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We all need to waste a bit of time now and again, whether it’s because we’re putting off a job we don’t want to do or simply because we’ve got nothing else going on.
Playing games in your browser is definitely a better choice than doomscrolling on your phone. And there are loads of amazing options to choose from, from simple and addictive puzzles to fully immersive narrative games.
10I Spy
I Spyis essentially a giant game ofWhere’s Waldo?It gives you five huge crowd scenes, and you’re tasked with picking out a series of different characters from a cast of hundreds.
you’re able to play against the clock in Challenge mode, and there’s also a Free Play mode, which is a lot more relaxing and essentially means the game goes on forever.
9FreeGuessr
If you enjoy the Street View-based gameGeoGuessrbut don’t fancy paying for it,FreeGuessris a great alternative. The principle is the same: you’re plonked on a random spot on a map, and you have to try and work out where in the world you are.
There are lots of options to tweak your gameplay. you may choose different types of maps, focusing on specific countries, random locations, famous landmarks, and so on. There are also multiplayer options, including duels and arenas to play against random people, and a party mode to play against your friends.
8Quick, Draw
Quick, Drawis a fun and simple AI-based browser game. You are given the name of an object and have to draw it using your mouse, trackpad, or finger. The AI, meanwhile, shouts out answers until it identifies what you’ve drawn.
It’s played against the clock and moves quickly, so it is ideal for when you just want a short burst of time-wasting action.
7Portal
It doesn’t look like we’ll ever get another officialPortalgame. Fortunately, there are some unofficial, browser-based alternatives that will scratch that itch.
My favorite isPortal: The Flash Version(which, despite the name, is no longer Flash-based). It’s a 2D game, and though it doesn’t give you a GLaDOS-style commentary, unfortunately, everything else from the game is in place. There’s the portal gun, the companion cube, and a fiendishly challenging set of puzzles that will keep you going for hours.
If you like that, the same developer has a few other Portal games, of whichPortal 2Dis also worth trying.
6Styscraper
Styscraperis a twist on the tower-building genre. Instead of asking you to construct a skyscraper, the game is set in a pigsty, and the aim is to build a tower out of random, misshapen junk. The final piece in every stage is a pig that you have to place on top, and that’s how the height of your styscraper is measured.
The game is pretty unforgiving. One mistake and you’re done. But it’s fun, quirky, and is very addictive.
5Tetris
No list of time-wasting games is complete without the old standby,Tetris. The internet is awash with clones of the falling block puzzler, but you may as well stick with the official version. It’s exactly as you remember it: the same design, same music, and same insanely addictive gameplay.
4Tunnel Rush
Tunnel Rushis an endless running game that has you speeding down a tunnel, having to avoid obstacles as you go. It’s fast, and it’s pretty hard until you get your eye in, but the simplicity of the gameplay means you will keep coming back for more.
One neat extra that adds to the fun is a two-player mode, where both players compete against each other on the same keyboard.
3Slither.io
Slither.iois a modern version ofthe classic game,Snake. You use the cursor keys to move around the seemingly endlessly large playing area, picking up glowing orbs as you go to make your snake bigger.
But there’s a catch. Slither.io is anMMO, and there will be hundreds of other players (and snakes) in every game you play. You can catch the ones that are smaller than you to make your snake grow in size. But if you’re caught by a bigger one, it’s game over.
2Fallen London
Want something more substantial?Fallen Londonis a text-based,choose-your-own-adventure-style gamethat pitches you into the underground world of Victorian London. As you explore the city, you must solve puzzles and complete quests, with all your decisions affecting how the game turns out.
It’s a slow burn to begin with, but you quickly get immersed in the complex lore that has inspiredits own subreddit, and there’s enough gameplay to keep you going for months.
1Universal Paperclips
Universal Paperclipsis a clicker game inspired by a thought experiment that suggests that an AI tasked with creating paperclips could potentially destroy the universe in an attempt to complete its mission.
In the game, you are the AI. You start by clicking your mouse to manually create paperclips, and a few hours later, you’re sending out self-replicating drones to conquer the universe. The game is a little difficult at first, but there’s awikito help you get started. It soon takes on a hypnotic quality and is remarkably addictive. you’re able to complete the whole thing in a few hours, and there’s a good chance you’ll be back for more.
These games should keep you going for a while. But if you’re still thirsting for more, why not try your hand at some of thebest browser games of all time?
