What video game do you buy for a priest as a Christmas gift? That question was just posed to me. My ex-girlfriend (yeah, that girl that used to pop up somehow in every c-blog I ever wrote... we broke up. Still best friends though. It's good when that can work out.) texted me a bit ago. She wanted some advice for a Christmas gift for her father. Her dad is a priest of one of those Christian-type faiths that I keep forgetting what is called. Her folks are both very religious, which poses an interesting question or two when they just bought themselves a Wii a couple weeks ago and my ex is tasked with populating their gaming library. Here was the email I sent her in response:
"There really is no win here. Old people that buy Wiis will never play any of the games that are available for the console. They really only want Wii Sports. And they'll get bored of that inside of two weeks, as it is. Animal Crossing could be a decent choice, as there is some incentive to keep playing that for a while. There's no challenge and it's got a nice relaxing pace. But, I just don't see your pops getting into that. And bipedal, talking animals raises an evolutionary question. Knowing him better than I do, use your own judgement on that suggestion.
"I really think that anybody that owns a Wii would LOVE Super Mario Galaxy if they could only devote an hour to it. It's a beautiful game, and nearly flawless. It's got a little bit of challenge, but not too much. The sort of game that you have to put a little bit of effort into, but is constantly rewarding you for it, since the levels are fairly short, and the continues infinite. There's such a feeling of accomplishment that comes from beating a level in a video game (especially in a game where you don't have to start the whole thing over when you die). But, he would have to learn how 3D platformers work and control. I don't see him capable of putting forth that effort. So, maybe not.
"I can't speak for the multitudes of games for Casual Gamers that are out there as I'm not one. Casual games don't appeal to me. They don't appeal to me because they are terrible. Carnival Games is a good example. Super popular. It's sold a ton of copies. It's really shitty, has no replay value, isn't particularly fun, and nobody (even the casual gamer) plays it for longer than a week.
"So, my real suggestion here is going to be a game called "Boom Blox". It's got Steven Spielberg's name on the box (though, he probably had little to do with the game's creation). It's got amazingly solid review scores. My little brother owns it. My mother actually played it when he got it (I still haven't gotten a call for my Animal Crossing friend code since I got her the DS version early in the year). It's a puzzle game that is supposed to utilize the Wii-mote in the sort of way that you'd imagine it would be used for instead of how it's used in 99% of the games for the system. And puzzle games are pick-up-and-play by nature. So, after a short time of learning how to play, he could easily jump in and out of it. I imagaine that it's the sort of game that teaches new skills one plays. SO there wouldn't be a huge learning curve. I think if there's any game that he would both play and would be worth a damn, this would be your best bet.
"Except for Resident Evil 4. Because that's practically a hand-job on a disk."
She hasn't purchased anything yet. What would your advice be for the perfect, inoffensive game for the ultra-religious, casual gamer?
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Zach & Wiki is fantastic as well. But you're forgetting that the Wii is 100% backward compatible with Gamecube games. Look into that library. There are fantastic games on it like Pikmin and its sequel and a treasure trove of other games that her dad may like, cheap I may add.
Hope this helps.
I'm anticipating a few comments relating to a priest using the Wii to lure children and...you know. Also, inb4 them.
Hmm...World of Goo? Zack and Wiki? I'm just basing this off the ravings of numerous other people, because I haven't played either game myself. Okami? Not sure.
That Cookie Monster chick on the side of your profile is awesome, by the way.
Boom Blox is a great game, sad it didn't get more attention.
Wii Play you might want to look at. It's a collection of Wii Sports-esque minigames, like Acid Pong (fine, "laser hockey"), billiards, a "Where's Waldo?" thing with Miis, and of course, cow racing. Yep, you can't go wrong with cow racing. My parents love the game along with Wii Sports, so your dad probably will too.
There's always Mario Kart (Wii or Double-Dash!) as well. I haven't played the Wii version, but DD is a lot of fun, especially with co-op.
I got Boom Blox yesterday, and it's pretty much my favorite game for the console.
Actually! Santa has EVERYTHING to do with Jesus' birthday! Because St Nicholas is Santa Claus and he was... Well... A saint! Ever heard of the Nicean debate? Where the concept of the Trinity was formed? Well at the Nicean debate, Santa Claus got so fired up at Arius (not sure what for, something to do with him spouting heresy) that he walked over and BITCH SLAPPED the guy! He was nearly kicked out of the convention! Good story. I want to see Santa slap somebody.
Also, just to clarify. If he's married and has a daughter, he's not a priest. Priests are used in the Catholic church. He's probably a Protestant preacher, not that I know. I think denominations are dumb anyway and generally fairly legalistic. Also, I'm not trying to correct you, please don't take it that way. I was just letting you know, do with it what you will.
Anyway! Great write-up! I am a Christian myself and I have to tell you that unless her parents are crazy "rock n' roll is the devil" legalists that you're probably safe to buy anything that doesn't have gore or sex. Then again, that's a good a rule when buying games for ANY elderly person, haha. Just because they're Christians doesn't mean that they will freak out about nothing though. Just use your better judgement! It sounds like you have a pretty good grasp on what games they'd enjoy as it is.
There are games on the Wii? When did this happen?
Super Mario Galaxy. If you own a Wii, and you don't have that game, you should die and go to hell. (>'o')>
Boom Blox is perfect dude.
MadWorld.
For the lulz people.