One handed gaming

[Jake55778]

Deprived of the option to do anything productive for the next few weeks I've found myself on the lookout for some games to pass the time. I was hoping to gather some suggestions here.

However there's a condition: they must be playable using only the left hand. My right is currently in a cast*. I can still use a mouse, but not with any degree of speed or accuracy, and I can't use both sides of a keyboard simultaneously.

So far I've found Civilization V and FTL to be playable like this, but I was hoping for more variety.

(I'm also open to good book/film/TV suggestions)

*Story for those curious:

Spoiler! :

I tried to jump off a climbing frame (quiet, 22 is not too old!) and my foot caught, causing me to faceplant from about 6ft up. I put my hands out to break the fall and dislocated a wrist. Quite badly in fact, I'm told I broke multiple bones and damaged the ligaments. I got it straightened and cast at A&E, but I'll also need surgery for it on Tuesday. Despite asking, I wasn't able to get a copy of my x-rays for show&tell purposes, but here is the closest approximation I could find on google images: http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a394/ ... foreop.jpg

[random980]

Not what i thought the reason for "one handed" gaming was going to be...
If you can get comfortable with having the mouse in the opposite hand, simulation games like The Sims, Roller Coaster Tycoon and Zoo Tycoon are good.
Can try playing pokemon on an emulator even.
Any slow paced game should be playable with just one hand really.
If all else fails, there is always Minesweeper

[wokka1]

Turn based games would good too, or any game that can be easily paused. But yes, try the mouse left handed, you actually get used to it quickly.

My mom is left-handed, and uses the mouse on her left hand, with the buttons reversed. It takes me about 5 mins to get used to it when I use her PC. Reversing the buttons is optional of course, whatever is more comfortable with you.

[Jake55778]

Good call on the emulator. If I rebind some keys I can probably play most classic games.

The first thing I did when I got out of hospital was swap my keyboard and mouse around and switch the mouse buttons. I've been surprised at how easy it's been to get accustomed to it. I've also been wondering if getting a mouse with extra programmable buttons might be helpful. It'd open up games like Torchlight/Diablo.

[Invunarble]

You could always try playing a console game left handed using a controller. Try playing Saints Row 4, or Splinter Cell Blacklist with just your left hand and see how far you get with it.

[J4Numbers]

If you just want a quick game, there's always Audacity, Bit Trip, Solar 2, I think the Cave and Frozen Synapse can be played by mouse only too (Don't quote me on that). In other words, casual-type games.

[Thelepearchauns]

If you want books, I would suggest World War Z. Seriously, the movie is garbage compared to this book. Read it. Even if you saw the movie, read it and be pissed at how much the movie could have been better by becoming that book.

Also, I like Mary Roach if you like weird things. Shes a science writer that covers some interesting topics in an interesting way including dead bodies(Stiff), ghosts and the existence of souls(Spook) and all sorts of space related stuff (Packing for Mars). Her writing style is awesome...Of any of her books, read Stiff. How someone covers such an off limits topic as dead bodies is a mystery to me, but she made it fun

[Invunarble]

Reading books? One handed? That doesn't sound like much of a challenge...

[RobipodSupreme]

The Departure, by Neal Asher. It's amazing. And not too thick, so you might not break your fingers holding it open.

[random980]

Reading something like the Song of Ice and Fire (Game of Thrones) series as an obvious call. Also for more simpler fun books, anything by Matthew Reilly is great. Full of action and adventure. Or even start on Webcomics. Brawlinthefamily.keenspot and fanboys-online.com are two i keep up with. You may be surprised how much time Youtube can eat up. Check out Vsauce if you don't know it already. Also it is never to late to get into or rewatch Red V Blue

[Jake55778]

My surgery went well. I have enough strength back in my fingers to use a keyboard, albeit clumsily. Opens up games like the Binding of Isaac and Hammerwatch.

I've already read all the Song of Ice and Fire books, but I'm rereading Clash of Kings since it was the book my dad brought when I asked for reading material in the hospital.
I have a few webcomics I follow, and I'm all too familiar with the timesink that is Youtube. I watched Red vs Blue up until season 9 but I haven't been able to get into the newer ones.

[wokka1]

Jake, have you read Ready Player One by Ernest Cline?

It is by far one of the best books I've read recently and in my top 10 ever read.

[RobipodSupreme]

Wade has a great surname.

[Invunarble]

Wade has a great surname.

wat...
...
...
... ts

[RobipodSupreme]

Yes. Only awesome people have the surname Watts.

[Maykxor]

Wokka..... I blame you for my spending 4 hours of non stop reading of Ready Player One..... It is fairly good XD

[wokka1]

It's a hard book to put down. From what I understand, that was his first novel to write. I'd love to see a movie(s) made of it, as long as they follow the book closely.

I also picked up the audiobook (my gf and I listen to these on road trips), Wil Wheaton reads it, epic.

[Maykxor]

:I A movie would be epic. Then again... I would hate for it to ruin my immersion I have already XD