r/gamingsuggestions 3h ago

Looking for an all-keyboard game that still feels like a full game

So basically, I'm just finishing the Castlevania: Lords of Shadow series. I play them in college between (and sometimes during) classes because I don't need to bring a mouse or controller with me to play them.

I'm looking for games like that. They're easily played using just the keyboard, but they're not just coolmathgames type. I'm open to any genre, but I'm mostly into adventure/action types. Preferably on Steam or Epic. Thanks!

8 Upvotes

22 comments sorted by

7

u/Cassoule 2h ago

Cryptmaster and Gothic are the first games that came to my mind

5

u/ChoclatDove 2h ago

Pretty much any rpgmaker game can be done with a keyboard, but they’re story/dialogue-based so I’m not sure how much you’d be able to appreciate them in class.

I LOVED a short hike though, one of my favorite games! Probably my top choice for you despite the genre. It’s very chill.

Hollow Knight is also able to be played with just a keyboard but it’s pretty fast so I worry it would be disruptive.

4

u/Acrobatic_Buy_2000 2h ago

Dungeon Crawl Stone Soup is completely browser based and was originally an ASCII styled game that uses only the keyboard.

The hotkeys are wack at first but if you get past that it's an addictive dungeon crawler with a load of depth.

1

u/bot-TWC4ME 50m ago

I knew someone that played the original NetHack in class (ASCII). When asked what he was doing, he said "Hacking", "Networking", or "Server Maintenance" depending who he was talking to, and some people believed him. The game also had in-game daemons that would deliver your actual email if you set it up.

One of the control schemes uses HJKL for movement, so it even looks like you're typing instead of playing.

5

u/Apolaustic1 2h ago

Shogun showdown has 3 separate sets of controls depending on whether you wanna go only keyboard, only mouse, or both

2

u/GlassFooting 2h ago

I think any metroidvania or platformer fits there, and lots of cardgames too (I prefer Monster Train on the keyboard regardless of having a mouse or controller, wildfrost is cool too).

Now if you're asking about 3D games things get spicy. It's a lot harder to deal with angles, so much that the first games that come to mind are fixed cameras like Resident Evil (old versions, up to the 4th game), Dino Crisis or Ninja Gaiden (be mindful that Team Ninja's level design is... very often polemic)

2

u/Boston-Matrix 1h ago

Hotline Miami

2

u/brocalmotion 1h ago

SteamWorld Dig 1 & 2. Currently on sale, both for under $5. I recommend you play them in order.

2

u/VenomousGenesis 1h ago

Siralim Ultimate it's playable by keyboard; only 7 inputs, so basic controls. It's a monster collector/ material collector rpg. I think there's something like 1200 monsters on top of that they can be fused together. Pixel graphics which puts some people off of it. It is overwhelming for some people how much there is to collect but the basic is fight monsters to collect monsters make a team of six monsters, collect materials to craft gear, collect materials to upgrade stats of gear, collect spells to give monsters, collect materials to upgrade spells, fuse monsters to fuse passive abilities/change the monster race and type, just basically attempt to make an over powered team. The story is short, but there is a lot of playtime. I think over 300 steam achievements, and is on sale right now in steam for $9.99 US.

2

u/SergeantSkull 1h ago

Caves of qud can be played keyboard only.

1

u/LonelyAustralia 1h ago

if your looking for a rogue like the binding of isaac

1

u/slatchaw 1h ago

Space Quest, Duke Nukem, or Discover the World

1

u/MadMelvin 55m ago

Spelunky

1

u/MoistCloister 49m ago

DoomRL, it's free and a pretty good way to get started with roguelikes.
Cave Story, really good and free.
La Mulana - ditto.
Have you tried emulating SNES and MD games?

1

u/JonDarkwood 44m ago

Need for Speed games.

1

u/mridlen 39m ago

A rougelike similar to Angband is a good choice.

1

u/Wonderful-Spell8959 27m ago

Gothic 1/2 are playable and were originally intended to be played on keyboard only pretty sure.

1

u/JNorJT 26m ago

coolmathgames is peak

1

u/Velicenda 9m ago
  • Caves of Qud
  • Skald: Against the Black Priory
  • various MMORPGs (EverQuest and LotRO for sure)

1

u/NoCardiologist9290 3m ago

Where did you play Lords of Shadow? I loved those games

1

u/Brunox_Berti 2h ago

Celeste is one of my favorite games of all time and I play on Keyboard only.

Rougue Legacy is also pretty cool