Online gaming went from being a hobby that was enjoyed on the fringes of society, to one of the most influential mainstream industries in the world. Forbes has recently estimated that the online gaming industry is set to climb to a whopping 1.3 billion users in the next 2 years. That means that one in every 8 people you encounter in public is likely to have played an online game at some point in their lifetime.
However, with this amazing upsurge in online games in the past few years, the market has become quite saturated. It can often be challenging to find a game you’ll really enjoy with so many different games on the market.
So what makes a game great? Well, that’s entirely subjective. Some people like fast-paced, high-action games, while others prefer slower-paced, more intuitive games.
So, in this article, we’ll take a look at some of the different games out there and try to give you an idea of who would enjoy playing them and why.
What Type of Player Are You?
The first thing you should ask yourself when looking for the ideal game to play is what type of player are you? By this we mean, do you like action games, shooting games, adventure games, racing games, sports games, gambling games, etc?
If you don’t know what any of these terms mean, then we’d suggest you take the time to research them, as it’s important to know what you’re paying for before you buy something. Thankfully there are also loads of free games out there where you can try your hand at a number of different genres without risking any cash upfront.
Alternatively, if you’re specifically looking to play high-budget, well-made games, you can always check out videos of the gameplay on YouTube or Twitch before buying the game. This has become hugely popular in recent years.
Usually, people tend to play games in a number of different genres, and it’s not uncommon for a game to come along that is really fun and isn’t something you’d normally play. Indie games like Hollow Knight and Stardew Valley have proven that even low-budget, simple games that are largely throwbacks to the old Metroid-Vania or Classic RPG genre can still be massively popular in the modern day and age, where high-gloss, action-packed, cinematic gameplay has become the norm.
So maybe you’ll have to try out a few games from different genres before you really know the answer to this question. Honestly, it doesn’t hurt to try as playing games is really fun – so you’ll enjoy the process of finding the right game for you. Sometimes, it happens almost instantly: The first time you play a game, you might know right there and then that this is going to be your favorite game of all time!
Why Choose Online Games?
The games we mentioned above are both online-capable. However, they aren’t traditional online games – they just have an online multiplayer feature. More conventional online games are titles like Dota 2, Counter-Strike 2, Call of Duty, Overwatch 2, Minecraft, and Rocket League to name but a few.
Generally, the choice between online multiplayer games and single-player games comes down to the style of gameplay you enjoy. For some, the idea of a captivating story, unique gameplay mechanics, and well-developed characters are more important which is why single-player games like Portal (and Portal 2) are more enjoyable for them.
However, some people really enjoy the fact that they can interact with other people online as well as with their own friends and challenge themselves to beat each other or work together cooperatively to achieve objectives or win a game.
In general, though, online games are popular because they don’t require you to invest as much of yourself into following the storyline or trying to develop a liking for any of the characters you interact with. The objectives are usually straightforward, like beating more enemies, capturing a flag, or winning a race, which makes them easy to pick up and enjoy without the need for much thought or patience. It’s just straight-up fun!
It’s also important to note that there are non-linear games out there that allow you to free-roam an online world and create the objectives you’d like to without forcing you to do anything specifically. Games like Minecraft and No Man’s Sky allow you to enjoy the game in many ways and experiment within the realm at your own pace and leisure. This is a unique take on the online multiplayer genre, as it gives you a lot more freedom and time to figure things out for yourself.
Online Casino Games
Online casino games are a very specific type of online gaming and choosing the best one requires much more careful consideration than other types of games. Online gambling has become very popular in the last 15 -18 years with over 420 million users worldwide at present.
The appeal of online gambling is that it’s something you can do from anywhere at any time. It’s also often a lot cheaper than real-world gambling and can be just as fun and exciting. However, there are a few things to consider when choosing any online casinos or games within casinos. The first, and most important, is that you’re playing with real money.
So, when you do decide to try online gambling, it’s highly recommended to look for online casinos with high RTP (return to player). This essentially means games that have a higher chance of you making some cash while playing them, as opposed to games that have a low RTP, and will generally only guarantee you losses.
Games to consider for high RTP are:
- Baccarat
- Blackjack
- Roulette
- Slots
- Dice & Craps Games
We recommend that you take the time to do a little research before choosing either a casino or a game to play, as knowing what your odds are before you place any bets is really helpful information. A good RTP is around 95% or more, but some table games like Blackjack and Baccarat can offer an RTP of 99% or more if played following the ideal strategy.
It’s also wise to choose a game that you understand the rules of if you’re going to be spending real money on it. Some, like slots and roulette, are simple to pick up, but others, like craps and poker, require a bit more training if you want to understand what all the different bets and hands mean.