Best Game to Introduce Someone to Adventure Gaming

[DreamFan]

Do you know of someone who has never played an adventure game, but you would like to see get into it, or someone who might be interested? Which games would be best or ideal to introduce someone to the exciting world of adventure games? Are there any games that might possibly be a turn-off in some way, or otherwise not be recommended for a total newcomer?

[wilco64256]

I probably wouldn't start them off playing anything text-based if they've never played an adventure game before at all. I personally think that King's Quest 6 might make for a good introduction to the genre. It doesn't lean terribly heavily on earlier entries and has a solid story and good interface. The Longest Journey is also quite good.

[Numbers]

As far as the King's Quest series goes, the AGDI remakes of the first three and KQ6 are probably the most user-friendly by today's standards. If they need to ease into the whole puzzle-solving thing, give 'em Mask first. They won't care about its relation to the rest of the series if they're going into it blind, and its puzzles are by far the easiest of the series. KQ7's puzzles are probably the second-easiest. Whatever you do, don't give them KQ4 or KQ5 to start with. Neither of those games are for beginners. 4's puzzles are difficult mostly due to the text parser, and 5's puzzles are...well.

[HitBattousai]

Emerald City Confidential is generally my default pick here.  It's got a good story, characters, art style, music, decent length, is easy without being too insulting, and doesn't require much.  If you like the Wizard of Oz universe that's a plus though not needed.  Here's a more detailed review: http://www.adventuregamers.com/articles/view/18257

[Bludshot]

Kyrandia 2: Hand of Fate is a good starter. Mostly fair puzzles and a limited number of ways to get killed.