Best Games to Play with Friends Online
Hanging out with friends is always fun, but sometimes it’s not possible to get together in person. Fortunately, playing online games with friends can be a great alternative. Here are some of the best online games to enjoy with friends, ranging from free online games and casino games to popular titles from well-known video game franchises.
Casino Classics
Live Casino Roulettes
Gambling is always great, and roulette is one of the best online games that you can find. The goal is to determine what number the ball will land on. By playing in a live casino, it’s possible to reunite with friends just like you would do in a land-based casino.
You can find live casino games in Playamo Casino or many other Canadian operators. Some operators even provide microphone support. This will let you chat with your friends while you gamble with them.
Poker
Some time ago, poker was one of the most popular games in the world. Its popularity may have decreased a bit lately, but its quality did not. Poker is exciting when playing with your friends. Fortunately, you can play it online, just like several free online games.
There are several kinds of poker, but the most popular is undoubtedly Texas Hold’Em. In it, players get two cards that stay hidden and then wait for five community cards to be set on the table. Other popular types of poker are Omaha, 5-Card Draw, and 7-Card Draw. You can play poker with friends at any Social Casino.
Blackjack
Blackjack is possibly one of the most popular free online games ever. The goal is to draw cards until you hit 21. It’s easy to play with friends because it’s a pretty quick game and easy to learn.
If you want, you can even bet money. If you do it, however, you should follow Michelle H. Thomas’ advice. She’s a blogger and expert in finding casino scams. According to her, you should never give your financial information to unlicensed casinos. She affirms that the best idea is to research thoroughly before picking an operator.
You can play Blackjack at Social Casinos – with your friends and community.
The New Kids
Fortnite (2017)
Fortnite, developed by Epic Games, has become a cultural phenomenon since its release in 2017. Known for its unique combination of building mechanics and battle royale gameplay, Fortnite boasts over 350 million registered players worldwide as of 2020. The game’s popularity is further highlighted by its concurrent player count, which peaked at 15.3 million during a special in-game event in December 2020. Fortnite’s success extends beyond just player numbers; the game generated over $9 billion in revenue in its first two years, making it one of the most lucrative titles in gaming history .
Fortnite is a third-person shooter and online battle royale game. Players face each other in a deadly arena. It’s one of the best online games out there because you can craft, and take out other players. There’s also a storm that is closing in on the center of the island, and it’s pushing everyone towards the middle. It’s completely free to play, too, as you only pay for special skins for your characters.
To play Fortnite, you can use a variety of platforms, making it highly accessible for players. These platforms include:
- PC: Windows and macOS
- Consoles: PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, and Nintendo Switch
- Mobile Devices: Android (available through the Epic Games app and Samsung Galaxy Store)
- Cloud Gaming: Services like NVIDIA GeForce NOW
Each platform offers different control schemes and performance capabilities, but the core gameplay experience remains consistent across all.
Final Fantasy XIV (1987)
Do you like Massive Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Games (MMORPGs)? Final Fantasy XIV is a really fun game to play with friends. You get to explore the world and level up your character. Unfortunately, you need to pay a subscription to access it.
Final Fantasy, developed by Square Enix, is one of the most iconic and enduring franchises in gaming history, with over 164 million copies sold worldwide as of 2022. Since its debut in 1987, the series has expanded to include numerous mainline titles, spin-offs, and multimedia adaptations. The latest installment, Final Fantasy XVI, continues to captivate players with its rich storytelling and innovative gameplay. The franchise’s success is further underscored by its significant impact on the RPG genre, with Final Fantasy VII alone selling over 13 million copies since its original release in 1997 and its remake boosting sales further. The series has consistently set high standards for storytelling, graphics, and gameplay mechanics, cementing its place as a cornerstone of the gaming industry.
To play Final Fantasy games, the specific platform you need depends on the particular installment of the series, as the franchise has been released on various systems over the years. Here are the main platforms:
- PC: Windows
- Consoles: PlayStation (PS1, PS2, PS3, PS4, PS5), Xbox (Xbox 360, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S), and Nintendo consoles (NES, SNES, GameCube, Wii, Switch)
- Mobile Devices: iOS and Android (available through respective app stores)
- Cloud Gaming: Services like Google Stadia
Each game may have specific system requirements or compatibility, so it’s important to check the requirements for the specific Final Fantasy title you wish to play.
Counter-Strike (1999)
If you like first-person shooters (FPSs), Counter-Strike is among the best online games for you. The franchise thas been around for several years and always kept the public interested. In this game, the goal is to shoot the other players and be the last one standing. You can also join up with some friends and do team skirmishes.
Counter-Strike, originally a mod for Half-Life, has evolved into one of the most influential and enduring first-person shooter franchises in gaming. Developed by Valve, Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS), released in 2012, has become a cornerstone of competitive gaming, boasting over 20 million monthly active users as of 2020. The game’s peak concurrent player count surpassed 1.3 million in April 2020, demonstrating its widespread popularity. CS has also become a major force in the esports arena, with tournaments like the ESL Pro League and the Intel Extreme Masters offering prize pools exceeding $1 million. Its strategic gameplay, team-based mechanics, and vibrant community have solidified Counter-Strike as a staple in both casual and professional gaming circles.
To play Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS), you can use the following platforms:
- PC: Windows, macOS, and Linux
- Available on Steam, the digital distribution platform by Valve.
- Consoles:
- PlayStation 3: Available through the PlayStation Network.
- Xbox 360: Available through the Xbox Live Marketplace.
While CS is most popular and widely played on PC due to the precision and control offered by mouse and keyboard, the console versions provide an alternative for those who prefer gaming on these systems. However, it’s important to note that the console versions are not as actively supported or updated as the PC version.
Call of Duty Warzone (2020)
If you want a shooter with a more modern feel than Counter-Strike, Call of Duty Warzone may be among the best online games for you. In it, you team up with your friends to go against other teams and kill their avatars. There are also several different game modes, and several different maps to play on.
Call of Duty: Warzone, developed by Infinity Ward and Raven Software, has quickly become a major player in the battle royale genre since its release in March 2020. The game reached over 100 million players within its first year, demonstrating its widespread appeal. By the end of 2022, Warzone had amassed over 125 million players globally. Known for its fast-paced gameplay and integration with the broader Call of Duty series, Warzone has hosted in-game events and collaborations, maintaining high engagement. The game’s peak concurrent player count hit an impressive 6 million within 24 hours of its launch, showcasing its immediate impact.
Platforms to Play Call of Duty: Warzone
- PC: Windows
- Consoles:
- PlayStation 4
- PlayStation 5
- Xbox One
- Xbox Series X/S
Warzone supports cross-platform play, allowing players on different systems to compete and collaborate, further enhancing its popularity and accessibility.
Sports Betting
While not necessarily a game, sports betting with friends is a fun activity. Your friends can watch games together and place bets using an online sportsbook. It’s possible even to bet on the best on games such as Fortnite, Counter-Strike or Call of Duty. Often, they have online tournaments that you can watch.
Go forth!
There are so many really fun games to play with your friends online. With this list, you can pick one of the best online games and start playing right now. Or, ask your friends. What are they playing these days? Or, navigate yourselves over to Twitch and search for any of these games – streamers like s1mple (Oleksandr Kostyliev) (counterstrike) and Ninja (Tyler Blevins) (Fortnite) will keep you inspired.