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Statistic heavy games recommendations?

HazeAIHazeAI Registered User regular
edited August 2008 in Games and Technology
I just had an epiphany in the ongoing battle to get my girlfriend playing video games. She has been playing mafia wars constantly on myspace lately, and after actually watching her play it for a while I realized it's basically an rpg without any sort of story or graphics. The game pretty much boils down to clicking buttons to distribute resources, manage inventory, and gain experience. I had always assumed that if I could find a light enough adventure rpg with basic but enjoyable gameplay and an intersting story I could lure her in, and stats and levelling up heavy games would turn her off of it, but all she wants is to level up, distribute experience points and manage inventory with as little fluff surrounding it as possible. So how bout it, the whole concept doesn't really mesh with my typical game tastes so I don't really know what to recommend her, does anybody have any suggestions for me?

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Posts

  • DefunkerDefunker Registered User regular
    edited August 2008
    One of my late lady friends was like that too.

    http://www.ikariam.org/

    It's probably much slower going than Mafia Wars, as you're limited to a number of turns/day, but it's pretty and fun. There's no story, just a theme that ties everything together.

    Defunker on
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  • BlueBlueBlueBlue Registered User regular
    edited August 2008
    FF:CC My Life as a King?
    You just tell some adventurers what to do.

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  • BlindPsychicBlindPsychic Registered User regular
    edited August 2008
    Disgaea? If you don't plan on ever seeing her again.

    BlindPsychic on
  • lowlylowlycooklowlylowlycook Registered User regular
    edited August 2008
    Princess Maker 2?

    lowlylowlycook on
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  • CindersCinders Whose sails were black when it was windy Registered User regular
    edited August 2008
    Any turn based strategy game?

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  • randombattlerandombattle Registered User regular
    edited August 2008
    Master of Orion 3

    As statistic heavy as physically possible.

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  • ZetxZetx 🐧 Registered User regular
    edited August 2008
    EVE Online has also had a reputation for being [Microsoft] Excel in Space ... if that appeals. :P

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  • DyvionDyvion Back in Sunny Florida!!Registered User regular
    edited August 2008
    Estiah has that whole management thing going for it. There's a thread for it if you want more info.

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  • ZxerolZxerol for the smaller pieces, my shovel wouldn't do so i took off my boot and used my shoeRegistered User regular
    edited August 2008
    randombattle wrote: »
    Master of Orion 3

    As statistic heavy as physically possible.

    [insert Excel spreedsheet joke here]

    Zxerol on
  • BTPBTP Registered User regular
    edited August 2008
    Do you have any Nintendo handheld? Because my first thought was Pokemon.

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  • The_ScarabThe_Scarab Registered User regular
    edited August 2008
    EVE online comes with a built in scientific calculator.

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  • projectmayhemprojectmayhem Registered User regular
    edited August 2008
    The_Scarab wrote: »
    EVE online comes with a built in scientific calculator.
    I remember seeing that then promptly closing the game afterwards on my first start up.

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  • HazeAIHazeAI Registered User regular
    edited August 2008
    Thanks for the suggestions guys. I actually downloaded ff:cc my life as the king because I've been wanting to give it a shot anyways and she said it was too much story for her, she doesn't want to deal with all the talking. I've heard of a couple xbla board games, catan I think and one other one that I can't remember. Maybe download demos for those. Eve online might be worth a shot, I think the stat obsession comes from her being a math/science geek. I'll try a few more suggestions out tomorrow. Thanks again for the help.

    HazeAI on
    I wish it were time for cheers, but its not, its time for vengeance!
    - The Maxx
  • DracilDracil Registered User regular
    edited August 2008
    lowlylowlycook wrote: »
    Princess Maker 2?

    Better make sure she never finds The Emperor's New Clothes clothing cheat (its description even states "Daddy's favorite"). That's probably why the English version (which changed the text) never went past beta. :P

    PM3-5 were a lot tamer compared to the first 2 games though I don't think there are English versions.

    Also, the simplest RPG ever with xp, inventory with absolutely no fluff is Progress Quest. Heck, you don't even need to touch anything once you're in the game. ;)

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  • XagarathXagarath Registered User regular
    edited August 2008
    Etrian Odyssey is basically plotless.

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  • KhavallKhavall British ColumbiaRegistered User regular
    edited August 2008
    X motherfucking 3

    There is a plot-ish. Until you say "Fuck this" and ignore the story and start making stations or setting up traders.

    Khavall on
  • DixonDixon Screwed...possibly doomed CanadaRegistered User regular
    edited August 2008
    Zxerol wrote: »
    randombattle wrote: »
    Master of Orion 3

    As statistic heavy as physically possible.

    [insert Excel spreedsheet joke here]

    Master of Orion 2 is far superior!

    Dixon on
  • lowlylowlycooklowlylowlycook Registered User regular
    edited August 2008
    Dixon wrote: »
    Zxerol wrote: »
    randombattle wrote: »
    Master of Orion 3

    As statistic heavy as physically possible.

    [insert Excel spreedsheet joke here]

    Master of Orion 2 is far superior!

    Mostly because Master of Orion 3 does not exist.

    Does ... not ... exist.

    Does not exist.

    lowlylowlycook on
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  • JarofmoldymayoJarofmoldymayo __BANNED USERS regular
    edited August 2008
    Hearts of Iron 2?

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  • darleysamdarleysam On my way to UKRegistered User regular
    edited August 2008
    Football/Championship Manager!

    It's Excel: The Game!

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  • RainbowDespairRainbowDespair Registered User regular
    edited August 2008
    I'm surprised no one has mentioned Civilization IV yet.

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  • GeeeeeoffGeeeeeoff Registered User regular
    edited August 2008
    Sports games have a ton of stats... particularly baseball.

    For simple RPG, levelling action you should download Arkadian Warriors off XBLA. Fun, but short Diablo clone.

    And of course there's Diablo II which is practically pure levelling.

    Geeeeeoff on
  • JerikTelorianJerikTelorian Registered User regular
    edited August 2008
    lowlylowlycook wrote: »
    Princess Maker 2?

    That thread was so awesome. It kept me busy at work for weeks.

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  • DrakeDrake Edgelord Trash Below the ecliptic plane.Registered User regular
    edited August 2008
    Uplink. Get it off Steam.

    It sounds like it is her kind of game. It's awesome fun too, but it has a heavy time pressure element ( you are being traced when you are hacking ). If that's something that's likely to turn her off, then you should probably pass on it.

    Talk about an awesome game if you don't have to have Ragdoll effects and Cover Systems. It's inspired by classic cyberpunk like Neuromancer, has some decent replay value and most paranoia and adrenaline I've seen in a long time.

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  • JutranjoJutranjo Registered User regular
    edited August 2008
    Try Championship Manager something, zero graphics, all statistics. I remember reading PC Gamers when I was young and their accountant or whoever was in love with the thing.

    Jutranjo on
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