Uncle Rov's Beginner's Must-Plays.

Recommendations by Rovarsson (Belgium)

1. Glowgrass, by Nate Cull (1997)
Average member rating: (99 ratings)
Rovarsson says:

I don't see this one on any other newbie list but it would be my very first recommendation. It's engaging, easy, well written.

2. A Bear's Night Out
by David Dyte
(1997)
Average member rating: (66 ratings)

Rovarsson says:

A small and simple puzzler...You would think, were it not that you play as a foot-tall teddybear in a house full of grown-ups furniture.

3. Earth and Sky
by Paul O'Brian
(2001)
Average member rating: (83 ratings)

Rovarsson says:

Perfect for experimenting with some non-standard verbs and just playing around with your super-powers.

4. Metamorphoses
by Emily Short
(2000)
Average member rating: (132 ratings)

Rovarsson says:

Great implementation, great puzzles. Many different solutions. Deep symbolism.

5. Firebird
by Bonnie Montgomery
(1998)
Average member rating: (31 ratings)

Rovarsson says:

A Russian folktale. Excellent for honing the essential Adventure skills: Read, Explore, Examine.

6. Brain Guzzlers from Beyond!
by Steph Cherrywell
(2015)
Average member rating: (73 ratings)

Rovarsson says:

Fun with gloopy aliens. Menu-based conversations, straightforward puzzles.

7. The Lost Islands of Alabaz
by Michael Gentry
(2011)
Average member rating: (12 ratings)

Rovarsson says:

A big but easy game. Great tutorial and in-game help-resources. Directed at children but very enjoyable for all adventurers.

8. The Lost Labyrinth of Lazaitch
by Larry Horsfield
(2019)
Average member rating: (3 ratings)

Rovarsson says:

A taste of oldschool fantasy.

9. Fragile Shells
by Stephen Granade
(2010)
Average member rating: (51 ratings)

Rovarsson says:

IF-room escape in space. Straightforward interconnected puzzles.

10. Yes, Another Game with a Dragon!, by John Kean (2000)
Average member rating: (24 ratings)
Rovarsson says:

Old-school parody. Hilarious, but beware, it's harder than it looks at first.