Game suggestions for elderly-disabled (Alzheimer's, Dementia, Stroke)?

[Onasi]

I will go for a rather different couple suggestions from what were already mentioned in the thread:
1. One of my favorite “chill yet engaging” games that are mouse based and runs on older specs is Aquaria. It’s a metroidvania of sorts, but more cerebral and relaxing than the usual fare. The ocean visuals and soundscape is also very soothing, which I feel may be a plus.
2. Since Metal Slug and shoot’em ups were mentioned, Broforce is a good contender. A lot of variety in characters, many of which are from old-school action movies, which your dad might appreciate. Flexible difficulty setup too.
3. I can’t pass the opportunity to plug my favorite series - Ys. Particularly in this case the three games on the Napishtim engine - which are VI, remake of III and Origin. Those were all primarily PC titles on release, run on anything, great controls with KB and mouse without Complex mouse movements and they are far more action and exploration oriented than the newer titles. Some story, but it’s skippable and not as important overall. The real draw here is fast and addictive combat without being overwhelming. It’s insanely satisfying, often described by myself and others as popping bubble wrap. I know, it’s fantasy, but fairly old-school one and significantly less anime than, again, later games.

 

[Chrispy_]

I've just ranted about how bad mobile games are in another thread, but the original Plants vs Zombies is decent fun with just enough complexity to be interesting, but it's not going to tax the grey matter too hard. No need to emulate the mobile version, there's a fully-fledged Windows version with no ads and zero grinding for peanuts on Steam.

I see XCOM has already been mentioned, but the Firaxis 2012 XCOM:EU is one of my favourite games ever. Chimera Squad might be an easier entry to the series than either XCOM:EU or XCOM2.

People have already mentioned point-and-click narrative games, of which I think Disco Elysium is one of the finest.

Another genre that always goes down well with casual gamers are the Pontifex/bridge-builder games.

SPaZ (the first one) and Starscape are two basic top-down spaceship RPGs I've enojoyed, and FTL is a great Space-based roguelite that you can pause and play as slowly as you want to. The next game from the FTL Developer is Into the Breach, and that's more of a turn-based RTS but I think it's at least worth mentioning because it's both simple and good.

So, as a list -

Mouse-based games:

• Plants vs Zombies, and if he likes that there are plenty of good TD games.
• XCOM, XCOM2, Chimera Squad - all very good, easily accessible tactics games.
• Narrative point-and-clicks, starting with Disco Elysium
• Bridge-builder games
• Space Pirates and Zombies, which is a better version of the simpler, smaller Starscape
• FTL
• Into the Breach

FPS games that don't need fast reflexes and have a bit of thinking:

• Portal and Portal2 (and hey, there's a Portal Bridge Builder game too!
• The Stanley Parable.
• The Talos Principle (maybe the puzzles have too many layers, or maybe this is the kind of brain workout he needs/wants?)
• Valley/Firewatch or other narrative-based FPS exploration games with minimal combat
• The Turing Test - a mix between narrative and puzzle, but easy for casuals to appreciate
• Subnautica (good, relaxed game that tests your 3D spatial awareness and mapping memory)

Simpler side-scrolling or top-down puzzle games I can recommend:

• Braid
• Brothers - A tale of two sons
• Limbo/Inside
• World of Goo (elements of bridge-builder games here too)
• Osmos, or other Katamari-style "eat things smaller than you" games.

 

[Count von Schwalbe]

I see XCOM has already been mentioned, but the Firaxis 2012 XCOM:EU is one of my favourite games ever. Chimera Squad might be an easier entry to the series than either XCOM:EU or XCOM2.

I personally prefer Xenonauts 2, but they are all relatively similar.

I did see a WW2 turn-based combat game was just announced here on TPU.

 

[droopyRO]

Can he play puzzle games ? I have bought this for an older relative of mine, and it is fun if you like it. You can make a puzzle out of any picture you have https://www.brainsbreaker.com/

 

[XpanD]

May be worth giving Dorfromantik a look, too. It's pretty peaceful and low-intensity, but there's some strategy to putting down its hex-shaped tiles so they extend quest chains or just give higher scores. (and look prettier)

 

[kapone32]

Bejeweled 3

 

[dragontamer5788]

Edit: He'd recently asked about a Metal Slug-descendant game.
So, the 'shoot-em-up' and 'sidescroller-shooter' kind of gameplay might be 'his speed', as well.
(I know that style of game *was* pretty common for smaller devs. and student projects. Maybe there's some gems I'm not aware of?)

Ummm... I can't beat Metal Slug even with my 30-year-old reflexes and dexterity.

If you want to try that route, "Cuphead" is considered one of the best "modern Metal Slugs" today. Maybe try it on an easier setting for older age? And definitely get a controller, which should be easier on the hands than keyboard/mouse.

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Here's another try.

How about Jamestown? Its a hard game, but if you play with him, the only way you both lose is if you both die.

Jamestown on Steam

Jamestown: Legend Of The Lost Colony is a neo-classical top-down shooter for up to 4 players, set on 17th-century British Colonial Mars. It features all the intensity, depth, and lovingly handcrafted pixels of a classic arcade shooter, with a modern twist: deeply-integrated cooperative gameplay.

store.steampowered.com

Even if you die, he has the chance to resurrect you. So coop/couch gameplay. Both of you together can tackle levels. Its not an easy game, but co-op means anyone can "help", regardless of their skill level or dexterity.

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Metal Slug / shoot-em-up games are some of the hardest, most dexterity-based games I've ever played. But if that's what brings joy, then Jamestown + Coop mode is probably your best bet. Cuphead is also coop / multiplayer, but not quite as "nice" or cooperative as Jamestown.

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Single-player games with a dexterity challenge but appropriate for aging hands/reflexes get... difficult... for me to think of. I'd argue that Final Fantasy 7 (Real-time RPG), with menu-based gameplay but "realtime" countdowns might be best? You have to think quickly, but any particular action is menu-based and less dependent on dexterity. You still need a quick wit to recognize the timing of the bosses and interact with the "time-based" gameplay.

• FTL

Of the list Chrispy_ made here, FTL would be my top pick out of all the games for this situation.

 

[P4-630]

M.Y.S.T / Obduction or other CYAN point and click games.

Games » Cyan

cyan.com

No sure but someone mentioned The Talos Principle...

 

[A&P211]

OR maybe a trivia game, or word game. That always gets my mind going when I'm doing nothing like waiting at the medical office.