It used to be that gaming was limited to PC, console, or handheld devices like the Nintendo Gameboy and its modern counterpart, the Switch. Games had to be bought, ripped out of the carton, and installed.
However, there's a new category of gaming today: browsers. That's right. Unlike the Netscape Navigator and (shudder) Internet Explorer of old, modern browsers are powerful enough to actually run full-fledged games.
Here are 5 of our picks for browser-based games in 2022.
1. Nightpoint
Genre: Top-down shooter
What we like: Multiplayer!
Nightpoint.io is a browser based .io game that allows you to battle zombies as well as other human players from a top-down perspective.
You start in a zombie-infested city, where you must earn enough points to upgrade your character and climb up the leaderboard. The edges of the city generally contain weaker zombies, with stronger and faster opponents emerging the closer you get to the city center.
A twist is that the zombies themselves have weapons, and you can upgrade your arsenal by killing zombies and looting their bodies. But just like Hollywood movies, the zombies themselves aren't the biggest threat: it's other humans as you fight each other to reach the top.
Genre: Physics-based simulation
What we like: A very simple concept that can be addictive
At first glance, Linerider looks like a first-grader's drawing turned animation. But don't let the simple graphics fool you - this game tests your physics knowledge and creativity.
The premise is simple: you must draw a track on which the onscreen character will ride a sled. You can create downhill dives, rolling hills, or sporty ramps for some high-flying stunts. Once done with your path, press play to see if the sled will actually make it. Whatever you draw, it must adhere to the laws of physics or else the sled will be stuck or actually roll backwards.
Linerider supports both Chrome and Firefox, and is a must-play if you have a stylus or touchscreen monitor.
Genre: First-person shooter
What we like: A whimsical take on the classic FPS game
FPS games are one of the overcrowded genres... there are more shooter titles on the market than there are demons in Serious Sam. This game puts a hilarious twist on that tired old concept.
Instead of blasting away at soldiers or zombies, you battle eggs. Hundreds of them. In fact, your character itself is an egg, with 4 classes to choose from. Each class gets its own weapons and specialties.The weapons themselves are whimsical, like the scrambler shotgun and the devastating RPEGG. And of course, should you run of bullets for your primary, there's the ever-dependable Cluck 9mm.
Colorful game modes include classic free for all, King of the Coop, or the zany Capture the Spatula. Players can also cross-play with mobile users and earn rewards and skins the more they play!
Genre: Side-scroll adventure
What we like: Stunning visuals with engaging storyline
Coma takes place in a dreamscape. The player must help the character, Pete, navigate this ethereal world while uncovering secrets to advance the story. You use the arrow keys to move and the mouse to advance dialogue.
What makes this indie game amazing is its incredible visuals, rich music, and engaging premise mostly found in paid titles. There's also a nice twist at the end, which leaves many players wondering and itching for more. It supports all major browsers including Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Microsoft Edge.
5. Powerline.io
Genre: Snake game
What we like: A Tron-style update of the classic game
If you have fond memories of playing the classic snake game on Nokia phones, then this game is for you. Relive those fond 3310 memories, but this time updated with Tron-style visuals and multiplayer.
The objective is to grow your snake and collect as many power-ups as you can, while avoiding your own body and other players. Some snakes provide boosts if you slither close to them, just be careful not to bump into each other!
The game supports Chrome and Firefox, as well as cross-play with mobile players.
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