What game would you recommend for someone who hates videogames?

Every game I've played feels like a tedious chore I was obligated to complete. But the thing is, I used to love video games, and I spent years collecting them. What would you recommend for someone who[s fallen out of love with video games?

Well, if you explain what you played, what you want out of a game, and what genres you like (or think you like), it'd be easier to give suggestions.

Also, I've felt that way, mostly because I've gained a massive game backlog that I'm reluctant to clear, so a lot of my games are shelved at the moment.

edited 27th Nov '10 2:17:56 AM by Customer

In the past year, Morrowind, Banjo Kazooie, Super Mario World, Halo, Half Life 2, Civili Zation 4, Riddick: Escape From Butcher Bay, Burn Out 3, Phoenix Wright, Pokemon Gold, Deus Ex, God Of War, Sly Cooper, Super Mario Galaxy. Final Fantasy VII and IX, Portal, Borderlands, Mega Man 2 and Batman Arkham Asylum, among other things. Portal and Morrowind were the only ones I managed to play for more than 20 minutes.

edited 27th Nov '10 6:28:03 AM by Anthologist

Maybe try with something more mindless/indie? Otherwise, there's nothing bad in changing hobbies and tastes.

Yeah I don't know what say. You can probably try a fighting game like Street Fighter (or a quirky fighter like Super Smash Bros Brawl) or a puzzle game, but honestly it seems like you've just lost interest in the hobby. This isn't bad, as long as you don't feel compelled to still play games for whatever reason.

You still haven't explained what you want out of a game though, or why you feel like playing them is a chore. I hope no one's telling you that you have to continue to enjoy gaming.

edited 27th Nov '10 3:56:13 AM by Customer

I noticed a lot of these are mainly single-player. Maybe you should try some online multiplayer games?

^^ It's hard to describe. Playing games feels like...working. Like in Half Life 2, I thought of the next level, and how many Combine I'd be forced to kill, and how many physics puzzles the game would make me solve, and how many pseudo-cutscenes I'd have to wade through, and I said "fuck it" and deleted the game.

And I'm not sure what I want in a game.

edited 27th Nov '10 3:06:47 AM by Anthologist

Download games on Virtual Console, PSN or Xbox Live Arcade.

Also, try playing games on the easiest setting and pick non-linear titles with short stages.

edited 27th Nov '10 3:10:44 AM by KingZeal

^^Wow, you have taken my laziness to the new level ._.; (I'm sometimes too lazy to play games... In which case, I do absolutely nothing)

My head exploded upon reading this.

Stick to flash games, probably, or casual puzzlers.

I know I'll be called a "rabid fan" for this, but I recommend MOTHER 3.

It never feels like a chore, which is kinda weird for an RPG. From a "hardcore gamer"'s point of view, it's terrible. It's 2D, turn-based, and has a linear level system. To the average person and, I assume, you, it's an excellent game. The attention to detail is literally unparalleled. The story is good in its own right.

It's not the best, but you sound like someone who'd like it.

EDIT: Slightly gushy review by a troper

edited 27th Nov '10 3:39:58 AM by AngryScientist

Yeah, you're a rabid fan. I couldn't get into that game at all; it just didn't immerse me. I didn't hate it, but I didn't enjoy it enough to keep playing either, and I'm the kind of person who will play obscure indie RP Gs in languages I can't read if I really want to.

I'd recommend not playing games if you don't want to play them. Nothing wrong with that.

edited 27th Nov '10 3:50:30 AM by Clarste

Fair enough. I guess it's not for everyone. Though I will say "not immersive" is not a complaint I have heard about it before. If I had any complaint, it would be...the graphics?

Regardless, I stand by my previous statements, despite the legion of Fan Haters who seem to inhabit these forums.

What about The Sims? It doesn't require much work and you can always unleash your inner pyschopath.

I think that you definitely need to find a short, plotless game to play...what game? I don't know, I didn't play those that much...best to be short and have a definite ending...or something like a Roguelike?

edited 27th Nov '10 4:17:34 AM by onyhow

^Umm, roguelikes are usually hard.

I could recommend Guilty Gear X2:Reload. It's a pretty good fighting game and doesn't require much work or thinking to play. I play it whenever I feel like I need to unwind without stressing myself with my quest games.

@Spooky Mask: I know, but some are easy...and even the hard one can be pretty fun...if you like dying a lot that is...and I think that the topic poster seems to have a bit of problem with cutscene...and those mostly contains plot...since most Roguelikes are plotless, it should help...

And I do agree what whataboutme says a bit...I play Touhou 12.3 to blow off some steam sometimes...

edited 27th Nov '10 6:00:20 AM by onyhow

Seeing your posts, I get the feeling you're not interested in games anymore, and any propositions won't change that, especially since you gave a rather large array of game genres you played. I can understand that, and it's certainly not I who will force you in gaming.

But if you still want some propositions, two games that come immediately to mind are Rock 'n' Roll Racing and Road Rash 2. Those games are no-brainer fun, you don't need to think how to get to the next level. Just race against your opponents to 1st place, and beat them with your weapons along the way.

He gave up on Burnout 3.

That game is as mindless as it gets.

I think that you definitely need to find a short, plotless game to play...what game? I don't know, I didn't play those that much...best to be short and have a definite ending...or something like a Roguelike?

Definitely not. A game with no plot or only an Excuse Plot means that there's no reason to play unless you find the gameplay inherently fun, and I usually don't. I gave up Mine Craft for this reason.

And in my experience, Roguelikes either have an insane difficulty curve or consist of clickclickclickclickclickclickclick.

How about this: name a video game that does something you would never expect from a video game, and not including Metal Gear Solid-like gimmicks, and has a storyline that even comes close to TV, film or literature.

edited 27th Nov '10 6:32:24 AM by Anthologist

Okay...then I'm Shutting Up Now...because it seems like that the most likely case is just that you just don't want to play anymore...and I don't really think that any game would help with this...because from the list you basically just stop playing games with nearly every gameplay and storytelling POV combined possible...

Sorry, I guess I can't help you anymore...

PS. Elona isn't that hard for a Roguelike...

PPS. to Anthologist update:...Homeworld?

edited 27th Nov '10 6:38:05 AM by onyhow

If you're looking for innovative entertainment with brilliant plots, enthralling characters and emotional involvement, you'd be better off staying as far away as possible from video games.

edited 27th Nov '10 7:16:45 AM by Null

Persona 3. Or Persona 4, for that matter.

That can't be true. Why were people so angry at Roger Ebert saying that videogames weren't art, if he was right?

edited 27th Nov '10 7:32:56 AM by Anthologist