there’s a lot of depth if you get into it
- its pretty slow-paced
- its a multiplayer game where someone of a much higher skill level and someone of a much lower skill level can play together without the noob player feeling that they are holding the advanced player back
- if you set the difficulty to peaceful it’s hard to die, and it’s impossible to fully “lose”. You can also turn on keepinventory.
- it’s a very open-ended game where you can come up with your own goals, which makes it something that everybody can find fun in their own way
- if they do get into it, it’s a good segue into a wide variety of other games. Just figure out what part of Minecraft they enjoy. You can also extend Minecraft by playing with mods.
Stardew Valley.
It’s 2D, co-op, not difficult or punishing, has few inputs, and is approachable mechanically.
I used to always use Minecrat 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.)
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.
Portal maybe
Is she familiar with Animal Crossing? If so check out Dinkum. Other suggestions: Terraria, Core Keeper, Minecraft, and there is always classic FPS games lol. I learned WSAD in Quake
Minetest.
renamed to Luanti ~5 months ago!
The Stanley Parable, and similar “walking simulator” type games.
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.
Minecraft.
Nice. Minecraft used to be my go to answer for a first WASD game, too.
Lately, I recommend Mineclonia on Luanti, because it’s free and has stronger optimizations supporting weak laptops and big multiplayer servers. (It’s a popular Free Open Source Minecraft Clone).
I was gonna say portal but you already had that idea hah
The other option is start her off with dark souls and tell her it’s one of the easy games, to really test the strength of your relationship /j
Oh and minecraft if you own that :3
That’s also pretty simple controls wise… just play on peaceful to start
Edit:
Oh maybe something like stardew valley too, though that does have combat in the mines which may be a challenge :3
I suddenly remembered all the games only after making my first comment hah x3
Minecraft is pretty mechanically complex if you’re at the “need to learn how to move in a video game” stage
Moving around in “peaceful” should be ok as a playground for learning the controls.
I don’t think it’s that complex? I mean… most of it is just wasd + space, and the 2 mouse buttons which I’d consider to just be the basic controls for any game really, short of just walking simulators that require no mouse clicks, or VNs that require no keyboard
Mechanical complexity as in the amount of stuff to learn to “actually play” Minecraft, aside from the controls. For example, which resources are which, what crafts into what, and how to find and gather everything. Its easy enough to punch wood, but trying to figure out (and then remember) how to craft tools or farm food while also trying to remember how to position your fingers on the keyboard is a much bigger ask.
Crafting doesn’t actually require remembering anything since they added the recipe book. Also on peaceful you don’t go hungry, so no farming for food :p
I mean… I taught people how to play video games with minecraft, and it’s not that hard… the only way I see this failing is if you plan on doing nothing to help learn the game and you just want something to boot up and leave your partner to figure it out
Yeah, Portal really seems like the perfect choice for this
My SO went from learning the controller with Fall Guys to Minecraft WASD. I think Fall Guys is was close to perfect, low amount of inputs, high amount of engagement.
Slime Rancher would probably be a good introduction to fps controls.
Great suggestion. Great game. Very chill.
It is a great game but shame there is no multiplayer.
Son wanted to play Minecraft, here’s your mouse and keyboard
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
DOOM (1996)
Doom 2 is 1994, Doom 64 is 1997…
DOOM (1969)
