9 best games for players with mobility impairments

Last Updated on May 30, 2024 by Jhonni Jets

Gaming is an entertaining hobby that many people enjoy, but traditional control schemes requiring fast fingers and precise dexterity can exclude those with mobility limitations. Fortunately, there are many games designed with accessibility in mind that allow players with impairments to enjoy the gaming experience. This article will explore 9 of the best options for gamers with mobility issues, covering a variety of genres to suit different interests.

1. Hearthstone

Hearthstone

Hearthstone is a hugely popular free-to-play digital collectible card game developed by Blizzard Entertainment. What makes it such a great choice for players with mobility impairments is that it requires almost no dexterity or fine motor skills to play. All interactions are performed through simple click or tap inputs on cards in hand or on the battlefield. Gameplay revolves around carefully managing resources each turn to outwit your opponent with strategic card combinations rather than fast reflexes. With a huge range of playable solo modes too, Hearthstone provides endless entertainment that can be enjoyed at your own pace.

A major plus is that it’s available on multiple platforms including PC, Mac, iPad, and Android devices. This allows you to find the most comfortable playing position whether using a mouse, touchscreen or accessibility switches. The game is also fully compatible with accessibility features built into operating systems like zoom functions, switch control and voice commands. Overall Hearthstone delivers an incredibly accessible and inclusive card battle experience.

2. Civilization VI

Leader Spotlight: Ludwig II | Civilization VI: Leader Pass

As one of the most acclaimed turn-based strategy game series, Civilization is a tremendously accessible option. All gameplay is handled through intuitive mouse clicks or touch inputs to manage your civilization over hundreds of turns of historical simulation. There is never any pressure for fast reflexes, just carefully considered long-term decisions on research, exploration, diplomacy and warfare. Civilization VI streamlines some interfaces compared to earlier entries, making interactions even more manageable with motor impairments.

In game options also allow customizing the UI size, keyboard shortcuts and autosaves for convenience. The engaging historical setting coupled with the relaxing pacing of turn-based strategy provides a hugely absorbing game that can be enjoyed without limitations. And with regular updates and DLC expansions continually expanding the content, Civilization VI will keep you entertained for countless hours.

3. Stardew Valley

Stardew Valley Four Corners Farm Tour (Year 3 - no mods) - Farm Layout Ideas

Wholesome farming/life simulation games are perfect for accessibility due to their laidback rhythmic gameplay. Stardew Valley is widely considered the best in its genre, casting you as a character who takes over their grandfather’s neglected farm. Players spend their time growing crops, raising animals, gathering resources, socializing with townsfolk and more – all at their own pace. Navigation is point-and-click based and interactions are handled through easy menus.

The top-down isometric view also provides a clear overview without need for fast camera control. Stardew Valley is a deeply calming and therapeutic experience that can be completely enjoyed solo according to your mobility. Regular free content updates from the developer keep things fresh too. If you’re seeking a game that imposes no limitations or stress, you can’t do much better than immersing yourself in the wholesome world of Stardew Valley farm life.

4. VA-11 Hall-A: Cyberpunk Bartender Action

VA-11 Hall-A: Cyberpunk Bartender Action | Nintendo Switch download  software | Games | Nintendo

Interactive fiction games with strong narratives are well-suited for accessibility due to their lack of twitch challenges. VA-11 Hall-A casts you as a bartender serving drinks to colorful patrons in a cyberpunk metropolis. Gameplay involves simply clicking through dialogue trees during conversations and mixing custom cocktails orders through basic menus. With its vibrant 80s retro aesthetic and compelling cast of characters, VA-11 Hall-A tells an intriguing story that can be experienced at your own comfortable pace.

There are no time limits or penalties for taking breaks either, allowing you to get fully immersed in the world and unfolding mysteries. The developers also included helpful accessibility options like larger text, UI scaling and auto-advance dialogue. If you enjoy absorbing fascinating narratives with minimal interaction requirements, VA-11 Hall-A is a great choice that makes accessibility a central focus.

5. Florence

Save 67% on Florence on Steam

Florence is a short but powerful interactive story following a young woman’s daily experiences and relationships. Gameplay is extremely minimal, allowing you to progress the emotional vignettes through only a few taps on your mobile or tablet screen. With its minimal interface and reliance on evocative visuals rather than complex systems, Florence prioritizes accessibility above all else. By removing any challenges or coordination tests, it ensures the deeply touching story can be appreciated by all.

Touchscreen controls are all that’s needed to navigate the heartwarming and heartbreaking episodic scenes. With no time pressure or difficult interactions, Florence provides a beautifully intimate gaming experience that requires virtually no dexterity or motor skills. It’s a perfect example of how prioritizing accessibility design can allow gaming to be an inclusive emotional journey for people of all abilities.

6. Hidden Folks

Hidden Folks on Steam

For fans of “I Spy” style hidden object games, Hidden Folks is endlessly entertaining while remaining completely accessible. Each lively hand-drawn level presents you with a crowded scene and challenges you to find specific hidden characters among the backdrop. Gameplay is simply clicking around the environments to discover them – there are no time limits, complex controls or coordination tests. It’s completely stress-free fun that can be enjoyed solo or with others.

Levels can even be explored piece-by-piece using the zoom function for meticulous searching. The quirky art direction and surprising scenarios keep gameplay fresh through over 150 unique scenes. And with new free updates regularly expanding content, Hidden Folks offers infinite discovery that imposes virtually no demands on motor skills or multi-tasking abilities.

7. Steredenn

Steredenn: Binary Stars

For fans of shoot ’em up action who may find speed and precision gameplay prohibitive, Steredenn provides a more forgiving option while retaining amazing gameplay. As a side-scrolling shooter set in space, players blast enemies and survive waves of attack across randomly generated levels. What makes it so accessible is its slower pacing, generous hit boxes and ability to rewind time after any death.

This removes penalties for mistakes, allowing you to fully focus on enjoying the action without stress. Controls are also streamlined to basic cursor aiming and firing with large responsive hitboxes. Several difficulty modes provide tailored challenges too. Overall Steredenn delivers a supremely satisfying retro shoot ’em up experience that remains accessible to all types of players.

8. Desert Child

Desert Child on Steam

Racing side-scrollers are an ideal genre for accessibility due to their focus on exploration over technical challenges. Desert Child puts you in control of a motorcycle embarking on an adventure across a vast wasteland setting. Gameplay revolves around simply driving, jumping and tricking your way through the diverse open world environments and discovering hidden secrets. Steering and stunt inputs are handled through simple taps and swipes on mobile.

With no time restrictions or hazards that demand perfect reflexes, Desert Child creates a relaxing pace to fully appreciate the world. Assist modes are also included to remove any potential difficulties as desired. It provides athletic yet inclusive gameplay for all to freely roam gorgeous post-apocalyptic landscapes according to their mobility abilities.

9. What Remains of Edith Finch

What Remains of Edith Finch: iOS Gameplay Walkthrough Part 1 (Annapurna  Interactive/Giant Sparrow)

Few games focus storytelling through environmental interaction quite like What Remains of Edith Finch. As you explore the creaking Finch family home, you’ll discover compelling short stories about each family member’s mysterious demise. Gameplay amounts to simply walking between locations, observing details and progressing the emotionally moving tales. With no real puzzles, time constraints or skill-based challenges, it allows the experience to be fully appreciated according to your ability.

Its accessibility was clearly a high priority, from basic touch or click navigation to assistance options for color blindness. What Remains of Edith Finch ensures one of the gaming industry’s most accomplished stories can be enjoyed by all through thoughtful design prioritizing inclusion above all else.

Conclusion

This covers a selection of genres including card games, strategy, simulation, visual novels, hidden object titles and more. But they all excel at putting accessibility front and center through streamlined control schemes requiring minimal mobility. Whether you seek fun solo gaming sessions or new storytelling worlds to immerse yourself in, these 9 options prove that inclusivity need not come at the expense of rich, engrossing experiences. By prioritizing accessibility, developers have ensured people of all abilities can enjoy the magic of digital games. And with accessibility continuing to improve across the industry, the future remains bright for gaming to be an inclusive pastime for all.

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