10 Best Second Screen Games

As someone who’s been juggling a busy life for as long as I can remember, I wholeheartedly appreciate games that allow me to multitask without feeling overwhelmed. These suggestions are not just games, they’re lifesavers!

We all have busy lives, things to do, deals to make, work to finish, and so on.

Finding the right moment to immerse yourself in your preferred games and series, let alone fit in a quick gaming session during work hours, can sometimes prove challenging.

Thankfully, by connecting an additional computer screen or a game console to your television, you can manage a bit of multitasking effectively.

Games that work well as “second screen” games have certain characteristics that make them more engaging when paired with another device or platform.

These games have minimal requirements and are ideal for multitasking, such as catching up on a podcast while engaging in them, or for use during repetitive chores.

10 PowerWash Simulator

Wash Those Worries Away

10 Best Second Screen Games

In today’s world, tasks that were once considered tedious weekend chores, usually handled by parents, have transformed into surprisingly captivating video game adventures – often referred to as “dad games.

“PowerWash Simulator embodies this concept perfectly; it’s the game where cleaning trucks and homes with water becomes surprisingly enjoyable.

In simple terms, the gameplay in PowerWash Simulator is quite straightforward – you simply locate a grimey area and blast it clean with your power washer.

It’s quite a peaceful and calming moment, ideal for unwinding while listening to a soothing podcast and enjoying a cup of tea.

9 Balatro

Like Solitaire Before It

In the olden days of PCs, the time-wasting game of choice was solitaire.

If you enjoy playing Solitaire on your computer, feel free to continue doing so. However, it’s worth exploring other captivating card games that are out there as well.

For example, Balatro’s gameplay is straightforward and doesn’t come with any specific deadlines or time limits.

Yet, it offers a significant amount of time commitment too, along with complex layers of strategy that become apparent as you invest more mental effort.

Feel free to rearrange some cards whenever it’s convenient for you. And if you want to unwind, take in the calming atmosphere and mesmerizing backdrops when you feel like it.

8 Animal Crossing: New Horizons

Do Chores While You Put Off Your Chores

If you want something engaging to fill time during a TV show, consider tackling a few household tasks instead.

If you’d rather not do real life chores, though, there are always plenty of chores to do in Animal Crossing: New Horizons.

In the course of playing New Horizons, each new day brings a small list of tasks that require your attention in the morning.

No matter if you’re gathering resources, socializing with your community, hunting unique creatures, or simply keeping an eye on the progress of ongoing projects, there’s usually a variety of activities to engage in as you tune into the latest news updates.

7 Stardew Valley

Raise A Farm, Meet People

Are you looking for a game that offers an Animal Crossing-like daily routine experience, minus the constraint of real-world time?

If that’s your preference, Stardew Valley has you covered and then some.

Stardew Valley offers a plethora of chores and pastimes to keep you engaged, ranging from maintaining your farm and building friendships to gathering resources.

In Stardew Valley, the days progress naturally, yet you’re free to halt the action whenever necessary for work or TV switching.

6 Euro Truck Simulator 2

Just Like A Real Trucker

For long-haul truckers, some form of secondary stimulation is an absolute must, lest they succumb to the siren song of highway hypnosis.

It’s interesting to note that this also functions in a backward manner. If you’re seeking an engaging distraction along with your tasks or entertainment, Euro Truck Simulator 2 could be just what you need.

Euro Truck Simulator 2, much like piloting an actual truck, mainly involves keeping an eye on the road, subtly modifying your speed, and managing your cargo effectively.

It offers the same sense of relaxation as a scenic drive along a winding mountain road, yet there’s less risk of harm should your attention drift.

5 Webfishing

Always Time For A Quick Cast

Fishing is quite possibly one of the oldest forms of noncommittal activities devised by mankind.

As a gaming enthusiast, I’ve come across numerous mini-games that offer fishing fun within different titles. However, if you’re seeking a standalone experience, give Webfishing a try! It’s a perfect choice for anyone looking to immerse themselves in the joy of fishing without any additional distractions.

In this tranquil fishing simulator, you can also engage in lively conversations and have fun with your friends or fellow players through its built-in chat room.

You’re welcome to stay quiet if that suits you better. Feel free to cast your line, let it hang there as you attend to other tasks at your desk, and only react when you get a nibble.

4 Slay The Spire

The Less-Intensive Roguelite

In many cases, Roguelikes and Roguelites make excellent selections for secondary-screen games. However, the compatibility can vary based on what activities you’re engaged in on your primary screen, as not all may function optimally under such circumstances.

A game with an action-based dungeon exploration style might not work well for you if it requires frequent interruptions for pausing or switching to other windows.

For a roguelite that’s content to let you take your time, try Slay The Spire.

In Slay the Spire, the strategic card-based gameplay promotes careful planning and methodical moves, allowing you some leeway if you have to momentarily pause your game.

3 Spiritfarer

Keep The Spirits Happy

A task-based video game could serve as an engaging second screen activity, yet it’s always pleasant when your efforts are recognized, even within the context of a digital game.

If you’re seeking a game where tasks feel like fun rather than burdens, Spiritfarer is the one for which gratitude will be yours.

Everything you engage in, from traveling, cooking, tending to plants, and various chores, is specifically intended to ensure the happiness and tranquility of your spiritual beings in the hereafter.

It would be ideal if you could fully focus on the game once the spirits depart. They truly warrant such dedication.

2 Bloons TD 6

The Monkeys Will Handle It

As a gamer, playing a tower defense game on my secondary screen feels akin to having a complex Rube Goldberg machine running in the corner of my vision. It’s like having a mini, intricate world constantly reacting and evolving, always ready to grab my attention when needed.

As a gamer, there’s something incredibly gratifying about stepping back and watching the intricate web of events I set in motion unfold on their own.

Bloons TD 6 is a great example of that satisfaction.

Simply choose your preferred group of monkeys, then allow them to take care of bursting the balloons, so you can concentrate on other tasks.

As the situation intensifies, you just have to click a few times to introduce additional monkeys and weaponry, not much effort needed.

1 Factorio

Nothing Like Business During Business

Could you envision the sense of accomplishment those pioneering engineers must have experienced, the first time they successfully automated a task entirely?

It’s a feeling you can experience yourself by playing Factorio.

As an enthusiast, I can’t help but be captivated by the essence of this game. The ultimate goal is to create a self-sustaining factory, one where machines take over the logistics, leaving me free to observe and strategize, as human intervention becomes minimal.

It could be considered redundant to have what is effectively a work simulator running while you do other work, but it’s different. This is fun work.

2024-11-16 17:09