10 Best Online Games To Play With Friends To Stay Connected | All & About

Just because you can’t physically be with your friends during the pandemic doesn’t mean that you can’t play with them. And having fun isn’t only for kids. Studies show that playing online games as an adult can do everything from help you to tackle your stress to boost your overall well-being—something that we all need during these heavy times.

1. Words with Friends 2:

The name of the game says it all “words, with, friends.” Rally together your mother, father, aunt, distant cousin, coworker, boss or neighbor and challenge them into taking you on as you scramble to create words out of the letters that you are issued. Whoever gets the most points wins. And your brain will get a workout as well because let’s be honest—there are only so many words that you can fit the letter Z into. Don’t you hate when you draw that letter in Scrabble?

2. Best Fiends Stars

Best Fiends STARS is a puzzle game that challenges you to “match and blast your way” through a series of “explosive” puzzles, collecting adorable characters and teaming up with your friends along the way. Challenge your friends to race to collect fallen treasures and stars before they get snagged by a team of slimy slugs.

3. Fortnite

Epic’s family-friendly battle royale shooter continues to draw in millions of daily active users. While some gamers focus on winning their next Victory Royale, the game offers dozens of challenges for gamers to take on and overcome. “The game continues to evolve with frequent changes to the map, so the current game world won’t be the same by the end of an eight-week self-quarantine,” says Chris Erb, gaming expert and founder of Tripleclix. He adds that the cartoon graphics appeal to gamers of all ages, “but be aware you do use guns to shoot other players in the game.” Fortnite is free on Xbox One, PC, Switch, PS4 and mobile.

4. Jackbox Games

As new account creations for the platform have been surging since more and more people have discovered that it’s popular trivia game You Don’t Know Jack can now be played with friends. The company posted a recent tutorial on how to do so here. The game will keep everyone on their toes as it tosses pop culture trivia questions as fast as you can answer them. Host Cookie Masterson walks you through the routine, while the occasional celebrity may pop up to lend a hand.

5. Minecraft

Erb deems this “the ultimate collaboration” and notes that it saw a resurgence last year and continues to grow with every new generation of gamer. Up to eight friends can join an online game and build whatever they can imagine in creative mode, or maybe they join up to see how long they can last in survival mode. “And if parents have a youngster in the house that’s never tried it, a few weeks off from school might be the perfect time to introduce them,” Erb adds. Minecraft’s building mechanics tend to turn children into budding construction engineers. All ages can play Minecraft on Xbox One, PC, Switch, PS4, and mobile for $20, and it’s available for free on Xbox Game Pass.

6. NBA 2k20

Fans might be distressed by the postponement of the real-life NBA season, but the virtual NBA is still going strong. Gamers can finish the season and even play through a run of the playoffs while waiting for the season to start again. NBA players have already been shooting out the online stadiums against each other, simulating what might have happened if they had actually played in real life. All ages can bring a full squad to the courts and play as a single team in online matches. NBA 2k20 will set you back $60 on digital marketplaces and $30 for physical versions on Xbox One, PC, Switch, and PS4. The game is also available for free on Xbox Game Pass.

7. Decurse

Dedazzle, craft and farm your way through enchanted lands and see if you can reverse the curse!” This game allows you to connect with Facebook friends or make some new friends in-game. Players can join a clubhouse and collaborate on special challenges, earn club points, achieve a spot on the leaderboard and earn prizes! You can also exchange materials with your friends to help on your journey. It can be played on iOS, Google Play and Amazon. Ages Rating is 4+.

8. Uno and Cards Against Humanity:

During her coronavirus lockdown, Tayla Burke, founder of Camp Conscious, says she has been keeping playing playing these party classics online with her friends. “I like these games because they are light hearted and sure to brighten your mood! You’re sure to have a few good laughs even on your own in self-quarantine! It makes me feel like I am not actually by myself every day,” she proclaims.

9. Pokemon Go

Walk around your house, yard and neighborhood with the mission of collecting hidden Pokemon that could be lurking everywhere from your kitchen to back patio. The game enlists the use of your mobile GPS and clock, allows you to interact with your friends, and even lets you track their activity in the game. You can create a friends list and engage in some in-game trading and gift-giving. The game’s manufacturers have made some adjustments that allow you to find more monsters closer to home and features that make the game more consumable in “individual settings.”

10. Mario Kart Tour

Grab Mario, the princess and all of your favorite childhood classic Nintendo pals, toss them in a go-kart, and you’re off! This version raises the stakes even higher, putting you face-to-face with courses that take you underwater and even hang gliding. And the mobile version allows you to bring your friends along for a little friendly competition.