15 Best Games to Play Online Right Now

We all know that gaming with friends, and sometimes with enemies, is a grand old time. The problem is choosing what to play. A classic? A smaller indie game? An underrated gem? Or one of the absolute juggernauts of the industry that everyone else happens to be playing?

I’m here to help you out. After gaming for most of my life, I’ve compiled a list of all-time classics, newer titles, and underrated gems for one and all. I came up with two lists: the top 5 games of all time that you can still play, and a list of the 10 best online games that have come out within the last decade. 

Caveat: This is not a list of the most popular games by the numbers (though many of these games are incredibly popular). This is a non-comprehensive list of the games I think best serve their target audience.

5 Best Online Games of All Time (That You Can Still Play)

1. Final Fantasy XIV

I’ve put more time than I really care to admit into MMORPGs, and I’ve tried a lot of them: Dungeons & Dragons Online, World of Warcraft, Guild Wars 2, and many more. However, no single MMO has put more effort into its story than Final Fantasy XIV, and that makes it something special. It’s classic Japanese RPG fare, brimming with heart, passion, and even some highly philosophical monologues.

It also has some of the best art direction I’ve ever seen, great class design, an incredibly passionate and vibrant community, and some hilarious side quests. I’ve played for nearly 300 hours and though I am currently playing other things, I will be back.

Side note: it was the first MMO to make tab-target combat fun for me.

2. Fortnite

I am not a fan of battle royale games, but even I must admit that Fortnite does battle royale incredibly well. Whether you’re playing the classic mode, no-build mode, or creating your own maps and game modes, Fortnite leads the pack in so many ways.

Indeed, that creative mode has become so advanced, that I personally believe that Fortnite has a real shot at becoming the next Roblox. If you’ve ever considered a career in game development, you might consider using Fortnite to get a feel for basic game design principles.

Add to that all of the concerts, player skins based on pop culture, and constantly-refined mechanics, Fortnite isn’t just a game, it’s a phenomenon.

3. Minecraft

Speaking of phenomena, Minecraft videos once got so overwhelmingly popular that YouTube literally had to change its algorithm. It’s no wonder, because despite looking like a simple game at first, Minecraft contains nearly endless possibilities. If you think I’m kidding, look up the various ways people have designed functional virtual computers in Minecraft.

One guy even made it possible to play Minecraft itself… in Minecraft.

Dozens, even hundreds of games have attempted to replicate the success and versatility of Minecraft, to little avail. The potential of those simplistic-looking square blocks is not to be underestimated.

4. League of Legends

Riot Games didn’t invent the MOBA, but they made it a household word. Well, they made it a household word for everyone who’s ever heard of League of Legends, at any rate. League of Legends, in turn, has spawned entire subcultures, a TV show, virtual bands, and more.

That’s because the LoL, despite some controversial decisions over the years, has come to define the genre itself. The gameplay is addictive to the player, and fun to watch. The Champions you can choose from are legion, the art itself has held up for years, and the community…

Well, we don’t talk about them.

5. Warframe

That’s right, I’m saying it: Warframe is one of the five best online games of all time. Sure, it’s not very new-player friendly, there are parts of the game that go basically unused (RIP every PVP mode), and you could spend the rest of your life grinding for everything, but…

There’s nothing in any other game I’ve played that compares to the moment to moment flow of Warframe’s gameplay. Once you’re familiar with the mechanics, you’ll find yourself parkouring through corridors, soaring over open battlefields, sniping one enemy, then hitting fifteen of his compatriots with a big stick. And it all happens in seconds.

The goal of Warframe is to make you feel like a space ninja, and no other game has nailed it like Warframe has.

Honorable Mentions

• CS:GO – What can I say? Valve makes a good tactical shooter. One of the best.
• Dota 2 – Dota began life as a Warcraft 3 mod, literally starting the MOBA genre, and Dota 2 is a wildly successful title in its own right.
• Path of Exile – If you want free-to-play Diablo-style action without dealing with… well, Blizzard, POE is for you.
• PUBG – Another game that started as a mod, PUBG is one of the most played games on Earth.
• Whichever Call of Duty is out right now – It may not be my kind of game, but it’s popular for good reason.
• World of Warcraft – The game that brought MMOs into the public consciousness.

10 Best New-ish Online Games*

* “New-ish” = Released within the last decade.

Again, if you don’t see your favorite game here, this is not a comprehensive list.

1. Apex Legends

After Fortnite, Apex Legends is the best Battle Royale experience out there. With gunplay (and guns) refined over years in the Titanfall series, interesting characters, and an amazingly designed map, Apex Legends has cemented itself as one of the titans of the genre.

But then, what else would you expect from Respawn, the geniuses behind the venerated Titanfall games, two well-received Star Wars games? They’re good at what they do. Even I, someone who isn’t all that into Battle Royale, am tempted to boot up the game just to play as Loba for a little while longer. Good thing Apex Legends has other modes.

2. Battlebit Remastered

Battlebit Remastered, to be perfectly frank, looks like a knock-off version of Battlefield made in Roblox. I certainly don’t blame anyone who’s come to that conclusion by simply looking at screenshots. However, the simplistic graphics belie a well-crafted, complex Battlefield-style game that does just about everything right.

The guns are varied and customizable, there’s great vehicle combat, and teamwork is heavily encouraged by the game’s design. Environments are destructible, and you can construct your own walls and fortifications as needed. The mechanics are so well-refined that you might be surprised to know the game was made by three people.

3. Dead by Daylight

Asymmetrical PVP games have something of a bad reputation. More than a few developers have tried to build one that kept their audience interested for more than a few hours, and failed. Developer Behavior Interactive seems to have caught lightning in a bottle, however, and Dead by Daylight has captivated the horror PVP crowd for some time.

And hey, in what other game can you play as Nicolas Cage, the actor, and use your super acting powers to escape a deranged killer? That’s right, no other game is doing that. Frankly, I’m not sure any other game could get away with it.

4. Disney Dreamlight Valley

DDV is a cozy crafting/farming/social game created by, you guessed it, Disney. Its mechanics are heavily based on other games like Stardew Valley, and the goal is to create a home for yourself in a world populated by all your favorite Disney characters. It’s charming, it’s adorable, and frankly it’s very good.

For those not familiar with the “cozy” genre of games, Stardew Valley set the bar high. Pretty much every cozy game that came after has been an attempt to replicate the success of the original. Right now, Disney Dreamlight Valley is the best of the online cozy games due to its budget and, frankly, its star power.

If you’re looking for a game to play with the kids, this is it.

5. Fall Guys

The premise of Fall Guys is simple: you and a bunch of friends and random people race through increasingly difficult and almost unhinged obstacle courses. And honestly? It would be a whole lot easier if you weren’t playing as the titular “Fall Guys,” medicine-capsule-shaped beings who don’t have the best balancing skills.

But don’t worry, the silliness is absolutely the point, and anyone who tries to go “pro” in Fall Guys has entirely missed the point. It’s another great game to play with the kids, too, as there is absolutely nothing objectionable about the game itself.

Any non-kid-friendly language that comes out of your mouth when you fall off the course for the tenth time is another story.

6. Monster Hunter Rise

If you’re looking to challenge yourself a lot more, Monster Hunter Rise is the way to go. As the title suggests, this game sees you tracking monsters across gorgeous landscapes, hunting them, and the loot to craft new gear so you can hunt bigger monsters. It’s a game that requires patience, intimate knowledge of your gear, and timing.

That’s why even though you can play MHR solo, it is absolutely better, and more forgiving, with friends. But if you’ve ever wanted a game that plays a bit like Dark Souls or Elden Ring, but isn’t all doom and gloom, Monster Hunter Rise has what you need.

Plus, you know, the adorable cat people that cook food for you. That’s amazing too.

7. Sea of Thieves

Sea of Thieves is one of those almost-miraculous comeback stories that we love to see. Yes, it launched with solid mechanics, but almost nothing to do besides sail a nearly empty world with your friends. But now? Oh now you can go on several epic quests, party with Jack Sparrow, and more.

New content and lands to explore are being developed all the time. Even better, Sea of Thieves is one of those great games where you can just… stop playing if you’re bored. You can come back later at any time without missing much. See also: Warframe, Final Fantasy XIV.

8. Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Siege

While just about every publisher has tried to copy CoD or Battlefield at some point, there are comparatively few great tactical shooters. That is, of course, because a tactical shooter is very hard to pull off. Well, Ubisoft did it, and Rainbow Six Siege is one of the most popular by far, and for good reason. The gunplay is tight, and customizable. The operators are iconic, and the gameplay is always varied.

True, the gameplay is usually varied because some absolute madlad has decided to ignore the meta by charging electric-shield-first into a room full of enemies while blaring music over his mic, but that’s the fun part! Rainbow Six Siege wouldn’t be the game it is without its passionate, and occasionally chaotic player base.

9. Valheim

Of all the various survival and crafting-focused games there are, and there have been quite a few greats, Valheim stands out above the rest. Whether you’re a fan of the sophisticated building system, the challenging combat, or the simply gorgeous atmosphere, Valheim has a little something for everyone… who likes survival games.

Moreover, I have to say that Valheim is a testament to the possibilities of procedural generation, when it’s handled correctly. Every generated world that I’ve seen looks darned close to handmade, and that’s due in large part to the art direction, and overall style of the game. It’s just impressive in every way.

10. Valorant

Okay, now this is going to make some people mad, but hear me out. Remember, I listed CS:GO as an honorable mention for best of all time, and Valorant is in the “best of the relatively recent” list. Okay? Okay.

Now on to Valorant. It’s basically CS:GO with Overwatch-style heroes and powers. (That’s also going to make some people mad, but it’s the truth, and I’m okay with that.) The time-to-kill is low, accuracy is paramount, and it’s more about predicting what other players will do than simply seeing who can click on heads the fastest.

Sounds familiar, right? Well, it should be. Riot Games essentially combined two of the most popular multiplayer genres to create something that’s not exactly new, but which is definitely spectacular.

Boost Your Game with the Best VPN

Trying to reduce the sheer number of wonderful games there are to play with friends and strangers is, frankly, just about impossible. Still, the list we have here includes a lot of the all-time greats; if you haven’t tried any of the games on this list, you should. The ones that aren’t free can often be gotten on sale.

But of course, don’t go diving into online play without taking some precautionary measures. If you want to stay safe while keeping the lag to a minimum, try out PIA VPN risk-free with our 30-day money-back guarantee.

And most importantly, have GLHF!

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