What are the best podcast and relaxing games for PS5 and PS4? While there are plenty of immersive, story-based experiences on Sony’s systems, sometimes you just want to unwind with a podcast and keep your hands occupied. We’re defining “podcast games” as titles that allow you to switch off while you play, enabling you to put the bulk of your focus on the broadcast you’re listening to while you occupy yourself with what’s unfolding on-screen. In this article you’ll find a list of the best podcast and relaxing games for PS5 and PS4, spanning a variety of different genres and gameplay types. Remember, you can also find our guides to the Best PS5 Games and Best PS4 Games through the links.
Best Podcast and Relaxing Games for PS5 and PS4
Below is a list of the best podcast and relaxing games for PS5 and PS4, presented in no particular order, as determined by our editorial team.
Death Stranding Director's Cut (PS5)
Big-budget blockbuster exclusives don’t get much bolder than Death Stranding Director’s Cut. The expanded edition of Kojima Productions’ wilderness delivery simulator, you’ll spend a lot of your time in this game traversing beautiful apocalyptic landscapes. Simply put in your earphones and enjoy the scenery while scaling vast expanses of wasteland; the perfect accompaniment for your favourite podcasts.
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Lonely Mountains: Downhill (PS4)
A cycling game with a mythical sense of style, Lonely Mountains: Downhill demands trance-like focus, making it the perfect game to play alongside a podcast. The eerie, paired-back presentation allows you to put all of your attention on the road ahead of you, and while this game can be quite challenging, it’s got that one-more-go factor that will allow you to eke hours upon hours out of it.
Diablo III: Reaper of Souls - Ultimate Evil Edition (PS4)
The ultimate grind game, Diablo III: Reaper of Souls may be a little more action orientated than many of the other games on this list, but its ever-rewarding loop makes it suited for long sessions with a podcast on, while you click away at enemies on-screen and upgrade your gear as you go.
Train Sim World 2: Rush Hour (PS5)
Games really don’t get much more chill than Train Sim World 2: Rush Hour, a title where your only objective is to drive trains and deliver passengers and cargo on time. Dovetail Games’ evolving rail platform features famous routes from around the globe, and is the ideal accompaniment for podcasts given its relaxing and laidback gameplay loop.
Minecraft (PS4)
Minecraft’s longevity can be attributed to its versatility. In essence a survival game, it’s evolved into a platform which players can use to unleash their creativity. Whether you’re building a Creeper-proof home or grinding for raw materials, this is the kind of game you can play with a podcast on in the background and lose yourself for a few hours.
FIFA 22 (PS5)
You could, in theory, replace FIFA 22 with any sports games – but we’ve gone with the beautiful game because it’s likely to be the most appealing on a global scale. We all know that the commentary in EA Sports’ soccer sim gets very repetitive, so replace it with a podcast of your choice and just enjoy banging in the goals in either Career mode or Kick Off.
Farming Simulator 22 (PS5)
Efficiently managing a massive farm in Farming Simulator 22 can take time and focus, but when it comes to harvesting your crops, you can comfortably zone out. Tending your fields is therapeutic, and if you work the land while listening to your favourite podcast, then the hours will just melt away.
The Crew 2 (PS4)
There are better open world racers on other platforms, but The Crew 2 is just about the best it gets on PlayStation, and its rendition of the United States is ripe for exploration while you listen to a podcast or two. Simply pick your favourite car and a destination, and drive across the country while you unwind.
SnowRunner (PS4)
The closest thing to Truck Simulator on consoles, and a damn good haulage game at that. SnowRunner sees you navigating frigid terrain in a variety of HGVs, delivering raw materials and rebuilding essential infrastructure. Shut your brain off and enjoy a podcast or two while you master increasingly challenging terrain.
Stardew Valley (PS4)
An indie farming game that’s a lot more arcade than Giants Software’s take, Stardew Valley channels old-school Harvest Moon to create an endearing sandbox for you to faff around in. With bright, primary colours and a straight-forward gameplay loop, this is a great alternative to some of the more involved simulators on this list.
F1 2021 (PS5)
For as incredibly high-octane as Formula One can be as a sport, learning tracks or setting hot laps can be the perfect accompaniment for a podcast. Load up F1 2021 and pick your favourite track, then just put on your favourite podcast and practice until you have every turn memorised in your mind.
The Sims 4 (PS4)
EA’s life simulation The Sims 4 has its fair share of shortcomings on console, but there’s still nothing quite like it. Whether you’re litter training pets, learning a new career, or just doing a spot of interior decorating, this game gives you the opportunity to live a different life, if only temporarily, and is great to tune out to while you listen to a podcast.
What do you think are the best podcast and relaxing games for PS5 and PS4? Let us know which games you use to unwind with, and check out our Best PS5 Games and Best PS4 Games lists through the links.
Comments 12
Is the Sims playable on PS5 again? An update earlier this year made it crash within minutes of starting it up.
Diablo 3 is the ultimate game for this in my opinion. I can’t agree with Stardew however as the music is a huge part of the game, and it would feel incomplete without it!
FIFA in my experience is anything but relaxing so I’m surprised to see that in this list. I can’t disagree with the other choices, good picks.
Any racing game is perfect for podcasts! Gran Turismo Sport and Drive Club are my go to.
Elite Dangerous.
I Platinumed Death Stranding during lockdown whilst listening to hours and hours of Jim Cornette. Building my zip line network and making those five star deliveries. So yep, great game for podcasts!
Assassin's Creed. I often listen to podcasts or music while I run around checking boxes off on the map. There's a whole lot of busywork in those games.
Also, any JRPG when I'm grinding.
Lonely Mountains Downhill is awesome! Very hard in places though it has to be said!
I love to listen to music or podcasts when doing another Dark Souls playthrough, although there are some bosses that I pause spotify to hear the boss themes of because they're just that good
Haven't really bothered with it in the PS4 era, but I used to quite often listen to 'Le Roi Est Mort, Vive Le Roi!' by Enigma while playing the original couple of Tomb Raider games on the PS1. Still get visions of The Cistern if I listen to it today!
(P.S. Yes, I am old!)
I've been listening to podcasts daily while playing Genshin Impact.
Gta 5 any mode really
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