this post was submitted on 16 Jun 2023
93 points (100.0% liked)

Gaming

30571 readers
450 users here now

From video gaming to card games and stuff in between, if it's gaming you can probably discuss it here!

Please Note: Gaming memes are permitted to be posted on Meme Mondays, but will otherwise be removed in an effort to allow other discussions to take place.

See also Gaming's sister community Tabletop Gaming.


This community's icon was made by Aaron Schneider, under the CC-BY-NC-SA 4.0 license.

founded 2 years ago
MODERATORS
 

I'm looking for PC games that I can play while listening to podcasts- games that don't have engaging cut scenes or important dialogue, games that honestly don't require a lot of skill or thought.

I used to be really into things like Farm Frenzy, Rescue Team, hidden object games, that kind of thing. I got heavily into MMOs and stopped downloading casual games for a decade or so.

Now it almost feels like this sort of game isn't made anymore? Were they completely nuked by the existence of Gacha games, P2W, and anything that earns the dev a constant income stream? I'm happy to pay for a game once, but I can't be constantly buying booster packs.

I also don't want to play on mobile or on a console, PC Master Race here, haha.

top 50 comments
sorted by: hot top controversial new old
[–] SurvivorBobXYZ@beehaw.org 18 points 1 year ago (3 children)

It's not clear to me that I could ever listen to podcasts while playing most of my library, but I'll do my best to list some with which I might try:

  • Euro Truck Simulator 2 (and, by corollary, American Truck Simulator). If you can listen to podcasts in your car, this is basically a similar experience :)
  • Super Hexagon. This is not a game about making conscious decisions, it's too fast for that. You'd have to turn off the music, and determine whether you can retain stuff you're listening to at the same time.
  • Race The Sun. This is somewhere in the middle of the above two.
  • Solace Crafting. This is a relatively bare-bones sandbox RPG with harvesting, crafting, and building elements, that doesn't require all that much decision making, and can be played at any pace.
  • Minecraft (the Java edition). You've probably heard of it! I recommend the Java edition due to the rich modding ecosystem; you can usually find a flavor of content that suits any purpose.
  • Cities: Skylines (and, by corollary, SimCity 4). These are both world-class genre-defining city builders, which can be played at your own pace, don't require a whole lot of active involvement, and pair well with background listening of your choice.
[–] Scribs@kbin.social 4 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Path of Exile

Just pull up a build guide and zone out :)

load more comments (1 replies)
load more comments (2 replies)
[–] Niiru@feddit.de 11 points 1 year ago

Vampire Survivors.

[–] GreenAlex@kbin.social 10 points 1 year ago (2 children)

Powerwash Simulator is perfect for this.

load more comments (2 replies)
[–] watchdog@kbin.social 10 points 1 year ago (7 children)

I’ve actually gotten back into Guild Wars 2 for the first time since its release over a decade ago, and I’m really enjoying all the new content they added. It SEEMS complicated with all the MMO-style currencies but you can honestly ignore most of them and go at your own pace because there’s so much to do but none of it is required to have fun. It’s even more casual if I’m using a low intensity character build, aka just left click in combat to win

load more comments (7 replies)
[–] enfa@beehaw.org 9 points 1 year ago

https://classic-mahjong.com/ is free, entirely browser based, has no ads or other nonsense, and has the pleasant waterfall cascading effect when you clear all the tiles.

[–] ArtZuron@beehaw.org 9 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (1 children)

My father really likes Mini Motorways. You could try something like that

He's a big fan of sim cities and zoo tychoon and stuff too

load more comments (1 replies)
[–] Tahssi@yiffit.net 9 points 1 year ago (3 children)

Stardew Valley is a really chill and fun game. You can talk to the towns people but don't have to and the dialogue is all very short if you do.

load more comments (3 replies)
[–] Astongt615@lemmy.one 8 points 1 year ago (5 children)

Many roguelites could fall into this category, and are generally cheap to boot (i.e. vampire survivors).

load more comments (5 replies)
[–] OctoMatter@feddit.de 8 points 1 year ago

Stardew valley is pretty good

[–] LoamImprovement@beehaw.org 8 points 1 year ago (2 children)

Power wash simulator will be your best friend. No spoken dialogue, no important cutscenes, just you and a power wash gun. The only thing you'll miss out on listening to podcasts is the admittedly very soothing sound of PSSSSHHHHHHHHHH from the washer itself.

load more comments (2 replies)
[–] Bjoern_Tantau@feddit.de 7 points 1 year ago (4 children)

I use Shattered Pixel Dungeon for this. Nice and simple open source game without any bullshit. It's a roguelike.

load more comments (4 replies)
[–] AssaultPepper@kbin.social 7 points 1 year ago

Monster train is my go to right now. If you like the deck building genre such as Slay the Spire etc. You can put as much brain in as you want and it's still pretty fun.

[–] unsunny@beehaw.org 7 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (3 children)

Mine is currently Civilization 6 and I don’t think I have anything else that could possibly fit; I occasionally have to step back and decide what to do next as it still is a strategy game, but since turns can take awhile (especially in late game since the AIs have to take their turns), having something else to pass the time helps. The dialogue is pretty inconsequential, and turning the game’s sound off won’t really change anything. I usually have music/podcasts going while I play.

(Worth noting it does have lots of DLC, but it doesn’t make winning easier and is entirely skippable.)

load more comments (3 replies)
[–] dillydogg@lemmy.one 6 points 1 year ago (1 children)

The first game that popped into mind for this title was Dave the Diver. It is a lovely game where you fish in the morning, then serve up the fish at the sushi restaurant you work for in the evenings. I recommend you check out a video on it! It's technically early access, but the full game is set to release on the 28th.

load more comments (1 replies)
[–] CaptainDogwater@beehaw.org 6 points 1 year ago (1 children)

If you're into simulation games I highly recommend American Truck Simulator.

It requires little to no thought. Pick a truck, find a job, and hit the road. Perfect for zoning out to some music or a podcast.

[–] mellisdesigns@beehaw.org 4 points 1 year ago

Euro Truck Simulator 2 was my go to after work, it was so relaxing delivering from point a to point b.

[–] HonorableScythe@kbin.social 6 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Try Dorfromantik. It's a hexagonal puzzle game where you build a map using different tiles and connecting like with like. Very relaxing, doesn't require sounds or full attention.

load more comments (1 replies)
[–] spaceace@kbin.social 6 points 1 year ago (9 children)

The answer to your question is Factorio

[–] Sarcasimo@kbin.social 5 points 1 year ago (2 children)

They asked for a game, not a second job.

That said....play Factorio.

[–] Fulthi@kbin.social 7 points 1 year ago (5 children)

The first time I played it, it was like it did something to my brain. I'd boot up the game and then it would be like 9 hours later I'd snap out of a trance and when I closed my eyes all I saw were belts full of material. Fantastic game.

load more comments (5 replies)
load more comments (1 replies)
load more comments (8 replies)
[–] frgl@feddit.de 6 points 1 year ago (2 children)

Eufloria is that game for me.

load more comments (2 replies)
[–] Kaldo@kbin.social 6 points 1 year ago

I really enjoy basebuilders for relaxing. It's often just the right mix between just enjoying watching how stuff works, or solving problems at my own pace (being able to slow down, speed up or pause whenever needed). If you're interested in this genre I can recommend Timberborn, Against the Storm, Factorio - ascending by complexity.

[–] Plume@beehaw.org 5 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

Someone already mentionned Dorfromantik. I'm doubling this. I also have a recommandation. It's not exactly what you asked for. But maybe give Superflight a shot. It's been one of my go to "I'm listenning to something but needs something to keep busy" game for me for years now.

EDIT: Oh no! Someone already mentionned this game as well! Oh well. Doubling that too.

[–] blahaj@beehaw.org 5 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

If you stick to the lower, less intense hazard difficulty levels, I find Deep Rock Galactic to be an excellent game to chill to. Can’t go wrong with badass Space Dwarven miners on a hostile alien insectoid planet. I only play with randoms via co-op, and it’s been nothing but a pleasant experience each time.

[–] Laconic@beehaw.org 5 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (1 children)

FTL is fun and hard.

Also mindustry

[–] Chufi@lemmy.one 4 points 1 year ago

FTL is such an interesting game !

[–] GameBoy_Advance@beehaw.org 5 points 1 year ago

Minecraft creative mode can be very relaxing but time consuming, it takes a while to build a big project but looks awesome when completed, you can go for a small hobbit home too and give in some detail, it takes your mind off of things sometimes, especially when doing the math to even builds out.

[–] CandidCamel@beehaw.org 5 points 1 year ago (3 children)

Dorfromantik is a very chill puzzle game that runs great on Steam Deck if that’s your thing, a favourite of mine while the TV is going in the background.

If you’re into factory games I 1000% recommend Shapez, which is a shape-building game that doesn’t have the notion of grinding or currency or running out of resources. It’s immensely satisfying when you get the perfect mechanism together and you’re churning out shapes. Definitely one for mouse and keyboard though.

[–] lunasloth@beehaw.org 4 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Definitely recommend Dorfromantik! Islanders is another super chill casual game (and also a builder) that I started and fell in love with the other day.

load more comments (1 replies)
load more comments (2 replies)

Some of the paradox games maybe? I used to chill over Victoria II whilst doing things I really ought to have been giving my full attention.

[–] nttea@kbin.social 5 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (1 children)

Skyrim. You CAN pay attention to what's going on but you don't have to, just look at the pretty landscapes while listening to your podcast and follow the questmarkers.

[–] YourHeroes4Ghosts@beehaw.org 4 points 1 year ago (2 children)

I have 1700 hours in OG Skyrim. I moved on to Elder Scrolls Online and now can't bear the way faces look in Skyrim. :-P

load more comments (2 replies)

Vampire Survivors. Run in circles killing enemies until you die. Buy upgrades. Repeat.

[–] Emmi@beehaw.org 4 points 1 year ago

If you're a fan of Stardew Valley and games like that, might I suggest Disney Dreamlight Valley? While there is a story (and there are extra character-specific quests you can do), you don't have to do them (or indeed anything). You're free to do what you like.

It's currently my go-to game when I want to play something but I'm just not sure what. Running around collecting materials to craft new items to decorate my Valley (or even just seeing what my residents are doing) brings me joy and whiles away the hours before I know what's happening!

Another suggestion would be Slime Rancher, which is another low stakes (potentially no stakes, you can turn off the one 'enemy' in the game that might disrupt your cosy experience - the Tarr slimes) game which has you running (and renovating) a slime ranch (funnily enough). The slimes are adorable, the music is very chill, and the world is so colourful I often enjoy just roaming around enjoying the scenery.

[–] Deestan@beehaw.org 4 points 1 year ago (1 children)

I have a Steam collection just for that purpose, called "zone-out games":

  • Factorio
  • Euro Truck Simulator
  • Viscera Cleanup Detail
  • Satisfactory
  • Space Engineers
  • Hardspace Shipbreaker
  • Rift Breaker
  • Monster Train
  • Jupiter Hell
  • Vampire Survivors
  • Dorf Romantik
  • DOOM (any)
  • Nethack

Some advice I want to give is that "games that require a lot of skill" is only a temporary blocker. If you enjoy a hard game enough to play through it repeatedly, it can become a podcast game. Many people play Bloodborne or Binding of Isaac to audiobooks, and roguelikes are generally like this.

That in mind, I have a list of games that are valid podcast games but I haven't built enough familiarity with them yet:

  • FTL
  • Binding of Isaac
  • Terraria
  • Risk of Rain
  • Against the Storm
load more comments (1 replies)
[–] Scooterr@beehaw.org 4 points 1 year ago

Oldschool Runescape. The perfect game for watching something on the side. Just get into a rhythm and grind away

[–] dark_stang@beehaw.org 4 points 1 year ago

Terraria may be fun for you. It's actiony but very explore oriented and at your own pace.

Goat simulator is a blast.

[–] theDLCguy@kbin.social 4 points 1 year ago

Not exactly an easy game, but Don't Starve has quite a lot of downtime that makes it great for listening to podcasts.

[–] ArchiesDad@kbin.social 4 points 1 year ago (1 children)

If you are into roguelikes noita is really easy to pickup and put down with tons of spells and modifiers and a huge map to explore.

[–] ProlificParrot@feddit.de 5 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Noita is a fantastic game, but I'd say it's really the opposite of a game that

honestly don’t require a lot of skill or thought,

haha :D

load more comments (1 replies)
[–] honk@feddit.de 3 points 1 year ago (2 children)

Turmoil:

It's a 2d game where you drill for oil, then have some light logistics management to do to load it in to barrels on horse waggons and then sell it. It's a lot of fun.

load more comments (2 replies)
load more comments
view more: next ›