It’s the year 2015, and it’s safe to say that over the past few decades, there have been a lot of games released. Whether it’s Super Mario Bros. or Skyrim, the world of video games is vast and worth exploring.
I didn’t grow up playing video games as much as most people have. It wasn’t until my third year in college that I immersed myself into gaming. And man, was it overwhelming. Where do I begin? How do I catch up on all of these games I missed out on? What if everyone thinks I’m a n00b? These were the questions that filled my head.
But alas, I got by with a little help from my friends. With an influx of reccomendations and encouraging support, I managed to get by and really enjoy this newfound passion. Here’s a few tips from novice to novice on how to fall in love with video games no matter how old you are!
Warning: Troll Alert!
First things first, forget the haters. There will be moments where you may encounter people that may think you’re a n00b. My advice? Everyone starts somewhere. Anyone willing to put you down for that, they can be put on hold. Keep doing what you love. Video games are meant to be enjoyed!
If you ever encounter a troll, don’t let them get you down. When I played my first game of League of Legends, I got some serious slack via in-game chat. Sure, it sucked, and it bruised my morale a bit. But then I brushed it off and unleashed Ahri one more time.
Should I go retro or new-age?
This is completely up to you! The first game I played when I was 20 was A Link to the Past. I always heard so much buzz about the Zelda series and wanted to experience the world of Hyrule for myself. Test a few games out and see what you like. Nostalgic games aren’t only meant for people who grew up during that era. They can be enjoyed even today! It’s all about the gameplay.
That being said, if you’re not intrigued by the pixel games, go for the newer games. Find whatever piques your interest. It’s always nice to experiment, so dip your toes into a few different genres to see what you like the most.
(I definitely learned not to attack the Cuccos the hard way)
So many genres, so little time
There are a whole lot of genres out there. Here’s a quick broad list:
- Action
- Adventure
- Fighting
- Role playing
- Shooter
- Simulation
- Strategy
- Sports
- MMOs
And the list goes on. Each main genre, of course, has sub genres within it. There may be a lot of genres, but I reccommend trying a few of them out to see what you like. This is the most fun part cause you get to experience it all!
Let’s talk about consoles vs. PC
There are a lot consoles nowadays, so it’s good to do your research. I would recommend checking out some older consoles. I started off with my GameBoy Advance SP and moved on up from there. I still remember when I was going on a road trip to visit a friend. I stopped by this local tech store and picked up a GameCube. With it, I grabbed Soul Caliber 2 and Naruto: Clash of Ninja. Oh boy, were these titles great (granted, I’m biased with Naruto, but that’s another story). Check out local game stores and see what they have in store. Used systems can be kind to your bank account, and still give you the pleasure of playing some sweet video games.
If you want a current gen console, do some research on console exclusives. For instance, Nintendo titles are strictly on Nintendo consoles. There’s no cross-over there. Sony and Microsoft often share titles, but they still have their share of exclusives. Wanna experience Bloodborne? The PlayStation 4 is the console for you. Intrigued by Ori and the Blind Forest? Then Xbox One (or 360) is where you’ll be able to enjoy it.
(Image from Oriblindforest.com)
Let’s not forget to show Steam (and other sites) some love. PC games are known for incredible graphics. Not only that, PCs are huge for indie games. Indie games are a growing sector in video games and worth testing out. There are many gems hidden in the indie video game category. PC also has a modding community for some games, so you can create a completely different experience.
So what’s the trade off? PCs are powerhouses with a lot more titles to play and more control over the gaming experience. But a gaming PC can be really expensive, and PCs in general require more maintenance and often specific technical knowledge to get games running smoothly. Consoles, on the other hand, are not quite as powerful. But they’re much simpler to use, and they’ve often got pretty sweet exclusives that not even the PC gamers get to play.
Research, research, research
Take your time and hit up the Internet. There are countless games out there, just waiting for you to take them on. The best way to really get started is just to dive right in.
So go ahead, press start. Adventure awaits.
