Best Podcast and Relaxing Games for PS5 and PS4

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.

Please note that some external links on this page are affiliate links, which means if you click them and make a purchase we may receive a small percentage of the sale. Please read our FTC Disclosure for more information.

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.