edit: Thanks all for the recommendations, I'll check them out!
FTL, Rimworld, MMORPGs (the grindier the better), grand strategy games (Victoria 2, Europa Universals 4, Stellaris, etc), Stardew Valley, Animal Crossing, Valheim, Binding of Isaac, Risk of Rain, Super Auto Pets, and Mount and Blade off the top of my head. Also sports management games.
A personal pick and perhaps controversial is that I like to play Souls games with a podcast on, specifically on reruns or NG+
Edit: Also nobody has mentioned the Civ games yet, they deserve a shout
- Dave the Diver
- Most "bullet heaven" games (Vampire Survivors, Rogue Genesia, etc.)
- Returnal (once your lizard brain can take over playing completely)
I spent a lot of time in 2020 listening to Cum Town while playing Cities Skylines.
vampire survivors / halls of torment / death must die
The games take very little brainpower once you're in game so I find them to be great for multitasking.
Minecraft, Mini Metro/Mini Motorways, an endless runner like Race the Sun, a tower defense game like Rogue Tower, or maybe something with a lot of busy work like Factorio
Brotato ($3), Satisfactory ($16), Dwarf Fortress ($25), Crystal Project ($10), Astlibra Revision ($20), Monster Sanctuary ($5). Prices in USD and from current Steam sale which will end 1/4/24.
Dwarf Fortress is also available free on the Bay12 website from the devs. Truly one of the greatest works of 21st century art.
I play Rimworld when I want to focus more on something else than the game.
I played a ton of Minecraft modpacks while listening to The Deprogram last year. This year I listened to a lot of TrueAnon and Blowback while playing Satisfactory.
Traditional roguelikes go well with podcasts since there's no music or sound effects, two of my faves are Angband and Nethack.
I'd say give Angband a try, since it's got graphics and it's more user friendly than Nethack.
Also gonna suggest Brogue. It's got modern controls and is generally easier imo to get into than other trad RL games.
You need something slow or brainless so that it doesn't interfere with properly understanding what is being said.
I'm gonna say Project Zomboid or driving games.
Umihara Kawase games. World Of Horror (after one learns how it works). Zachtronics games.
