to clarify: light english is ok and even recommended since I want them to learn english through games.

So I'm building a gaming PC for a family that can't afford one.
It has children around age 8-12 and teenagers around the age of 16-17.

Another problem is they don't know english
(so RPGs / adventure / complex strategy or any games that require deep understanding of english would be difficult).

I'm trying to find games they could actually play.

So I need recommendations.

What games would you give children and teenagers that never played games much before and can barely even read english?

Also , any games / programs out there that can actually help them learn English?
Since one of my main hopes is that they'd have motivation to learn it with the right games.

8 years ago*

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Minecraft,
Terraria
metal slug
Sonic
Influent
Type:Rider

also if you like you can download snes emulator and super mario games :D

8 years ago*
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Tf2, minecraft, FarmVille :v

8 years ago
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Binding of Isaac.

8 years ago
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+1

8 years ago
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Maybe LEGO series? I heard someones saying they don't need localization to play LEGO Games, English in the games is easy.

8 years ago
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lots of lego games :3

they even have local co-op.

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+1 for this, it is great and language is not an issue.

Also, Machinarium is a charming game which uses no specific language.

8 years ago
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Does it require 2 players and a controller? for some reason steam page says it requires a controller

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It requires a controller. It's impossible to play it without one If I'm not mistaken. But the game is not for 2 people. One person controls both brothers simultaneously with 2 analog sticks.

8 years ago
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Nope, I finished the game alone with keyboard. Yes I controlled 2 characters at the same time.

It is said required controller because some keyboards have ghosting issue which unable to receive multiple button pressed at the same time. And my keyboard is fine.

8 years ago
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8 years ago
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I played it at late December last year, and it was still bugged. The crank moved very slow, and I thought it was not a bug. I didn't try with controller as my generic USB controller was not detected by the game.

The default control is WASD + Space and arrow keys + RCTRL, but it can be changed in the setting.

8 years ago
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It can be played with the keyboard but should be played with a controller. There's actually a story-related reason for this (which I won't write here to not spoil the game).

8 years ago
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8 years ago
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Trine series, brawlhalla or caste crashers.

8 years ago
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Racing games like Need for Speed, some shooter games like Half Life and If they are into football Fifa games could be good too.

8 years ago
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some of these include other languages and should be simple.

alien shooter
batman arkham
castlevania: lords of shadow - mirror of fate
half-life 1-2
ibomber
plant vs zombies
red faction guerrilla
serious sam 3

8 years ago
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3

8 years ago
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Don't be afraid to give them games with some English as long as game mechanics are easy to grasp. I remember playing Age of Empires II and Red Alert 2 when I was 7-8 and had no English at all. But that never disturbed me. And I'm almost sure that this long process of listening and reading pushed my language education when I actually started to study.

Besides RTS games (I feel like they're harder to come by nowadays), I really enjoyed platformers like Rayman and Crash Bandicoot. So If you find something similar to that, they might like it. Too bad I don't know much about modern platformers. And definitely Sims games. They are fun for the whole family. Thanks to that, they can actually learn the meanings of furnitures,food,emotions by visually seeing them.

I also had a chance to observe my younger brother when he was playing The Elder Scrolls Oblivion. He didn't speak English as a 10 year old kid but watched and listened all those thousands of lines in the game. Helped him immensely.

8 years ago
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yes I was actually hoping to help them learn english with games.

for example - the teenager said hes ok with stuff like max payne but skyrim / just cause 2 can be a problem since you need to actually well.. know what theyre talking about and read quests and such.

8 years ago
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Yep, true... I guess TES games could be too much at first. So as you said,you can recommend them more linear games. I will add if I got something later. But what you're is such a nice thing. Congrats mate.

8 years ago
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Well, I think it would help if we also knew what languages they do understand, you see many Steam games have the possibility to switch the language and if they can understand any of the supported languages, I would maybe start from there, many games also let you turn on subtitles, so they could play with subtitles on, language they can understand and if they like the game, they will be motivated to try the game in english next time they play it (already knowing what's going in the game from their previous gameplay which will make it easier for them) and perhaps they will learn something that way too.

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I think people are not understanding that you want to teach kids English with the games. I'm in the same boat, although my kids are mostly much younger, although I am a native speaker of English so they pick up a fair amount from me.

These are some excellent games for young ESL learners I recommend that encourage them to comprehend and use English to progress in the games. My kids have enjoyed these a lot and I do think they help with their English acquisition:

Putt-Putt Saves the Zoo (the other games from Humongous Entertainment also highly recommended)
Let's Explore the Airport
Teddy Floppy Ear Mountain Adventure (+the other Teddy Floppy Ear games)
Monster Loves You (you will have to play and read with them, most likely)
Disney Winnie The Pooh
The Night of the Rabbit (slightly more complicated English)

There are a wealth of point and click adventures that require some English comprehension and reading/listening skills to progress. You may want to look a little in that genre of games for topics and English levels that would fit best for your own kids, too.

8 years ago
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Are you talking about games that teach kids to learn English?
If that's the case, I took a look at the CDs I used to play as a really young kid (I don't remember if they are to teach English or just for kids in general.
Freddi Fish
Spy Fox
Creative Wonders

8 years ago
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Ace of Words
The Walking Dead

8 years ago
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+1 for ace of words.

8 years ago
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The Amanita Games
Journey of a Roach
Teslagrad
All without text, neither spoken nor written.

8 years ago
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I honestly learned many words just by playing MMOs

8 years ago
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All thinkink in the range of 8-12
recettear could be funny and easy to understand.
plants vs zombies
little inferno
World of goo
Trine/2/3 have multiple languajes and subtitles. Ideal!

for 16-17
Xcom (enemy unknow)
Metro 2033
Metro Last light
payday 2
papers please! (fast learn of a lot of basic things)
Cvilization V (more complex and hard but I think it's ok for 16y)
Miasmata

i hope this help you o/

8 years ago
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Euro Truck Simulator 2 - You learn a bit of english and geography.
Microsoft Flight Simulator - Maybe.
Left 4 Dead (1 or 2) - Maybe
Edge
Maybe this games, I don't know if you want only co-op. What language they speak? And if they really want to learn english, they will, use google translator (only for some words, not for texts), read news in english, try to chat in english.
Congrats, help people is what moves the world.

8 years ago
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The Witcher 1-2-3
All Telltale's games: The Walking Dead 1-2, Wolf Among Us, Game of Thrones, Tales from Borderlands
Life is Strange
Mass Effect 1-2-3
Dragon Age 1-2-3
Divinity Original Sin
Dark Dream Don't Die
The Banner Saga
Bioshock Infinite
Murdered Soul Suspect
....

If you have a console, well then:
Persona 3-4
Red Dead Redemption
The Last of Us
Metal Gear Solid series
Resonance of Fate
Last Odyssey
Xenoblade Chronicles
....

8 years ago
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What games would you give children and teenagers that never played games much before and can barely even read english?

This is basically the same question as what can a 3-year-old play. Games like Left 4 Dead are easy enough, while the Batman or Elder Scrolls games would be nearly impossible to progress in. You might be able to find more answers to questions about games for young children. Find out what their friends like to play, gaming is very social. Someone suggested an emulator for old consoles, that's a great idea which I'd expand on by including an Xbox 360 wireless receiver and a few controllers, or just a couple cheap logitech gamepads even.

Also , any games / programs out there that can actually help them learn English?

https://www.duolingo.com/

8 years ago
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Papo & Yo. Not sure the 8-12 year olds would understand the game (not because of the language, it's mostly in a made-up (?) language), but it should be fine for the teenagers.

8 years ago
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Closed 8 years ago by Tzell.