minecraft

Some particular reasons why I’d recommend Minecraft for this:

• it’s very easy to get started, but there’s a lot of depth if you get into it
• its pretty slow-paced
• its a multiplayer game where someone of a much higher skill level and someone of a much lower skill level can play together without the noob player feeling that they are holding the advanced player back
• if you set the difficulty to peaceful it’s hard to die, and it’s impossible to fully “lose”. You can also turn on keepinventory.
• it’s a very open-ended game where you can come up with your own goals, which makes it something that everybody can find fun in their own way
• if they do get into it, it’s a good segue into a wide variety of other games. Just figure out what part of Minecraft they enjoy. You can also extend Minecraft by playing with mods.

Stardew Valley.

It’s 2D, co-op, not difficult or punishing, has few inputs, and is approachable mechanically.

The various valve games would probably be ideal.

Portal 2’s co-op mode perhaps.

Fortnite’s Lego mode would probably work very well. Since it’s targeted towards younger kids that are still learning how games work.

Serious Sam franchise would be fun too.

I used to always use Minecrat for this. Sure, they can’t do everything immediately, but I put the game on peaceful and let them explore at their own pace.

I say “used to” because Luanti (formerly MineTest, an open source Minecraft Clone*) is finished and free.

(Okay, Luanti is a lot more than a Minecraft clone. But for this discussion that’s all one needs to know.)

Portal maybe

Is she familiar with Animal Crossing? If so check out Dinkum. Other suggestions: Terraria, Core Keeper, Minecraft, and there is always classic FPS games lol. I learned WSAD in Quake

Minetest.

My SO went from learning the controller with Fall Guys to Minecraft WASD. I think Fall Guys is was close to perfect, low amount of inputs, high amount of engagement.

I’d go down the route of so called ‘Walking Simulators’* though I use the term First Person Experiances, such as Dear Esther, Gone Home or maybe even Firewatch. Games were you can take you time and practice the feeling of movement. From there if you are looking to get into shooter style games go for something Co-Op. My wife and I started on Time-Splitters where she basically stayed back as a sniper whilst I ran in. (This was back in 98/99) From there we ended up going through Halo, Gears and eventually Borderlands as they came out. Anything where you have a bleed out / respawn mechanic is great.

*For me a walking simulator would be more like Octodad where you actually have to work at the walking! :D

Minecraft.

There is Portal: Flash, a browser-based Flash game, if you can run it. Tons of fun. Also Minecraft (BUT maybe use version 1.13 or earlier in order to cut out some harassment, Illagers and raids might deter new players. Mainly they just piss me off. Go 1.12 or earlier to avoid Drowned and Ocean Monuments/Guardians) and The Room 1-4

Terraria on Journey or Classic mode fits all of those

Slime Rancher would probably be a good introduction to fps controls.

Blue Prince just came out a week ish ago and it’s fantastic. It’s a puzzle/clue game with lore and a charming aesthetic. Controls are simple, wasd and left click and sometimes E. It’s addictive, but can be a slow burn if you don’t get engaged right away.