Introducing your elderly parents to gaming (game suggestions? Ect).

[Pinkbonbon]

So my parents are in their early to mid 70s and I'm thinking of introducing them to gaming. My first lives a sheltered life and I think it would add a little more fun to it. My mum might be a little less interested as she is quite a active, outdoorsy lady still, but I'm sure there are games she would benifit from too.

I wonder if anyone has done the same and has some tips? Also, which games would be a good place to start.

Working with xbox one!
(Also have game pass)

Although, I thought the Nintendo switch would be the best bet as I feel more of the games on there are for starter gamers as opposed to ppl who have done them for years. BUT I only have it hand held for now and I think a console on screen would be best so I I easier guide them. But happy to consider suggestions for it. Also, for 3ds.

As much as I love rdr2 and feel my dad would too, I think games where you control the camera around the character would provably be too daunting straight off the bat.

My dad has a tablet and likes puzzle games on there. So I considered maybe the professor layton series for 3ds? (I've only ever played the spin off with the daughter character).

I think my dad would enjoy something story led too. Maybe something where your choices guide the characters.

My mum like animals and drawing. And beautiful scenery.

Ideas?
Thanks!
😊

Are they interested in engaging with this?

I like the Jurassic World series on Xbox. The Lego version is also OK but deeply repetitive which I struggle with.

There are artistic "games" for the 360 but I don't know if they are compatible with the xbox One.

Did they play games in the past? Would they like retro games like Tetris, Sonic, Mario etc?

Im going to broach it with them next time I visit.
I introduced my dad to the tablet games and now he always asks me to download new ones for him when I visit. So I'm sure he'll be on board. Just so long as I don't suggest stuff that is too daunting from the offset.

Mum...maybe not. But id still love to show her what is possible and see if she is interested. Because I think she'd really enjoy scenic games. So even if I just show her a few and maybe she'll see dad playing and want to take it up. Maybe not.

My dad would probably love a dinosaur game but maybe not if its like zoo tycoon build your own park kind of thing. Think that might be a bit too finicky for him to engage with. I have a feeling something story led..so that it's almost like a bridge between gaming and film might be good. Maybe a zombie series?

Have a feeling dad would love tetris. Might be better off finding something like that for him on his tablet instead tbf.

But the tablet games are usually annoying with adverts and asking for pay to play ect so...wonder if there's anything equivalent on consoles.

Maybe not what you had in mind but have you thought about board games? There are many good two player games. Something they could do together and could be less daunting.

Know what you mean about independent camera control. It was what put my dad off even though he was interested.

I was thinking of Detroit: Become Human when you said more story led, but that’s PS only.

there are more and more nice two player coop games these days like overcooked and lovers in a dangerous spacetime.

I won't be there you see (other than a few days introducing them to it. I mean obviously I'll visit but it was really just to give dad something to keep himself occupied and help keep his mind sharp (not that it isn't but I figure it's a good time to introduce them to gaming now so that they can still play and pick things up quicker ehen they get older).

Not to say i couldn't get them a second controller qnd they could play a co op together. They do like board games when other people visit. But tbh i think them playing eachothr...there would b war.

Animal crossing for your mum? I find it very satisfying and creative.

Maybe start off with some familiar and/or simple games like Boggle, UNO, Ticket to Ride, chess, Wheel of Fortune and Monopoly.
My DMiL likes Townscaper, Unpacking and plays some of the games mentioned above. My DFiL likes Townscaper, Fishing, Golf with Friends and Surviving Mars.
Your DM might like Draw a Stick Man Epic (drawing!), Unravel (beautiful scenery, but might be too puzzle-based) and maybe Zoo Tycoon.
Your DF might like Unravel too, but I don’t know many other puzzle style games.

Not sure f it's on Xbox but for scenery I love red dead redemption, I love riding the horse around but I'm rubbish at killing the baddies!

Yes red dead 2 was what I really wanted to introduce dad to but I think the controls might be a bit full on for a first game.

Unravel is a good idea!

I think my dad would like animal crossing more than my mum tbh. My mum would maybe find it a bit silly so just not 'get it' lol. Thinking things woth more true life graphics might suit her better.

I was looking at Eastshade for her which is a game where you travel a land as a travelling painter and its quite pretty. Just hoping the animal characters don't put her off.

Spiritfarer is a lovely game- you take over from Charon as the Spiritfarer and ferry spirits through the "Everdoor" to the afterlife, you learn their stories from their lives and bits of yours as you go along and help the spirits. Its open world to a certain degree, but in a platform style, so its all back, forward, up, down like traditional Mario rather than changing perspectives etc. It's quite an emotional story at times. You have to feed your spirits, keep them happy, build them accommodation, you eventually keep sheep and cows and chickens on your boat, grow crops etc.

Another one they may like is Minecraft- I know its become a popular kids game but it is fun for adults too and you get the satisfaction of building anything you can imagine, especially in Creative mode where you have access to all the blocks.

The civilization games are good too, really good for using your brain and building your civilisation while competing against the AI.

Im not sure what platforms they're all avaliable on- I play on PC so they should all be on xbox game pass/ newer xboxes, but I'm not sure about the older models.

A wild card could maybe be something like Skyrim on easy mode for your mum? Beautiful landscapes, lots of story, some fighting and some puzzles in dungeons etc.

Can I just say, I love this thread. I think it's great that you want to introduce them to something new.

Spiritfarer is defo on the list! One if my fave games too!

Haha I may regret introducing them when I getting 2am phonecalls from dad asking me how to defeat the skyrim dragons though haha.

My old DF did some gaming when he was still with us and would have been a good 20 years older than your DPs.

He liked solitaire, it's a game that lots of older people are familiar with. He also liked Wii Fit and those Brain Teaser Games for the Wii.