by 14 people |
Console Games are an Expensive Hobby!
Everyone likes a good game, and nothing beats headbutting virtual soccer balls with your friends in a game of Wii Fit! But nowadays, I'll take the real variety and the great outdoors, rather than shell out $$$ for a console plus all the gear required (even with the recent price cuts).
Don't get me wrong, this article isn't going to be about bashing consoles or anything. They're great. I just want to point out that there are tons of free games out there if your budget happens to be tight—and free is pretty hard to beat!
Even better, we're finally getting to the point where many of the free games you find online can compete with console games in terms of performance, physics, gameplay and graphics! What these games may lack in terms of budget, they often more than make up for with their simple and well-executed ideas.
Don't get me wrong, this article isn't going to be about bashing consoles or anything. They're great. I just want to point out that there are tons of free games out there if your budget happens to be tight—and free is pretty hard to beat!
Even better, we're finally getting to the point where many of the free games you find online can compete with console games in terms of performance, physics, gameplay and graphics! What these games may lack in terms of budget, they often more than make up for with their simple and well-executed ideas.
So Where Can I Find These Free Games?
Finding Free Games to play online is easy, they're everywhere. The real problem is separating the wheat from the chaff so to speak. For every 100 Flash games out there, maybe 1 or 2 of them are worth the time they take to load. Websites like Kongregate, Armor Games, or NewGrounds will do a pretty good job of picking out the gems with their rating systems, but this still leaves hundreds if not thousands of games to choose from. And we're only talking about Flash games at this point.
There are also several game studios out there who have released multiplayer games that are free to play. These usually have higher production values, and are great if multiplayer is your thing.
With that said, I've decided to make a list of some of my personal favorites. Calling it the Top 10 All-Time Greatest Free Games or something to that effect, would be pretty pointless because everyone obviously has their own opinion. These are just some of the games from the past few years that particularly stood out, and I had fun while playing them.
A quick not about the following games. Whenever possible, I try to link to the actual game developer's site in an effort to help them gain exposure. These aren't huge companies, but rather individual developers or small independent teams trying to catch a break. So if you like any of them, be sure to give them a stumble, digg, or whatever might help them out!
Free Games that are Worth Playing!
In no particular order...
CycloManiacs
By LongAnimals and RobotJAM
Every now and then a rare gem of a game comes out and shakes up the entire online gaming world. CycloManiacs is that game! It's so good in fact, that I had to republish this article giving it the number one spot.
It's really been a long time since a Flash game kept me entertained for more than a few minutes, but there are so many fun elements working together in CycloManiacs, that I just have to keep playing it.
Truly a great game!
Be sure to check out some of the other games from LongAnimals, and RobotJAM
Zodiac Reactor
by Funface Games
Zodiac Reactor is a unique skill game where you must capture four types of elemental particles: Fire, Earth, Air, and Water, to fuel an ancient device that creates stars!
It may seem difficult at first, but once you get into it, Zodiac Reactor becomes really addictive, and will have your brain working overtime trying to keep in the zone!
Play Zodiac Reactor!
Zodiac Reactor Gameplay Trailer
Blush
By FlashBang Studios
Easily one of the most visually stunning games on the list: Blush, by FlashBang Studios. Blush offers a perfectly refined gaming experience that increases in difficulty as well as graphical appeal as you play. It reminds me of the days when games were more about fun and less about trying to win oscars.
Blush is a Unity3D based game, so make sure you have the latest version of the plugin before you attempt to play it. If you haven't heard of Unity by now, then get out from under that rock and check out something new!
I could say so much more about this game, but just go play it and see for yourself! It really gets exciting when you break a million points, and the big creatures start to appear!
Dolphin Olympics 2
By Alan Rawkins
In the spirit of refined gameplay (something I'm always on the lookout for) no list would be complete without mentioning Dolphin Olympics 2, developed by Alan Rawkins. The concept is simple. Two minutes to go from the ocean depths to the end of the universe—yes there is a restaurant. Every little detail of this game helps to push you forward, and the arrow key skills you'll develop along the way will likely have your fingers bleeding before you even reach Uranus... Play it!
If you can't seem to get out of the water, check out some of the youtube videos from the pro's!
(Spoiler Alert) Don't watch the video until you give the game a try for yourself.
Loops of Zen
By Dr. Arend Hintze
On the calmer side of the universe we have Loops of Zen. A fantastic puzzle game that will keep your brain busy sorting scattered semi-circles into rings of perfect harmony. The thing that really stood out to me was the way the puzzles seemed to work themselves out as you play. It never felt frustrating or forced, no matter how complex the level was. Just a peaceful sense of knowing order eventually prevails over chaos!
Puzzle Farter
by Pet Tomato
Since we're on the topic of puzzles, why not toss in this gem! The game is simple enough, but getting to the exit is hardly the draw for Puzzle Farter. The finely crafted fart sounds will have you tooting your poot-powered jet pack around the screen just to hear all the variations!
Gem Craft
By Game in a Bottle
Hey I have an idea, why not take the two biggest genres in casual gaming—Jewels, and Tower Defense—then combine them to make the best game of all time! That's pretty much Gem Craft in a nutshell. Easily one of the best tower defense games out there, and Bejeweled hasn't got anything on this game's gem clicking!
Aether
By Edmund Mcmillen and Tyler Glaiel
Aether is one of those games that defy categorization. It's a work of pure creative genius that can best be understood by getting drawn into its world, and experiencing it first hand. Just to get your imagination started, have you ever dreamt of having a pet monster who's tongue was so long that it could swing from cloud to cloud across the sky...even out into space? If not, then you're in for a treat! Play Aether
Blocks With Letters On
By Martin Sears
What top games list would be complete without a good word game? The winner in my opinion, hands down, is Blocks With Letters On. Anyone can unscramble jumbled blocks of letters to form words, but can you do it whilst trying to position said blocks (tetris style) into a specific grid location? Did I mention they're rotated all askew to boot? You even get a fun reward after completing each of the 64 levels! Play Blocks With Letters On
Let's Try Something Different
Some of the larger-scale free games
Do you like giant spiders? Playing dress up with dolls? Carrots dangling on a stick slightly out of reach? Do you always feel your sword just isn't quite big enough? If you answered yes, then Free Online Multiplayer Games are for you!
We have ventured outside the range of independent game studios here, but hey, it's still free. At least they start out that way...
We have ventured outside the range of independent game studios here, but hey, it's still free. At least they start out that way...
Fusion Fall
By Cartoon Network
This one is brand new (at the time of this writing) and is probably the largest game made with Unity to date. The basic premise is that a giant blob of goo is eating all the planets in the universe and you guessed it, Earth is next. Now only you and your party of friends can keep the goo at bay. Luckily you'll have the likes of Samurai jack, Dexter and the Power Puff Girls to help you out!
Here are some of the activities: "Explore Environments, Engage in Combat, Accept Missions, Socialize, and Platforming!" And thatssseeyt!
Outspark
Outspark is one of the larger game studios, and they've got a plethora of multiplayer titles to choose from!
Wind Slayer, their newest game, is a side-scrolling / action / rpg / fantasy / anime'ish type game. Expect giant sword slashes, sparkly spells, and lots of beautiful anime-style art!
If this game isn't your cup of tea, you can check out several other 3D mmorpg games available on their site such as:
Secret of the Solstice
and Fiesta
Wind Slayer, their newest game, is a side-scrolling / action / rpg / fantasy / anime'ish type game. Expect giant sword slashes, sparkly spells, and lots of beautiful anime-style art!
If this game isn't your cup of tea, you can check out several other 3D mmorpg games available on their site such as:
Secret of the Solstice
Combat Arms
By Nexon
If first person shooters are more your thing, then definitely give this one a try. Combat Arms is very similar Counter Strike, with streamlined maps that have good flow, and plenty of weapon upgrades. There are 6 different gameplay types including death match and capture the flag, and they even throw in limited-time seasonal games every so often, such as Snowball Fight (aka freeze tag) Play Combat Arms
And now back to Flash
To wrap things up, we'll dive back into the indie world of Flash Games!
The Fancy Pants Adventure - World 2
By Brad Borne
Easily one of the most famous Flash games of all time, The Fancy Pants Adventures World 2 by Brad Borne is a must play!
When you finish FPA2 be sure to check out Brad's latest collaboration with EA, Mirror's Edge 2D, which was created with the Fancy Pants engine!
Death vs Monstars
By GameReclaim
An insanely fast-paced game of infinite ammo vs infinite baddies. Death vs Monstars is the new classic shoot'em up! The controls take a few seconds to get used to, and might seem awkward at first, but you'll get the hang of it!
Dino Run
By Pixel Jam
One of the best retro pixel action games, Dino Run is a pure delight to play. It's not often that you get to surf on a cataclysmic doom wave!
The Several Journeys of Reemus: Prologue
By Zeebarf
One of the most original and well-crafted games in the room escape genre; once you start playing The Several Journeys of Reemus, you won't be able to stop. Fantastic art, music, and the puzzles are as bizarre as they come! It's an episodic game, so perhaps you had better start from the beginning!
Cast your Vote
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...That should keep you busy while you save your pennies!
So you see, there's plenty of fun to be had without spending a dime! Sure these games might not have the latest pixel shaders, or characters with 512 points of articulation, but they do sport some innovative gameplay, and are great when you're just looking for a quick diversion!
Any Suggestions?
Or just want to say hi?
This list of free games is by no means complete. I'll be adding new games to it from time to time, and If you think something should be on here, feel free to leave a comment and link!
a_willow wrote...
You are one of March 2009 graduates! Come by and answer few questions to show the way to those who will follow! Wish you many, many more great lenses!
Posted May 16, 2009
Lensmaster
a random guy wrote
Nice List!
Posted April 17, 2009
by funface
A stream of quick facts about me:
I live in sunny Florida, enjoy being at the beach, think weimaraners are amazing dogs, go nuts for sushi, like to p... (more)
I live in sunny Florida, enjoy being at the beach, think weimaraners are amazing dogs, go nuts for sushi, like to p... (more)
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