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.

  • Astongt615@lemmy.one
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    1 year ago

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

      • Astongt615@lemmy.one
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        1 year ago

        I would just look through any number of online list of “Best Swarm Survivors”. There’s dozens of different themes and tweaks from the VS formula, including boat and train varieties! I also watch the YouTube channel Never Nathaniel as he’s a pretty awesome source of both info and entertainment on the matter (as well as other games). He’s literally the only streamer I’ve watched and I couldn’t tell you why, his formula just works.

      • Astongt615@lemmy.one
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        1 year ago

        One more that is outside of the swarm survival genre, Child of Light. Though there is a fun and endearing story that irecommend, once you get through the first 20 minutes, you can kind of just not care and enjoy the simple but interesting play style of an almost-turned-based RPG.

  • LoamImprovement@beehaw.org
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    1 year ago

    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.

  • CaptainDogwater@beehaw.org
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    1 year ago

    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.

  • SurvivorBobXYZ@beehaw.org
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    1 year ago

    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.
  • BLÅHAJ@beehaw.org
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    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.

  • CandidCamel@beehaw.org
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    1 year ago

    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.

  • ArtZuron@beehaw.org
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    1 year ago

    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

  • Plume (She/Her)@beehaw.org
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    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. *

  • underisk@lemmy.ml
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    1 year ago

    Warframe is good for this. Lots of ways to tune your level of engagement through build choices. Most content rarely requires your full attention and story is only progressed in specific story missions that you usually play only once.

  • dillydogg@lemmy.one
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    1 year ago

    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.

  • unsunny@beehaw.org
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    1 year ago

    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.)

    • RedForFred@beehaw.org
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      1 year ago

      I’ll agree, CivVI is my goto for podcast/movie watching time. Once you know how the game works, you really don’t have to listen to anything and can just click away. If Warhammer inclined, Gladius is another Civ lookalike that can be fun to chill and watch a movie with

    • fiv55sampler@beehaw.org
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      1 year ago

      Just wondering if you think any of the DLC is worth it? I bought it awhile back before they had DLC and I was curious if there were any you liked. I know you said they are skippable but idk just wondering.

      • unsunny@beehaw.org
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        1 year ago

        I’d say the biggest two DLC packs (Rise and Fall, Gathering Storm) can be worth it; though only on sale. They add a new era score system, natural disasters, and global warming. I bought Civ 6 in its platinum bundle (more than half off), while I like having them had I paid full price I wouldn’t have been happy. If you don’t want to play with them after you get them, you can still toggle them off at the beginning of a game. Then there’s individual civilization packs; if there’s some that interest you/come in a pack, that’s great, but you’re just getting one or two new civs to play with there. Don’t have the New Frontier or Leader Pass stuff, that’s in the anthology, but I’ve heard the Leader Pass doesn’t even run right on Mac or Linux. Hope this helps you out, definitely wait for the summer sale though!

  • Gert@beehaw.org
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    1 year ago

    Loop Hero might be one to check out. The game has an auto-battle mechanic, and you basically just manage the map and the base.