Intro game for the wife

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4 Feb 2009
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Hi All

I'm looking for a game for my beloved wife. But something specific - I want to teach her the basics of economy/sim games. But I'm not sure where to start.

So far, every time she's tried something like Theme Hospital, she's gone out of business, been bankrupted, over-run by American Indians or put out of business by health inspectors. Possibly not in the same game.

This time I'm going to sit down with her, talk through the game and try to help her survive 10 minutes.

But I can't think what game to use. Europa Universalis 4 isn't appropriate, and it's the only such game I have installed.

Ideas?
 
Are you sure she actually wants to play games?

I know its nice for your loved ones to share in your hobbies but if its not her thing its not her thing.
 
Are you sure she actually wants to play games?

I know its nice for your loved ones to share in your hobbies but if its not her thing its not her thing.

She already plays games; it's just this specific type she struggles with - and I believe that having some understanding of this sort of game would enhance how she plays *all* other games.

But then, I'm an economics fan...
 
Civ 5 would be very much the deep end. And DK 1/2 are unfortunate - she doesn't appreciate the humour in them.

Good suggestions though.

Civ 5 on the easiest setting? I think the historical background seems to be easier for the casual/beginner to accept. The turn based structure also means they don't get swamped by the AI being faster and more organised.
 
I think Civ is either sink or swim probably. Its a great game and is vey rewarding if she gets into it. As suggested start her on easy and she can play at her own pace.
 
Stronghold 2 had a short economy based campaign, if I'm not mistaken. What kind of game setting would interest her most? Something modern or something historical? Maybe more cartoon based rather than realism? If the game can catch her imagination then you'll have more chance of success.

Big fan of the Civ games, but not sure that even on easy etc that it would be the best idea. The game rules are so complex that it would likely put her off, the steep learning curve is something people have always mentioned with Civ.
 
tropico 4 is dead easy

evil genius is awesome to not really an economy sim but it's got good humour and you do build a base
 
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What about those tycoon type games from Big Fish Games, they are quite simple and hold your hand.
You can download a demo of a game and play it for an hour which should be enough for you to see if the game will be suitable.
 
The Movies by Lionshead if its still available anywhere is great, and pretty easy.

I like The Movies but I got frustrated as my booming studio expansion screeched to a halt when there was no staff to hire. Got fed up with it in the end as I couldn't nprogress any further. I searched on google for ways around this problem but I couldn't find an all encompassing sloution, I think someone wrote a script that maxed out the staff queues but I couldn't find it.
 
RCT games

Game Dev tycoon but the economy in that is quite brutal

Euro truck sim, that involves running a business and has an easy start with 'quick job' gets a bit harder after you buy first truck
 
Thanks for the advice everyone - I think we've decided to try Theme Park.

It's on GOG for a song, it has retro appeal, and it doesn't have an enemy to kill her. As long as she stays vaguely profitable, or at least breaks even, we should be fine.

I hope!
 
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