Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with games

Wife-friendly PS3 games?

entropic — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 16:08:33 -0800

Suggestions for good (local, not just online) multiplayer games for the PS3? Other non-gamer friendly suggestions welcome as well. (Two similar questions, but both are 2+ years old.) I'm looking for games my (non-gamer) wife and I can enjoy together. She doesn't care for modern/realistic shooters. Multiplayer co-op suggestions especially appreciated, perhaps with an emphasis on more free form stuff - she doesn't like "dying" in the same place over and over on a level. Bonus points for cheaper titles. For instance, I'm probabaly going to grab Burnout: Paradise since it's only $20 (even if it doesn't fit all of my criteria). Other "wife-friendly" suggestions welcome, as well (I know that's a stereotype, but in this case she fits it - only using it for that reason).

What games have I missed?

plungerjoke — Sat, 26 Dec 2009 19:30:03 -0800

Just purchased a new desktop computer after years of having a severely underpowered laptop. What games have I missed? The new computer only has 256mb of onboard video memory, so new games are kind of out of the question. I'm thinking about upgrading the video card and power supply at some point, but, in the meantime, what games (with reasonable system requirements) did I miss while in laptop purgatory?

I like all different sorts of games, but originality is what most often draws me in. Also, Civilization type games tend to lose my interest quickly.

Thanks!

PS--My apologies if this is in the wrong category.

should i buy mass effect?

leemajors — Sat, 26 Dec 2009 18:01:36 -0800

steam has mass effect for $20. is it worth buying and playing now?

Hope me, Mr. Conductor!

hincandenza — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 16:28:55 -0800

Looking for good train sim software/railroad creation games... I know, I know- you'd think that a train simulator would be the most boring thing in the world- I mean, at least with flight simulators you can bank and fly all over the place, but a train simulator?! Meh!

However, I've developed something of a fascination with railroads lately, and think it'd be fun to find a good train simulator/railroad simulator. I've been to www.train-sim.com but the number of options are kind of confusing. What I'm looking for is a happy user's review of the best one to get as I figure among the teeming masses of MeFites there must be a few diehard train simulator afficionados to guide me. I'm seeking a combination sim and railroad creation game, and would like to:

Be able to freely lay out my own fictitious tracks and railroad lines anywhere in the world, either following well-known routes or inventing new ones- mostly in central Europe
Have a wide variety of train types (from early 20th century to modern high-speed rail)
A reasonably active user community of free and some pay add-ons and models (those appear to be found at train-sim.com, similar to flight-sim.com)
First-person driving and the ability to kind of "explore" my model railroad in-game, much like you'd explore something like this
Relatively recent would be good, since the graphics will at least be passable
Less important but desirable: be able to also have a "SimTrain" like quality of creating these fake railroads and crafting timetables and even budgets (provided there's still an unlimited money option)

There seem to be a number of options, the most recent and promising including "Trainz Simulator" and "Rail Works" (which may or may not be the same as Rail Simulator). I'd be running this either natively in Mac OS X 10.6, a VM Windows Vista/Windows 7, or rebooting to bootcamped Vista/Windows 7 as necessary. So platform shouldn't be critical, but native Mac would obviously be the best if unlikely option.

Wii worth it?

vronsky — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 17:51:36 -0800

The new Super Mario game has made me want a Wii. I've played some of the sports games with my nephews and the motion aspect gets old quick for me. So my question is, are there any games that are just button mashers that I might enjoy? Does it even make sense to get one if I really only want to play old school type games on it? (I thought Super Mario Galaxy was boring for example).

Wii group games?

Anonymous — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 14:40:18 -0800

Buying a Wii game for my parents. They have the sports and resort games, I'd like it to be something that multiple people can play, ideally at a party, as that's when they use it the most. Great group Wii games?

What first sparked your interest in computers?

pwnguin — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 14:06:24 -0800

I need help finding citations for a story about programmer's inspirations. A giant whiteboard asks for the spark that interested people in computers and the answers are all video games. I recall reading a story about a whiteboard at a Silicon Valley company, I think it was Google, but for all I recall it could be MS in Redmond.

The story goes: There was a giant whiteboard hallway wall where someone would ask a question for people to answer on the board. One day someone put on the board "What motivated your interest in programming?" and the first answer was Super Mario Bros, (or something like that) leading to an epic list of old video games.

Can anyone point me to a website or reference of this story, or correct my story?

Virtual Vacation Worlds

lord_yo — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 10:50:27 -0800

Are there any games which let you just explore and enjoy the scenery, like a walk-in painting or virtual vacation? (single-player preferred) I really enjoy games which give you the possibility to explore beautifully created surroundings, without a specific goal, except occasional mini-games. For example, the thing I loved most about GTA:San Andreas was not the missions, but driving around the country side. In the late 90s, multimedia producers created early versions of this (including an explorable version of The Simpson's Springfield), but I haven't seen anything like that since.

I'm looking for single-player games, if there are any, or maybe multiuser environments, if they are really well done (I know Second Life already, but the graphics are not very good).

By the way, does this genre have a name?

Multiplayer iPhone games?

Tu13es — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 05:13:44 -0800

What are some multiplayer iPhone games that don't require players to be actively using their phone to play? I just discovered Words With Friends (and Chess With Friends) and love it because I don't need to be actively using my phone at all times to play it. If you haven't played them, they're basically Scrabble (or Chess) games where you open the app, play your move, then wait until your opponent makes their move. Perfect for when I'm at work and can only use my phone occasionally.

Games that are only multiplayer over wifi or bluetooth are out. Bonus points for games that are free, but I'd consider paid ones as well. Bonus points for apps with Push notifications when it's your turn too.

The most fun way to hold a raffle

biwa-shu — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 18:23:30 -0800

Are there more fun ways to give away a variety of prizes at a raffle than just draw names/numbers from a box? ie: gameshow-style, competitions, etc. We'll be having a raffle at an event with about 80 people. We'll have a variety of prizes worth anywhere from $5 to $50. What are some fun ways that we can choose the recipients, instead of just going "OK, next one ... OK, next one..."?

Open-ended games?

nostrich — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 13:54:40 -0800

I would like to find a computer game with a mechanic that rewards constant play (eg, levelling up). What do you recommend? I enjoy playing games, but they're always over too fast (or I get bored of them). As such, I am constantly on the look out for games that are not over too fast. I've filled the hole somewhat with shmups -- it will take hundreds hours of practise before I master DoDonPachi, and it somehow remains fun no matter how many times I play stage 1 -- but sometimes I don't want to play a shmup (or don't want to drag my gamepad out, or whatever), so I'm looking for more.

The first thing that comes to mind is a game where you level up (eg, World of Warcraft), which would be fine, but caveat: I find repetitive grinding incredibly boring. Same reason I am slowly becoming bored of Elements, despite initial enjoyment. So if it requires grinding, I'm probably not going to enjoy it.

Whatever the mechanism, the game needs to continue to be rewarding indefinitely (or for a very long time, at least).

Couple of other caveats: it would be nice if it could be played for 5 minutes or 5 hours depending on my mood (I love Civ, but sitting down for a game is such a commitment). It needs to either be Flash-based or OS X compatible -- I'm just as open to either, and can be relied upon to have a constant internet connection -- anything that requires Windows is useless to me (not hardcore enough to install Boot Camp/VMWare just for a game). I'm also open to emulation (providing x system has an emulator OS X can run competently, of course). Price isn't a huge concern, but it will take a monumentally awesome game to make me consent to a subscription. I'm pretty flexible on genres, but I will say the Sim-genre games never grabbed me very much (though I'm not sure why, it's been a while), because I know they will be among the first answers.

Feel free to ignore caveats: if I like it enough, I'll make exceptions. The only necessary is that it's open-ended and fun and not Puzzle Pirates (though puzzles are ok!).

Anything come to mind?

DOS Games

mccarty.tim — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 18:22:07 -0800

What are some of the best games for DOS that still have lasting appeal? I really like Settlers 2 and The Ur Quan Masters (AKA Star Control 2), and I also really like how they're still very playable in this day and age, especially in DOSbox. I don't know too many DOS games, so I was wondering if there are any other great, classic DOS games in the same vein out there.

Preferably they aren't too hard to play in DOS box or require too much documentation before playing. For example, I've tried to play Dwarf Fortress, but I just can't get past the interface. I also want games that are still fun and accessible today, and not just good for nostalgic purposes. I don't mind whether they're Abandonware or for sale on Steam or GOG. I just want a good list to try.

If it matters, I'm using a Mac and dual boot into Windows 7, in case you want to offer something not exactly for DOS, like a remake or clone.

Legend of Zelda in MIDI

kaozity — Sun, 06 Dec 2009 10:09:32 -0800

I need help to create the Legend of Zelda "get item" sound in MIDI I am working on a robot that is capable of creating MIDI songs and I want it to make the sound of when you get an item in the traditional legend of Zelda games.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8UeyKyAXJ9I&feature=player_embedded

I cannot find the notes or a MIDI guide, all I find are downloads and playback of the actual sound clip. Help please :-)

The pope is angered by your attack on...

zvs — Sat, 05 Dec 2009 21:03:03 -0800

Name that game: You're a feudal lord trying to conquer neighboring territories on a sort of RISK-style board. Make the wrong move and you'll enrage the pope. I played this around 1994 and Google is apparently completely unable to help. If you can name that title, I'll be your best friend forever.

Should I run a one-off D&D game for a party with (adult) non-players?

mark7570 — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 08:58:39 -0800

Any suggestions for one-off D&D game for newbies? I'm considering running a D&D game for an upcoming party I'm hosting. Guests and I are all in our mid-to-late 30s and most of us have never played D&D (though I played in my teens).

My question is, does anyone have a suggestion for a one-off D&D campaign that I can run at the party, which would be fun for people who've never played before? Something we could run start to finish in, say, two hours.

Note that this wouldn't be leading on ongoing campaign - this would just be a fun activity we haven't tried before, possibly to go on to other games for the next party.

I have some DM experience so I could do that, though I'd have to go out and buy the materials I'd need... it's been a long time since I had my old D&D manuals around.

BTW, I'm also interested to know if the answer is "don't do it" - i.e., if there just isn't an easy way to run a one-off quick D&D game for new players. I just thought that it might be an interesting game to try for people who've never had the chance to experience D&D.

P.S. I've already seen this and this question on AskMeFi and found them helpful for extra info, albeit for more advanced gamers.

Help me find this computer game! It has tubes and spheres!

tzikeh — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 17:18:35 -0800

I can't remember the name of the game, or where I found it, or whether it's for a computer or a PDA/smartphone. So, with nothing to google, I turn to you.... The game has a square board containing spheres of different colors, which appear in ways I can't remember (either at specific intervals, or if the player does something, or...). If you can get x number of spheres of the same color in a row, you can "shoot" them into one of the steam pipes at the end of each row or column. The more any given steam pipe is used, the "hotter" it gets, and the more points you earn for re-using that steam pipe.

This is making me nuts! Big thank-yous to anyone who can find it for me.

Wii games for all ages

sonofslim — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 06:24:47 -0800

I'm thinking about buying a Wii for my family this xmas. What are some titles that my parents (mid 50s) might enjoy playing with my niece and nephew (ages 3 and 5)?

Xbox 360 games for the retired and slightly arthritic?

Acarpous — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 05:18:41 -0800

Inexplicably, my sixty-six year old father has just bought an Xbox 360. What games could I buy for it that my parents would enjoy? I suspect that this purchase may have been motivated by his love of Tiger Woods PGA Tour that he once spent hours and hours engaged with but which they have now stopped making for the PC. He now has his beloved golf game, but I would like to buy him (and my mother) another game or two for Christmas. I do not play games of any flavour though and know nothing about them or what's available.

The main point for consideration is that my parents are both in their sixties and while my father in particular enjoys fiddling with new gadgets they'll get frustrated if they can't make something work quickly. Tiger Woods type of complexity is fine because it's slow and no in-game baddie is going to come along and take your head off with a chainsaw if you don't remember how make that putt quickly enough. But anything that requires you to press X five times to the tune of Carmina Burana while touching your toes in order to make the character jump onto something is out because even if they remember how it works they simply don't have the dexterity and it'll get discarded quickly. Years ago my mother could spend days playing the original Doom with just the arrow keys and spacebar but could not cope with performing the simplest actions in Doom 3 as the controls and the various elements had become so overwhelmingly vast and complicated.

Any genre is good, with the exception of any Guitar Hero type music making thing (dexterity again but more importantly, because all music made after 1960 is the work of Satan apparently) and preferably those they can play alone rather than together. Or maybe there are games designed for children that therefore have simple gameplay mechanisms but which are engaging and of a high enough level to hold an adult's attention too?

How can I stop freaking out over timed LSAT games?

AAAAAThatsFiveAs — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 10:49:41 -0800

The LSAT is next week and my games section is abysmal. I know it's a psychological thing. What do you recommend? Hello Hive,

I've been doing self-study since the beginning of October with the PowerScore books and scads of real LSATs. My diagnostic was pretty middling (low 150's), though I've inched my way up to the mid 160's.

Games... There's just something about the timer running in the background that causes me to panic. But when I review the games afterward, I have *substantially* less difficulty and everything seems to click. To give you a typical example, I only managed to complete 1.5 games on the last timed practice exam. Reviewing them a few hours later, they seemed jaw-droppingly simple, and I solved them all within thirty minutes. Untimed games are usually a breezy affair, though the occasional bastardly one crops up.

Has anyone had this problem? If so, how did you conquer it? Should I focus exclusively on untimed games? Any advice is greatly appreciated.

I'm in need of a (new) hobby!

cofie — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 13:10:47 -0800

How do I go about getting back into hobbies, or finding new ones (suggest some)? I'm slowly lost a few of my hobbies - stores close, friends move on, interests wane and change. I've recently finished uni, and I'm just having a break until I start full-time work next year.

What I'm after is something (or more than one something) to get me out of the house and doing things that are quite different from my usual routine. Stuff I can start now and keep going even when I have less time due to work.

Some background: I'm a web developer, both as my job and my past-time. I have a large collection of Magic The Gathering cards, I cycle (although I don't want to cycle competitively), I used to (and want to) play sports - volleyball, touch, indoor soccer. I'm interested in creative pursuits but have never really given any a good go.

I have some ideas, but what I'm really after is brand new ideas or some discussion of how best to get into something, and stay with it.

Pound a nail, win a prize!

razdrez — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 10:31:38 -0800

I want to create some authentic carnival games at home so I can practice my stuffed animal gathering skills with some friends. Does anyone know of plans for such games, or info on the type of materials used, etc.? Here's one I found for the bottle/ring pickup game. Any others like this? I'm mainly interested in the basket toss, but unfortunately the name of that game is also a cheerleading move, and I'm swamped in GO Team!

Which video game classics did I miss the last three years?

wolfr — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 11:05:31 -0800

I intend to make this weekend a gaming weekend. I haven't played video games in a long time. At least not as seriously as I used to. Do you have any suggestions? I have a brand new iMac and an Xbox 360. I do not have a copy of Windows on my Mac yet but could theoretically use Boot Camp to install Windows XP on a partition of the hard drive. So don't feel limited to Mac only games svp.

In the past my favorite games have been Baldurs Gate II, Arcanum, Battlefield 1942, Deus Ex and Tony Hawk II.

I was addicted to World of a Warcraft for a while. I like stories and character progression. I like games with original themes (e.g. Psychonauts).

It seems like the only games I've played the last year or two years have been: Grand Theft Auto IV, Bioshock, Fallout 3, Skate, Soul Calibur IV. All on the Xbox. All of them very casually, although I did end up finishing all except Bioshock (which was good, but not relaxing, with all the dark rooms and scary things).

I am downloading the free 2 week trial of Eve Online right now, but I'd rather not get crazy about an MMORPG anymore. While my time in the World of Warcraft was wonderful, the whole game remains a slot machine with a nice interface.

No racing and sports please with the exception of snowboard/skateboard.

Who has suggestions for me?

GamerTag Activity RSS Feed

boombot — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 11:15:44 -0800

How do I get an RSS feed of games played for an XBox360 GamerTag? In the past, certain Yahoo Pipes offered this, but they now all seem broken.

Help me remember this abstract relaxing computer game please...

itsjustanalias — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 01:02:29 -0800

I'm trying to remember the name of a PC game I used to play and my mind is not helping. It was an abstract game (black background simply drawn objects), in each level you floated slowly to the ground, except when you passed through an object, which catapulted you upwards. The goal of each level was to pass through all of the objects. The trick was to relax and use very gentle mouse movements, and the soundtrack changed as you got smoother in your play. It was an online game too, with a server to get more levels. I last played it a couple of years ago. It was windows, but now I'm on a linux box I'm hoping I can find it again and get it to run. I can picture the game (and all the little objects, like flying darts, squares, platforms) but the name is not forthcoming.

More expensive Nintendo DSi or cheaper DSlite for a child? And why?

monster max — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 06:43:17 -0800

Kind and generous relatives have offered to buy our children (8 + 5) Nintendo DS's for Christmas. They've seen a special offer on (unused) DS-lites but I'm wondering whether to suggest that we pay part of it so they can get (the newer and more expensive) DSi's instead. Would greatly appreciate advice from gamers and parents of child gamers out there - thank you! (We're in the UK, if that makes any difference.)

From what my google-fu has been able to tell me, there's not much difference between the DS-lite and DSi. The consensus seemed to be that if you had the old one, there was no point getting the newer one. Doesn't quite help here, though.

My inclination would be to get the newer one simply because it's the newer one and there's the possibility that in the future new games won't run on the old one. But something a bit more concrete would be helpful!

Particular issues -

1. I think all games at the moment cam play on both consoles. Are new (children's) titles coming out in the next 6 months or so likely to remain that way, or will we start to see DSi-only games? Particularly wondering about things like erm the Lego Harry Potter game due out in the spring (they're addicted to (a) Lego and (b) Harry Potter so would be really sad if they couldn't play it.)

2. I heard the newer ones have wifi, which would be fun at home - what cane they actually do on the internet with their little screens?

3. Are the newer models less sturdy or is there not much in it? (Neither child is particularly clumsy).