#9 of the perfect video games to play when you take heed to a podcast – Destructoid

Once I’m exhausted, my objective with media is to assist me shut my mind off so I can loosen up a bit. One in every of my favourite methods to do this, I’ve discovered, is to play video games whereas listening to a podcast, present, or some music on the similar time. Do I have to bombard myself with stimuli to close my mind up so I can breathe for a minute? Who’s to say, however I do know that I believe it’s quite a lot of enjoyable.

At this level, I really feel like one thing of a gaming-while-also-listening-to-a-podcast connoisseur, and I’ve tried out an entire bunch of various titles so that you don’t must. With out additional ado, right here is my checklist of the perfect video games to play when you’re additionally listening to one thing else.

Slay the Spire

Lately, this recreation has had a chokehold on me. Slay the Spire is a mix of my two favourite sub-genres in video games: deckbuilding and roguelikes. It’s a type of video games the place the extra time you set in, the extra you’ll get out of it, since you get to know the decks very well and begin maximizing your builds. Flip-based gameplay makes it excellent for choosing up and placing down any time you need to, and that is additionally only a well-designed recreation stuffed with enjoyable surprises that extra folks have to learn about.

Hades

So I’ve round 400 hours on this recreation, and whereas that’s as a result of it’s a near-flawless motion roguelike, it’s at all times as a result of it was the proper exercise to maintain me engaged whereas I used to be listening to my podcast of alternative. It’s past value it to play Hades the primary time by with the sound on, belief me. When you get a good means into the post-game, although, you’ve just about heard the whole lot there’s to listen to, and that’s when a podcast is ideal. 

Stardew Valley

If it ain’t broke, don’t repair it. That is one other recreation I’ve put means too many hours into, and for good purpose. The gameplay would possibly really feel a bit repetitive to some after some time, however I discover the routine stress-free, and the proper strategy to preserve myself occupied as I take heed to, nicely, no matter I need to take heed to. It’s a contemporary traditional of a simulator recreation, which is a style that lends itself nicely to listening to podcasts, music, or exhibits within the background.

Shadow of the Colossus

I undoubtedly suggest enjoying this one the primary time by with the sound on, as a result of it’s one of the iconic soundtracks in all of gaming. In any subsequent playthroughs, although, this can be a excellent recreation to make use of to go the time. It has a a lot slower tempo than more moderen entries within the open-world action-adventure style, which implies it’s an awesome choice when you’re traversing its expansive world. You would possibly have to pause and focus in the course of the boss fights, although.

Mario Maker

A traditional mistake whereas making an attempt to beat an particularly tough Mario Maker stage is to suppose too arduous, or as my Southern grandma would have stated, to work your self right into a lather. I discover that listening to one thing else whereas I’m making an attempt to beat a recreation that’s giving me hassle will be actually useful, as a result of it retains me from overthinking issues, and distracts me simply sufficient to get the job executed.

The Binding of Isaac

I actually favor to play Binding of Isaac this fashion, as a result of I discover the sound design to be fairly grating. I do know it’s alleged to be like that, however that doesn’t make it any extra fulfilling. It’s one other roguelike, which implies it may be performed in excellent bite-sized bits and isn’t so overwhelming that you simply’ll miss no matter your podcast hosts of alternative are speaking about.

Forza

This goes for many racing video games, however Forza will be a good way to maintain your self busy whereas listening to a podcast. Like a Hades or Cuphead, it’s a real-time recreation so that you’re paying nearer consideration, and it’s simple to get right into a move state. I’ve discovered that being attentive to somebody speaking really helps me play higher, as a result of I’m not overthinking what I’m doing.

Civilization

Technique video games are one other nice choice as a result of they require that very same kind of move state, engaged-but-not-really sort of factor. You attain a degree, too, the place quite a lot of stuff goes by itself anyway, so it falls into simply the best stage of consideration it requires from you. Civilization, and different like video games, additionally don’t actually require the typical participant to want the sound on, so it’s effective to have another audio you need happening within the background.

Cuphead

The Mario Maker logic additionally applies right here. I’ve been caught on the identical boss in Cuphead for weeks (once more), and having one thing else to focus on helps preserve me from getting too pissed off after I preserve dying. At this level, it feels extra like I would like a podcast enjoying to assist get me by the sport, relatively than wanting to only have one thing on within the background. Both means, it really works nicely for me.

Diablo 4

Sort of in the identical vein as Forza and racing video games, enjoying video games like Diablo, Path of Exile, Warframe, and another sort of grindy looter recreation are all the proper candidates for allocating your audial and typically visible senses elsewhere.

When you end the narrative tales of those video games, it’s very easy to tune out all of the sound and put one thing on to stimulate you. If I’m doing the identical few actions to grind out for higher gear in my video games, I’d relatively have some selection.

Nonetheless, all of those video games talked about and others in the identical area aren’t beneficial to be “podcast video games” when partaking in PvP. I did that after, and boy, I acquired some actually dangerous messages from disgruntled teammates.

Mortal Kombat (and different combating video games)

It’s arduous to seek out particular video games to play whereas listening to music or different types of media. Since Mortal Kombat is extra related with its large Khaos Reigns DLC that simply dropped earlier in 2024, let’s begin right here.

After some time, combating video games begin to sound like one large monotonous blob of audio vomit. All of the grunts, moans, and sound results from hit impacts begin to get to you. Whether or not you’re the one successful or shedding, after some time, all of it turns into the identical.

It’s higher to have some new episodes of your favourite present below your belt or a music you actually like caught in your head in comparison with the identical sounds from combating video games. The one exception is that if the music slaps.

Actually, simply exchange Mortal Kombat with another combating recreation you want (2XKO, Tekken 8, Responsible Gear Attempt, no matter).

Pokemon TCG Pocket

Card video games don’t require you to play with audio (sure, that additionally consists of Hearthstone). Simply take note of your recreation whereas having one thing else enjoying within the background.

Plus, if you happen to’re enjoying the cell variations of card video games, just like the lately launched Pokemon TCGP, you’re doing your self a favor by having the sport on mute. You’re saving battery (that’s if you happen to’re listening to music or utilizing an exterior machine to eat your media).

Tetris

When you’re a puzzle recreation freak and need to break your PRs, why not pop in your favourite podcasts or playlist and get to work? Tetris solely has so many themes earlier than you’re caught within the trance of its music.

When you’re catching up together with your favourite content material creators, discovering new tunes, or simply having one thing else enjoying whereas in these puzzle video games, you’re benefitting your self cognitively.

Borderlands 3

Okay, so technically, this recreation can fall below the identical umbrella as Diablo 4 due to the grindy nature of the sport. Earlier than you dangle me for this, simply know that this recreation’s story could be very forgettable and annoying, and the dialogue is one thing you need to skip.

“Then what’s the purpose of getting this recreation up right here?”

As a result of, dissenter, the gameplay for Borderlands 3 rocks. I do know it could be counterproductive to play a recreation from begin to end on mute, however the story did taint the sport.

If there’s one a part of the bottom recreation that you need to really play with sound on, it’s the entire half relating to Rhys and Katagawa. The entire feud between the Atlas and Maliwan producers was top-notch and carried the sport’s narrative.

When you’re executed with the bottom recreation, put your music and podcasts on pause as a result of the DLC points of the sport have been unbelievable. Even the Director’s Reduce DLC which places Ava on the forefront of all this was extra bearable than many of the base story.

Rocket League

The music in Rocket League is good for a cool jiffy, however that’s solely actually within the menus and all sounds the identical. Engine sounds and all of the increase and hit noises are cool too, however except you’re being severe in ranked modes, simply pop on one thing else you want within the background.

I can assure you can cut back your blood stress from spiking if you happen to allocate your listening to to one thing else, like your favourite podcast or present.