A Quick List Of All-Audience-Friendly Good Games

There’s been some really good commentary on this article concerning games for the over-30 crowd, so I figured it would be good to actually list off some decent games not only for them but also for everyone else.

Vector Tanks

For: Apple iPhone/iPod Touch
Where?: Search for it in the App Store

If you own an iPhone, I consider this a mandatory app to have installed. See video below. ‘Nuff said.

Braid

For: PC, Mac, Xbox LIVE
Where?: http://store.steampowered.com/app/26800/

Braid is one of the highest-rated games in the Steam store. It is a "puzzle platformer" that not only has great puzzles but is also just plain beautiful throughout. Even the music is great. This puzzle game has both form and function down to a science, but you won’t notice that as you’ll be too busy enjoying the gameplay.

Entanglement

For: Any computer with a modern browser
Where?: http://gopherwoodstudios.com/entanglement/

This is a 100% free browser-based casual game. The goal is to make the longest path possible from the blocks you’re given.

Zork-like

For: Many different types of computers

Zork is a text adventure game, otherwise known as interactive fiction or IF for short.

One of the be-all/end-all places for IF is The Interactive Fiction Archive.

There are a million and one ways to do IF, so it’s suggested that in addition to the link above, look at these search results for interactive fiction. You’ll find there’s a ton of stuff out there on the subject – including annual IF competitions.

An important thing to know about independent IF is that not every story is a masterpiece. Periodically you’ll come across a stinker or two, but that’s okay because obviously not everyone can write a Zork. You can read reviews here to get an idea of what to expect.

If you’ve never delved into the world of IF before, start here. It’s all in-browser and doesn’t get any easier concerning the IF genre. For those that remember, at the very bottom of that page is Adventure. Yes, the original from 1976.

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