Random Gaming Thoughts

[Erik_Twice]

My wife and I had a lot of fun playing Her Story together. It was a game we could think about and discuss while playing. There was no action stuff, yet it was a lot more interactive than something like a visual novel. And it was an experience that we could feel satisfied with in a single evening. So I was trying to think of other games that might sort of fit this bill. It occurred to me that the Sherlock Holmes Consulting Detective games probably are sort of similar - though I'm not sure how it would take to beat one. BUT having said that, neither of us are really big fans of Sherlock Holmes in general.

So can anyone think of similar games that aren't Sherlock ones?

If you want to play Sherlock Holmes Consulting Detectice, the original boardgame has been reprinted so I recommend that over the video game versions. You can play a case in an evening together, discussing the details of the crime and what you think that happened before turning over since the game is designed to be played solo or as a cooperative experience.

[noiseredux]

but I don't want to play Sherlock Holmes. Haha. I want to play a game with a similar playstyle. I'm not into Holmes. I'd love something that sort of played out in that same kind of investigative way... but maybe darker, more macabre?

[Erik_Twice]

but I don't want to play Sherlock Holmes. Haha. I want to play a game with a similar playstyle. I'm not into Holmes. I'd love something that sort of played out in that same kind of investigative way... but maybe darker, more macabre?

Well, it's quite the unique game so there's not much like it, other than Gumshoe which is the same game but set in the 1930s.

[noiseredux]

I'm not really describing it well, because I'm not even quite sure what it is I'm after. But like I said, with Her Story it was a game we could take at our own pace and it was more about thinking. There's no platforming or QTE's. More of a story-driven thing, but because of the videos it feels more "video gamey" than a visual novel would. And we're also horror fans, and tend to gravitate more towards that kind of thing.

I guess in general though I'm trying to come up with some good co-op/multiplayer games for us that are sort of unique experiences and aren't shooting/racing/fighting/platforming games. She was really blown away by Her Story, but the problem there is then the bar is raised and you're looking for another game to really impress you.

[Damm64]

I think youre describing it pretty well but like you said you are looking something very specific. Classic point n' click games may have too much focus on the puzzles so that could break the enjoyment if the both are not into it, and games in telltale style have time limits and QTE for your choices that break the flow of the game.

The only thing i can think you could enjoy that could be games like gone home or stanley parable, where you move at your own pace and just enjoy the story develop itself.

How about L.A Noire? I remember giving plenty of time to make your own decision on the cases, though it has action sequences here and there.

[prfsnl_gmr]

Hysteria Project?

I think it is only available for iOS, PS3, and PSP - and I haven't played it yet - but that may be what you are looking for.

[noiseredux]

I love the Telltale games. She hasn't been able to get into them for some reason. I thought for sure she'd love Walking Dead - and I think she did, until the first QTE.

Funny you mentioned Gone Home, we just ordered the special edition at my wife's suggestion. So that's probably a good one.

LA Noire... I don't know. It's probably a lot more action than she'd be into. Plus, I'm guessing that's like a 30 or 40 hr game given Rockstar's track record? Since she and I really only tend to game together once or twice a month, we generally don't pick super long games like that.

Hysteria Project sounds interesting. We have a PS3 in the living room.

[Ack]

Why don't you try more point-and-click games then, noise? Stuff like Myst, Monkey Island, Grim Fandango, The Neverhood, Broken Sword, that kind of thing. Or hell, if you want more of a horror angle, The Cat Lady, Scratches, Harvester, Still Life, Call of Cthulhu: Prisoner of Ice, Dark Fall series, etc.

[noiseredux]

woah, I hadn't heard of that Cthulhu game - and it's on GOG!

AND, actually I'm fairly certain that my wife owns Scratches already so that's another good option.

Thanks!

[Stark]

I'm looking for a game...

My wife and I had a lot of fun playing Her Story together. It was a game we could think about and discuss while playing. There was no action stuff, yet it was a lot more interactive than something like a visual novel. And it was an experience that we could feel satisfied with in a single evening. So I was trying to think of other games that might sort of fit this bill. It occurred to me that the Sherlock Holmes Consulting Detective games probably are sort of similar - though I'm not sure how it would take to beat one. BUT having said that, neither of us are really big fans of Sherlock Holmes in general.

So can anyone think of similar games that aren't Sherlock ones?

From the story angle, you'd both enjoy To The Moon a bunch. It's an RPG Maker game that has one of the most touching video game stories I've played. There is a light puzzle element that the wife can engage with and it's currently on sale at GOG.

If you're looking for another desktop simulator with a story, I've heard that Digital: A Love Story is good, but I haven't gotten it yet, so I can't comment.

From the Telltale Games perspective, my wife absolutely loves Tales From The Borderlands. It is my favorite TT game so far and it is just flat out hilarious.

EDIT: Also, Her Story is from the lead designer of Silent Hill: Shattered Memories. So maybe that would be an interesting game for you both? Horror + the dude who made Her Story???