It’s okay to not be a gamer. A lot of my favorite people are non-gamers. There are, after all, millions of equally valid hobbies, and it can be hard to find the time or money to invest in a new pastime, especially one that requires (often expensive) hardware.
However, it’s equally plausible that you non-gamers out there just haven’t yet discovered your “gateway” game—that one, very special game that is just so fun, so interesting, so satisfying, that it gives you the confidence to try more games, and then more, until suddenly you’re...One of us!
For me, that game was the 1994 classic Crystal’s Pony Tale. For you, it will probably definitely be something else.
Below you’ll find a few of my favorite games for beginners. They’re cheap, they’re simple, and they just might get you hooked. And that’s a good thing. I promise.
(All of these games are available to play on smartphones, tablets, or computers.)
What: Monument Valley
Where: iOS, Android, Kindle Fire
How Much: $3.99
When Ustwo created Monument Valley, accessibility was kept in mind. So was simplicity. And beauty. Monument Valley has you guide a tiny princess through M.C. Escher-esque puzzle worlds. The plot is simple and poignant, and the only controls you need are screen taps. This game is perfect if you’re looking for a low-stress story-based puzzle.
What: Gone Home
Where: PC, Mac, and Linux
How Much: $19.99
Gone Home is not a typical video game: there’s no bad guy, no violence, and no chiptune music. You play as teen Katie Greenbriar, who is exploring her family’s empty house after returning home from a year abroad. As you wander through empty rooms, you learn about the people who live there. Post-its, letters, receipts, tape cassettes, and more reveal all kinds of things about your family, and by the end you have experienced something chock-full of emotional honesty. Gone Home proves that video games can have as much depth as literature. It would be great for anyone who is turned off by violence or clichés.
What: Fruit Ninja
Where: iOS, Android, Windows phone, Xbox Kinect, and PlayStation Vita
How Much: Free – $9.99 (depending on platform)
The concept is simple: fruit flies through the air, and you must use your ninja skills to both slice and dice. Fruit Ninja is not very complex or intellectual, but there’s nothing wrong with a little relaxation from time to time. This game is fun on all of its platforms, though my favorite version is for Xbox Kinect. Fruit Ninja is good for anyone seeking out a lighthearted diversion.
What: The Republia Times
Where: Click here
How Much: Free
In The Republica Times by Lucas Pope, you fill the role of a newspaper editor in a fictional totalitarian country. The government wants you to emphasize only happy stories, forcing you to question your own ethical convictions. It’s an incredibly short game, but the replay value is high, and it’s an awesome entry point for serious political discussions. This game is just one example of how choice-based gaming can be a great format for morality analysis. If you like this, you might also like Papers, Please.
What: Angry Birds
Where: Pretty much any device with an internet connection.
How Much: Free – $3.00 (depending on version)
The Angry Birds franchise has dominated mobile gaming for years now, and with good reason. Its incredibly simple game mechanic of slingshotting birds at precariously-placed green pigs is both satisfying and entertaining for all ages. There are several different installments available for play, including Angry Birds Star Wars, Angry Birds Rio, and Angry Birds Space. Just be careful of in-app purchases.
What: Thomas Was Alone
Where: PC, Mac, iPad, PlayStation 3, PlayStation Vita
How Much: $5.99 – $9.99 (depending on platform)
You might need a little help with this game at first, but the charming British narration, the clever level design, and the engaging character descriptions will entertain even as you’re falling off of the same cliff over and over again. You control several quadrangles as they explore a strange and vast world full of flat platforms. This game is a great entry point for more platform games, of which there are many.
What: Portal
Where: PC, Mac, Xbox 360, Playstation 3
How Much: $9.99
You may require a little help from a friend while you figure out the basic mechanics, but once you understand how the puzzles are constructed, things will begin to click into place. Portal’s dark sense of humor and incredibly creative level design will get you hooked quickly. Plus, it’s not a very long game, so your chances of making it to the satisfying conclusion are pretty good. If you love it, you can check out Portal 2.
Which games did I miss? If you’re already a gamer, what was your “gateway” game? Let me know in the comments!
