Did you know that nearly half of Australian gamers are women? So it would be understandable if you wanted to pick up a controller and see what all the fuss is about.
Getting into gaming can be a pretty daunting decision, though, since there are different consoles, thousands of games and myriads of genres. In fact, Gaming Shift reports there are a total of 1,181,019 games available to play, so it can be overwhelming if you’re a new gamer and have no idea where to start.
As a seasoned gamer, I am constantly shocked to see how many new games are released each month and the number of titles I have never heard of! When I started playing, I would pilfer whatever my brother wasn’t playing. Eventually, I figured out what I liked and researched similar titles.
Below is a list of games for those gals out there who want to start gaming but don’t know where to start. All of these are games I’ve played and can personally attest to how fun and engrossing they are.
Author’s note: I’m leaving out The Sims, Mario Kart and any mobile games since they’re an obvious choice.
The Best Games on PC, Xbox and PlayStation
For an open-world experience: Far Cry 6 (and its predecessors)
What it’s about: You play Dani Rojas and have joined the Libertad revolutionary movement to save the fictional South American island country of Yara from the grasps of the dictator Jose Castillo (played by perfect bad-guy-actor Giancarlo Esposito).
Why buy it: This game was released in early October this year and it’s already been heralded as the best release in the Far Cry series in years. Like every other game in the series, you sign up with the good guys and break down the grip of the bad guys by completing story missions and seizing outposts. The best thing about Far Cry 6 is its vast, colourful open world. The game lets you do whatever you want — you can mainline the story or go off and explore the world. It’s totally addictive and perfect as an introduction to shooter games.
For a murder mystery: LA Noire
What it’s about: It’s 1947 and you play Detective Cole Phelps in the LAPD. You work your way through various divisions like traffic and arson, with a different partner for each beat. You have to solve cases by speaking to witnesses and assessing crime scenes, and you’re rated for how well you crack the case.
Why buy it: There’s no game quite like LA Noire. It’s not a shoot ‘em up style game — you have to use your brain and wits to solve crimes. If you’re a fan of true crime podcasts or shows like Law and Order, this is the game for you. There is also a plot twist that I know all you crime fanatics will love.
For playing online: Fortnite
What it’s about: In Fortnite’s Battle Royale mode, you compete against 99 other players and fight to be the last one standing.
Why buy it: This is a great game to play with friends and it’s free. I find it’s more addictive when you’re playing with friends rather than by yourself. It can be a bit stressful when you’re playing with people who know what they’re doing when you have no idea, but because there’s nothing at stake it’s a good first step into online games.
The Best Games on Nintendo Switch
Animal Crossing: New Horizons
What it’s about: You’ve decided to live on a deserted island run by Tom Nook from Nook Inc. Your island is an open world, where you can build and do whatever you want. Think SimCity but on an island run by a capitalist racoon.
Why buy it: Animal Crossing was a quarantine staple back in March 2020 and it still slaps today, especially during the recent lockdown in Sydney. One of the best things it is that you can play it for hours and not get bored. I’m still baffled that the mundane task of planting flowers becomes addictive. For inspiration, check out some of the walkthroughs on YouTube. You’ll discover you can basically create anything in this game.
Super Mario 3D World
What it’s about: Mario and his pals Luigi, Toad and Princess Peach have to save some fairies from the OG bad boy, Bowser. There are five worlds to explore, and every fairy is freed by defeating levels and a big boss.
Why buy it: If you’ve ever played Super Mario 64 or Super Mario 3D Land, this is very similar. It’s a classic Mario game where you battle against some familiar faces and meet some new baddies. It’s colourful and engaging and will keep you entertained for hours! If you’ve beaten the game too quickly, there are extra levels that emerge so you can continue the fun. A small warning: the music will get stuck in your head for days.
Luigi’s Mansion 3
What it’s about: I feel sorry for Luigi. This plumber, who hates being scared, finds himself in his third haunted mansion. In this game, Luigi visits a quaint, isolated hotel with his friends before waking up on the first night and discovering they’ve been kidnapped by King Boo and the hotel mistress.
Why buy it: You’re sucking up ghosts, getting to hang out with your pals Polterpup and Professor E Gadd and saving your friends — sounds like a good time to me. Every floor is a different level with its own theme — one is music-themed with a theatre and another is an exotic garden. My amusement came more at Luigi’s expense as his fear and constant worry made for comedic fodder.
There you have it! Six games to play if you’re just getting started. Xbox Game Pass and PlayStation Plus are handy if you’re new to gaming, since subscribers get access to a library of hundreds of games that they can play without buying outright. You can also watch Twitch to find streamers you enjoy and try the games you see them play.
