Woah! Only one more month until we say “BYE BYE” to 2024 and “HEYOOO” to 2025 — when one door closes, another door opens (so the legend says). Towards the end of the year, when many of us are visiting friends and family, it’s the perfect time to share some of the great games we’ve been playing and help some newcomers discover some games they should try!
We’re bringing in familiar friends, Emi and Tyler, and also welcoming NEW friends, Veronica and Carlos, onto the main stage to talk about what they’ve playing, and offer some suggestions for those Level 1 gamers you might see soon.
You’re new here! Who are ya?!
Hi hi! I’m Veronica and I’m on Discord’s Quests team.
The year is almost over! What games have you been trying to finish last month?
I’ve been playing a lot of Metroidvania games recently. Shoutout to my coworker Steve O’Hare for suggesting Ender Lilies to me! The art direction is fantastic and I adore the story. I wrapped up my first playthrough, but I’ve got my sights set on unlocking all three endings, so 100%-ing it is definitely on my list. I’ve also been dipping my toes back into Hollow Knight, one of my fav games of all time. Trying to get my fix while we wait for any news of Silksong (cue me putting on clown makeup).
Gaming should be for everyone! What games do you recommend newcomers to try?
Best game for someone who is new to gaming? Any Soulsborne title…just kidding. I would obviously have to choose Animal Crossing. I’ve been playing it since the Gamecube release and it continues to be my comfort game to this day (I won’t tell you how many hours I have in New Horizons…) It’s cozy, relaxing, and there’s no really “beating” the game - so it’s perfect for folks who are newer to video games and want something low-key where they can pick up and play at their own pace. Also: my favorite AC villager? Roald <3
The year is almost over! What games have you been trying to finish last month?
I’ve been busy continuing my Yakuza adventures with Yakuza Kiwami! When I’m not completing substories or saving up money for abilities, I’ve actually been returning to some older favorites. I’m still playing Pikmin Bloom, the mobile game that counts your steps and lets you grow Pikmin, but seeing all the cute Pikmin in my mobile game has made me return to playing a bit more of Pikmin 4 too. At home, there’s been more than a few Call of Duty: Warzone sessions, and even a few big Among Us nights. For Among Us, [lately, I’m finding it] hard to lie about what tasks I’m doing as the imposter when I can’t remember what tasks even exist. Playing a few more rounds of the game will fix that, though.
Gaming should be for everyone! What games do you recommend newcomers to try?
I think my answer would change depending on which platforms they have available and what they like to do! For mobile, maybe something like Genshin Impact for the open world, MARVEL SNAP if they like card games, or Pokémon GO if they want something interactive. If they have a Nintendo Switch, I think games like Snipperclips for puzzles, Animal Crossing: New Horizons for relaxation and building, or Mario Kart 8 Deluxe for the races would be good recommendations - the games might have simpler game mechanics but are incredibly fun. I know I’ve put hundreds of hours into Animal Crossing games myself! Lastly, if they want a game (or many games) to play with friends, then I love The Jackbox Party Pack games. Each pack has a few different kinds of games in it, and your friends just need to be able to connect with their phones.
The year is almost over! What games have you been trying to finish last month?
Just like last month, I’m still working my way through Metaphor Re:Fantazio! Any JRPG or Persona fans should absolutely pick this one up - it’s only gotten better as I’ve moved through it. When I need a break from that, I’ve also been working on Rogue Galaxy! It’s a PS2 JRPG that I played a lot of when I was a kid, but never actually finished (if I remember correctly, the final boss was too hard and I got stuck). I’m hoping I can make it through this time around, and that it’s not like when I tried to go back and replay games on the Sega Genesis (Lion King, Aladdin, Toy Story) and realized they were actually hard.
Gaming should be for everyone! What games do you recommend newcomers to try?
Ooh, it depends! I do love giving recommendations, and I feel like you can find a video game for anyone based on what they like in other media (books, movies, TV). My wife wasn’t a gamer at all, but Ori and the Blind Forest really hooked her and has spiraled her into more games (and I’d recommend that game to anyone, it’s beautiful and is a blast)!
But in general, I feel like mobile games are a great place to start. You can find card games like Marvel SNAP or Pokémon TCG Pocket, or even try out some puzzle games like Monument Valley. Mobile games can [be] great stepping stones to find other games you might like on PC or consoles!
Hey! I’m Carlos and I’m on Discord’s People Analytics Team!
The year is almost over! What games have you been trying to finish last month?
I have been addicted to playing Pokémon TCG Pocket, which got me to start playing Pokémon Violet again, which I’m hoping to finish before the end of the month! Of course, I had to pick Sprigatito as my starter since they are like the cutest Pokémon ever. The only thing that might stop me from finishing Pokémon Violet is that Arcane on Netflix has had me super hyped and I can’t seem to stop playing ARAM on League of Legends.
Gaming should be for everyone! What games do you recommend newcomers to try?
Ooooo, I really like showing simulator games to friends who are getting into video games. I find them to be super collaborative, low stakes, and make sense since they are simulating real life! One example that I have been enjoying is Supermarket Together, which is a free game on Steam where you and your friends run a supermarket… together!
Additionally, I think the Pokémon games are also a great introduction to gaming, especially since there are so many different Pokémon, you’re bound to find a Pokémon that resonates with you, my faves are Sprigatito, Leafeon, and Charizard. :3
Well, there ya have it: a fine fresh list of recs you can serve up to both experienced gamers and the newest of newcomers. You’re like the keeper of the ultimate games library, but the backlog is about to be THEIR issue and not yours!
Do you have any games you like to recommend to newcomers? Have you ever convinced a new gamer to try a Soulsborne game?? (Veronica made that joke like it was from EXPERIENCE). Let us know over on our X account!
