Suggested Games for an Old Man

[bonanza2000]

Well, I am putting together a new computer (i7-930 w/ GTX 460 video card) and hope to try out some modern games but (you knew there was a but coming) I have never gotten the hang of complex game controllers like on PS3 etc. So if the game involves multiple button combinations to get the job done most likely I will lose interest. Also if it requires me to RTFM I might lose interest. I am looking for some suggestions that a non-gamer mid 40's guy could play. Maybe FPS, maybe something with some strategy, puzzles, etc. Easy to play but complex to master? Crazy cool graphics would be a plus. Also tell me what you really like about that game that other games don't have. I think the last game I actually bought was Doom maybe 20 years ago. Kind of dates me, eh?

[sswilson]

Do you think playing the game is enjoyment enough, or do you feel the need to be able to win it fairly quickly?

If you want something you can sink you teeth into, but which might take a while to master (and actually put some checkmarks in the win column), I always have been and always will be a strong supporter of the Civilization series.

[Squeetard]

The new civilization 5 is an assesible addictive time sync. Give that a go for Turn based strategy. Company of heroes is the only real time strategy game I ever played, very enjoyable, fields of fire, cover and range factor in and best of all, for us old guys, it allows you to pause the game and cue up orders.

Start with the half life 2 series for a go at a great FPS.Then you can do FEAR, Call of Duty and Crysis.

[botat29]

I like Battlefield II, I play as sniper, so it’s not too fast moving. I need to use only the AWDS direction buttons and I use the side button of the mouse for crouch.

[encorp]

Originally Posted by bonanza2000

Well, I am putting together a new computer (i7-930 w/ GTX 460 video card) and hope to try out some modern games but (you knew there was a but coming) I have never gotten the hang of complex game controllers like on PS3 etc. So if the game involves multiple button combinations to get the job done most likely I will lose interest. Also if it requires me to RTFM I might lose interest. I am looking for some suggestions that a non-gamer mid 40's guy could play. Maybe FPS, maybe something with some strategy, puzzles, etc. Easy to play but complex to master? Crazy cool graphics would be a plus. Also tell me what you really like about that game that other games don't have. I think the last game I actually bought was Doom maybe 20 years ago. Kind of dates me, eh?

Might I suggest:


Hahaha <3

Actually what about trying the Bioshock series? Not too many buttons I don't think.

[DkRk]

I'll tip my hat for Team Fortress 2. It's not a terribly demanding game, and the graphics/art-style are cartoony; think Pixar with people's limbs and organs flying left, right and center. Unlike a lot of FPS games, this one is class-based, so you have a selection of units. You can either be a medic and run around healing your team-mates, or a 'Pyro' and light suckers on fire. The game isn't terribly hard to get into and can be a real blast for new players, and yet remains nuanced enough for those who are advanced. I've found the playerbase to be quite different from the 'Call of Duty' set, because the game has a certain degree of humour and charm and requires teamwork.

Often, Valve offers trial weekends for the game through it's 'Steam' service, so if you are interested, keep an eye out for a free weekend. If you enjoy it, you can snag the game for about 10 bucks during those weekends.

Another really good choice would be Fallout 3. Grabbing the 'Game of the Year' addition gives you several extra 'expansions' to an already amazing game. The graphics aren't terribly amazing, but the story, and overall immersiveness easily make up for the shortcomings.

[kruzn4evr]

encorp...funny!...us over 40 guys still like a good game of crib every now and then

Just a thought, you could invest in a good steering wheel (G25/27) or a good set of flight controllers for racing/flight sims, I prefer them mostly because I suck at most of the FPS type games for the same reason as you, well, that and arthritis keeps me from playing for any length of time so I end up bored with them. I do still enjoy trying to play most of the newer games but I really have fun with F1 2010, DiRT2, Burnout Paradise and MS Flight Sim X and the like, I'm hooked on F1 and can play for hours!

[BrianHanna]

you might like bioshock, if you are indeed old, it might feel like home =P

[bonanza2000]

thanks for all the suggestions! Looks like I got lots of choices now. First though I got to build the monster. I hope to get the parts by Friday! Wheeeeeeeee!!!!!!!!

[Thund3rball]

Orange Box: in particular HL2, Ep1, Ep2, Portal
Bioshock: use the pause feature to select your weapon(s) in heated situations
Borderlands: simple shooty shooty loot filled level up fun.
Tomb Raider Anniversary, Legends & Underworld (puzzles & adventure)
Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light (puzzles & action)
FEAR / FEAR 2
Dawn of War 2 (RPG/RTS) pretty straight forward but can be fun