Whats the best adventure-game for un unexperienced person

molentje30 · 06-04-2004, 01:35 PM

Could someone give me a hint for the best adventure-game to start with.
My wife and I want to try such a game for the first time.

Jakek · 06-04-2004, 11:59 PM

Well, I'd say The Longest Journey. It's a wonderful game and it's not very hard. Just remember to talk to everyone about everything, but if you really get stuck don't feel too bad about consulting a walkthough ( gamefaqs.com or uhs-hints.com ).

If you're looking for humor go for a Lucasarts game; though they tend to be a bit, tough. But they are incredibly enjoyable and will get you hooked. Monkey Island and Sam & Max are the old standbysand I would recomend one of those, even though my personal favorite is Grim Fandango.

Intrepid Homoludens · 06-05-2004, 03:03 AM

I'd say Grim Fandango, because everything about it - story, characters, puzzles, artistic direction - is so beautifully integrated and balanced and ultimately lingers in you long after. Then there is Syberia, where the your emotions and imagination are allowed room to creep the story beyond its boundaries and puzzles are a bit more sympathetic to newcomers.

BacardiJim · 06-05-2004, 03:27 AM

Amber: Journey's Beyond. Good stories, easy-to-medium-difficulty puzzles, introduction to a slider, not too long, atmospheric and emotional. introduction to the classic slideshow style presentation. Great starter game.

Won't play on XP or Win2K though.

LeChimp · 06-05-2004, 03:49 AM

Grim Fandango, great story, graphics and not too hard. Shouldn't be too hard to find either.

BacardiJim · 06-05-2004, 04:05 AM

Hrmmm.... yeah... they've never played an adventure game before.... so everyone wants to turn them on to one of the two games with the most frustrating navigation interface in the genre as their first game.

How about you give them advice that that is actually helpful to them instead of once again everyone listing their favorite games?

Erwin_Br · 06-05-2004, 05:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BacardiJim

Hrmmm.... yeah... they've never played an adventure game before.... so everyone wants to turn them on to one of the two games with the most frustrating navigation interface in the genre as their first game.

How about you give them advice that that is actually helpful to them instead of once again everyone listing their favorite games?

I agree Grim Fandango ain't the easiest game to start with, but I can't blame people for mentioning it. Besides, I'd want my first game to be a really good one, a great experience that makes me want to play more - instead of a mediocre title, just because it has an easier interface or simple puzzles.

--Erwin

BacardiJim · 06-05-2004, 09:07 AM

Hrmmm... I never ever heard Amber referred to as a "mediocre" title before. It has received almost universal acclaim.

I'd also recommend The Blackstone Chronicles, Dark Fall, Myst, Physicus, The Neverhood or maybe Full Throttle for beginners.

*Jake* · 06-05-2004, 09:11 AM

Full Throttle all the way. Its short and sweet and good.

Grim is a good one as well, if they're a bit time film (or story) buff but don't play many games, but you sometimes have to walk them through year 1 I've discovered... And as Jim said, the controls are a bit dumb. But really, controls etc aside, I've successfully sucked in a handful of people to adventuring with Grim so its probably a good choice if you're recommending it to the right person (eg someone who isnt easily offended by slightly clunky keyboard controls).

I don't agree with the recommendation of The Longest Journey. I would be so absolutely lost and confused with that game if I didn't understand adventure games already. Why am i walking in circles in this fictional city, occasionally talking to people? Is this even a game? Considering I thought that anyway the first time I played it it might throw people with no preexisting expectations for an adventure game.

Ariel Type · 06-05-2004, 09:22 AM

Curse of MI is rather easy and light-hearted, so I guess it'll be a good one to begin with (new players also won't be frustrated by the outdated graphics).
Also I agree on Full Throttle, Blackstone Chronicles. And I'd also suggest Broken Sword 1-3 and Zork: Grand Inqusitor.

BacardiJim · 06-05-2004, 09:22 AM

Thanks for the vote of confidence, Jake. Last thing I'm used to from you. Payback for me commenting at JA+ about the excellent coverage AG gives underground/amateur games?

BacardiJim · 06-05-2004, 09:24 AM

BS3: the game to assure that they never play a second adventure game. Makes the GF/MI4 interface look like a cakewalk.

ZGI is a great game, but some pretty advanced puzzling for a first-timer.

*Stinger* · 06-05-2004, 09:37 AM

Jim's right about Grim Fandango. I'd never recommend it as a first adventure game. Full Throttle, Amber, or Syberia are all good options to give you a taste of the genre.

But Jim's totally wrong about Broken Sword 3. It has much more fluid navigation than Grim. If you have any sort of console experience, it's actually a much less jarring transition into adventure games than something like Syberia or Myst.

BacardiJim · 06-05-2004, 09:41 AM

If you have a gamepad, that is.

And I will never, ever, ever recommend an ADVENTURE game that requires a gamepad to make it "better."

Shocking, eh?

*Stinger* · 06-05-2004, 09:42 AM

Good thing we're here, then.

*Stinger* · 06-05-2004, 09:51 AM

I just re-read the original post of this thread and caught the words "my wife and I"; that in mind, I think that Syberia really would be your best bet. It's a very leisurely paced game, not very difficult, and extraordinarily beautiful. The story is compelling, but not so demanding that it can become overwhelming (as in TLJ). Plus there's basically no learning curve on the interface. Plus it's still available in every store.

The only game I've ever played from start to finish with my wife was Sanitarium, but I wouldn't recommend that as your first adventure.

AFGNCAAP · 06-05-2004, 11:05 AM

As much as I do love Zork:GI (surprise surprise), its humour is very often poking fun at adventure gaming cliches, so a newcomer may miss much of it.

Regrettably I never played it, but from all I know Full Throttle would be almost a perfect choice. I also suggest Beneath a Steel Sky (widely acclaimed, not too hard - and now it's free to download!).

BacardiJim · 06-05-2004, 11:12 AM

"If only I had an 'Insert token into slot" spell!" 8-)

***tabacco*** · 06-05-2004, 11:23 AM

How about Curse of Monkey Island? Not too hard, pretty good puzzles, and graphics that won't be off-putting to someone who's not used to playing 320x200 games. Plus of course the humor makes it a pretty easy game to get into.

BacardiJim · 06-05-2004, 11:37 AM

What? Recommending playing the MI games out of order to a newbie? SACRILEGE!

06-04-2004, 01:35 PM	#1
molentje30 Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Posts: 2	Whats the best adventure-game for un unexperienced person Could someone give me a hint for the best adventure-game to start with. My wife and I want to try such a game for the first time. Share Share this post on Twitter

06-04-2004, 11:59 PM	#2
Jakek Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 57	Well, I'd say The Longest Journey. It's a wonderful game and it's not very hard. Just remember to talk to everyone about everything, but if you really get stuck don't feel too bad about consulting a walkthough ( gamefaqs.com or uhs-hints.com ). If you're looking for humor go for a Lucasarts game; though they tend to be a bit, tough. But they are incredibly enjoyable and will get you hooked. Monkey Island and Sam & Max are the old standbysand I would recomend one of those, even though my personal favorite is Grim Fandango. Share Share this post on Twitter

06-05-2004, 03:03 AM	#3
Intrepid Homoludens merely human Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Chicago Posts: 22,309	I'd say Grim Fandango, because everything about it - story, characters, puzzles, artistic direction - is so beautifully integrated and balanced and ultimately lingers in you long after. Then there is Syberia, where the your emotions and imagination are allowed room to creep the story beyond its boundaries and puzzles are a bit more sympathetic to newcomers. Share Share this post on Twitter __________________ platform: laptop, iPhone 3Gs \| gaming: x360, PS3, psp, iPhone, wii \| blog: a space alien \| book: the moral landscape: how science can determine human values by sam harris \| games: l.a.noire, portal 2, brink, dragon age 2, heavy rain \| sites: NPR, skeptoid, gaygamer \| music: ray lamontagne, adele, washed out, james blake \| twitter: a_space_alien

06-05-2004, 03:27 AM	#4
BacardiJim Banned User Join Date: Sep 2003 Posts: 1,346	Amber: Journey's Beyond. Good stories, easy-to-medium-difficulty puzzles, introduction to a slider, not too long, atmospheric and emotional. introduction to the classic slideshow style presentation. Great starter game. Won't play on XP or Win2K though. Share Share this post on Twitter __________________ Time flies like the wind; Fruit flies like bananas.

06-05-2004, 03:49 AM	#5
LeChimp Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Michigan, USA Posts: 356	Grim Fandango, great story, graphics and not too hard. Shouldn't be too hard to find either. Share Share this post on Twitter Last edited by LeChimp; 06-05-2004 at 04:38 AM.

06-05-2004, 04:05 AM	#6
BacardiJim Banned User Join Date: Sep 2003 Posts: 1,346	Hrmmm.... yeah... they've never played an adventure game before.... so everyone wants to turn them on to one of the two games with the most frustrating navigation interface in the genre as their first game. How about you give them advice that that is actually helpful to them instead of once again everyone listing their favorite games? Share Share this post on Twitter __________________ Time flies like the wind; Fruit flies like bananas.

06-05-2004, 09:07 AM	#8
BacardiJim Banned User Join Date: Sep 2003 Posts: 1,346	Hrmmm... I never ever heard Amber referred to as a "mediocre" title before. It has received almost universal acclaim. I'd also recommend The Blackstone Chronicles, Dark Fall, Myst, Physicus, The Neverhood or maybe Full Throttle for beginners. Share Share this post on Twitter __________________ Time flies like the wind; Fruit flies like bananas.

06-05-2004, 09:11 AM	#9
Jake The Dartmaster Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: San Rafael, California Posts: 3,084	Full Throttle all the way. Its short and sweet and good. Grim is a good one as well, if they're a bit time film (or story) buff but don't play many games, but you sometimes have to walk them through year 1 I've discovered... And as Jim said, the controls are a bit dumb. But really, controls etc aside, I've successfully sucked in a handful of people to adventuring with Grim so its probably a good choice if you're recommending it to the right person (eg someone who isnt easily offended by slightly clunky keyboard controls). I don't agree with the recommendation of The Longest Journey. I would be so absolutely lost and confused with that game if I didn't understand adventure games already. Why am i walking in circles in this fictional city, occasionally talking to people? Is this even a game? Considering I thought that anyway the first time I played it it might throw people with no preexisting expectations for an adventure game. Share Share this post on Twitter __________________ When on the Internet, visit Idle Thumbs \| Mixnmojo \| Sam & Max.net \| Telltale Games "I was one of the original lovers." - Evan Dickens

06-05-2004, 09:22 AM	#10
Ariel Type LA-S-LE Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Snow Country Posts: 549	Curse of MI is rather easy and light-hearted, so I guess it'll be a good one to begin with (new players also won't be frustrated by the outdated graphics). Also I agree on Full Throttle, Blackstone Chronicles. And I'd also suggest Broken Sword 1-3 and Zork: Grand Inqusitor. Share Share this post on Twitter

06-05-2004, 09:24 AM	#12
BacardiJim Banned User Join Date: Sep 2003 Posts: 1,346	BS3: the game to assure that they never play a second adventure game. Makes the GF/MI4 interface look like a cakewalk. ZGI is a great game, but some pretty advanced puzzling for a first-timer. Share Share this post on Twitter __________________ Time flies like the wind; Fruit flies like bananas.

06-05-2004, 09:37 AM	#13
Stinger Retirement is stupid Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Central Oregon, USA Posts: 960	Jim's right about Grim Fandango. I'd never recommend it as a first adventure game. Full Throttle, Amber, or Syberia are all good options to give you a taste of the genre. But Jim's totally wrong about Broken Sword 3. It has much more fluid navigation than Grim. If you have any sort of console experience, it's actually a much less jarring transition into adventure games than something like Syberia or Myst. Share Share this post on Twitter __________________ / Evan Dickens / Retired Editor-in-Chief "An episodic sociopathic lagomorph? The mind boggles."

06-05-2004, 09:41 AM	#14
BacardiJim Banned User Join Date: Sep 2003 Posts: 1,346	If you have a gamepad, that is. And I will never, ever, ever recommend an ADVENTURE game that requires a gamepad to make it "better." Shocking, eh? Share Share this post on Twitter __________________ Time flies like the wind; Fruit flies like bananas.

06-05-2004, 09:42 AM	#15
Stinger Retirement is stupid Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Central Oregon, USA Posts: 960	Good thing we're here, then. Share Share this post on Twitter __________________ / Evan Dickens / Retired Editor-in-Chief "An episodic sociopathic lagomorph? The mind boggles."

06-05-2004, 09:51 AM	#16
Stinger Retirement is stupid Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Central Oregon, USA Posts: 960	I just re-read the original post of this thread and caught the words "my wife and I"; that in mind, I think that Syberia really would be your best bet. It's a very leisurely paced game, not very difficult, and extraordinarily beautiful. The story is compelling, but not so demanding that it can become overwhelming (as in TLJ). Plus there's basically no learning curve on the interface. Plus it's still available in every store. The only game I've ever played from start to finish with my wife was Sanitarium, but I wouldn't recommend that as your first adventure. Share Share this post on Twitter __________________ / Evan Dickens / Retired Editor-in-Chief "An episodic sociopathic lagomorph? The mind boggles."

06-05-2004, 11:05 AM	#17
AFGNCAAP Dungeon Master Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Poland Posts: 4,152	As much as I do love Zork:GI (surprise surprise), its humour is very often poking fun at adventure gaming cliches, so a newcomer may miss much of it. Regrettably I never played it, but from all I know Full Throttle would be almost a perfect choice. I also suggest Beneath a Steel Sky (widely acclaimed, not too hard - and now it's free to download!). Share Share this post on Twitter __________________ What's happening? Wh... Where am I?

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06-05-2004, 11:12 AM	#18
BacardiJim Banned User Join Date: Sep 2003 Posts: 1,346	"If only I had an 'Insert token into slot" spell!" 8-) Share Share this post on Twitter __________________ Time flies like the wind; Fruit flies like bananas.

06-05-2004, 11:23 AM	#19
*tabacco* Friendly Server Admin Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Marin County, CA Posts: 4,087	How about Curse of Monkey Island? Not too hard, pretty good puzzles, and graphics that won't be off-putting to someone who's not used to playing 320x200 games. Plus of course the humor makes it a pretty easy game to get into. Share Share this post on Twitter

06-05-2004, 11:37 AM	#20
BacardiJim Banned User Join Date: Sep 2003 Posts: 1,346	What? Recommending playing the MI games out of order to a newbie? SACRILEGE! Share Share this post on Twitter __________________ Time flies like the wind; Fruit flies like bananas.