Sep 10, 2021
7 Games to Play for the Non-Gamer
A true game guide for entry-level players wanting to play games
Gaming content knows its audience. All content is for gamers by gamers. For anyone who has never played a game, this leaves them lost in a mountain of confusing content that isn’t catered to them. The nuances of gaming aren’t common knowledge and even something most gamers consider basic like movement controls are foreign to people just getting started.
In this article, I wanted to highlight some truly beginner-friendly games that are easily accessible and can be played on most household devices.
Mobile Games
We all have a smartphone and mobile games are a great entry into video games. Do not believe the idea of “ you’re just a casual”, it doesn’t matter. If you play games on whatever device you are a gamer.
Florence
Made by a Melbourne based developer, Florence is a beautiful mobile gaming experience and definitely worth the money. This is a great introduction to interactive narratives with a really down to earth story for people to follow that you can pick up.
Monument Valley 1 & 2
If you are looking for a very simple puzzle game with a low learning curve and beautiful aesthetics, the Monument Valley series is for you. Navigate through these intricate mazes to get your character to the end of the game.
Alto’s Adventure
If you’ve never played a side-scrolling platformer before this is a good introduction. The idea is that you are snowboarding moving through procedurally generated landscapes. It’s a lot of fun and something to do while commuting.
PC Games
Most of these games you should be able to play on any PC you have. They’re a minimal strain on the GPU and only require a connection to download them.
Journey
This is an old but classic game. The only real mechanic is to walk around from one point to another. Similar to the developers newest release ABZU it’s less so about high scores and competitions but more about the journey. If you have an interest in soundtracks and music this game is a shining example of music in games.
There is an optional multiplayer aspect(internet connection required). It is minimal but if you can find a friend to play with, it does add to the experience.
Available on Steam.
Firewatch
This game is an interactive narrative at its finest. Still, the controls are simple, the objectives are easy to follow but there is intrigue in why you are there. You are alone on a firewatch station, the only contact you have is with another person on the other end of a walky-talky. Each day brings something new you have to deal and you get to learn to move about yourself as you complete new tasks each day.
Available on Steam.
Yonder: Cloud Catcher Chronicles
If you are looking for an open-world experience to try out before heading to Skyrim, my recommendation is a game like Yonder: Cloud Catcher Chronicles. Made by Prideful Sloth it’s really a beautiful game, where you gather materials and start building a life for yourself in this little world. If you need a game to capture a younger audience this one is really spectacular.
Available on Steam.
Portal
The reason this game is still talked about, despite being released over 10 years ago, is because of how well designed and fun this game is. The mechanics are simple, you have a gun that makes portals and you have to get to the end of the puzzles. This is all neatly tucked away in a narrative you follow as you get closer and closer to the end of the game. Valve presents are a very simple concept in such a groundbreaking way that will hook you into gaming like no other.
Available on Steam.
Why should you play games?
If you are still unconvinced there are numerous benefits to playing games. Games have been proven to have helped develop our cognitive ability, physical abilities and emotional abilities. Video games have been proven to improve our lives in terms of enhancing our abilities to learn new skills, improving our attention, and could potentially fight cognitive decay as a result of aging.
Games also provide us with an avenue of socialising with others. Our recent times have shown how isolating the world can be and video games provide a solution to this. It can be linked to positive social adolescent development and mental wellness through games.
From my own very biased experience games have framed most of my life and to think of them as not being a part of my life is the same as thinking reading and watching tv wouldn’t be a part of my life.
Go Forth and Start Gaming!
As a final note, it doesn’t matter what game you start with what types of games you enjoy. It’s about finding what gives you the best experience. Find what you like about these games and go searching for similar experiences.
If you want more suggestions feel free to pop a comment below or follow me here on Medium.
