Sadly enough, the huge majority of girls here prefer those horrible horrible and crappy Facebook games.

At my last job, I tried to "convert" a girl who had had a Playstation as a kid to try some adventure games and a few other games that I thought she would enjoy. Didn't work - not even a bit. However, when she got introduced to Facebook games by a friend, she spent loads of time on Farmville *facepalms*.

That's the moment I gave up on trying to "convert" girls - any girl is already going to have been subjected to games many times before and the chance of anything you suggest appealing to them, is pretty low. Even such games as Beyond Good & Evil or other games with strong female leads.

Btw, they don't have to be video games...

just saying. :D

If she's a reader and not into games, I'd even more strongly recommend adventure games. The Longest Journey if she's in her 20's or younger, Syberia if she's in her 30's, older 20's or older. Gabriel Knight if she digs history/supernatural. If you take suggestions outside of GOG, then definitely the Monkey Island remakes. Although they are not drama and will possibly not change her mind about the "childishness", I've personally used MI as a "convert" game on non-gaming friends, male or female, with 100% success. Direct quote from my brother's wife after lending her MI: "I totally get why you play these things now!" Just two weeks earlier she was laughing about my "childish" hobby.

Game called kick the groin and laugh.

Erm, Harvest Moon? No violence whatsoever. Just you, your farm and the town.

I can't personally comment on To The Moon because I've never played it, but from what I've heard, it does sound like something you're looking for. Isn't it short, low on gameplay and high on drama? Sounds like a perfect gateway game to me.

How did people get together before the advent of the internet?! Seems like some kind of sorcery to me!

Did they ? I thought they lived solitarily in caves until basements were invented ;P.

To the Moon 60% off today, now if that isn't a sign, I don't know. ;)

The downside is that the graphics of the game might look very childish at first glance, at least to someone who's prejudiced. But it could also be a good thing if it helps her find out that looks can be deceiving. (And she'll only waste four hours on it, in the worst case; not much more than the length of two movies.)

Then again, if she ends up liking it, there's few on the videogame market that would compare to this specific experience. :D


I hope you didn't reply: "Can I watch then?" :P

Syberia or The Longest Journey are both good Point & Click Adventures with a female lead (I'd heavily recommend The Longest Journey over Syberia though but that's just me.)

The Rollercoaster Tycoon series would probably take her interest as well.

Other than that here's a few others to ponder:
Sonic All Stars Racing, Rayman Origins, World of Goo, Portal 2, Psychonauts, Minecraft. Machinarium

EDIT: DON'T get the Sims 2 or 3 unless you want to get rid of her for a long period of time :P. My lady spends ages on it when she comes over.... luckily it gives me plenty of time to play single player games I enjoy or play online with my mates, guilt free.

I think I'd favor Syberia over The Longest Journey, unless she has an open mind for fantasy. Not that I think Syberia is the better adventure, but I'd guess that its story appeals to a wider audience and the tone is more consistent, while TLJ in my opinion often switches between engaging and silly (also regarding the puzzles). And TLJ requires a lot more time to play through, so unless she gets totally hooked and immersed, chances of abandoning it halfway through are much higher.

LOL, good one....worse yet, "your joystick is too small"

"It is not you, it is the game...".

It's not the size of your joystick it's the way you use it!