Gaming is hugely popular and accessible to all. Games can be played on consoles, such as PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X, or there are games such as mobile slots that can be played on your phone or tablet. But with a huge world of games to choose from, it can be daunting for new gamers to know what to play. So, here are three gaming suggestions to help you take the first step.
Minecraft
Minecraft is a great introduction to gaming for children, in particular, as it gets kids used to playing a first-person game. It’s a game of blocks and strange creatures with an excellent community aspect. You create your technicolour world and take on challenges as and when you wish. The blocks are used to shape your world based purely on your imagination. The creatures you encounter can be fought with or you can become friends with them. Parents will be pleased that Minecraft encourages social interaction as children share their creations with other players or play in communities. But kids of all ages love Minecraft for encouraging problem-solving and critical thinking, boosting creativity and imagination, and enhancing collaboration, communication and leadership skills.
Stardew Valley
Stardew Valley is also great for kids but adults looking to unwind after a day at work will find it engaging as well. This farming simulation is packed with charm and offers a relaxing escape into rural life. You’re given a farm and seeds, and you take it from there. Players can grow crops, raise animals and build relationships with the townsfolk. Stardew’s open-ended nature offers gaming at your own pace, making it an excellent choice for newbies. You can make it as relaxing or as challenging as you want it to be. You can fish all day, adventure in the mines and populate your farm with animals or beehives. You decide. There are no real obligations apart from orders/quests and the community centre, but both are optional.
Professor Layton and the Curious Village
If you love problem-solving, then Professor Layton and the Curious Village will do the trick. This beautifully animated game is an old-school point-and-click adventure that new gamers will adapt to easily. It’s set in the puzzle-loving town of St Mystere and follows the eponymous professor as he tries to solve a murder mystery. But to do so, Layton and his apprentice – and you – must solve the puzzles that come their way. The problem-solving can be easy or hard – this game is for teens and adults – and sometimes it’s optional. Puzzles are stylus-based, often requiring you to draw on the screen, circle an object, or enter numbers and words. But PLATCV’s strength is the immersive world it creates. The village’s well-drawn characters are compelling, and the game’s soundtrack is a strong point. You feel as if you are in St Mystere!
