You may have left playing games behind in your younger years, but did you know that playing video, strategy, and puzzle games is a great thing for grown-ups to do? Sure, you may have to spend most of your spare time as an adult dealing with the responsibilities of modern life, but playing games can actually help you deal with stress, improve your quality of life, and even increase your grey matter.
Plenty of actual scientific research has been done in recent years into the effects and efficacy of playing games, even video games like Super Mario Bros 64! The results show that regular game playing (approximately 30 minutes a day) can increase memory functions, improve spatial awareness, and even enhance fine motor skills. Plus playing team or group games has an added social element, even if you’re playing with gamers halfway across the world.
With all this in mind, here are seven online games in no particular order that you can start playing right now.
7 Cards Against Humanity: Remote Insensitivity
If you haven’t heard about Cards Against Humanity by now where have you been hiding? This “politically incorrect” social game has been a pop culture hit since 2011 in its playing card form, and now it can be played online for free. A maximum of six players at any one time can play the online version, Remote Insensitivity, available at playingcards.io now. Remember, the more risque your answers the better!
6 Grand Theft Auto V
The Grand Theft Auto franchise is one of the biggest video game franchises of all time… and soon to be even more with the upcoming VI version. Grand Theft Auto V has become one of the highest selling video game titles in recent years. In true GTA-style this edition is visually and sonically striking (it features a Grade A soundtrack) but its frequent smatterings of ultraviolence make this one for mature gamers only.
In online mode (free to play on Xbox Game Pass, but $30 on PC and PS5/4), you can compete against up to thirty players, taking on bigger missions with more extreme action than the standard console game offers.
5 Knockout Poker
KO Poker, available exclusively on the gaming platform PokerStars, is a real money tournament game that puts an interesting spin on traditional formats. iGaming is one of the hottest trends right now in the gaming industry, and the fast-paced format of KO Poker makes it ideal for incorporating into busy lifestyles.
4 Exploding Kittens
Sticking with the card game theme for a moment, we have Exploding Kittens. It’s definitely not one for the more sensitive-minded among you, although no actual kittens were harmed during the making of this game or its gameplay.
This is basically Russian Roulette involving virtual kittens; players draw cards until an exploding kitty card appears. If the player who draws it has a Defuse card they’ll live to play another day, if not the player is out of the game. Available to play now on its website or via the Android app.
3 Monopoly
What can we say about Monopoly that hasn’t been said before? It’s a classic for a reason; no matter where you are in the world or what era you grew up in, there’s an edition of Monopoly for you. This online version available at pogo.com updates this classic for the digital era, and it’s just as straightforward to play as its board game counterpart, so you can entice your Grandma or Great Uncle to join you for a round or two.
2 Word with Friends 2
The follow up to the infinitely successful Word with Friends, Words with Friends 2 is a fantastic game to play with friends, relations, colleagues, neighbours, you name it! Take on the challenge of creating legitimate words from the scramble of letters you’re issued, and remember the more complex your final words are the more points you’ll score.
Not only is this a fun and challenging game to play, but it’s also a great one for exercising that grey matter of yours. Play it on www.zynga.com, or download the free iOS or Android app.
1 Fortnite
You may wonder what all the fuss is about when it comes to Fortnite, if the record-setting prize money awarded during its inaugural World Championship tournament has escaped your attention, but it’s about time you joined this Battle Royale bandwagon.
Fortnite continues to draw in more downloads and active users every day, with its challenges and different gameplay modes meeting the needs of gamers from all walks of life. It’s available free to play on the PC, Xbox One, PS4, and Switch, as well as a tremendously successful mobile app (iOS and Android).
