I’ve been using a Mac for a while, and been meaning to build a PC soon on, but as such, I can share some games!
Since you’re looking for games away from home, I’m assuming you want games that you can return to during downtime rather than intensive gaming sessions? Things like Isaac and FTL? Most games will naturally eat up some battery, but…
Also, since you’re familiar with lots of RLs you’re probably familiar with Caves of Qud and Tales of Maj’Eyal so!
Darkest Dungeon: extremely brutal but extremely engrossing party-based dungeon crawler. Highly recommended. 2D graphics and you can turn off one or two effects if you really want the quality even lower. Might eat your battery a little, though, but not too bad.
Dustforce: Lots people prefer this with a controller, but I find this game great with just a keyboard. Really fun platformer that will scratch you if you’re into completionism. All 2D visuals and absolutely gorgeous if I might add.
RunGunJumpGun: Another addictive masocore completionist game. Needs only two buttons, and can be played one-handed. A little flashy. Warning, though: very bad if you have photosensitive epilepsy.
Downwell: Not on Mac, but so good I’m putting it here anyway. Twitchy rogue-lite built for mobile. Runs on very low specs, only three buttons needed.
Masters of Orion 2: if you’re into strategy games, this one’s pretty good, though I haven’t played a lot. Runs well, which isn’t a shocker because it was built for DOS.
Eldritch: Low-poly rogue-lite with lots of emergent systems. Lack of a mouse might bother you. Pretty underrated. Runs well in spite of being 3D.
Prison Architect: A little more intensive. If you can get over the upsetting subject matter (I honestly have trouble doing so) of the Prison Industrial Complex, pretty engrossing management game. It’s all 2D, but there’s a lot of simulation going on.
Spacechem: A puzzle game, I guess? More of an engineering game. Probably the most accessible Zachtronics game (though I’ve only played this one.)
Snakebird, Stephen’s Sausage Roll, A Good Snowman Is Hard To Build, Sokobond, English Country Tune, etc, etc,: Great Sokobon-like games cut up in digestible chunks, though admittedly some of these are quite difficult. These are more logical than lateral. All small and simple games (visually), and can be trackpad-controlled or with arrow keys.
Superbrothers Sword and Sworcery EP: Beautiful adventure game designed for short shorter gameplay sessions.
Tumbleseed: extremely unique rogue-lite. Beautiful 2D art. Simultaneously anxiety inducing and very calming.
Papers, Please: Really unique game, you’re probably already familiar with it. Divided into individual days, which makes it great for short sessions.
Gunpoint: Since Heat Signature isn’t on Mac and more RAM intensive, Gunpoint’s a better pick. Puzzly stealth game. Mouse controls are involved but can be played well enough without a mouse.
Salt and Santuary: Way better with a controller, but worth recommending anyway. Elevator Pitch: it’s 2D Dark Souls, or modern Castlevania. Though might not be great if you may be interrupted for that reason. Only needs about a gig of ram which is pretty good for a game like this!
Kentucky Route Zero: Haven’t finished it but there’s a reason people are obsessed with it. Divided into short, roughly hour-long chunks. It’s beautiful and, hey, only needs about half a gig of RAM!
Games I haven’t spent a lot of time with/never played but have heard good things about: Luftrausers, Into The Breach (i oughtta pick this up)(not on Mac), Invisible Inc. (I know Austin loves this but it’s never clicked with me), Toki Tori, World of Goo, Environmental Station Alpha, Machanarium, Wheels of Aurelia (story based), Defender’s Quest: Valley of the Forgotten, etc.
Games better with mouses: Nuclear Throne, Hotline Miami, Devil Daggers
Assorted games better suited for more intensive gaming sessions: Braid, Anodyne, Ittle Dew, Mark of the Ninja (a little heavier),Shovel Knight (really really fun!), Gods Will Be Watching, Teslagrad, Another World, VVVVVV, probably a lot of VNs/point-and-clicks that I haven’t played because I don’t play many VNs/point-and-clicks.
Also, there are TONS AND TONS of small games on itch.io that run wonderfully. Too many to even begin to list. I’d highly recommend grabbing the client and browsing over there!
