Games playable with one hand?

Ar¢tos

Ar¢tos

Member
My right arm decided that it wouldn't work anymore for gaming, seems to be a tendon problem. My arm becomes sore after 30 minutes of holding a controller, or about 1h of using the right stick even on a flat surface (I also have the PlayStation Access Controllers).

I'm looking for Playstation games (probably 2D) that can be played with only 1 hand.
I can remap all face/shoulder buttons to the access controller and map the stick to be the left stick. I ordered the Logitech kit for the access controller, I can have up to 8 buttons on the floor that I can use with my feet.
I can have the other controller nearby for other buttons that are used less.

I'm looking for games that aren't ultra fast paced and without a lot of button mashing.
I was thinking of stuff like Fantasy Life or Octopath Traveler games, although I'm not sure if those use the right stick.
Any other game suggestions?
(I'm not into simulation games like Tropico)
 
HRK69 said:
Vampire Survivors baby!
Click to expand...
Isn't that very fast paced?
I'm still getting used to the Access controller, I haven't memorised the button placement (and I need to change them for every game), my hand still hasn't figured out the best way to interact with it (I've only had it for 3 days).
 
I got the perfect game for you buddy, its NIKKE

GODDESS OF VICTORY: NIKKE | The Epic Shooter RPG of Cruel Humanity Destiny

GODDESS OF VICTORY: NIKKE is an immersive sci-fi RPG shooter game. The global launch is on 4th Nov (UTC+9). Recruit and command various maidens. Specializes in wielding sci-fi weapons. Win excellent combat!
nikke-en.com

they even advertise it on their website back then "GODDESS OF VICTORY: NIKKE is an upcoming mobile third-person shooter RPG that focuses on visuals, a one-handed control scheme"

on a more serious note, any turn based rpg will do nicely for one handed 😂
 
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Dungeon crawler games with turn based combat

Vampire Survivors is an auto attack game so you only move the character with WASD or the thumb stick.
 
Ar¢tos said:
Isn't that very fast paced?
I'm still getting used to the Access controller, I haven't memorised the button placement (and I need to change them for every game), my hand still hasn't figured out the best way to interact with it (I've only had it for 3 days).
Click to expand...
Yeah, Vampire Survivors can definitely get a bit hectic once things ramp up. Pixel chaos in every direction

Probably not the best pick if you are still getting used to the Access controller and your hand is doing mental gymnastics to hit the right buttons

But at $4.99 its not that much of a gamble IMO. Worst case, you shelve it until your hand and the buttons become best friends
 
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Reminds me of that time I broke my arm in a wanking accident and was angry I could only play Dragon Ball on DS where you use the stylus to do everything.
 
Ar¢tos said:
Isn't that very fast paced?
I'm still getting used to the Access controller, I haven't memorised the button placement (and I need to change them for every game), my hand still hasn't figured out the best way to interact with it (I've only had it for 3 days).
Click to expand...
It's a game that kind of compounds upon itself. You only need one stick to move and one button to select options. You will die, then you unlock new stuff, you die some more, and then you win a round.
 
digimaster7 said:
I got the perfect game for you buddy, its NIKKE

GODDESS OF VICTORY: NIKKE | The Epic Shooter RPG of Cruel Humanity Destiny

GODDESS OF VICTORY: NIKKE is an immersive sci-fi RPG shooter game. The global launch is on 4th Nov (UTC+9). Recruit and command various maidens. Specializes in wielding sci-fi weapons. Win excellent combat!
nikke-en.com

they even advertise it on their website back then "GODDESS OF VICTORY: NIKKE is an upcoming mobile third-person shooter RPG that focuses on visuals, a one-handed control scheme"

on a more serious note, any turn based rpg will do nicely for one handed 😂
Click to expand...
Their boobs are bigger than their heads! 👀
 
Yakuza 7 could work and from ai:

  • Celeste – Platformer with great remapping (and Assist Mode).
  • Minecraft (with accessibility settings)
  • Forza Horizon series (has one-handed control setups)
  • Spider-Man (PS4/PS5) – Has comprehensive accessibility settings.
  • The Last of Us Part II – Among the best for accessibility.
 
RagnarokIV said:
Reminds me of that time I broke my arm in a wanking accident and was angry I could only play Dragon Ball on DS where you use the stylus to do everything.
Click to expand...
No Way Wow GIF by Adele Morse - Stoned Fox Official
 
Ar¢tos said:
Isn't that very fast paced?
I'm still getting used to the Access controller, I haven't memorised the button placement (and I need to change them for every game), my hand still hasn't figured out the best way to interact with it (I've only had it for 3 days).
Click to expand...
There are no buttons really. You can only walk around and select power ups. Selecting power ups freezes anything else until you made a decision, so still, only the stick should be enough.
 
Cakeboxer said:
Yakuza 7 could work and from ai:

  • Celeste – Platformer with great remapping (and Assist Mode).
  • Minecraft (with accessibility settings)
  • Forza Horizon series (has one-handed control setups)
  • Spider-Man (PS4/PS5) – Has comprehensive accessibility settings.
  • The Last of Us Part II – Among the best for accessibility.
Click to expand...
I forgot about the crazy accessibility in Sony games. Might be worth a shot if you want something a bit more graphic and action intensive.
 
RagnarokIV said:
Reminds me of that time I broke my arm in a wanking accident and was angry I could only play Dragon Ball on DS where you use the stylus to do everything.
Click to expand...
I'm left handed. This happened in a shopping incident (too lazy to grab a trolley, so I decided to drag a big heavy bag up and down the supermarket and then to the car that was parked far away. I forgot I'm nearly 50yo...)
 
Jinzo Prime said:
I forgot about the crazy accessibility in Sony games. Might be worth a shot if you want something a bit more graphic and action intensive.
Click to expand...
They are also ultra boring. I couldn't make it past the first 3h of Tlou2, I've tried 2x to get into the game.
If it has 1h of cutscenes, scripted events and walking with forced dialogue for every 5 minutes of gameplay, I'm out!
 
Theres a 1 handed controller for SNES called ASCII Stick Super L5

snescentral.com

SNES Central: ASCII Stick Super L5

The ASCII Stick Super L5 (アスキースティックスーパーエルファイブ) is an officially licensed controller that is designed for playing with one hand.
snescentral.com snescentral.com

That should be usable with lots of games.
BzqwCKtZsXU6fozC.jpg
 
Ar¢tos said:
They are also ultra boring. I couldn't make it past the first 3h of Tlou2, I've tried 2x to get into the game.
If it has 1h of cutscenes, scripted events and walking with forced dialogue for every 5 minutes of gameplay, I'm out!
Click to expand...
Would you consider pc gaming? There are tons of games that can be played with just a mouse and there is also an input device i posted a while ago:
 
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Cakeboxer said:
Would you consider pc gaming? There are tons of games that can be played with just a mouse and there is also an input device i posted a while ago:
Click to expand...

It's something I've been considering, but I hate windows. I haven't touched it in 15 years.
I'm waiting for SteamOS to be released before I move to pc.
 
There's a world of roguelike card battler games out there. Games like Balatro, Monster Train & Wildfrost. Many of them available on mobile devices, so handy if you have a pad.
Also puzzle/point & click games like Lil' Guardsman or Ace Attorney.

 
Esppiral said:
Can't believe no one has mentioned Bayoneta and Stellar Blade.
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Aren't those 3d games where the right stick controls the camera?

I wish every 3d game had the option to have the camera always facing the direction the character is facing at a locked angle. It wouldn't be perfect, but it would make all 3d action games playable with one hand.
 
Kingdom Two Crowns is pretty great with a very simple control scheme. Not sure about the price tag though. I think I got it on a deep sale for a couple bucks.

Definitely no not recommend Kingdom 80s though.
 
Get a PC and play games with just your mouse. Grand strategy games and 4x games city builders, card games etc
 
Ar¢tos said:
It's something I've been considering, but I hate windows. I haven't touched it in 15 years.
I'm waiting for SteamOS to be released before I move to pc.
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you can plug a mouse on the steamdeck, although I don't know if that mouse Cakeboxer posted is gonna be compatible or not
 
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Look up an good ergo mouse and switch up to PC gaming. Play slow turn based strategy games if you have to.

Edit: if you're waiting for steamos, you can use Bazzite which is very much like SteamOS already.
 
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Cakeboxer said:
Would you consider pc gaming? There are tons of games that can be played with just a mouse and there is also an input device i posted a while ago:
Click to expand...

That is not a one hand accessory. Its a keyboard replacement which still requires a mouse on the other hand.

On topic: Any turn based game will allow you to play easily with one hand. Give some classic turn based games a go if you haven't already, Persona 5 for example.
 
Three said:
That is not a one hand accessory. Its a keyboard replacement which still requires a mouse on the other hand.

On topic: Any turn based game will allow you to play easily with one hand. Give some classic turn based games a go if you haven't already, Persona 5 for example.
Click to expand...
I guess it depends on the game. From what I understand, the base is a kind of joystick, and some games should be playable entirely with one hand. Just like how many games can be played using only a mouse. But it will probably reach its limits with games that continuously require both analog sticks.
 
Ar¢tos said:
Isn't that very fast paced?
I'm still getting used to the Access controller, I haven't memorised the button placement (and I need to change them for every game), my hand still hasn't figured out the best way to interact with it (I've only had it for 3 days).
Click to expand...
I don't know about PS, but on PC I set it up so that L1 = okay, L2 = cancel, and Select = Start. Mirrored that on the right side too (w/ stick). That's all the inputs you need, and in game you only ever need the stick unless a menu pops up.

I highly recommend it. I wouldn't call it fast paced, it's just intense at times. But that doesn't translate to frantic inputs as attacks are automatic.
 
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