The issue is that I think there are Steam bundles that can’t be gifted, such as the Valve pack and that kind of thing. That also makes something like Civ 6 less likely, just because of the DLC bundles. I can also use Fanatical or Humble but frankly the region thing might be an issue.
This guy has played every console-available game under the sun before around 2020. So I’m focusing more on what he’s not likely to have played. He’s more of a soulslike/fighting game guy and I’m more of a simulation and eurojank enjoyer, so the recommendations don’t always carry across.
That said, I’ve been thinking newer games like Animal Well that are sure to be received well, but it’d suck if he already played it on something else. Would be a funny inclusion as well, a 35 megabyte 2D platformer for his new gaming desktop.
Any suggestions?
The strength of pc gaming imo comes in the form of modding.
So
- modded multiplayer rimworld
- seamless co op randomizer Elden ring
- Minecraft pokemon or vault hunters
- Slay the spire downfall
Probably forgetting a lot
I thought the old homeworld games were great. Kind of RTS in space ships. They’re old now but still good.
The best game ever made is Baldur’s Gate 3, so that’s what I’d give if he hasn’t played it. IDC what kind of games he usually plays, that’s what I’d give.
SuperHot
The DOOMs
Big shout out to Beyond All Reason. It’s an RTS game that’s free and open source that I’ve been playing with my friends for a few weeks now. Not even a fan of RTS games, but it’s a lot of fun to play co-op matches against AI.
https://www.beyondallreason.infoGet them a month (or 3) of PC Gamepass so they can play everything and find out what they like.
This is probably the best way to go. You won’t be able to beat the flexibility for the price.
Game bundles like from Fanatical are a good start. You can’t return them if you have issues, but they’re great if you haven’t played any of the offerings given.
A similar thing would be Xbox Game Pass, but that very much locks you into their ecosystem, and they’re clearly done investing into worthwhile games.
Or I guess a Humble Bundle subscription.
Surroundead for single player zombie survival
Project zonboid for multiplayer zombie survival
Kingdom come deliverance for visuals and epic story
Hell let loose for FPS shooter
Deadlock for moba/fps
Risk of rain 2 for multiplayer roguelite
The raft for multiplayer survival on water
The forest for multiplayer survival on land
SCUM for pvp survival
That’s all I can think of for now…the fun part of PC is gaming with friends without having to pay a shitty subscription fee.
Project zomboid is so stress inducing! Great with friends though.
It’s amazing with friends… especially when one of them decides to be the cook, and burns down the base because they forgot to turn off the stove while we’re all out scavenging for supplies…
Untitled Goose Game
Shower With Your Dad Simulator
That sounds disturbing
Came here to post this! Every new Steam account gets a copy, it’s the law.
It was the first game I was gifted! My second recommendation is “I Love You Colonel Sanders!: A Finger Lickin’ Good Dating Simulator”. Who needs more satisfaction than that?
Oh that game is CRAZY. Free too!
Space Marines 2
Might consider getting something that only plays well on keyboard/mouse. Factorio comes up off the top of my head. Shooters also generally translate poorly to controllers, so perhaps that?
Teardown is good chill fun
Honestly, we all can’t be much more useful than any of the “Top 10 games of 2024” YouTube videos because we don’t really know your friend or his tastes.
A Steam gift card seems like a good idea? Let him pick his own games?
If your friend is new to PC gaming then they might not be aware of how much they can get for free. I just wrote a post (stickied in [email protected]) summarising all the places you can regularly get freebies, could be a good way for them to try out a lot of different things.
Just in the past few years I got maybe 100-200 free games. I follow a few discord bots, and several free groups here on lemmy and Slickdeals website. Lots of resources. Amazon prime gives free games, epic free games, lots of free games on steam, itch.io, gog often has free games, other key websites often have free games too.
Can check steam sale prices on steamDB website.
It’s crazy how many full games you can play for free nowadays, I claim them way faster than I can play them!
