If she has little experience with video games, Journey and Gris might be good candidates.

For a more "technical" argument how gameplay mechanics can be a unique way to deliver an emotion to the player (arguably a major part in the role of art): Brothers: A Tale of two Sons. You'd have to make sure that she finishes it, though (estimate: ~3h).

Two trippy games that defy categorization (but won't be good examples for someone not willing to learn mechanics/logic in depth): Thumper and Cocoon.

Never heard of any of these. Checked them out and they all look great. Hard to decide but I think I will include one of yours. Thanks a ton!

Going into it blind; Journey is a special treat.

If she is a fan of detective stories, then you wish to look into L.A. Noire or Shadows of Doubt.

Ori and the Blind Forest

Jusant or Tiny Glade have a distinct look.

Edit: Not art but for two player games, try Lovers in a Dangerous Spacetime, Untitled Goose Game, or Trine.

Presumably she is young enough to have completely missed out on Myst, which will be very dated now but was groundbreaking at the time and is most definitely a work of art.

These puzzle games are all very distinctive and beautiful in my opinion:

- Limbo - Manifold Garden - Monument Valley

I think on its face the question “can video games be art?” Is both absurd and obviously answered. The question are their games your partner will enjoy playing and want to spend time on is obviously totally different.

"Myst" is exactly what came to my mind; it's almost more art than it is game.

Thank you! Go for the original or the remake?

Kentucky Route Zero [0], which managed to not just be beautiful in its own right, but so perfectly captures the visual language it's aiming for that you'll just lose yourself in moments of experience.

Also, Pathologic 2 [1] (probably, if you have more fortitude than me, maybe the original or HD remaster are of value [2]).

All the best,

-HG

[0] https://www.gog.com/en/game/kentucky_route_zero

[1] https://www.gog.com/en/game/pathologic_2

[2] https://youtu.be/JsNm2YLrk30

Hah, I came here to share Pathologic & hbomberguys video too! Such a fascinating subject of discussion, and an incredibly unique story.

By the way, Pathologic 3 will release beginning of 2026!

Thanks a lot, never heard of these before!

A dictionary.

From Miriam-Webster: "Art, meaning n.4: the conscious use of skill and creative imagination especially in the production of aesthetic objects". https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/art

Aesthetics: a branch of philosophy dealing with the nature of beauty, art, and taste and with the creation and appreciation of beauty.

So as long as anyone finds beauty in it, and it's consciously made with skills and creative imagination, it's art.

Nice reply, I agree and get the spirit, but also a bit smartass :D

Oh, come on, it's the right time and age to be. xD I'm not even 5% than other people in the news :rofl:

tiny glade https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZzNNoo0Zpns

Great choice if the individual values creative expression

If I had to pick just one it would be Gorogoa. Just look at it, it plays even better.

https://www.gog.com/en/game/gorogoa

This looks amazing! I will get it either way! Thanks!

Very good. Since she likes art/paintings, I could suggest Behind The Frame: The Finest Scenery. It has a great narrative and doesn't take too long (2h). Not sure if I would put it in the top3 but thats your decision anyway. Good luck. South of The Circle is another narrative game which left me pondering. I think thats the perfect genre for her anyway, whether she uses the word art or not ;)

PS: Please post the result of the competition :D

Ask her if a banana taped to a wall is art.*

If she says no she has no idea what art is, apparently. Or there is no actual concept what constitutes as art and what doesn't. ;)

*https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2024/nov/21/maurizi...

I think you should start off with something stereotypical and crass like Grand Theft Auto to set her expectations very low, and then introduce her to Breath of the Wild.

haha! Yea so GTA or CS is what all videogames are about in her head.

Depends on what she thinks IS art. Are movies art to her? Something cinematic might be good if so.

Otherwise, show her Mario Paint and MAKE some art :)

Movies are definitely art for her!

I liked this with the old ending (like 10 years ago). https://www.decisionproblem.com/paperclips/ (I don't like the new ending :( .)

It's fun to be consider a game, but it had a very strong message.

Disco Elysium.

Exactly my response. I've never played anything like it.

This was one of my choices, I haven't played it myself! Most likely this will be one of my bullets. Thank you!

There's No Time to Explain!

https://store.steampowered.com/app/368730/No_Time_To_Explain...

Interesting... thanks but I think this would make her quit after 10 seconds!

Inscryption is a legitimate work of art. Literally worthy of being studied. (and also one of the most fun single player computer games I’ve ever played).

Wow. I am not sure I will play this with her but pretty sure I will. Thanks!

Baldur's Gate 3 or Cyberpunk 2077

BG3 is a strong candidate of mine!

heavy rain is good art. and its really accessible to first-time gamers because its more like an interactive movie than a game

Outer Wilds

Portal

One or two? I remember reading here on HN that one (or both?) of them is great. I never got to play them myself.

I was debating whether to specify which one, but then decided I would leave ambiguous.

Frankly, they're both great. I think I have more of an affinity to Portal 1, not because it's "better", but because it was first. That was a very distinct moment in my memory when the game mechanics "click" at the beginning, and you realize what's going on and there's no other game world like it.

>detective/case solving TV, fantasy

Elder Scrolls (Morrowind, Oblivion, Skyrim) and Soulsborne (Demons Souls, Dark Souls, Bloodborne, Elden Ring) games both have lots of mysterious lore and fantasy elements. Maybe the lore videos would help her appreciate the art? Lore videos could also pique her interest in a video game without her actually having to play it, which could be a gateway to eventually getting a contoller into her hands.

> literature, ... poetry

Charred Thermos put together a well-researched theory explaining the lore of Bloodborne is based on history, poetry, and literature from Victorian-era Edinburgh in Scotland. Bloodborne has feminine (child birth, menstration). I'd caution against it if she's squeamish because it is a bloody (good) game.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SkNVKkYpgVU&list=PLon6Mvsc0M...

Elden Ring in particular has tons of lore and this is partly due to George R. R. Matin, author of Game of Thrones, working with Fromsoftware to develop the lore foundations of the game. To get an idea of this, here's VattyVidya 13 hour playlist of quality lore videos on Elden Ring:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DYDs_Inzkz4&list=PLWLedd0Zw3...

Additionally, I can recommend what is possibly the most in-depth lore/mystery videos about Elden Ring, by Tarnished Archaeologist:

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLrxAMoEujZss9Vez20A3b...

Elder Scrolls games, particularly Skyrim, also have significant lore and mysteries she may enjoy. It's much easier to digest than Soulsborne lore. See these examples by EpicNate315:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ibf642CCf20

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3KzooXHOyRg

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=baQfeYJJkWY

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gya8eIorwN8

If she's very new to games and wants something aesthetically pleasing, then the best experience might be exploring the wilderness of Skyrim while following interesting quests. Oblivion is an older game that also does this well on a smaller scale. Morrowind feels quite old and may not be her cup of tea, but some players like that the exploration is much more self-directed.

The Soulsborne games are all relatively hard but rewarding in their own way. For anyone who likes mysteries, they'll appreciate that all Soulsborne games do not directly explain the lore very much, and it's up to the player to figure things out. Demons Souls and Dark Souls are great, but lore-wise, Elden Ring and Bloodborne are the best. Bloodborne is shorter and self-contained, while Elden Ring has many questlines that a player can choose to follow. Following the questlines of NPCs is a rewarding experience.

Personally I wish I could convince my fiancee to play some video games because I imagine it would be valuable to share the same meaningful experiences that come with great moments in games. Her reasons aren't that the games lack artistry, but the games themselves are too scary for her. I just have to accept she has different tasts and hope maybe one day a non-scary / violent video game will be interesting to us both.

The music for Bloodborne is incredible. If this isn't art, I don't know what is.

https://youtu.be/LzdhTGaWzec

https://youtu.be/NHIkUzmNmc0

Thanks a lot for this reply!

I don't know if you enjoy such games, but I also found here on HN some 2 player games like It takes two. Perhaps she would enjoy it? The story itself is not my cup of tea but I still think the game is great.

This war of mine.

Have to agree with this. When someone tells you who they are, believe them.

Celeste definitely is one, already cited but Outer Wild is another.

Celeste was also on my list. Thanks!