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Finding new games to play on a budget is tough, but luckily, the internet is filled with hundreds of thousands of free online games that won’t break the bank. There are loads of games to choose from, and many of them won’t even cost a cent. From typing race games to online chess, online gaming offers tons of ways to entertain yourself – and maybe even make some new friends! In fact, many people join their real-life friends in multiplayer games, as well as meeting new people along the way.
The question is, which games should you choose? Yes, if you’re looking at console gaming there are tons of free-to-play games you can play. But if you’re interested in classic gaming, you may have some trouble finding exactly what traditional game you’re looking for. Since there are so many choices, though, you can use the following recommendations as a starting point for your online gaming adventures.
Online Chess
This game has been around since long before the internet existed, and it’s only natural that it would have found its way online. Online chess games from sites like Foony are an excellent way to enjoy this game, and not just because it’s fun all on its own. The challenge lies in playing against your partners, who will have various skill levels – and various moves and tricks that you can learn from! Even if you’re a beginner chess player, you’ll have a great time playing online chess. You may have to get used to defeat, but you’ll also find yourself triumphing over other beginners. That’s the beauty of online multiplayer games – there will always be people who are better than you, but you’ll also be better than plenty of the people you encounter.
Many online chess games offer more than just matches with randomized opponents. You can also find options that pair you with AI partners, provide tutorials and puzzles, match you with mentors, or even live stream chess matches. Some of these features will probably be behind a paywall, but it’s still good to know that the options are there.
RuneScape
As a non-linear game, RuneScape doesn’t come with high-stakes competition against other players. Rather, you can explore the fantasy world of Gielinor to pursue quests, meet other characters, and fight a variety of monsters. This MMO was created in 2001, making it one of the older online multiplayer games out there. It’s completely free to join, and you get to decide what pace you go at. Do you like something more laid-back? Spend more time interacting with other players via their characters. Are you craving something more intense? Go in search of monsters and challenging quests. There’s something for everyone on RuneScape, which has been a big part of its appeal over the years.
UNO!
Just like chess, UNO! has a place in the game-night lineups of countless families and friend groups. It’s easy to learn, visually engaging, and can even be modified to suit the idiosyncratic rules of the group that’s playing the game. The objective is simple: get rid of your cards before anyone else does. As a multiplayer game with nearly universal appeal, it was destined to evolve into an online version. If you love card games, you’ll love playing UNO! online. Not only are there multiple free versions available, but you can also find ones that let you create your own rules for each specific room.
A game like UNO! is ideal for anyone who doesn’t care to master a game that requires skill, but who still likes the thrill of winning against their opponents. It’s definitely fun to win a game of chess, but beginners usually have to deal with a long string of defeats before they start winning themselves. With a game like UNO!, however, each player’s chances of winning depend on the luck of the draw. That, and knowing a few simple rules are all that a player requires to play UNO! online.
8-Ball Pool
There are many different sites that offer 8-Ball Pool to play online for free. our choice is Arkadium.com, which hosts many other different classic games as well (like Family Feud and Asteroids). While you’re obviously not given a pool cue and some blue chalk here, classic online 8-Ball pool is a fun way to pass the time.
Skribbl.io
Think of this as an online version of Charades. However, instead of acting out an animal, character, or object, you have to draw it. But what if you’re terrible at drawing? That only makes you a better candidate for this free online game! And besides, you aren’t necessarily supposed to draw the prompts accurately; that would make it too easy on the other players. The messier and more hilariously bad the drawing, the better. Players can get points by guessing correctly, and they can get even more points by guessing quickly. The game comes with built-in prompts, plus users can create their own. Since each game will result in different drawings by different people, it has great replay value.
Team Fortress 2
This game originated in 1996, as a spinoff of the first-person shooter game Quake. In 2007, Team Fortress 2 was introduced, and it went free-to-play back in 2011. Users can still pay for cosmetics and microtransactions, but the game’s main features aren’t behind a paywall. Just like Quake, it’s a first-person shooter game; players choose one of nine character classes and are then assigned to either the BLU or the RED team. After that, they have to duke it out with the other players in the game using various game modes.
This is one of those games that is super simple but still offers plenty of variety. Just about anyone will enjoy playing it, and it’s interesting enough to hold their attention for hours. It may not be as complex as other similar games, but its strong following shows just how popular it is after all these years.
