Source
r/patientgamers•
tater_complex

Fun low intensity games that are still somewhat mechanically challenging? Preferably completely playable on touchscreen or keyboard-only

I'm looking or some fun, low intensity games that are still somewhat mechanically challenging.

I've been dealing with some issues that prevent me from playing games I really like lately (stuff like dark souls, ARPGs in general, shooters, etc). Because of this, using a mouse and most gamepad use in games is not comfortable, so games playable on a touchscreen or maybe keyboard only would be preferable.

Pure turn based games don't really do it for me so I'm thinking something with pretty simple controls but still requiring some kind of real time input.

I have a touchscreen Windows laptop that can run games half decently and an Android phone so either would be fine, but of course the Android store is a cesspool of ads and microtransactions so it's hard to find good games.

I was thinking of just emulating old NES games as they are just dpad and two buttons, which I could probably handle, but figured I'd see if you all had some recommendations for more modern stuff!

Posted Jul 25, 2020, 3:52 PM UTC

2867
MyLoveHammer•

Are you able to use alternative input devices like a steering wheel or a joystick? Racing or Flight or Space sims might be something you could look into. X4 foundations is eating up tons of my time.

​

OH you should look into Zachtronics games and Zach-likes. Exapunks and Molek-Syntez are both fucking bangers and great places for newer players to hop into zachtronics games.

15
tater_complexOP•

Ah yeah thats a great idea! As long as I stay away from the shooty bits it should be pretty good playing a flying game.

4
one_is_the_loneliestFuri, Morrowind, Chrono Trigger•

You might be able to get a foot pedal if your issue is restricted to your hands.

2
tater_complexOP•

I actually have a racing wheel with foot brake/gas pedals. How do you envision I could use them in games outside of racing/flying?

1
one_is_the_loneliestFuri, Morrowind, Chrono Trigger•

I'm honestly not sure, but it could be something you could look into. A friend of mine built a foot pedal that generated a keypress, so I'm sure it's feasible with some config tweaks. Have you tried remapping "shoot" in game options to your foot pedal?

1
ubormaci•

Can't recommend enough Into the Breach, it is turn based, but not normal turn based, like in JRPGs for example. Instead, it's on a grid, and it's like a more complex version of chess, where every turn is a puzzle. It also abandons a lot of the normal turn based design, and the results are more based on you than anything. The most similar games to this are the Advance Wars games, but this one is much faster paced, with a lot tighter action.

As someone already mentioned, try the Zachtronics games, but I personally liked Opus Magnum the most, maybe try that one.

13
tater_complexOP•

Oh I remember looking at Into the breach at some point. Thanks for the suggestion.

5
sup0042•

Did you mean "can't recommend enough?" From the rest of your comment it sounds like you're recommending it, so I'm a little confused.

4
ubormaci•

Yeah, thanks for pointing it out.

2
feared_rear_admiral•

Likewise Faster Than Light by I think the same devs? I was super sleeping on this game and only got into it last year and it was super addictive lol. It looks and plays like a Flash game but it's great.

2
ubormaci•

Yes it's done by the same devs, but I couldn't get into it like I did with ItB.

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feared_rear_admiral•

Fair enough, it's a different type of game altogether as well.

2
tortoise315•

Stardew Valley and Hollow Knight. I play Stardew Valley on my phone and it's really fun and the controls are easy. Hollow Knight is a sidescrolling platformer so you can play it only on a keyboard. Both are amazing games.

9
tater_complexOP•

Thanks for the suggestion! Hollow knight unfortunately is way too intense for me right now. Slower paced platformers could probably work but I could barely get anywhere in this game even when I was able to play with a full gamepad! Stardew might work though :)

4
hlekx•

I second Stardew Valley!! Totally worth it

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[deleted]•

[deleted]

6
hlekx•

If your hardware can swing it, try out Kerbal Space Program if flight/open world sims are your thing at all! Very mechanically challenging while remaining really lighthearted

4
goomylord•

Lobotomy Corporation is a simulation game you only need a mouse/touchscreen to play. Basically you manage and contain SCPs/monsters and extract energy from them to meet a quota for the day

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tater_complexOP•

That looks really interesting! I'm intrigued.

2
one_is_the_loneliestFuri, Morrowind, Chrono Trigger•

Have you considered platformers?

I enjoyed LIMBO and INSIDE. Both are somewhat challenging, require some amount of timing (but not overly so, and not for extended periods of time), and only uses d-pad and two buttons. Neither are what I'd call "twitchy", so they're safe if that's your issue.

I don't like platformers generally, so hopefully someone else chimes in with other good examples.

2
Guara_Fox•

Rayman Legends and Origins are pretty great too!

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feared_rear_admiral•

Braid was also pretty nice.

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tater_complexOP•

Thanks! I'd be lying if I said platformers were a favorite of mine, but beggars can't be choosers... I'll check these out!

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NoopGhoul[text]•

The Messenger

2
selbbircs•

Megaman Battle Network series are really fun GBA games. Easy to emulate on windows.

It's like a RPG with a battle system based on real time tactics. The best way to get it is by looking at a video or picture of how battles works. Your avatar moves in a grid and can attack in real time. Attacks are based on a deck of cards that you select prior to battle. Attacks can do damage or be used as support (e.g. heal) and all of them have a range (e.g. one square, one row, the entire field). It's really intuitive once you are playing it -YellowPikachu

I've been playing One Step from Eden which is a roguelike that copies it's combat system.

2
SwankAlpaca•

Risk of rain Dead cells

2
Nitroade24h•

He said low intensity and you say Dead Cells?

1
SwankAlpaca•

When I think high intensity I think of souls, sekirio. Never really felt like cells required a glass cannon build. You can certainly do that though.

1
OmegaLQ-84•

DmC: Devil May Cry (definitive edition is recommended) is easier than the main series, but the combat mechanics are still surprisingly deep and satisfying. It doesn't get as technical as DMC 4 or 5, but it maintains a high skill ceiling while having a pretty low skill floor. If you like pure action games you could have lots of fun with it, also the visuals and soundtrack are top tier (Combichrist made the OST, they are an amazing industrial/aggrotech project).

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tater_complexOP•

I think it'll be too high intensity for me. That looks like a lot of button pressing! But thanks!

2
Positive_Touch•

if you've got a switch, Bayonetta 1 and 2 both have simplified touchscreen controls that give you the same crazy combos and action without demanding anywhere near as much input as the normal controller mode.

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tater_complexOP•

Awesome! Its not mine, but I can probably borrow a switch for a while

2
2Dement3DSuper Mario 3D All-Stars•

Oddworld: New 'n' Tasty (the from-scratch remake of the original Abe's Oddysee on PS1). Keyboard controls, dark vibe, 2.5D side-scrolling platforming gameplay, nothing that intense compared to other 2D side scrolling platforming games.

1
tater_complexOP•

Oh sweet, thats a blast from the past! I remember reading about that in CGW. Thanks for the suggestion

1
Sweeziee•

Maybe not a popular choice but i can recommend Door Kickers, its available on both Android and desktop.

It can be played either in real time, plan everything in detail before hitting the start button and just sit back while you watch it play out, or you can do a mix between the two by utilizing the pause option

1
tater_complexOP•

How did I miss this game!? Looks like Rainbow six or SWAT but without the actiony bits. I'm definitely picking this up thanks!

1
AgentChimendez•

Almost opposite of what you’re asking for but Battle for Polytopia is an amazing game for phones.

Turn based simple strategy game but really addictive. Micro transactions to unlock new civilizations to play as but good free base game.

1
tater_complexOP•

Yeah thats a nice little turn based strategy game but while I do enjoy TBS, I'm specifically looking for something with more real time inputs needed right now.

By the way, if you're a fan of those kinds of games, check out Unciv, its an open source clone of Civ 5 and theres a desktop and android version

1
boogers19•

Old rpgs?

I’ve been doing ‘original’ FFVII on my phone thru PS4/Remote Play.

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[deleted]•

[deleted]

1
_cygnette_•

Rhythm games sound like they might be up your alley! Rayark makes some great rhythm games for mobile, and while the packs in Cytus 2 get a bit pricey their old stuff still holds up great. Cytus and Deemo are their “flagship games” if you want to check ‘em out. Controls for mobile rhythm games are generally just tapping/sliding/flicking along different sections of a touch zone, so that shouldn’t be too hard on your hands unless you’re looking to 100% the really difficult charts. A Song of Fire and Ice on PC and mobile is also a cool, cheap, surprisingly difficult rhythm game whose control scheme is just one button (IIRC any touch on mobile, any key on PC).

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tater_complexOP•

So I started looking at various rhythm games and came across Crypt of the Necrodancer which looks awesome!

2
_cygnette_•

Ooh, another really good one! It’s more of a rhythm game themed roguelite than a true rhythm game but that sounds closer to what you’re looking for anyways. Hope you enjoy it!

1
stevesan•

most TBS games? XCOM, Invisible Inc., etc.

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[deleted]•

[deleted]

1
BadAtPinball•

Yoko's Island Express. Its a pinball based Metroidvania where you play as a dung beetle who delivers letters. Really fun and doesn't outstay its welcome!

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tater_complexOP•

Thats one of the weirdest concepts. I remember trying to play Sonic Spinball back in the day and it was so cool, but the 10fps framerate make it a struggle. I'm going to try this!

1
BadAtPinball•

It's a lot smoother than 10fps! Hope you enjoy it! It's a charming little game!

1