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Many people tend to believe that older people don’t play video games. Not only is this not true, but there are also a surprising number of video games that seniors can learn relatively quickly and have a lot of fun playing.
Even if you know a senior who enjoys more simple games such as online bingo or Candy Crush, let them know that there’s are other games they can try out from time to time too.
Minecraft
There are several reasons why Minecraft is one of the most popular games ever made: it’s very easy to learn, it has a variety of difficulty options, and it’s perfect for new and veteran gamers alike. Minecraft is also perfect to simply pick up and play and dip into because it doesn’t have an endpoint or goal.
You can build almost anything you want, simple or complicated, and explore as much or as little as you want. This makes it ideal for someone who doesn’t have a gaming past but wants to simply play along and have fun.
Call of Duty
Many studies have shown that playing high-intensity, fast-paced action games such as Call of Duty and Counter-Strike improves brain function and health; this, in turn, might help to protect the brain against developing Alzheimer’s disease or dementia.
While a game like Call of Duty can be tricky to learn, the controls are relatively simple, and with a bit of practice you can easily get the hang of it, and you’ll certainly have a lot of fun trying!
Wii Sports
If your grandparents or another senior you know don’t want to play anything too serious, Wii Sports is a great alternative. Mini-games such as tennis or bowling can be enjoyed in either single-player or multiplayer modes.
Wii Sports is also a fun way to exercise if taking long walks, cycling, or getting to the gym is too difficult for you. Wii consoles may be a bit old at this point, but that also means that they’re very affordable, and relatively easy to find.
Stardew Valley
For a more relaxed and calming experience, Stardew Valley is a game that puts you in the shoes (or galoshes!) of a farm owner trying to get their farm back on the map. You can tend to crops, mine, raise cattle, and carry out tasks for other residents and farmers around town.
While there is a main story of sorts, Stardew Valley is also endless. There are various ways to play the game, with straightforward controls and helpful hints guiding your every step in the beginning.
Age of Empires
Age of Empires is a strategy game that can be played by multiple players. You choose a civilization and then must gain resources to construct buildings, train soldiers, and conquer the map and your enemies.
While this game does get very exciting and intense, it’s also a brilliant way to keep the mind sharp and to focus on multiple tasks at once. Learning about each civilization and its pros and cons can take time, but once you pick it up, you’ll only get better.
Cities: Skylines
Cities: Skylines is a strategy and city-building game where you get to develop a vast plot of land and build and run your own city. You can choose where the buildings go, how your suburbs will look, plan the road and highway design, and even program the timing of your traffic lights.
There’s so much detail and micro-management required that it can be overwhelming, but this is an amazing game that lets your imagination run free and enables you to create your own functioning city.
Hearthstone
Hearthstone is a simplified version of the deck-building game Magic the Gathering. Players create card decks filled with creatures and spells and then battle an opponent.
Hearthstone has a finely tuned skill ladder that enables beginners to be pitted against beginners, which is always a plus for less-experienced players. The gameplay offers so much variety in terms of the kinds of decks and cards you can use, that it’s a never-ending journey to find the best combinations.
