Online games are a fast-growing part of the gaming world. They’re perfect for playing when you’re away from your gaming console, or just don’t fancy the significant investment a traditional PC game requires. We’ve picked the best from around the Web to save you the hassle – and we have a hot tip too: why not use a Virtual Private Network to get the most out your favourites?
We’ve noticed that an increasing number of online gamers are now using Virtual Private Networks (VPNs for short). It’s not hard to see why: a VPN gives you access to a safe, stable, encrypted network that’s remote from your personal computer. A VPN, like that offered by Private Internet Access VPN, for example, allows you to get around any geographical restrictions that might be imposed by a particular game. Wherever you are in the world, you can access the game that you choose, and easily interact with other players. What’s more, your identity will always be kept private because your IP address is concealed. Secure, private and fast. What’s not to like?
Here’s our pick of the online games you’ll be able to play using your chosen VPN.
Superhot
If you’re looking for a first-person shooter game, may we humbly recommend Superhot, which has grown from humble origins to a sure-fire hit, if you’ll pardon the pun. A key feature is that game-time stops when you do, giving you loads of time to work out what to do next. A little more expensive than many online games, but we’d say it’s more than worth it.
Wolfenstein 3D
A real enduring classic, dating from the 1990s and still compelling today. Wolfenstein 3D’s appeal is not just nostalgia, as any dedicated online gamer will tell you. One of the first real hits by gamer rockstars John Romero and John Carmack, Wolfenstein 3D pioneered first-person shooting, as you take on Nazis and annihilate them. Free to play, too.
Runescape
You might just have heard of this one. It’s a hugely successful, free multi-player game that takes place in the medieval fantasy world Gielinor where you can do battle, in the latest version, with dragons, queens and goblins. Runescape might have been around a while but its continued popularity lies in the continuous updates. Experienced players have one warning: beware addiction!
The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy
Text-based and endearingly faithful to the essentials if not the plot of Douglas Adams’s masterpiece, this game’s been around since the 1980s with no sign of flagging. That’s not least because Adams himself had a hand in its creation. Surprisingly engaging – and so much more than just a piece of history.
Slither.io
Let your cursor control your colourful snake as you chomp on the dots to become longer and longer. Like Pac-Man, though, this is an eat or be eaten world and if you so much as brush against another snake, your quest to slide up the leaderboards is over.
Die 2 Nite
One for lovers of zombie games, which is just about everyone at last count. Filled with dark humour, the task is for you and others in this multi-player game to build defences before night comes in. If that sounds familiar, then perhaps you’ve been playing Fortnite. Just remember it’s not for real.
Robot Unicorn Attack
It’s impossible not to like, nay (sorry) adore Robot Unicorn Attack. On one level just another endless runner game, on another an expression of unicorn love. And these days we all love unicorns. Don’t we? Free to play, and listen out – actually you can’t miss it – for the repeating soundtrack by Erasure.
A Dark Room
If it looks basic, that’s the whole point of this text-based adventure and survival game. A Dark Room’s minimalism has been specifically devised to resemble the classics of the genre as you start out by lighting a fire to stay warm, remain alive and to see what’s around you. What happens next is up to you.
Frog Factions
A knowingly surreal journey that begins oh-so-simply. Don’t be fooled though, there are all sorts of hidden depths in this hilarious pond game. Who knew that being a frog would lead to such escapades? Cheap to play and – trust us – addictive too. You’ll never look at frogs in quite the same way again.
Polycraft
One for lovers of tower defence games – but Polycraft is way better than average. Take a look down into dungeons, build defences and hoard supplies: you know the drill by now. Hard to leave alone once you’ve started!
Samorost
Point and click space age fantasy from the fertile brains of leading Czech game builders Amanita Design. Do asteroids really look like that? Probably not and that’s the whole point. There are regular updates and the original, a real work of gaming art, is now available free.
