7 Video Games for the Novice Gamer

Futuristic video game console and controller, beautiful lighting

As someone who did not grow up playing a ton of video games, it wasn't until adulthood that I truly appreciated the amount of joy and stress relief that can be found in this form of entertainment. While I may not have the same level of experience as other serious gamers in the J.J. household, I have a special place in my heart for one classic game in particular.

1.  Tetris

Tetris was one of the few games I did happen to play as a child, and it has remained a favorite of mine to this day. Like many of you, I suspect, I received this game as a Christmas present in the 90s and was instantly enthralled with the catchy theme music and the falling blocks. Its simplicity and addictive gameplay made it easy to pick up and play, while the increasingly challenging levels provided my little brain with a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction. We still play this game in the J.J. household from time to time on the PS5, as the updated version, Tetris Ultimate, has enough of the endearing elements of the original to keep us giddy with nostalgia for hours. But while Tetris may be a beloved classic, there are plenty of newer games that have captured my attention as well. Here are some of my favorites and the reasons why they are so much fun to play.

2.  Skyrim

Skyrim is a massive open-world game that immerses you in a fantasy world filled with magic, dragons, and adventure. The sheer scope of the game is impressive, with countless quests, characters, and locations to discover. What makes Skyrim so fun to play is the freedom it gives you to explore and create your own unique story within the game. I remember spending hours getting Lakeview Manor just right, decked out with a display and trophy room and a 2-story library with an observatory. Then, of course, my second homestead was at Heljarchen Hall, which had a fully stocked greenhouse and vast hunting grounds to explore all around. 

Lakeview Manor, Home Sweet Home, oh, and my undead horse Shadowmere

Another shot of Lakeview Manor

My Trophy Room at Heljarchen

The Heljarchen Greenhouse

My character, named Yara, was a Redgaurd, and I spent hundreds of hours blissfully maxing out her archery skills, getting the full set of ebony armor, and decking her out from head to toe.

Yara's Skill Tree

Yara (left) and Jenassa (right) in Lakeview.  Check out Yara's Ebony Armor!

Though I have not played since about 2018, these snapshots bring back great memories of getting fully immersed in the world. And my favorite part about it was that whether you chose to follow the main questline or go off on your own adventure, there was always something new to discover and experience. If you are interested in playing this game, keep in mind that it has been out for over a decade, and it does show its age on the new consoles. (I also forgot how much of a pain it was to wait on the loading screens.) My advice would be to check out the newer Elder Scrolls Online game. While I have not yet played this one myself, reminiscing about all my escapades in Skyrim has me curious about how the online version would compare. With the ability to explore the world with friends and participate in massive battles and quests, it seems like a natural extension of the Skyrim experience. I can only imagine the fun and excitement that could be had in such a vast and immersive world, and I look forward to giving it a try myself.  I'll be sure to keep you posted on how that goes.

3.  The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild

Like Skyrim, Breath of the Wild is an open-world game that encourages exploration and discovery (noticing a pattern here?). The game's beautiful art style and engaging gameplay were a ton of fun, and whether you were solving puzzles or battling monsters, there was always something new and exciting to discover. The puzzles were my favorite part, along with anything involving fire or bomb arrows. I did a re-play recently and forgot how much of a pain it was to not have extra stamina, making almost any mountain you encounter literally insurmountable, but once you leveled up a few times and get your additional hearts, it is smooth sailing, or should I say ... paragliding.

4.  Ghost Recon Wildland

Ghost Recon Wildlands is a tactical shooter that puts you in the role of a member of a special forces team tasked with taking down a drug cartel in Bolivia. The game's open world setting and emphasis on teamwork make it a unique and engaging experience. The game's many missions and side quests provide a sense of purpose and progression, while the ability to customize your weapons and gear allows you to tailor your playstyle to your preferences. Whether you prefer to take a stealthy approach (like me) or go in guns blazing (like J.P.), Ghost Recon Wildlands provided plenty of opportunities to put your skills to the test.

5.  Ghost Recon Breakpoint

Ghost Recon Breakpoint, the sequel to Wildlands, was set on a fictional island. The game's story focuses on a group of rogue soldiers who have taken over and turned against their former allies. I loved teaming up with J.P. on missions in both Ghost Recon games. As with Wildlands, I was the sniper, while J.P. loved to go in hot. I think we made a pretty good duo, even if we did die way too many times to count trying to kill the big bad Cole D. Walker, played by no other than Jon Bernthal.

6.  Jackbox

Jackbox Party Pack, versions 2 and 3, is a collection of party games that can be played with friends and family either in person or online. The games range from trivia to drawing games to word games, and they all have a lighthearted and humorous tone. What makes Jackbox so fun to play is the way it encourages creativity and interaction among players. Whether you're coming up with witty answers or trying to draw a ridiculous prompt, the games provide plenty of laughs and entertainment for everyone involved. Jackbox 3 had my personal favorites, Trivia Murder Party and Fakin' It.

• In Trivia Murder Party, players are trapped in a spooky trivia game show hosted by the "Quizmaster". Players must answer multiple-choice questions, but unlike most trivia games, wrong answers will send you to a sub-game where you either win or die based on your answers. You’d better get it right! The last player standing wins.
• Fakin' It, on the other hand, is a social deduction game where players try to figure out who among them is "faking it". This is where you can really find out who among your friends and family is the best liar. Players are given prompts to perform actions or answer questions, but one player is given a different prompt that they must pretend to know the answer to without getting caught. The other players must try to figure out who the faker is by asking questions and making observations about each other. The game is designed to encourage players to bluff, lie, and improvise, making for a hilarious and unpredictable experience. Hats off to whoever came up with this idea. Our family has had so much fun sifting through the lies and deceit during these sessions!

7.  The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom  

Tears of the Kingdom, a new addition to the Zelda franchise. In the trailer from the official Nintendo YouTube channel, it looks like it will feature stunning visuals and a captivating story, and similar to Breath of the Wild, it hints at a world that is in peril with a mysterious force threatening to destroy everything. The game promises to feature challenging puzzles, epic battles, and a vast open world to explore. As a fan of the Zelda franchise, I am excited to see what Tears of the Kingdom will bring to the table, and I look forward to diving into this new adventure when it is released.

Whether you're a lifelong gamer or someone who is just starting to explore the world of video games, there are plenty of exciting and engaging games to play. Even if you are an adult who is relatively new to video games, don’t hesitate to try some of these titles to get your feet wet. Whether you're looking for an escape from reality or just some good old-fashioned fun, don't be afraid to pick up a controller and start exploring the endless possibilities of the gaming world.

Happy Gaming!

–J.B.

edited with the help of ChatGPT