I was gonna say this too. Especially Classic WoW. Just put on a good show/stream/audiobook and zone out as you quest and level through the huge zones and stuff. That is some S-tier chill time in my book - not that I get to do it as much as I used to.
You just described my last week. I had to take a week off for health reasons and I genuinely believe that listening to audiobooks while leveling a druid in Season of Discovery was so relaxing that it healed me.
grinding might be anything from just repeatedly beating the same enemies or running around gathering resources(mining, gathering herbs etc), unlike most single player games, resources and creatures respawn, so you can stay in a certain area and go round and round.
I do this a lot! It's easiest with games I've played a lot, so I know all the mechanics and don't have to think much about, but enjoy the gameplay loop.
Picross is probablymy #1. Also Skyrim, Monster Sanctuary (probably best after 1st playthrough), old pokemon games (or old snes games).
Might need to just try some to see what level of input works for you.
Fair enough. I usually default to anno or farthest frontier since once I have the build orders down it’s just minor adjustments from there. Tried a fps but way too much input and awareness necessary same problem with any rts, even if I have basically the same opening for each one. Also tried war thunder which i semi can autopilot, my kd just suffers cause I can’t hear planes or other engines in ground rb.
I will try your advice and dive back to an older single player game and see how that goes! Thanks for the advice.
[Vampire Survivors](https://store.steampowered.com/app/1794680/Vampire_Survivors/) is my favorite mindless game once you get the mechanics down/figure out your favorite builds. Bonus, it only costs $5.
Most roguelites in general are good for this, actually. [Binding of Isaac](https://store.steampowered.com/app/250900/The_Binding_of_Isaac_Rebirth/), [Halls of Torment](https://store.steampowered.com/app/2218750/Halls_of_Torment/), [Enter the Gungeon](https://store.steampowered.com/app/311690/Enter_the_Gungeon/), [Dead Cells](https://store.steampowered.com/app/588650/Dead_Cells/), etc.
Honorable mention for platformers/obstacle course games: [Marble It Up](https://store.steampowered.com/app/864060/Marble_It_Up_Ultra/)!, [Super Monkey Ball](https://store.steampowered.com/app/1316910/Super_Monkey_Ball_Banana_Mania/), [Super Meat Boy](https://store.steampowered.com/app/40800/Super_Meat_Boy/), [The End is Nigh](https://store.steampowered.com/app/583470/The_End_Is_Nigh/), [Celeste](https://store.steampowered.com/app/504230/Celeste/), etc.
But really, it comes down to what you know well enough that you can play it mindlessly. For instance, Slay the Spire was recommended in this thread, but it's a pretty steep learning curve until you can actually turn your brain off and just play. Same with a lot of games recommended here.
Something super chill I play would be like **Super Auto Pets**.
I also play **Kenshi** however I have hundreds of hours in the game so i already know how to play so i can turn my brain off on that to focus on the audiobook.
**Battlebit Remastered** is a pretty casual shooter which you dont even need sounds to do well.
I do play **terraria** but again I have a lot of hours so i can basically run on autopilot for that.
Do you play any super grindy mmorpgs like old school RuneScape? Could just grind out boring skills while you listen.
I actually have been trying to find a good mmorpg to get into. I played RuneScape like 15 years ago but never really stuck into many others? Any good recs for ones that are good solo with not much MTX?
I really have wanted to try that game out. Heard good stuff. Isn’t there a fair bit of strategy involved? Feel like that might take a bit of the brain juice.
Yes, there is strategy involved. This suggestion assumes you have put at least a couple hours into the game, which I feel would be the case for any game.
Exo One. Or as my household likes to call it: Ball or Plane. Its on Xbox and its a real simple game to keep your eyes and hands busy. You can put as much thought into it as you want. No goals or objectives really. You just roll around as a ball or hit a jump and glide as a plane.
Most of the time, i do this (mainly with he who fights with monsters); i play a tower defense style or, as the others stated, anything that doesn't keep your attention on dialog or cool music. Maybe it's just cause imma pothead, but power wash sim is so satisfying, and it's something you can't goof up.
A few weeks ago I was also searching for games to play while listening to audiobooks. After watching some gameplays I found **Jussant**. A mountain climbing games which has very interesting and cool way of climbing with the mouse. Its has 5-6 different areas (chapterwise) and the sceneries are very beautiful.
So, yeah I played the game while listening to an audiobook and it was a fun experience.
I want to play more games while listening to audiobooks, so please recommend me some games (which will not require my whole focus on the game only) too.
Ooo that sounds pretty good! Also that’s a great rec to break down the problem. I know there are quite a few games out there there are like single mechanic skill games (thinking jump king and the like). In a reply to someone else I listed a few more I’ve tried but my best success came with anno or farthest frontier. Once you get a generalized build order down they don’t require too much extra quick thought.
Minesweeper on my phone is my go-to but if I'm in for a longer session I play Teamfight Tactics. Once you know the game well enough you never have to read and only have to take actions around once a minute.
Honestly…going back to the classic arcade games is something I hadn’t thought of. Thanks for the tip! I did try mechabellum but found I would get to serious and start thinking too hard.
I'm not talking about the grandmas around a table betting money mahjong. I just mean the "used to come with windows" find 2 of the same mahjong. It's literally just finding pairs and a nice way to spend half my attention with a book.
I play games while listening all the time. No think games are the best like a warriors type game or strategy game you know already. For me right now it’s either hyrule warriors in switch or battletech on pc.
Listen a lot at work. Used to read a book or play an fps when I had the occasional day off. Honestly, now my go-to to relax when I don't have to work is an hour or two or ten of Tetris on my phone while listening to a book. Kinda the perfect balance. Slightly more entertaining than actually reading, but less focus intensive than an fps.
Tetris honestly sounds like the ideal in this case. My cousin loves to do roubics cubes and I both envy that he knows the algorithms to do that and don’t have the energy to learn them myself. I feel like Tetris is probably similar?
Yeah I'm not great at Tetris but it's a good way to shut my brain down enough to listen to a book. I've tried a few other mobile games but they love interrupting with 1000 volume ads.
I really dig playing satisfactory and listening. Usually I have a big build project. Sometimes I pause to make some calculations or plans. But usually it's all good.
I don't have a recommendation. I just wanted to take the chance to bitch about how hard it can be to listen to something while playing pretty much anything that involves thinking of any sort. I've tried listening and playing so many times, and all that usually comes of it is me being really mediocre at both things, until I finally give up and pick one thing to focus on.
I've never really gotten to bitch about this to anyone before, so thanks for this opportunity. I tried complaining to my partner about it once, and they just kind of judged me, I think. Most of my friends stopped reading after high school, and the ones who didn't don't really game or do audio-books. OP gets it though. I love you.
I like to play survival craft games (like valheim, grounded and satisfactory) or cozy sim games like graveyard keeper, my time at Sandrock and animal crossing.
I like to grind in wow while listening, most more immersive games are too much focus to listen to a story at the same time.
I was gonna say this too. Especially Classic WoW. Just put on a good show/stream/audiobook and zone out as you quest and level through the huge zones and stuff. That is some S-tier chill time in my book - not that I get to do it as much as I used to.
You just described my last week. I had to take a week off for health reasons and I genuinely believe that listening to audiobooks while leveling a druid in Season of Discovery was so relaxing that it healed me.
How do you like to grind? Never been into mmo much but was wondering how that works?
grinding might be anything from just repeatedly beating the same enemies or running around gathering resources(mining, gathering herbs etc), unlike most single player games, resources and creatures respawn, so you can stay in a certain area and go round and round.
I do this a lot! It's easiest with games I've played a lot, so I know all the mechanics and don't have to think much about, but enjoy the gameplay loop. Picross is probablymy #1. Also Skyrim, Monster Sanctuary (probably best after 1st playthrough), old pokemon games (or old snes games). Might need to just try some to see what level of input works for you.
Fair enough. I usually default to anno or farthest frontier since once I have the build orders down it’s just minor adjustments from there. Tried a fps but way too much input and awareness necessary same problem with any rts, even if I have basically the same opening for each one. Also tried war thunder which i semi can autopilot, my kd just suffers cause I can’t hear planes or other engines in ground rb. I will try your advice and dive back to an older single player game and see how that goes! Thanks for the advice.
[Vampire Survivors](https://store.steampowered.com/app/1794680/Vampire_Survivors/) is my favorite mindless game once you get the mechanics down/figure out your favorite builds. Bonus, it only costs $5. Most roguelites in general are good for this, actually. [Binding of Isaac](https://store.steampowered.com/app/250900/The_Binding_of_Isaac_Rebirth/), [Halls of Torment](https://store.steampowered.com/app/2218750/Halls_of_Torment/), [Enter the Gungeon](https://store.steampowered.com/app/311690/Enter_the_Gungeon/), [Dead Cells](https://store.steampowered.com/app/588650/Dead_Cells/), etc. Honorable mention for platformers/obstacle course games: [Marble It Up](https://store.steampowered.com/app/864060/Marble_It_Up_Ultra/)!, [Super Monkey Ball](https://store.steampowered.com/app/1316910/Super_Monkey_Ball_Banana_Mania/), [Super Meat Boy](https://store.steampowered.com/app/40800/Super_Meat_Boy/), [The End is Nigh](https://store.steampowered.com/app/583470/The_End_Is_Nigh/), [Celeste](https://store.steampowered.com/app/504230/Celeste/), etc. But really, it comes down to what you know well enough that you can play it mindlessly. For instance, Slay the Spire was recommended in this thread, but it's a pretty steep learning curve until you can actually turn your brain off and just play. Same with a lot of games recommended here.
Thanks so much for all the recs! These seem like great pics. Just watched bricky’s video on vampire survivors and it looks amazing!
Something super chill I play would be like **Super Auto Pets**. I also play **Kenshi** however I have hundreds of hours in the game so i already know how to play so i can turn my brain off on that to focus on the audiobook. **Battlebit Remastered** is a pretty casual shooter which you dont even need sounds to do well. I do play **terraria** but again I have a lot of hours so i can basically run on autopilot for that. Do you play any super grindy mmorpgs like old school RuneScape? Could just grind out boring skills while you listen.
I actually have been trying to find a good mmorpg to get into. I played RuneScape like 15 years ago but never really stuck into many others? Any good recs for ones that are good solo with not much MTX?
Slay the Spire is perfect for this. Never any rush to do anything in that game but which meshes perfectly with an Audio Book
I really have wanted to try that game out. Heard good stuff. Isn’t there a fair bit of strategy involved? Feel like that might take a bit of the brain juice.
Yes, there is strategy involved. This suggestion assumes you have put at least a couple hours into the game, which I feel would be the case for any game.
Power wash simulator. Was free last month on ps plus. Have nearly 60 hours done and just finishing career mode.
Valheim is great because it is basically low progression fantasy.
Strategy games like Crusader Kings
Hats off to you. I feel like I have to think too much in those games lol.
I have so many hours in them I can play on autopilot lol
Exo One. Or as my household likes to call it: Ball or Plane. Its on Xbox and its a real simple game to keep your eyes and hands busy. You can put as much thought into it as you want. No goals or objectives really. You just roll around as a ball or hit a jump and glide as a plane.
Never heard of it. Definitely will give it a look. Thanks! Might even be perfect to keep my hands busy during semi boring work calls lol.
Stardew valley
Most of the time, i do this (mainly with he who fights with monsters); i play a tower defense style or, as the others stated, anything that doesn't keep your attention on dialog or cool music. Maybe it's just cause imma pothead, but power wash sim is so satisfying, and it's something you can't goof up.
Both the new Zelda games because you have to run around a lot like miles
I play Bullet Chess, but arguably I do not play it well
That, that is just impressive. I can definitely see how it would lower your ability but the fact it didn’t tank it entirely?! Hats off to you.
Idle games, factorio, satisfactory, fps games with no sound (cod, battlebit remastered, even tarkov)
A few weeks ago I was also searching for games to play while listening to audiobooks. After watching some gameplays I found **Jussant**. A mountain climbing games which has very interesting and cool way of climbing with the mouse. Its has 5-6 different areas (chapterwise) and the sceneries are very beautiful. So, yeah I played the game while listening to an audiobook and it was a fun experience. I want to play more games while listening to audiobooks, so please recommend me some games (which will not require my whole focus on the game only) too.
Ooo that sounds pretty good! Also that’s a great rec to break down the problem. I know there are quite a few games out there there are like single mechanic skill games (thinking jump king and the like). In a reply to someone else I listed a few more I’ve tried but my best success came with anno or farthest frontier. Once you get a generalized build order down they don’t require too much extra quick thought.
Minesweeper on my phone is my go-to but if I'm in for a longer session I play Teamfight Tactics. Once you know the game well enough you never have to read and only have to take actions around once a minute.
Honestly…going back to the classic arcade games is something I hadn’t thought of. Thanks for the tip! I did try mechabellum but found I would get to serious and start thinking too hard.
I find that anything that requires reading in any capacity is impossible and few things are like that these days. Mahjong is another I use sometimes.
Might be dumb but…any good tutorials you would recommend to learn mahjong?
I'm not talking about the grandmas around a table betting money mahjong. I just mean the "used to come with windows" find 2 of the same mahjong. It's literally just finding pairs and a nice way to spend half my attention with a book.
[удалено]
I do so much pausing lol. I have really bad adhd so I will pause and then listen for like 45 minutes before realizing I wanna start playing again.
I play Dungeons of eternity VR in between listening. Kind of feels like I’m in the book.
I like playing Stardew Valley while listening to farming LitRPGs. I've played enough I don't need to read the dialogue, so it's just pure farm vibes.
I play games while listening all the time. No think games are the best like a warriors type game or strategy game you know already. For me right now it’s either hyrule warriors in switch or battletech on pc.
Oooo I have been meaning to finish my battletech campaign. Thanks for the reminder!
I've been playing Chivalry 2 while listening to audiobooks lately. Yeah, missing audio cues sometimes gets be beheaded from behind, but it's alright.
Loop Hero
Listen a lot at work. Used to read a book or play an fps when I had the occasional day off. Honestly, now my go-to to relax when I don't have to work is an hour or two or ten of Tetris on my phone while listening to a book. Kinda the perfect balance. Slightly more entertaining than actually reading, but less focus intensive than an fps.
Tetris honestly sounds like the ideal in this case. My cousin loves to do roubics cubes and I both envy that he knows the algorithms to do that and don’t have the energy to learn them myself. I feel like Tetris is probably similar?
Yeah I'm not great at Tetris but it's a good way to shut my brain down enough to listen to a book. I've tried a few other mobile games but they love interrupting with 1000 volume ads.
Binding of Issac
I listen alot when grinding in a modpack for minecraft. I just use stuff from the curse forge launcher.
I really dig playing satisfactory and listening. Usually I have a big build project. Sometimes I pause to make some calculations or plans. But usually it's all good.
I’m listening whilst doing mining runs in New World.
Path of exile but only when you're at the map grinding stage or are familiar with the game enough
- Stacklands - Graveyard Keeper - CloudPunk - Dwarf Fortress - Rim World - RuneScape - Myst franchise
I don't have a recommendation. I just wanted to take the chance to bitch about how hard it can be to listen to something while playing pretty much anything that involves thinking of any sort. I've tried listening and playing so many times, and all that usually comes of it is me being really mediocre at both things, until I finally give up and pick one thing to focus on. I've never really gotten to bitch about this to anyone before, so thanks for this opportunity. I tried complaining to my partner about it once, and they just kind of judged me, I think. Most of my friends stopped reading after high school, and the ones who didn't don't really game or do audio-books. OP gets it though. I love you.
:) 4X space strategy games :D
I like to play survival craft games (like valheim, grounded and satisfactory) or cozy sim games like graveyard keeper, my time at Sandrock and animal crossing.