quick question on a game for the wife

[tommyboy8689]

So, my wife has recently decided to take (a little) interest in games, she was really interested in playing Alice: Madness Returns. The problem is is she does not want to pay a whole lot for a game that she feels might be a little too difficult for somebody who has never really even played Super Mario Brothers.

So what I would like to know are 2 things.

1. Would Alice: Madness Returns be too difficult for her?

2. If yes (and I am assuming the answer to #1 is yes) are there any relatively cheaper games similiar that would be an easier alternative for her to try first before trying Alice.

She said she would prefer to try a game on the ps1 or ps2, but is willing to try any suggestions.
She would really like a game thats in the same genre as Alice: madness returns as well.

[sabrage]

I've heard the combat in Madness Returns is rather intricate and challenging (I haven't played it myself.) Other recent 3D platformers like Ratchet & Clank or the Jak series might appeal to her, or maybe Psychonauts?

Edit: Come to think of it, Jak 2 was pretty fucking hard. Maybe start her off with the original and go from there.

[MrPopo]

So, my wife has recently decided to take (a little) interest in games, she was really interested in playing Alice: Madness Returns. The problem is is she does not want to pay a whole lot for a game that she feels might be a little too difficult for somebody who has never really even played Super Mario Brothers.

So what I would like to know are 2 things.

1. Would Alice: Madness Returns be too difficult for her?

2. If yes (and I am assuming the answer to #1 is yes) are there any relatively cheaper games similiar that would be an easier alternative for her to try first before trying Alice.

She said she would prefer to try a game on the ps1 or ps2, but is willing to try any suggestions.

Madness Returns will frustrate her to no end. The combat is fairly involved and at several points you have to jungle combat against a horde of whom several members have some sort of gimmick to make them vulnerable and take several shots to defeat. It's challenging for a video game veteran, so I wouldn't want to give it to a novice.

The only 3D platformer I've played to any real extent is the various Mario incarnations, which I would recommend if you have the hardware to play them. If you're limited to Playstation I'm not sure what would be good.

[Valkyrie-Favor]

Sly 2. Get it. PS2 or PS3 versions are both good. PS2 will be cheaper. Sly 1 and 3 are good, but 2 is the best and you won't miss any of the plot. And it's really cheap to boot!

I think it's a really good game to get someone into gaming. Cool story and characters, so there's always motivation to play. Big open environments to explore at your leisure, nice level design, creative missions with variety, awesome platforming. It starts off really easy and has a nice difficulty curve so I don't think a new gamer will have trouble with it, as long as they try a few times. Go look up a review somewhere, see some video footage. But I've never meet anyone who didn't like Sly!

[Luke]

1. Would Alice: Madness Returns be too difficult for her?

2. If yes (and I am assuming the answer to #1 is yes) are there any relatively cheaper games similiar that would be an easier alternative for her to try first before trying Alice.

1) More than likely.

2) Hm. Perhaps MAXIMO? Guys what do you think?

[noiseredux]

2) Hm. Perhaps MAXIMO? Guys what do you think?

this is a joke, right? The Maximo games are known for being assholes. Hell, you have to collect a 100 coins or whatever just to save your progress.

What about the recent Disney Alice game? The one based on the Tim Burton movie? It's a 3D platformer, has the Alice theme, but is definitely a bit more beginner-friendly.

[Ivo]

I think for a new gamer, maybe a nice 2D game instead of a 3D game to start off with.

How hard do people think Klonoa is?

Ivo.

[Luke]

2) Hm. Perhaps MAXIMO? Guys what do you think?

this is a joke, right? The Maximo games are known for being assholes.

Not at all. I thought Maximo Ghosts to Glory was a fairly simple straightforward game that was easy to pick up, and cheap.

It's not in the same vein as Alice, but maybe she'd enjoy the Crash Bandicoot series?

[noiseredux]

Maximo is essentially a whole new franchise that draws a lot from the ambience, style, and mechanics of Capcom's classic series. It's also, as one can imagine, brutally difficult.

I wouldn't recommend Maximo.

[isiolia]

If you/she has a decent enough PC for it, the Alice Returns PC port is usually a fair bit cheaper ($25-30 range), and doubly so when it goes on sale, often for half off.

While it isn't a platformer, you might look into the Fable titles if you have an XBox/360/PC. There are similar elements to some of the gameplay, and they certainly aren't hard games. Or maybe Kingdom Hearts