Summary

Video games have been around for decades, with many of us growing up around at least one title. As time passes, you may fall out of love with video games, or simply not have enough time to play. Are you looking to get back into video games though? Thankfully, we can help you dive back in.

Here, we are going to take a look at some of the best games to play if you want to get back into gaming. These games are all quite popular and not too difficult or complex. Additionally, several of these games are newer installations from long-running franchises that you may remember from your childhood.

Ratchet running from some aliens in Ratchet and Clank reboot

10Ratchet And Clank (2016)

Ratchet and Clank has its roots back in 2002, with the launch of the first game in the series. Many of you may remember playing this game on the Play Station 2. This 2016 version of Ratchet and Clank is a remake of the original, which means that there are no prerequisite games that you need to complete first.

Back in the early 2000s, my first PlayStation 2 came with a free copy of the 2002 Ratchet and Clank game, making this quite nostalgic.

Cloud staring at the Mako reactor in Final Fantasy 7 Remake.

As a first look into the Ratchet and Clank series, this is a great place to start. From here, you can dive into other games of the franchise, and maybe even try your hand at the original 2002 title.

9Final Fantasy 7 Remake

If you’ve had your toes dipped in the gaming community pool at all, then you know about the Final Fantasy 7 remake. This is another remake, this time bringing us a newer version of the 1997 title. While there are some recurring elements in the Final Fantasy series, you do not need to play any other games before this one.

Final Fantasy 7 Remake breaks down the original story into three parts (with only two being out as of this publication). If you are looking to dive into classic RPGs with complex characters and a compelling story, this is a great place to start.

Minecraft’smain character chasing a beee in a field with flowers

Minecraft is one of the most popular games in the world, and it’s for a good reason. In this sandbox survival game, you’re able to do pretty much anything you want. There is a wide range of settings you can play on; the world can be simple and easy, but you can tweak the settings to make a Hardcore world where death means everything is gone.

This is a great game to play if you want to put your creativity to the test while still having a relaxing time. There are even countless servers that you can join with other players. On top of that, there areso many Minecraft modsthat upgrade the experience.

Pokemon Kanto Route 17 Lets Go Pikachu Eevee.

Pokemon: Let’s Go! has two different versions, Eevee and Pikachu. The game that you pick determines the Pokemon (either Eevee or Pikachu) that serves as your main companion. Aside from that, Pokemon: Let’s Go! is a remake of the original Pokemon game, set in the Kanto region.

In general, any Pokemon game would be a good place for beginners, but Let’s Go! is a great way to experience the original story with new graphics and features. There are no other games that you need to play beforehand, and the game is relatively easy to get through.

Joker from Persona 5 Royal, stood on a banister.

Don’t be deceived by the ‘5’ at the end of this title. Games within the Persona franchise don’t need to be played in order, making Persona 5 Royal a great game to start. This game has an unbelievable amount of contentpresented with JRPG mechanics.

The story of Persona 5 Royal is exceptional; you play as Joker, the leader of the Phantom Thieves, who stylishly wants to get rid of bad guys. Of course, the story is more complex than that. Along the way, you can vanquish shadows, hand out with your friends, and go on dates with cute girls too.

kryptis rift

When thinking of games to play to get back into gaming, you may not initiallythink of MMORPGs. These games typically have intense and dedicated fanbases, with the game itself being filled with tons of content. While this is true for Guild Wars 2, it’s still very beginner-friendly.

From a compelling story to fluid combat mechanics, Guild Wars 2 is a great way to get into a gaming community. Players are always willing to help out in hub cities, and there isn’t even a monthly subscription! That’s right, after playing the base game for free, you just need to buy the expansions; no subscription necessary.

A screenshot showing Astro Bot skating on ice in Astro’s Playroom.

If you happen to have a PlayStation 5, then we can’t recommend playing Astro’s Playroom enough. This game is pre-installed on the PS5, giving you no reason to skip out on it. At its core, Astro’s Playroom serves as a demo for the DualSense controller.

For a demo though, Astro’s Playroom is fast-paced, exciting, and packed with references to other PlayStation games. Aside from playing a great game, it serves as a fantastic way to learn the ropes of PlayStation 5 gaming.

Cover art showing Link standing at a cliff edge in Breath Of The Wild.

The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild launched alongside the Nintendo Switch, and was the introduction for many into the franchise. For long-time Zelda fans, Breath of the Wild was a fantastic addition; for newcomers, this was a beautiful and unique gaming experience.

The Nintendo Switch is a great beginner console in general. With a Switch, you may play many of the games on our list, as well as dozens of other popular titles.

Two men stand with a city by the water in the background as main art of Disco Elysium.

Breath of the Wild has one of the best stories out there, and the gameplay itself is very easy to get the hang of. If you end up loving the game, you may also play the sequel; Tears of the Kingdom.

Looking for a story-heavy game with no combat? Disco Elysium is the game for you. In this RPG, youplay as an amnesiac detectivewho is tasked with solving a murder. Along the way, you’re able to refine 24 skills, speak with people around the area, and learn the true story.

Mario exploring the Cascade Kingdom from Super Mario Odyssey.

Disco Elysium is my favorite game on this list, as well as one of my favorite games of all time. The soundtrack is phenomenal as well; I listen to it quite frequently.

At times, Disco Elysium will feel like a movie playing out in front of you. The story is incredibly complex, and the music is very atmospheric. Overall, the story will stick with you for a while.

1Super Mario Odyssey

Last but not least, we have Super Mario Odyssey.Everyone knows what Mario is, but if you aren’t the biggest fan of platformers, then you may not really enjoy replaying older games in the franchise. Thankfully, newer Mario games introduce a 3D experience in a colorful world.

Super Mario Odyssey is a great place to start. In this game, you control Mario, who travels around the world with his hat named Cappy. This isn’t just a regular hat though; Cappy can be thrown around and used to navigate in places like the Mushroom or Metro Kingdom.