Recommend a game for my wife

[Crabbs]

So I've been since I was a grade school & had my first Vic20 & C64. My wife has never been a big gamer, played some Super Mario when she was younger, but really nothing significant to speak of. When Bioshock 2 was released she saw the TV commercials and was intrigued. I downloaded the Bioshock Demo for her on our PS3 but she never really did much with it until a couple weeks ago. She played the full demo within 2 days. I bought her the full game for Valentine's Day and she finished it last week. She played until 2am the other night to finish it, lol. She's just started on a harder difficulty to see if she can do it. She just received Bioshock 2 from Amazon today and can't wait for the baby to go to sleep so she can play!!

She loves the atmosphere of the series (steampunky/retro feel) and of course the killing Are there any other games along those same lines - very 'atmospheric' - that might interest her?

I'm not a huge FPS player (loved the Mafia Series) but beyond that haven't really played/completed any other fps games, so I'm not a huge help to her in this Genre. I really want to feed her love of games so I won't feel as guilty when D3 comes out

[Blackhawk]

I don't have a PS3 so I haven't played them myself, but the Drake's series got fantastic reviews, and always struck me as looking very atmospheric.

[Anonymous Bosch]

It's not a console game, but a modded System Shock 2 would seem like an obvious choice if your wife enjoyed the Bioshock series.

BioShock/Bioshock 2 outdoes System Shock 2 as an action game, but their predecessor still surpasses both Bioshock games in terms of atmosphere, which makes SS2 the more exciting game to explore.

[Hipolito]

I'll second the Drake recommendation, particularly Uncharted 2: Among Thieves. The Drake games are not to my liking for various reasons, but most people seem to like them, and the cinematic action sequences in 2 are often stunning.

I'll also go out on a limb and suggest Demon's Souls. (Or the sequel Dark Souls, which is supposed to be better.) True, it's not a shooter, and it starts out ridiculously difficult, but it's grimly atmospheric. It has a reputation as a niche game, but it really isn't. I've heard no shortage of stories about casual gamers getting into this game, beating it, and loving it. That's what motivated me to give it a second look, and now I am a member of its legion of annoying fanboys.

P.S. I'm playing Bioshock on PC, really addictive and crazy atmospheric.

[wonderpug]

Oh man no, not Dark Souls! I think jumping from Bioshock into something that unforgiving would be a disaster. I do know the game has its fans, but for a nongamer just getting into gaming?

Half-Life 2 is old but it will get her more of the "tell a story through gameplay" feeling she's liking in Bioshock, but it's not as dark & creepy (except for one level).

Portal could be a huge hit with her, but she'd have to be open to puzzle-solving, and it takes a bit before it develops into Bioshock-like storytelling.

What about Heavy Rain? Not a shooter at all, but she might really dig the storytelling.

I'm also tempted to recommend Fallout 3 or New Vegas. The games are only kinda-sorta shooterish, but I could see her really liking the story and atmosphere, depending on whether or not the RPG aspects appeal to her.

Are Windows or 360 games an option? If so, then the Mass Effect series could be a great match for her. I actually want to recommend Mass Effect 2 for her more than the first game, since the first person shooter gameplay is so so so much better, but if she did like the first game in the series it's incredibly satisfying to have your decisions and actions carry through from game to game.

[ImLawBoy]

Deus Ex 3 would probably be a good fit. It's more sneaking/stealth than shooting (although there are shooting parts), but it's got all kinds of atmosphere.

[Laura]

I'll second Fallout New Vegas. Also System Shock 2 and Half Life 2. If she is open to a RPG, Gothic 2 might interest her.

[Zaxxon]

I third Half-Life 2. Perhaps Portal, as well?

[Blackhawk]

I'm not a huge FPS player (loved the Mafia Series) but beyond that haven't really played/completed any other fps games

*cough*

Have you considered Mafia II?

[Lordnine]

Deus Ex 3 would be the closest fit. Portal 2 would be a good second choice. I would honestly skip Portal 1 because it is far less character and story driven.

New Vegas wouldn’t be bad either but that might be too complex for a newcomer.

[Crabbs]

I'm not a huge FPS player (loved the Mafia Series) but beyond that haven't really played/completed any other fps games

*cough*

Have you considered Mafia II?

Yeah I guess I should have clarified, I've played Mafia I & II on PC. I might fire up Mafia II and show it to her on PC and see if she'd be interested. I doubt I can get her to PC game, but I'd be willing to buy Mafia II PS3 for her.

Thanks for all the suggestions, gives me/us some good leads. She's about 1/2 way through Bioshock 2 after 2 days of playing.... Maybe I shouldn't encourage this she's gonna go through games fast.

[RuperT]

Hehe straight to Dark Souls he says!
Does she like the shooting the most? Dead Space, Bulletstorm was fun (with much cursing)
Does she like the closely personal storyline? The Heavy Rain suggestion is right on (much less shooting there though).
Does she like twiddling with body mods and rpg stuff, with shooting? Dues Ex
Ah, to be a noob again...

[LawBeefaroni]

Portal and Portal II. Both ooze atmosphere and character.

The Drake's 2-pack (1 and 2) is a good deal but both games are really actiony. Maybe start with one of the Tomb Raiders; Legend, Anniversary,or Underworld, for a few bucks?

[Crabbs]

Hehe straight to Dark Souls he says!
Does she like the shooting the most? Dead Space, Bulletstorm was fun (with much cursing)
Does she like the closely personal storyline? The Heavy Rain suggestion is right on (much less shooting there though).
Does she like twiddling with body mods and rpg stuff, with shooting? Dues Ex
Ah, to be a noob again...

I think she really likes the story line & retro feel to Bioshock. She does like the killing, but she really seems to like the exploring/collecting. I really tried to get her to play WoW with me because I think she would have really liked it, but never got her to bite.

[ImLawBoy]

I think she really likes the story line & retro feel to Bioshock. She does like the killing, but she really seems to like the exploring/collecting.

I'll say it again, then - Deus Ex 3. It's not retro (by a long shot), but it's very strong on story, and lots of exploring with all of the alternate routes you can take to achieve your goals. The atmosphere isn't as awesome as Bioshock, but it's still pretty good.

[Crabbs]

I think she really likes the story line & retro feel to Bioshock. She does like the killing, but she really seems to like the exploring/collecting.

I'll say it again, then - Deus Ex 3. It's not retro (by a long shot), but it's very strong on story, and lots of exploring with all of the alternate routes you can take to achieve your goals. The atmosphere isn't as awesome as Bioshock, but it's still pretty good.

I'll check it out and run the trailers for her. Thanks!

[Kasey Chang]

Definitely Fallout New Vegas. Looks retro / futuristic enough and bazillion collection / side quests to play through, esp if you buy the ultimate edition which comes with all the DLCs. Remember to show her that she can play as a female character, and can some of the perks, well, have extra meaning when it comes to relations with characters of opposite (or even the same) gender.

You can always get her hooked on Skyrim. Alternate life and all that. Or the predecessor, Oblivion. Just don't show her that head collection video...

[msduncan]

I'm going to guess that she identified with Bioshock because of the little sisters. Likewise she's going to need to identify with the next game in a similar fashion.

I would say Mass Effect 1 or 2, but I don't think that will do it. Mass Effect 3 has a hook -- seeing the little boy in the beginning as an image or representation of the people of earth. Also, the main character can be female and have relationships with male characters in the game.

Don't throw her into games that have macho-male oriented game play and stories.

[Crabbs]

I'm going to guess that she identified with Bioshock because of the little sisters. Likewise she's going to need to identify with the next game in a similar fashion.

I would say Mass Effect 1 or 2, but I don't think that will do it. Mass Effect 3 has a hook -- seeing the little boy in the beginning as an image or representation of the people of earth. Also, the main character can be female and have relationships with male characters in the game.

Don't throw her into games that have macho-male oriented game play and stories.

I would tend to agree. I picked up a copy of Mafia II because it's so story driven and atmospheric, but I think it's too shooterish for her. She's actually playing Bioshock 2 again

I downloaded the ME 3 Demo but it didn't seem to grab her. I also picked up a PS3 Tomb Raider trilogy that she started but it didn't seem to grab her (she had expressed an interest in them too) The controls seem wonky/sensitive in those so it might just take some time to get used to.

At least she's still playing, eve if it is that same game she already finished

[msduncan]

I'm going to guess that she identified with Bioshock because of the little sisters. Likewise she's going to need to identify with the next game in a similar fashion.

I would say Mass Effect 1 or 2, but I don't think that will do it. Mass Effect 3 has a hook -- seeing the little boy in the beginning as an image or representation of the people of earth. Also, the main character can be female and have relationships with male characters in the game.

Don't throw her into games that have macho-male oriented game play and stories.

I would tend to agree. I picked up a copy of Mafia II because it's so story driven and atmospheric, but I think it's too shooterish for her. She's actually playing Bioshock 2 again

I downloaded the ME 3 Demo but it didn't seem to grab her. I also picked up a PS3 Tomb Raider trilogy that she started but it didn't seem to grab her (she had expressed an interest in them too) The controls seem wonky/sensitive in those so it might just take some time to get used to.

At least she's still playing, eve if it is that same game she already finished

The Mass Effect 3 demo isn't going to grab her. I don't think you can choose to play female Shepherd can you? It also doesn't have the very early and pivotal scene of Shepherd trying to get the little boy to come to him...and it not ending very well for the little boy a few scenes later.

It would be a leap of faith buying the full game -- but it has TONS of plot, a female main character, and emotional hooks.

[Freezer-TPF-]

How about Beyond Good and Evil? The re-mastered HD version appears to be available via the Playstation Network.

[Crabbs]

Just a quick update.

She's now on play through 3 of Bioshock 2 and loving every minute of it... lol. I think she has looked in every nook and cranny of that game, found every item/plasmid/gene tonic possible. She's cranked up the difficulty to medium now and still doing well.

I borrowed Heavy Rain from on of my employees, but she hasn't been grabbed by it. I think the controls in the game frustrate her somewhat and it's not 'actiony' enough.

I bought Skyrim and Mafia II (for her... and myself) but she didn't like Mafia and really hasn't tried Skyrim yet. Hopefully she'll like the open world with Skyrim, but it might be to micro-managing with the skills to fully grab her. I'll wait to see if she likes Skyrim before I keep hunting for more.

Thanks for all the suggestions, just hard to find that a game that grabs you like Bioshock grabbed her. (Diablo 2 has been impossible to replace for me.. so I know the feeling)

[Alefroth]

It's a little older, but how about the HD version of Shadow of the Colossus?

Ale

[Crabbs]

Just a quick update. After about the 4th playthrough of Bioshock 2, she finally decided to try a couple of different games. I had found the Lara Croft Tomb Raider trilogy for cheap at SAM'S Club and she's almost done with the first one. She likes it, but I keep hearing "It's not Bioshock", lol. She also ordered and started playing Alice: Madness Returns, she seems to be liking it so far. She also happened by a Gamestop a week or so ago to see what they had used and found a copy of Fallout 3 for $7. The clerk recommended that to her when she mentioned she liked Bioshock. She's started it but assigning stat points is still a little too overwhelming for her. Maybe she'll try it after Alice.

She didn't like Heavy rain's pacing, and for that matter neither did I. I finally finished it, but was not thrilled by a full QTE game. It seemed to give you choice/control of outcomes, but you really don't have a huge influence in the outcome of cut scenes anyway. I replayed a couple scenes over and over with different 'results', yet the continuation of the game was no different. Really only seemed to be able to control whether you killed off one of the main characters or not... Anyway I was a cool storyline, beautiful graphics and atmospheric, but shitty 'gameplay' -- but we weren't looking for games for me anyway!

She likes watching me play Red Dead Redemption, so who knows maybe she'll give that a whirl.

[Crabbs]

So she's still gaming!

She's played Alice: Madness Returns and really loved it. She just finished Dishonored and is on a 2nd play through. She really enjoyed it.

She's tried a number of other games too and hasn't enjoyed them as much. The Fallout series seems to be a little too involved (level ups, skill ups, etc).

When she found out Bioshock:Infite was delayed until February she was pissed off. She was so excited about it for Nov/Dec release. Funny to see her so passionate about a game.

Is there something that falls into the Bioshock/Alice/Dishonored style play -- skill choices but not overwhelming?

[Isgrimnur]

You might look at Sleeping Dogs. I just finished it up, and it was about 70/30 hand-to-hand/firearm combat. 3rd person, upgrades in three categories, two tracks per on two of them.

[TheMix]

I think she really likes the story line & retro feel to Bioshock. She does like the killing, but she really seems to like the exploring/collecting. I really tried to get her to play WoW with me because I think she would have really liked it, but never got her to bite.

Heh. Count yourself lucky. I made the mistake of letting my girlfriend play once... and now I appear to be in for life. And I can't get her to play anything else.

I'll add another vote for Dead Space (the first, haven't played the second yet). While not steampunk, it is very atmospheric.

Another one that came to mind is Alan Wake. But a cursory search suggests that it may only be on the XBox and PC. I only played a couple hours of it, but it's very light on the killing and very strong on story. Plus, the scenery/settings are outstanding.

While also not steampunk, the STALKER franchise and METRO 2033 do offer a post-apocalyptic atmosphere. I know that I tend to rave about them too much, but they might be worth taking a peek at. Actually, poo... or "boo" in keeping with the recent holiday... they all appear to be PC/XBox only.

I did see that Crysis2 is PS3. I enjoyed it, but as I recall it didn't please some people. Plus, Aliens. Not really like Bioshock at all. Nevermind.

[Crabbs]

Thanks for the suggestions, will pass them on.

What about Resident Evil? She asked me about that, but I haven't played it so have no idea. If so which one?

[Zaxxon]

Side note: you should keep your wife.

[Kasey Chang]

Deux Ex: Human Evolution? Fallout New Vegas? Elder Scrolls?

Dishonored is probably gonna be too bloody for her, as would be AssCreed.

[Crabbs]

Deux Ex: Human Evolution? Fallout New Vegas? Elder Scrolls?

Dishonored is probably gonna be too bloody for her, as would be AssCreed.

She loved Dishonored, giggled every time a head sliced off.... should I be worried?

[Kasey Chang]

She likes stealth? Or the various ways people dies?

Try Splinter Cell series, or even Metal Gear series.

[Jaymeson]

May be a left turn, but if she likes solving mysteries, the movie LA Confidential, and driving old cars....my gal loved L.A. Noire. And I did too.

Latest XCOM I think really eases noobs into the gameplay (and I count myself a noob). I can't see anyone that likes video games not liking this gem.

Alan Wake on PC was also a great, story-driven, scare-fest.

[Wanyeca]

She loved Dishonored, giggled every time a head sliced off.... should I be worried?

I received Dishonored for Christmas. Looking forward to it. As a female gamer, my husband finds it hilarious that I enjoy killing more than he does. Loping off heads, that's it. I am sold.

[Octavious]

Thanks for the suggestions, will pass them on.

What about Resident Evil? She asked me about that, but I haven't played it so have no idea. If so which one?

Resident Evil is pretty famous for it's wonky controls. I'd have a hard time recommending it. I tried paying RE5 with my wife and gave up.

[Crabbs]

She loved Dishonored, giggled every time a head sliced off.... should I be worried?

I received Dishonored for Christmas. Looking forward to it. As a female gamer, my husband finds it hilarious that I enjoy killing more than he does. Loping off heads, that's it. I am sold.

She really like dishonored, I think she played through it twice (at least). Currently she's slashing/bashing/hacking/shooting her way though Dead Island. She's playing it so much our 2 year old asked if "Mommy play Zombie Game?"

I bought her Hitman: Absolution for Christmas. We'll see how she likes that. Still waiting for Bioshock Infinite this spring. Who knows maybe it will get delayed until fall and I can get it for her for her Birthday.

[Wanyeca]

She really like dishonored, I think she played through it twice (at least). Currently she's slashing/bashing/hacking/shooting her way though Dead Island. She's playing it so much our 2 year old asked if "Mommy play Zombie Game?"

I bought her Hitman: Absolution for Christmas. We'll see how she likes that. Still waiting for Bioshock Infinite this spring. Who knows maybe it will get delayed until fall and I can get it for her for her Birthday.

I also liked DE:HR. Loved ME and ME2, not ME3 so much. I am more of a TES fan though. Loved Oblivion and Skyrim. Not to mention Portal and Portal 2. I could go on an on.

I was a light gamer before meeting my husband then TES III: Morrowind came out. He played then I took over. I love that game. Since then I like games with RPG elements but that are action packed. DA:O was good but I liked DA2 better.

Currently he and I are playing SWTOR and I love it. I play an Agent Operative and although I don't get to lope off heads I do get to shiv people both PvE and PvP. I hope she finds more games to enjoy. It's hard to find video games with good story elements but they're out there. I did give Deadspace a try and will probably go back to it. I have heard great things about Borderlands 2. A female friend loves that one.

[dangerballs]

Has she played through the Minerva's Den DLC for Bioshock 2? I actually found the storyline to be better than the main game.

[Crabbs]

Has she played through the Minerva's Den DLC for Bioshock 2? I actually found the storyline to be better than the main game.

Yep she did, she liked it a lot.

She just finished Dead Island last night, starting Hitman today.

[hepcat]

Tell her you discovered a new game all the wives are playing. It's called "Put down that controller and make me my damn dinner!"

...I'll wait...go ahead...I dare ya.