The problem is that I could recommend a hundred wildly different games that you might like, but playing a hundred games just to figure out which one is right for you doesn't sound like a good use of your time. Can you give more information? You like single-player games? Classic card games like solitaire (rec: Zachtronics Solitaire Collection)? Postmodern card games (rec: Balatro)? Deckbuilding roguelikes (rec: Slay The Spire)? Actual roguelikes (rec: Dungeon Crawl Stone Soup)? Postmodern roguelikes (rec: Caves of Qud)? There's so much out there, even the cream of the crop is overwhelming to a newcomer. If you're a programmer, maybe look at the best games from Zachtronics (Spacechem, Opus Magnum, Shenzhen I/O, TIS-100, Last Call BBS... they're all pretty good).
By "immersive" are you thinking of first-person games like Doom? Sadly most first-person games prefer to use a mouse to control the camera, and most also reward twitch reflexes. You said you were willing to buy a joystick, so maybe you would enjoy a flight simulator? And if you wanted something more game-y, then the Mechwarrior franchise is a very immersive, slow, ponderous first-person game that makes good use of a joystick as well.
Sadly most games these days are not accustomed to be entirely controlled by a keyboard. However, any game that supports a controller should allow you to configure it to use a keyboard instead. The only games I can think of that are keyboard-first are old-school genres like MUDs and classic roguelikes. For a starter MUD I'd recommend DiscworldMUD, and for a starter roguelikes I'd recommend Dungeon Crawl Stone Soup (which is not quite "forgiving" in an absolute sense, but is relative to its genre). Both of these games are free, can be played in either the browser or a native MUD client/SSH terminal (respectively), are extremely Linux-friendly as a result, and are "immersive" in the sense that they invite you to use your imagination (although DCSS also has a graphical version).
If you're willing to be "immersed" by a game with a top-down perspective, I'll go out on a limb and recommend Moonring. It's free and made by a single indie developer and designed to evoke the classic Ultima-style RPGs of the 80s, but with modern conveniences and sensibilities. It gives you a free-form world to explore, and even if combat can sometimes be punishing you never really lose any progress for dying.
Wait for steam sales, buy a bunch of cheap stuff that seems interesting and figure out what you like from there. And ignore moralization in the article and comments.
It is actually ok to buy a bunch of cheap stuff without being sure you will like it. People always bought physical books based on few pages in the store and either finished them or not. People start netflix shows and figure they dont like them 15 min in.
I highly recommend Caves of Qud. It's great for keyboard-only. I think it's got controller support too. The game is very confusing at first, but once you get the hang of it you can really get sucked in. Runs great on ubuntu.
Though if they play Caves of Qud, I'd recommend playing in either Roleplay mode (which enables autosave checkpoints at settlements) or Wander mode (where most enemies in the game start off neutral to you, and you gain XP by exploring rather than fighting). Classic mode would be intolerable for anyone but a hardcore gamer.
Kibwen gets it, not to knock the other user who suggested Subnautica, but that would likely be one of the last games I would think to recommend, its too much for a first game. Too many gameplay mechanics, too many objectives(and side objectives you set for yourself) I would think it would just be overwhelming for a "first" game.
To go on top of kibwen's questions; what kind of game do you think you'd like? Do you like a long movie/book that gets you heavily invested in the character?
Do you tend to prefer genres like action, romance, comedy, drama, or even sub-genres like spy films, whodunnit, slapstick over dry humor etc etc. I'm not asking for you to respond with all of these answers but it if you're looking for something that will click with you - you have a better chance using whatever genre/styles you like in other entertainment mediums.
Lastly, do you want to see what you've "missed out on" in the last couple of decades us nerds(collectively) consider the creme de le creme? Or are you looking for a game you* specifically will enjoy? Again, just something to think about.
As someone in their mid-30s whose dad got me into gaming when I was in diapers while I watched him play Hexen and Tribes 2, here are some random games off the top of my head - these will only include 'modern' games aside from roguelike/card/'programming' games, going from what I think would be "easy" to "hard" in terms of accessibility:
Portal 1/2
Terraria/Minecraft
Half life 1/2(maybe at a lower difficulty)
Team fortress 2(something my father still plays today)
Disco Elysium
Uncharted Series
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this is the point I'd consider to be somewhat difficult at this point) many of these games I recommend just becuss the developers are known for their intuitive introductions to controls, UI, gameplay mechanics, etc. I'm really not sure about Disco Elysium though you may want to research it a bit more and see if its something youd be interested in)
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And for some personal picks if you're able to pick these games up or want something further down the road some of my personal favorites of the last decade(definitely not titles I'm recommending for a first):
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Nier Automata/Nier Replicate
Baldur's gate (series)
Mass Effect(1-3, the only ones that exist :) )
The Witcher 3(the first two are great as well IMO but haven't aged well visually or in terms of gameplay mechanics)
Metaphor: Refantazio
The 'Yakuza' series or as its now named 'Like a Dragon'
Claire Obscura: Expedition 33
Red Dead Redemption(old and new)
And if you destroy any or all of these games or find yourself to be a masochist when it comes to games you can try my personal favorite series(toss up between nier):
Dark Souls(and all of the spinoffs available to PC)
I purposely stayed away from games from genres that kibwen mentioned, although I think those are much better choices than my own.
Oh and as far as controller; either a Nintendo switch pro controller or ps4/5 controller would be my go to if you don't like the feel of keyboard/mouse. A decent headset like a Bose QC37(whatever the most recent over ear headset is) or just a decent sound system(doesn't have to be a headset) as well as a decent monitor with a refresh rate higher than 120Hz...
I went on forrr wayyy longer than I expected to, but hopefully some of what I said makes sense. If nothing else just research the 'easy' titles and kibwens recommendations.
I'd just hate for you to pickup a game that just didn't vibe with and have it ruin your reintroduction with gaming. As I alluded to at the top, movies and games share enough similarities where it feels almost like someone asking "I haven't watched movies/TV/read any entertaining books in the last few decades, which movie/TV show/book would you recommend for me?"
I definitely like something that is long. I am an avid reader of SF/Fantasy series. In TV series I prefer Noir style, ...
You definitely have asked some interesting questions. What I am looking for is something I can enjoy :-) and not something that I missed out on
It's been a stressful period for me personally for last few quarters, and I am trying to figure a way to wind down but that which keeps me engaged in some form. Something I can do in the weekends. Reading or Streaming is not cutting it right now.
Thanks for the reco, I will try exploring few of these titles.
As for headset I have DT 990 pro, Sennheiser BT (I don't recall which one), so I guess I am set there.
Similarly for monitor, though I don't have 120hz, but I have a 32inch setup, which I hope will be sufficient for now :-)
On the controller, I will consider your recos.
I guess the strategy for now will be:
- Download few titles recommended in this thread, especially if they have a trial / demo option. Play them. See if I vibe with them.
- Get a controller.
- Figure out my taste, and start exploring similar genres. Also keep some time aside for exploring other genres and titles.
