Would Heavy Rain be a good game for a woman?

Dari

Lifer
Oct 25, 2002
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I want to get something for my SO. Basically, when she sees me playing a game is when she wants in. She likes Wii Sports but does not play it often. When we play fighters (Samurai Shodown Anthology, SFIV, Fatal Fury, etc...) she just smashes buttons. I heard that Heavy Rain involves a lot of mundane tasks but has a great story that slowly builds up over time. Perhaps this will get her away from the stereotypical games I play. BTW, she's a bookworm (reads roughly 3 books a week).
 

gorcorps

aka Brandon
Jul 18, 2004
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Sounds to me like she's not really interested in games at all, and only plays those other ones because she wants to do something with you.
 

Dari

Lifer
Oct 25, 2002
17,133
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Sounds to me like she's not really interested in games at all, and only plays those other ones because she wants to do something with you.

Right. But what game(s) would women like? Last Christmas, one of the presents I got her was Wii Fit but, after playing it for a while, she just went to the gym instead and we haven't touched it since February. What a waste of money.
 

Kromis

Diamond Member
Mar 2, 2006
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Yes, I would think so. It's extremely story-driven so if your wife loves books, maybe she'll like the game.
 

Pia

Golden Member
Feb 28, 2008
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I don't think it's a given that someone who enjoys books would enjoy games with heavy emphasis on plot. Most game plots quite simply suck, and it's the more irritating the more the game dwells on it. A game "lives" in the interaction, the rest is glazing on top. Neither is there a specific type of game that all women are bound to like.

If she likes the energy and attitude of fighting games but doesn't want to bother actually learning one, some installment of Puyo Puyo or Puzzle Fighter would be good; a lot of the same pressure is there but no esoteric inputs.

Otherwise I think it's just a matter of showing her a lot of good games across many genres and hoping something fits. If you think she'd appreciate some plot in between action, try Trauma Center: New Blood in multiplayer.

Agree that Wii Fit is a waste of money. :D
 

Dumac

Diamond Member
Dec 31, 2005
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Cooking Mama. (just joking)

Maybe she would enjoy a good point-and-click adventure game, with a lot of dialog and a fun world to explore. Also, the gameplay is easy to understand.
 

kalrith

Diamond Member
Aug 22, 2005
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Maybe she would enjoy a good point-and-click adventure game, with a lot of dialog and a fun world to explore. Also, the gameplay is easy to understand.

That's what I would recommend. Some of the FF games were a lot like reading through an rpg novel, so something along those lines would be good. Just make sure to pick one that has a good storyline. Just because there's a lot of dialog doesn't mean it's good dialog.
 

warcrow

Lifer
Jan 12, 2004
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Even if the game is more narrative driven than most other games you play doesnt necissarily mean shes going to be more interested in this video game if the gameplay itself is boring--afterall she will still playing something that requires interaction that's compelling.

Ben gave his honest and informative impressions over at Ars Technica (link below)--check it out and see if that sounds interesting.

I can tell you from what I've played of the game that it's not going to entertain everyone. I think for most people they're going to have to approach HR with an open mind and some patience to really take it in and enjoy what it has to offer. Like Ben states in his peice--the voice acting (at least in the junkyard scene that I played) is fairly medicore and for a game that's really trying to drive home the plot, this is a bit of a surprise. The controls too are an oddity (hold in a shoulder button to walk? Really!).

I think for me the most interesting thing about the game is the game's cast and the concept that anyone in it can die while having a meaningful effect on the narrative. If I recall correctly there are 8 supporting characters and almost all of them can expire in some form or fashion and apparently it's not considered by the game a good (rewarded) or bad (game over) way--it's just how it goes. I like that idea and am interested in finding out how this really works in some meaningful way for the player.

It does have some interesting things to it though, and despite what some people are saying there are a fair amount of quick-time events in the game. I just dont know what to think of the game yet. It has potentiol to be great fun and a great pain in the ass.

http://arstechnica.com/gaming/news/...l-its-not-the-subtle-genius-of-heavy-rain.ars
 
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nitromullet

Diamond Member
Jan 7, 2004
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Sounds to me like she's not really interested in games at all, and only plays those other ones because she wants to do something with you.

Right. But what game(s) would women like? Last Christmas, one of the presents I got her was Wii Fit but, after playing it for a while, she just went to the gym instead and we haven't touched it since February. What a waste of money.

My advice is to read the above quote repeatedly until it sinks in what gorcorps is saying. If it never sinks in, for extra bonus points, let your girlfriend see this thread on Dec. 26 after you've given her some game she doesn't want.
 
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Drako

Lifer
Jun 9, 2007
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Right. But what game(s) would women like?

This has to be a joke right? Or do you think all women like the same type of games?

My wife plays FPSers pretty much exclusively, so naturally all women must like FPSers.
 

Dari

Lifer
Oct 25, 2002
17,133
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This has to be a joke right? Or do you think all women like the same type of games?

My wife plays FPSers pretty much exclusively, so naturally all women must like FPSers.

That's not how things work. Your wife may be an outlier. However, I believe there is a sort of regression to normality when it comes to women and computer entertainment. I'm just trying to figure out what it is.
 

nitromullet

Diamond Member
Jan 7, 2004
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Is there a regression to normality among male gamers such that you could extrapolate what game a non-gaming male might like?
 

mindcycle

Golden Member
Jan 9, 2008
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My girlfriend grew up playing NES games like mario, tetris, etc.. She doesn't enjoy modern video games because she feels they take too long to learn or are too complex in nature. That of course being because she doesn't give them a chance in the first place, but that's the way she feels about them. She is also an avid reader.

Honestly, i've been trying to get her into something for a long time now. I recently bought Worms off PSN and tried to get her into that, but still the same reaction. Sounds like your wife at least tolerates playing games a little better than my GF but probably has about the same amount of interest in them. I'd say to just forget about it honestly. If she did have interest in video games she would probably already be playing them.
 

Dari

Lifer
Oct 25, 2002
17,133
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Is there a regression to normality among male gamers such that you could extrapolate what game a non-gaming male might like?

yes, mini-games like tetris, card games or simulation games like the crap you find on iTunes.
 
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warcrow

Lifer
Jan 12, 2004
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So essentially what you're saying is that non-gaming or casual gaming males are like women? :p
 

Sadaiyappan

Golden Member
Nov 29, 2007
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I would like to point out that there are whole blogs devoted to debunking anything Malcolm Gladwell writes or says.
 

Sheep

Golden Member
Jun 13, 2006
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If you're looking for games that (stereotypically) tend to appeal to woman, puzzle games and Pop Cap stuff should be your first stop.
 

nitromullet

Diamond Member
Jan 7, 2004
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yes, mini-games like tetris, card games or simulation games like the crap you find on iTunes.

I disagree. Even these games take a certain kind pf person (a "gamer") to like. Sure, everyone can probably play a little Tetris for a bit, but it takes a gamer to really get into it. I think it is elitist and wrong to equate so called casual games with non-gamers just because they don't require a 360, PS3, or SLI rig to play.

The point that you are missing is that the different types of people are gamers and non-gamers, not males and females. Your girlfriend is not a gamer not because she is female, but because she doesn't like games.
 
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digiram

Diamond Member
Apr 17, 2004
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If you're looking for games that (stereotypically) tend to appeal to woman, puzzle games and Pop Cap stuff should be your first stop.

Yah..my wife plays stuff like puzzle fighter, puzzle bobble, tetris, and she can play them all day.. lol.
 

Dumac

Diamond Member
Dec 31, 2005
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If you're looking for games that (stereotypically) tend to appeal to woman, puzzle games and Pop Cap stuff should be your first stop.

My GF does love Plants vs Zombies and Peggle.

She also loves the Monkey Island series as well as Phoenix Wright, Professor Layton, and Picross.