A game genre without time or skill?

[Jeff]

I'm looking around at some games, but I can't seem to find a genre which matches this. Maybe I haven't explored all the options. With FPS games you need to have a good aim to be skillful. That rules that out. With MMOs as I've learned, they take quite a bit of your time, but they did have a good story to them. These are the ones I've tried out. Does anyone happen to know any games out there which don't take a lot of skill to play, nor do they take up a lot of your time? Fun games, not something which will make you want to pull your hair out in frustration. I'd like to stick to single player games as much as possible. Maybe something with a good story if possible (not required).

I tried doing a Google search for it, and didn't come up with the right answer.

[Hudson]

How about The Movies (http://pc.ign.com/objects/482/482108.html)?

[Mountain Man]

Adventure games are probably what you're looking for (I highly recommend the classic LucasArts titles if you don't mind older games and if you can find them). The Sims is also a good choice that would seem to meet your criteria, and The Sims: Complete Collection which includes the original game and all seven expansions is only $40 these days. If you like strategy then Civilization IV is a good choice. It's turn-based, so the only skill you need is good strategic thinking.

On the Nintendo DS, there are a lot of puzzle games like Puzzle Quest, Tetris DS, Polarium (hard to find these days), Picross, Meteos, Professor Layton and the Curious Village, and a Sudoku game or two. Nintendogs and Animal Cross: Wild World are also good choices. Chibi Robo Park Patrol (a Wal-Mart exclusive, oddly enough) is a charming little game that I've enjoyed.

So there you go.

[Hudson]

Sam and Max would be a good bet

[Steve]

A game genre without time or skill?
Posting here count? :D :doh: :insomnia:

Seriously though, I'd recommend The Sims 2.

[Jeff]

I have Sim City, although I shamely admit, I use a money cheat to make my money. That way I don't have to worry about the budgeting. I just keep on spending money.

[Thief]

Most, but not all games are embarrassingly easy on Easy mode or Very Easy mode.
Try Indigo Prophecy, which only requires some decent hand-eye coordination, simple mouse motions and repeated key tapping. The story is 75% excellent, but nevertheless a unique gaming experience.

[steauengeglase]

*cough*Pong*cough*

[Jeff]

I don't have very good hand eye coordination unfortunately. For example, when I push the fire button, my hand usually makes the mouse shake. Not sure why, so I miss.

In this game called Savage, I went through 10 coil rifle shots before actually hitting something.

[Kit]

Sam and Max would be a good bet

Yep, Sam & Max is a great pick.

You should also check out Command & Conquer, Black & White and Bioshock - which are all very easy while been thoroughly enjoyable.

If you have a Wii/64/DC have a look at the Paper Mario series or some of the arcade ports for DC - Crazy Taxi, Virtua Tennis etc...

[Klaus Kinski]

*cough*Pong*cough*
Even Pong requires a certain skill.

[Rider]

C&C Easy? I take it you're referring to everything starting from Tiberian sun then?

I mean, the first game can be pretty hard... especially if you suck at games...

[Scream]

Old adventure games or classic-RPGs like the Final Fantasy series seem like the way to go. No real skill required. They do take up some time, but you don't have to play for hours at a time.

[Jeff]

You mean like an MMO? Those take up a lot of time, but don't have any skill to play.

[Nihilanth]

Does anyone happen to know any games out there which don't take a lot of skill to play, nor do they take up a lot of your time? Fun games, not something which will make you want to pull your hair out in frustration. I'd like to stick to single player games as much as possible. Maybe something with a good story if possible

BioShock with Vita-Chambers turned on. Definetely.

[Superczar]

C&C Easy? I take it you're referring to everything starting from Tiberian sun then?

I mean, the first game can be pretty hard... especially if you suck at games...

Yeah but the usage of wals also made it rather easy...

[blm07]

Solitaire - free with Windows! And it'll only take you a couple of minutes to finish! :)

[Fjallraven]

Sam and Max would be a good bet

Well, it takes some puzzle-solving skills.

[psyborg]

I think Endless Ocean was made specifically for you. (Forever Blue in some territories)

[Rider]

Yeah but the usage of wals also made it rather easy...

I suppose, but you'll have to have enough money and the ability to actually build them which, depending on the mission, might become troublesome :)

That's all assuming you don't get pwned by early assaults (which can get really bad in some of the later missions).

[The Stinger]

Well, it takes some puzzle-solving skills.

The first episode of season 1 is too damn easy, a good start for non adventure gamer veterans. :)

[Jeff]

I should go check out Game Spot or something, but I bet the top games require some sort of precision. Okay I don't mind games which take a little bit of skill, but by skill, I mean something like FPSes. At least for me.

[Reaper]

Most, but not all games are embarrassingly easy on Easy mode or Very Easy mode.
Try Indigo Prophecy, which only requires some decent hand-eye coordination, simple mouse motions and repeated key tapping. The story is 75% excellent, but nevertheless a unique gaming experience.
Indigo Prophecy's story was terrible. It was pure sci-fi crap. I was kinda interested in the demo mission's plot. Seemed like a mystical kinda avoid the cops type game. About 1/6th of the way into the game it just gets way too over the top for me.

If you like strategy then Civilization IV is a good choice. It's turn-based, so the only skill you need is good strategic thinking..
Civilzation is a huge time sink. Sure, it doesn't require much in the way of FPS Skillz, but it takes a helluva long time to finish a game, and has no story whatsoever.

[Kit]

C&C Easy? I take it you're referring to everything starting from Tiberian sun then?

I mean, the first game can be pretty hard... especially if you suck at games...


Ah you’re not wrong. The first ones can get pretty tough at times - especially in RA when you have to guide a small squad through that maze at the end.

It's bloody infuriating. :mad:

[Yenji]

Not really a genre but do you own a playstation 3? If so you could try fl0w. That is pretty relaxing. Maybe something to sooth you after those frustrating games?

[Jeff]

I don't currently own a PS3, but when I do plan to upgrade to Blu-ray sometime, I'm not sure whether to get a PS3 or a Blu-ray drive for my computer. I don't own any consoles of any kind.

[TBZ]

I think fl0w is available for the PC as well, and I think there is also a flash version of it

[Phayzon]

MechCommander (The first one) doesnt require much skill from what I remember.
'Casual games', like those by PopCap or Word of Mouse (the Snood people).
Doom or Duke3D with God Mode :p

Had another one in mind as I read this thread, Ill edit if I remember it.

[Superczar]

I suppose, but you'll have to have enough money and the ability to actually build them which, depending on the mission, might become troublesome :)

That's all assuming you don't get pwned by early assaults (which can get really bad in some of the later missions).

It definitely made some missions cake though, especially the last GDI mission as I recall. I think I ended up just building a wall around the NOD base and that was it folks... :D

I should make a video of it one of these days...

[Little Conqueror]

Adventure games, turn-based strategy games, and puzzle games would be great for you. Of course, everyone knows what turn-based series I'm partial to.

[Jeff]

I remember playing Civilization back when I was a kid. Not sure if it's any different today. I guess with real time strategy games you don't really work at your own pace, but this you do.

[Daveman]

Get Peggle. It's 10 bucks (I think) and there's no skill involved whatsoever (well, almost none). It's loads of fun, though!

[Destroyer]

I have Sim City, although I shamely admit, I use a money cheat to make my money. That way I don't have to worry about the budgeting. I just keep on spending money.

how about just watching TV/movies then.

[Jeff]

Suppose I could do that. After all, I have literally hundreds if not a few thousand of hours to watch.

[Destructor]

The right answer is this:

We Love Katamari.

It's a PS2 game so you'll have to get a PS2 but it will be worth it. The game requires a certain amount of skill but with practice you will roll with style. :cool:

[Yenji]

As much as I love Katamari the game largely focuses on time. Though I unlocked the eternal levels in the first one :)

[Daveman]

Now that I think of it, if you want a game that you'll enjoy but won't steal all your time, play Audiosurf. The easy modes don't require a lot of skill, and each play session is likely to last no more than 30 minutes because you can only handle so many songs in one sitting. It's also great fun.

[Destructor]

As much as I love Katamari the game largely focuses on time.

So? That's what makes it challenging.

[Phayzon]

Get a GBA and Pokemon.

I second the Katamari suggestion :D

[Yenji]

My bad. When I first read this thread I thought he was looking for a game that does not have timed levels rather then taking up a lot of time. In that event yes Katamari would fit the bill. It's fun, easy to get into and the longest timed level I seen was only 30 minutes if memory serves me right. I will also need to take a second look through my game collection to see what I can recommend

[Daveman]

Oh, I seem to have made the same mistake with my recommendation of Audiosurf then :o