Recommend me a Simple but Fun Video Game

Lanchester

Hey H/A, I'm pretty sure I've seen several of these threads before, so I'm sure you can help out.

My wife will be having surgery on her knee soon and therefore will be bed ridden for a while. I've been thinking of maybe getting her a game to play to help pass the time...the problem though, is that she isn't a big video game person. Actually, the only thing she's ever played is Wii Sports and 5 minutes of Super Mario Bro's for Wii, which she really liked but didn't seem to play again.

She only ever seems to watch me play, and anytime I try to get her to play, she says she's not interested because all the games I play seem overwhelming and too complex for her.

So, what would you guys recommend that would be fun, yet simple for someone who doesn't really play video games. PC is out because she can't be sitting at a desk, but I have PS3, 360, and wii...so don't really have any restrictions there.

Bonus if the game isn't too costly. It's not a dealbreaker, but considering she's having surgery, money saved is always a plus.

Heartlash

Do you have a tablet? She might like fruit ninja, etc.

Fyndir

Portal/Portal 2 are relatively simple and engaging from a game mechanics standpoint while remaining pretty interesting, both are on PS3 although I can't comment on how they control without a mouse/keyboard having only played them on PC.

Jeremy23000

Maybe a simple RPG would be a good fit? Something she can play at her own pace (Ni No Kuni was pretty good).
Little Big Planet might be interesting to her as well, or Animal Crossing.
Minecraft might be good too.

tinwhiskers

Pokemon if you have a DS

Squidget0

Plants vs. Zombies is an excellent choice, it's a simple concept with a phenomenal tutorial that teaches you the game without feeling too slow. it's one of the few games that I can give to any of my non-gamer friends and have them immediately pick it up, without help. I gave it to my mom and now she's better at it than me.

Antimatter

The telltale adventure games and Tetris are simple enough and easy to pick up

Lars

My wife doesn't really play video games either...except for Castle Crashers and Battleblock Theater.

They are both easily available (they're downloadable titles for the 360, though Castle Crashers is also available on PS3), have pretty simple control schemes, and lots of content. The later levels of both can get a little more difficult, but both of them support 4-player co-op so you can play with her. I think they both cost $15 each.

The various Lego games typically have very easy controls and lots of content, along with being multiplayer. I think the most recent ones are Lego Batman 2, Lego City Undercover, and Lego Marvel Superheroes, all of which are supposed to be open world (though I haven't had a chance to play any of them yet). The newest one (Marvel) is probably still $50 but the older ones should be much cheaper.

I'd probably take a bunch of suggestions in this thread and then show her the trailers (or demos if they have them) and let her pick what she finds interesting. Of course, not being a video game person she may prefer a good book or a TV series on dvd, or something else entirely.

The Ender

Journey and Flower would be my recommendations.

WiseManTobes

Angry Birds, Plants vs Zombies, Candy Crush, possibly take a picture of her though, you might not see her again if you start her on candy crush

CelestialBadger

The Sims 3. Also avaiable on console.

durandal4532

Depending on the definition of simple, platformers are a great place to hang out for a bit. Rayman is fun and fairly forgiving, particularly with 2 people playing.

Lanchester

Heartlash wrote: »

Do you have a tablet? She might like fruit ninja, etc.

No tablet, but we do have a Nook (see what I did there??)

tinwhiskers wrote: »

Pokemon if you have a DS

I love me some pokemon, but unfortunetly we don't have a DS or any portable gaming system.

Awesome!! Thank you everyone for the suggestions. If anyone has anything else, keep'em coming

localh77

One game that I like for non-video game people is Katamari Damacy. The only thing you need to use are the two PS3 joysticks. And the tutorial takes about 3 minutes. It's the only game that's been simple enough for my 3 year old daughter to play so far.

Donovan Puppyfucker

Resident Evil 4!

Sentry

Any of the lego games would be good. Just pick her favorite IP and get the lego game associated with it.

Armoroc

The Ender wrote: »

Journey and Flower would be my recommendations.

These two are great games, yes!!! I second them, but they are really short in game time unfortunately.

grouch993

Chime?

Jasconius

If she couldn't get down with Mario then I doubt there's some other magic bullet that she'll like

Mario is basically the gateway drug

or just go back to that well, because when you're stuck in bed, anything can seem interesting

I would echo Plants Versus Zombies though. that's pretty universal.

AkimboEG

I'll third the vote for a Lego game. They are the definition of "simple but fun video game".