I'm going to buy a video game (Pc) as a gift to a colleague @ work. She's new, I don't know much about her, she's about 20-22 years old, and I can't ask either because it has to be a surprise. I assume she's into games because she has two "The Sims 3" stickers one on her laptop and one on a memory stick. I know the obvious choice would be a game that is "similar" to the Sims but I'm not so sure about that, Sims being the best in its genre... too much of the same but less polished, she may not appreciate the effort. I'd like a few girl gamer feedback to see is there is a current trend or something, I'm not up to date with popular games let alone girl gamers, I don't know any among my friends. Thank you.

Try to have a conversation about gaming to test the waters.

The Zoo Tycoon games are a little dated but they're so much fun. I prefer the original with it's expansions over the sequels by a large margin. They're family friendly games and I know full-aged advlts who've enjoyed Zoo Tycoon. It's a lot of fun and I've put some serious hours into it.

If she's a fan of The Sims then I'd think a lot of those life or occupation simulators she'll find enjoyable. However. The Sims 3 is such a newer high quality game with outstanding graphics and in-game options that a measly old outdated Roller Coaster Tycoon game might not take her fancy these days.


Edit: I just reread the post and when you said "young" in the title I'm thinking 10-12, but she's 22? I'm 22 and I have a vast taste in games so like the post above mine mentioned, talk to her about what she's into. There's nothing more frustrating when knowing someone spent a good amount of money getting you a game and it turns out the game is utter garbage.

I know you want it to be a surprise but I don't know. Maybe is she has any friends around ask them.

http://store.steampowered.com/app/57300/?snr=1_7_suggest__13

Can't go wrong with a point&click adventure. My gf is very much into Sims and adventures (aka classic 'quest' games). Anything pretty looking and humorous and polished like Monkey Island, Broken Sword, Secret Files maybe.

There isn't really any generic girl gamer taste, it depends on the person. But the girl gamers on this forum are probably fans of Morrowind, Oblivion and/or Skyrim.

Too hardcoe for a casual

I still love Zoo Tycoon, and would still recommend it.

That's true. However most girls on this forum are here for Skyrim and Fallout and thusly are mostly "hardcoe" gamers and not really casual or "core" gamers.



I love it too and like I said, known advlts who've enjoyed it. But I don't think an old version of a Zoo Tycoon is something you're going to want to get a new coworker to gain a solid first impression.

This is a great suggestion, pretty safe. I remember I played Zoo Empire a lifetime ago and it was great fun and long lasting. Talking to her is out of question (for the time being lol) because it's a secret thing, I know who I offer to, but I don't know who offers me type of thing.

This thread title...ahhh the memories.

reads title
bites tongue

We prefer mind games.

Jacks and Jump Rope...oh wait...that would be old girls when they were young girls.

Not sure but I'll say Farmville...but you can't really buy that as a gift..eh?

I get the feeling that you like her. Do you?

*reads post*
*looks at avatar*
*laughs a little bit*

It shows you love animals, girls love guys who like animals, it's practically fullproof!

I do, that's why I'm willing to spend more than the $10 approx gift value but she's been assigned to me randomly, she won't know who bought her the game.

I'm not sure that's such solid logic. I play Red Orchestra but that doesn't mean I love Communists.

The only reason someone would play Zoo Tycoon is because they love animals (stereotypical girls like that), they love managing finances (shows you are a provider) or because they like feeding people to lions (not so good). Odds are in your favor they will think something positive about you.

Oh...

There's possible knowledge behind your theory, but I really don't think that's how them things work.

Also, I think it's spelled foolproof, isn't it?



Yeah, now I know you're just spouting nonsense.

No, it's fullproof... as in "full of proof". Fool...

Zoo Tycoon is a good bet, but like Xurts said, it looks dated now, not sure if there is a newer game of this sort, it's worth looking though. I'd also suggest a city builder like http://www.amazon.co.uk/Cities-XL-2012-PC-DVD/dp/B005KJJREQ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1357717864&sr=8-1.
A good idea would be to buy a collector's edition instead of the regular one, it looks nicer and has more affective value than the game itself. Here is one that looks good awesome and is rather cheap for what it contains, and the game is great as well http://www.amazon.co.uk/Anno-1404-Collectors-PC-DVD/dp/B002DWAZQ2/ref=sr_1_1?s=videogames&ie=UTF8&qid=1357718009&sr=1-1.

Not really, whilst that post was intended to be humourous, Zoo Tycoon is an inoffensive family friendly game, that does show that (if given as a gift) that you are aware of games that aren't all about killing things, which is a positive character trait.