Not every game demands lightning-fast reflexes or complicated controls. Sometimes, simplicity is more fun.
These titles are easy to play with one hand, require minimal effort but don’t be surprised if you can’t put them down.
| Game | Release | Genre | Developer | Video | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Slay The Spire | 2019-01-23 | Turn-based strategy (TBS) & Card & Board Game | Mega Crit Games | |
 | Loop Hero | 2021-03-04 | Role-playing (RPG) & Indie | Four Quarters | |
 | Vampire Survivors | 2021-12-17 | Survivor, Bullet Hell, RPG | Poncle | |
 | Kind Words | 2019-09-12 | Indie | Popcannibal | |
 | Brotato | 2022-09-27 | Fighting & Arcade | Blobfish | |
 | The Binding Of Isaac Repentance | 2021-03-31 | Adventure & Role-playing (RPG) | Nicalis, Inc. | |
 | Baldurs Gate 3 | 2020-10-06 | Turn-based strategy (TBS) & Strategy | Larian Studios | |
 | Life Is Strange 2 Complete Season | 2018-09-27 | Adventure | DONTNOD Entertainment | |
 | Life Is Strange Complete Season | 2015-01-29 | Role-playing (RPG) & Adventure | DONTNOD Entertainment | |
 | This War Of Mine | 2014-11-14 | Indie & Simulator | 11 bit studios | |
 | Undertale | 2015-09-15 | Indie & Role-playing (RPG) | tobyfox | |
 | Doki Doki Literature Club Plus | 2021-06-30 | Role-playing (RPG) & Simulator | Team Salvato | |
 | RimWorld | 2016-07-15 | Real Time Strategy (RTS) & Simulator | Ludeon Studios | |
 | FINAL FANTASY IX | 2016-04-14 | Adventure & Turn-based strategy (TBS) | SQUARE ENIX | |
 | XCOM 2 | 2016-02-04 | Role-playing (RPG) & Turn-based strategy (TBS) | Feral Interactive (Linux) | |
 | The Secret Of Monkey Island | 2009-07-15 | Point-and-click & Puzzle | LucasArts | |
 | Sam And Max | 2020-12-02 | Point-and-click & Adventure | Telltale Games | |
 | Age Of Empires II Definitive Edition | 2019-11-14 | Strategy | Forgotten Empires LLC | |
 | FINAL FANTASY VII | 2013-07-04 | Turn-based strategy (TBS) & Role-playing (RPG) | SQUARE ENIX | |
 | Stardew Valley | 2016-02-26 | Indie & Strategy | ConcernedApe |
Slay the Spire
| Release date: | 2019-01-23 |
| Genre: | Role-playing (RPG) & Strategy & Turn-based strategy (TBS) & Adventure & Indie & Card & Board Game |
| Developer: | Mega Crit Games |
Slay the Spire is a card-based roguelike where you build a deck and make your way through randomly generated paths. Every move is turn-based, so there’s no pressure. You use the mouse for everything.
What makes it engaging is the variety of cards and relics you can collect. Each run pushes you to try new strategies, whether it’s stacking poison, relying on block, or chaining powerful combos.
Daily challenges and custom runs add even more replay value. Even after finishing the main climbs, you’ll find reasons to return, chasing better decks or testing unusual modifiers.
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Loop Hero
| Release date: | 2021-03-04 |
| Genre: | Role-playing (RPG) & Strategy & Adventure & Indie & Card & Board Game |
| Developer: | Four Quarters |
In Loop Hero, you don’t control the hero directly. Instead, you place terrain and enemies to shape their path. It runs in real time but pauses often, so there’s no need to rush.
The strategy comes from balancing risk and reward. A tough enemy might overwhelm your hero now but could drop better loot that carries you further in the loop.
Between runs, building up the camp unlocks new classes, cards, and bonuses. This progression gives each expedition purpose and keeps you coming back for another attempt.
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Vampire Survivors
| Release date: | 2021-12-17 |
| Genre: | Role-playing (RPG) & Adventure & Indie & Arcade |
| Developer: | Poncle |
In Vampire Survivors you only worry about movement, since the weapons fire automatically. Every choice comes down to where you move and which upgrades you decide to grab.
As you unlock more characters and weapons, the runs start to feel different. Some builds focus on survival, others on overwhelming damage, and figuring out what works is part of the fun.
Later in a run the screen fills with enemies, and staying alive feels messy and tense in a good way. It’s simple to pick up, but it doesn’t get old.
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Kind Words
| Release date: | 2019-09-12 |
| Genre: | Indie |
| Developer: | Popcannibal |
Kind Words is a small game where you write and receive short letters from other players. Everything happens at your own pace, with no pressure and no timers.
Most of the time you’re reading a message, typing out a reply, or just listening to the background music while notes arrive. It’s meant to be low-key and relaxing.
You can also collect stickers and decorate your room. It’s a simple addition, but it gives you something extra to do between writing and reading letters.
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These four aren’t the only one-hand-friendly games out there. Plenty of others are just as easy to control and still fun to play. Chill city-builders like Dorfromantik, light roguelikes like Peglin, and puzzle games like Dicey Dungeons all work great with minimal input. Mini Metro is another solid pick if you’re into strategy without the stress.
Some games are slower by design. That makes them easier to play with one hand. If you’re more into stories than action, they let you lean back and click through at your own speed. Anything that uses full mouse or touch controls is usually a safe bet.
You don’t need fast reactions or fancy controls to enjoy a solid game. Whether you’re taking it easy or working around limitations, these titles offer smart design and real depth without demanding much from your hands.