Casual games are a great option when you don’t have much time on your hands or want to game on the go. Most of these titles are mobile-friendly, so you can play them on your smartphone or tablet. They’re also easy to learn, so you can start having fun right away.
If you’re looking to engage in free online gaming, there are tons of options that offer quick and fun experiences you can dive into at any time. Best of all, you don’t have to reserve several hours out of your day to play these games because most of them are designed to be played in short sessions. With that in mind, we’ve compiled this list of casual games worth trying in 2023.
Mind games
Players who like to exercise their minds can choose from a number of titles that are still very popular. Chess, for example, has evolved by adapting its classic game to the online world. The same goes for poker, one of the most popular card games in the world.
The game has evolved over time, and there are many interesting variants, including online real-money options players can choose from today from various providers. If you’ve never played poker, you’ll need to learn the rules and strategies before getting started. However, once you have some experience under your belt, you’ll most likely find it a very enjoyable game to play.
Candy Crush Saga
If you haven’t played this classic match-3 game, 2023 is the time to give it a spin. The game debuted in 2012, gaining a large following on Facebook and remaining one of the most popular social games of the past decade.
The gameplay is simple: match the colorful pieces of candy to progress through the different stages of the game. There are lots of obstacles to trip you up along the way, but you can always ask your friends to send some help your way.
Portal 1 & 2
Game nights with friends are a lot of fun, and escape rooms you can play at home have become quite popular over the past couple of years. When your friends aren’t around, and you’re craving the escape room experience, Portal 1 and Portal 2 are great games to play.
These puzzlers tell the story of Chell as she makes her way through the Aperture Science facility. You’ll solve puzzles and figure out how to escape each test chamber using the portal gun. While it’s not an escape room in the traditional sense, it’s worth playing when you want a challenge.
Animal Crossing: New Horizons
If you’ve been wondering whether this game lives up to the hype, we’re here to tell you it does. Animal Crossing: New Horizons is the latest game in the classic Nintendo Series. The game transports you to an island paradise where you’re surrounded by cute animal villagers and tasked with building a new home.
The game unfolds in real-time, so if you’re playing at midnight, it’ll be midnight in the game, and most of your animal friends will likely be sleeping. You’ll spend your days exploring the island’s terrain, digging up fossils, fishing, shopping, and exploring the ocean’s depths. If you’re ready for a tropical getaway, this is your game.
Among Us
This runaway hit has captured the imagination of gamers worldwide. You’ll work with other astronauts to fix your spaceship while trying to figure out who’s the saboteur trying to kill you all.
There are several ways to go about the task of trying to uncover the bad apple, including using social manipulation to get at the truth. If you’re the saboteur, you’ll have to lie the best you can to succeed at your mission and eliminate the other players.
Angry Birds 2
As one of the most iconic mobile games ever made, the Angry Birds franchise has some of the best casual gameplay available. Nobody could have predicted the success of the series when it launched in 2009.
What started as a simple game turned into a phenomenon with several sequels and a movie. If you loved the first Angry Birds game, there’s much more fun in Angry Birds 2. Get ready to fling your bird at obstacles and use the new power ups introduced in the sequel.