If you are a hardcore online gamer, it must be very interesting to find games to play with friends at home. These days, most gamers currently don’t have much of a choice except to play at home. Stay-at-home orders have put a damper on being social with friends, family, and even co-workers.
If you are thinking of things to do to stay connected during quarantine, online video games should be on your list. Here, we’ll list some of the best online games to play with your friends and family at home.
26 Best Online Games to Play With Friends at Home
Whether you are looking for old-school favorites or hard-core board games, there is most likely a virtual option for you to play them. Online and mobile platforms are now offering your favorite board games, card games, and trivia games. This is in addition to the already popular multiplayer games.
Consider these best online games to play with your friends as an alternative form of socializing.
1. Skribbl.io
Skribbl.io is an online guessing game to play with friends. The mechanics of the game involves guessing what the other person is drawing. Users take turns to draw and guess. Each player has an unlimited number of guesses. You can keep on guessing until you get the correct answer. The game will provide hints in the form of dashes.
As for the one drawing the image, they will get to choose one of three randomly generated words to draw. You can create your own private room for close friends, or join other public rooms. Skribbl is free to play, and you don’t need an Adobe Flash Player for it. At the beginning of each game, the players are also allowed to create a name for themselves. They can also customize their character. Skribbl is available for free play online.
2. Spyfall
Spyfall is a social deduction game to play with friends. Each person in the game receives a location and a role. One person among the team won’t know the location, and their role would be the spy. The mission of the spy is to go undetected and guess the location. The rest of the team, on the other hand, will then go around asking questions to expose the spy.
Players take turns asking questions to check which team members know the location. The person asking the question can choose the person to answer it, and so on. Once the players have a consensus about who the spy could be, the team can pause the timer and accuse that person. A majority vote will compel the suspected spy to reveal their card. If the suspicion is correct, everyone else wins and scores. If not, then the real spy reveals himself and wins.
Spyfall is available for purchase online. The game is also available on multiple hosting websites such as Tabletopia.
3. Krunker.io
Available as a free web-based game, Krunker.io is a fast-paced, first-person shooter game to play with friends. In this game, players get deployed in a pixelated world. The objective is to fight against other players from around the world. At the outset, the player can choose among character templates. These include detective, rocketeer, agent, runner, bowman, and hunter. Each character has a different appearance and set of weapons. To survive the game, the players must have a quick aim and steady eye. It’s imperative that the characters move quickly and always remain on guard.
Another aspect of gameplay that makes Krunker stand out is its wide selection of maps, which are landscapes where the game takes place. Players are also able to track their scores in a leaderboard, along with other stats. It’s also very easy to join this game; all you need to do is to open a server from the list of servers. It is highly recommended to select a server that is close to your physical location. This is to avoid any lags during gameplay.
4. Codenames Online
Codenames Online is a guessing game to play with friends right on your web browser. It can also be purchased online. Each game consists of two teams representing two competing spy networks. Each team will get codes to contact their fellow secret agents. While doing this, they should also avoid contacting the deadly assassin. You play the game with a 5 x 5 grid of words representing the names of the secret agents. The operatives must be able to contact agents based on the clues provided by the spymaster.
For each clue, the spymaster provides one word and a number. The number should be within the number of cards, each containing a codename or clue. The number provided in the clue is also the maximum number of cards that you can flip for that turn. At this point, you can begin turning cards to check for your team’s agents. If you flip a card that doesn’t belong to your team, your turn is over and the spymaster gives another clue. The first team to contact all of their secret agents wins. The team that touches the assassin loses. No one can communicate anything other than through worded clues.
5. The Sims 3: Island Paradise
The Sims 3: Island Paradise promises a very exciting and carefree tropical lifestyle. The game transports the players from city life into an island paradise in the tropics. The game is the third expansion pack to the Sims 3 and the first one to include a vacation theme. The player can select from a variety of cities and neighborhoods that you can play at. Island Paradise comes with a nifty new island called “Isla Paradiso.”
The game promises plenty of adventure and relaxation. This can be in the form of boating, water skiing, and scuba diving. Players can ride on speed boats, boats, and aqua sleds for fun. There’s also a selection of resorts, and houseboats to stay in. It’s even possible to create your own houseboat or barge over the water and live there. Business-minded players can build their own resort from the ground up. With this game, you can expect a lot of sunburns, bug bites, and sand. And hey, you might even see the legendary Kraken in the background!
You can download and play Sims 3: Island Paradise in multiplayer or singleplayer. Island Paradise is available as the tenth expansion pack to the Sims 3 franchise. This means you need to have the Sims 3 software installed beforehand.
6. Secret Hitler
Secret Hitler is a social deduction game available for purchase online. It’s also one of the best games to play with friends. The theme of the game is political intrigue and hidden identities set in 1930s Germany. Players are secretly divided into two teams: the liberals and the fascists. Most players will be liberal, while a few will be fascist. Known only to each other, the fascists coordinate. They have a secret mission to sow distrust and install Hitler as Chancellor. Meanwhile, the liberals must stop Secret Hitler before he gets elected.
The game involves the selection of a president through a majority vote. The assigned president chooses a chancellor. The president selects three cards from the deck and discards one. The chancellor then takes the cards and leaves just one card placed on the deck. Each card represents either a liberal or fascist policy to enact. After each turn, the roles of the president and chancellor gets passed on to other members. Afterward, you get to select cards all over again. The liberals can win by passing five liberal policies or by assassinating Hitler. Fascists will win the game if six fascist policies get enacted. Another way they could win is if Hitler becomes chancellor after they enact the third fascist policy.
7. Werewolf on Telegram
Werewolf is a deception game to play with friends. The game relies on the Telegram app on the Apple iPhone and iPad to function. It’s derived from a board game with the same name and mechanics. The objective of the game is to kill the potential werewolves. You can do this by intelligent guesswork about who the other players are. A Werewolf bot assigns each individual a specific role. It also provides you with options to lynch other players every night.
At the end of each day, there are a limited number of revealers. These are people who risk their lives by revealing who they think are werewolves. If the team believes the revealers, then the individuals identified get lynched. If the revealer is wrong about the identity of the person, he/she dies. Entire teams can vote for people to get lynched off if they think that person is a werewolf.
There’s also an Alpha Wolf that can convert villagers into werewolves. The Alpha Wolf can do this each time a werewolf gets killed. There are also assigned mad bombers who explode and kill the two persons next to them. There’s also a leprechaun who is also randomly attacking players. Other players can reach out to help them.
To play the game, you need to download or access the Werewolf bot through the Telegram app.
8. The Escape Game
The Escape Game is an online scavenger hunt and mystery game to play with friends. More appropriately, the title refers to a series of live, 60-minute adventures online. Users can choose among a wide selection of themes (e.g. prison, deep space, classical art heist). Each theme corresponds to an escape room where players can form teams. The challenge to each team is to complete the mission in under 60 minutes. Along the way, the team will have to decipher clues and solve puzzles. To assist with teamwork, each team gets assigned a moderator. The teams are also able to communicate with the moderator and other members through Zoom.
The sub-games of the Escape Game franchise are available for purchase online. You can play any of these games on any PC or phone.
9. Animal Crossing: New Horizons
Animal Crossing: New Horizons is a highly popular simulation game on Nintendo Switch and one of the best online games to play with friends. Up to eight players can live on one island. Meanwhile, up to four players on the island can play together like a couch co-op. Note that you can only have one island can per Nintendo Switch. This means that people who use the same console would have to share an island.
Any member of the family can call on other members to play couch co-op. Whoever makes the call becomes the co-op leader. The objective is to help the co-op leader to pick fruits, catch bugs, or catch fish. All the bugs and fish that the team catches get deposited in the Resident Services recycle bin. Players can retrieve these items later.
You can also visit other islands belonging to your friends. Even without internet connection, you can visit each other’s’ islands through local wireless play. Just make sure that your friends have their own Nintendo Switch and their island on the game. They must also provide permission for you to visit their island. You must also be able to unlock the Dodo Airlines function on your game before you can fly to other islands.
You can get Animal Crossing: New Horizons exclusively on the Nintendo Switch. The game is available for sale on Nintendo and other online gaming stores.
10. Cards Against Humanity Online
Cards Against Humanity is a humorous and dark card game. It has different visual representations but the mechanics are the same. It’s the same deck of cards and the same concept as the original. In this game, there are two decks of cards. The black cards are the questions while the white cards are the potential answers.
A player selects a question from the black cards. Then everyone else picks one of the white cards from their hand. Afterwards, each person submits the funniest (and most inappropriate) answer. All it takes to play the game is honesty and a great sense of humor. The winner is the player who, by the end of the game, submits the most cards with the funniest answers.
You can play Cards Against Humanity online through several web-based hosting sites.
11. Jackbox Games
Jackbox Games is an online website offering a wide variety of multiplayer party games to play with friends. This game allows people to play virtual trivia and murder mystery games. There’s also plenty of other fun party games. You can play with up to eight people. These games are sometimes referred to as “party packs” due to its multiplayer capacity. To begin gameplay, all the users need to access a videoconferencing site. This may include popular videoconferencing apps like Zoom or Google Hangouts.
The moderator sends a link inviting the others to join. The main screen displays the game for all the players. Meanwhile, the players are able to communicate through a smaller interface. Each player then needs to answer each question or prompt that appears on the screen.
The Jackbox party packs are available for purchase from their website. You can play any Jackbox Games on PC and mobile.
12. Tabletopia
Tabletopia is an advanced virtual table with high-quality board games. It’s a virtual recreation of the physical games that usually require gaming boards. The concept of a virtual gaming table is a highly innovative approach. This is a response to the problem most people face with board games, which is the need for proximity.
Players from around the world can visit the Discord channel. This is a place where players can meet each other and look for potential opponents. Players can choose from more than 300 board games available on the site. The website can provide an excellent 3D environment for board games. You can rotate the board, zoom in on individual pieces, and draw cards from piles on the table.
Tabletopia is available to be played for free on Steam.
13. Draw Something!
Draw Something is a variation of the famous Pictionary game. And like the original Pictionary, this is a game that you can play with friends online. The objective of the game is to guess the drawings of other people and to create pictures for them to guess. First, the game selects a random opponent for you from the list of people using the software.
When the game starts, the app will give you a word to draw. You will need to sketch the item using a variety of brushes and paintings. Afterward, you can share your artwork with your opponent so he can key in what the word is. The app will then switch to your next opponent and this time you will be the one to guess. The task of the player simply alternates between drawing and guessing. The app also makes it possible for you to save your drawings to share with friends and family.
Draw Something is a free mobile application that works on Android and iOS devices. You can download the app from the Google Play Store or Apple App Store.
14. Them Bombs
Them Bombs is a bomb-defusing simulation game that you can play with friends. The premise of the game is that you are led into a ticking bomb that you need to defuse. You will be part of an expert team. There are several wires on the bomb and your team needs to discuss how to defuse the bomb and which wires to cut. Eventually, your flashlight battery runs out. There’s also a leaderboard on the game that allows you to see how the teams from around the world are doing. This adrenaline-inducing game is intended to put your communication skills to the test.
Them Bombs is available for purchase on various platforms such as consoles and mobile. The mobile version works on Android and Apple devices. You can download the app through Google Play or Apple Store.
15. Keep Talking and Nobody Explodes
Keep Talking and Nobody Explodes is another bomb-defusing simulation game. The premise is the same. You are a bomb-defusing team, and there’s an active bomb. Like in all bomb scenarios, the bomb has a timer that will go off if you don’t defuse it on time. The main difference is that you are left alone in a room with the bomb while your friends are locked outside with the bomb-defusing manual. The key to getting through this game is fast and effective communication. You also need a little bit of puzzle-solving abilities. Defuse the bomb to save yourself and your friends before it explodes.
Keep Talking and Nobody Explodes is available for purchase online and through mobile. It can be played on almost every platform, including mobile, PC, and VR.
16. Tabletop Simulator
Tabletop Simulator is a digital tabletop. It allows users to play and create board games. The simulator can play games like chess, checkers, and backgammon. There are also jigsaw puzzles and card games. There are very limited rules for the software. All you need to do is to choose the type of table and the type of game that you want. There are plenty of games available. Most of which have been contributed by the online community.
Once the program is up and running, users get a brief tutorial. This gives them an overview of how to view the game area and move pieces around. Besides this, players can connect with friends and family from around the world. The simulator also makes it possible to develop your games and upload them to the system.
Visit the Tabletop Workshop to learn more about how to create original games. The gaming simulator is available for purchase online. For a fee, users can play games and create games on the software.
17. Psych
Psych! is a highly social trivia game to play with friends. There are a variety of fun categories for trivia questions. Each player needs to makes up fake answers to real trivia questions. All the players need to choose one answer. Players earn points by guessing the correct answer from the series of fake answers. Players also earn points if their fake answer is selected. There’s a brand-new “And The Truth Comes Out” segment. This is where friends get to ask interesting questions about each other.
Psych! is available for purchase from the Google Play Store or the Apple App Store. The program runs on both Android and iOS devices.
18. Monopoly Online
Monopoly Online is a capitalist and real-estate simulation game that’s best played online with friends. The game follows the same mechanics and standard rules of the original board game. The objective of the game is to have the most currency in your hands while forcing other players to go bankrupt. Winning the game by being financially solvent is just the first goal. Forcing others to fall and lose dramatically is the second.
Upon starting the game, the players are asked to type in an alias. They are also asked to choose their desired color and create a personal avatar. Players are randomly assigned to each other to monitor. At each turn, players are allowed four actions during their turn. This action can be used to pick out a card or take action to steal cards from another player. The player can also throw dice and the total value of the two dice shall be the movement value of the player. The game ends when all the players, except for one, go bankrupt. The last remaining player with financial capability will win the game.
Monopoly Online is available as a free web-based game. There’s also a premium mobile app that you can download from the Google Play Store or the Apple App Store.
19. Call of Duty
Call of Duty is a multi-player, first-person shooting game to play with friends. It is one of the most prevalent video game franchises ever. It has several games under its wing, all of which are well-received. Modern Warfare, Black Ops, and Warzone are the most popular examples. The franchise was one of the first video game titles to popularize the shoot to kill concepts in gaming. All the games follow the same theme: modern warfare.
The games feature advanced 3D graphics and seamless gameplay. This means players can move about freely without any lags. There’s very little that the players can’t do in terms of movement, except for sprinting perhaps. The game features a multitude of weapons to choose from. The game also features dozens of maps and different game modes to play on. Users also have the option to play the game as a guest anytime or as a registered user.
Games under the Call of Duty franchise can be played using PC, and Xbox One and PS4 consoles.
20. Tetris 99
Tetris is a highly popular block puzzle game to play with friends. The game starts at the lowest level. This is also the easiest. The objective of the game is to get as many points as possible by clearing a horizontal line of blocks. This is achieved by rotating, moving, and dropping the falling Tetriminos.
The Tetriminos come in different shapes and colors. These are dropped at random inside the playing field. The line is cleared when there are no gaps in it and when all blocks within the line are complete. The more lines are completed at once, the more points gained. The game gets progressively harder as the Tetriminos fall faster.
Tetris is available as a free web-based application that you can play anytime.
21. Player Unknown’s Battlegrounds (PUBG)
Player Unknown’s Battlegrounds (PUBG) is a survivalist shooter game. It’s also one of the best online games to play with friends. The game was inspired by the survivalist concept of the Battle Royale franchise. The objective of the game is to defend oneself against other attackers and to stay as the last man alive. All players are dropped from an airplane and land on a deserted island. Each player also arrives with a backpack, but this is empty.
The objective is to quickly search for weapons and supplies. Defending oneself involves shooting potential attackers first. Throughout the game, an increasing number of players will die because they are forced to kill each other. Over the course of the gameplay, the safe area on the island shrinks slowly. The game ends essentially when only one player is left standing.
You can play PUBG on the Xbox, PS4, Stadia consoles. It’s also available on PC and mobile.
22. Red Dead Online
Red Dead Online is a multi-player action-adventure game to play with friends. Set in a fictionalized Wild West US, the game offers several characters with their respective storylines. You can become a Bounty Hunter, a Trader, a Collector, or a Moonshiner. Each of these roles has 20 ranks to progress through. The objective is to reach the highest rank. To do this, the player must complete specific roles to advance the narrative of the game.
A token is also provided each time you unlock a role rank, which you can save to purchase luxury and special items. A player can also take part in side missions for extra tokens. Progressing through the ranks also translates to unlocking “ability cards.” These provide special powers or abilities to better fulfill your current role. The game also introduces the honor system. Players must maintain their respective honor meters at healthy levels for the story line to progress. Negative deeds cause honor meter levels to plummet.
Red Dead Online can be played on PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC, and Stadia consoles. If you like Red Dead Online, read this article for more examples of epic PC games to play.
23. Words with Friends 2
Words with Friends 2 is a word-creation mobile game to play with friends. The game was inspired by the world-famous Scrabble, following the same concept. The objective of the game is to form words using the letters provided both on the board and on your dash. Each turn is time-limited and so the players need to think fast. Users also have the ability to adjust the difficulty level for gameplay.
The regular matches benefit from a Smart Match feature. This automatically and randomly selects opponents. Players can also opt to play the individual path. This means engaging in the word battle with fictional players instead of real ones. Players can also form teams to play against other teams. There’s also a time-pressured round where players attempt to break existing record time for the most number of words.
Words with Friends 2 is available as a free mobile app. You can download it from the Google Play Store or Apple App Store. The game also runs on both Android and Apple devices.
24. Fortnite: Save the World
Fortnite is a third-person shooter survival game. It’s also one of the best games to play with friends. The game is set on a storm-plagued, apocalyptic Earth. Zombie-like creatures inhabit this apocalyptic environment. Avid fans of this series have commented that it is a great combination of Minecraft and Left 4 Dead. The players take the role of commanders of shelters.
The objective of players is to collect resources, save survivors, and defend equipment. To do this, the players need to shoot down zombies along the way. The players also have “storm shields” to help them navigate. Each completed mission reaps rewards. This may be in the form of weapons and strap mechanics, survivors, or hero characters as new members of the team.
Users can play Fornite using the XBox One, Nintendo Switch, and PC. A mobile version is also available for Mac computers and iPhones.
25. Counterstrike: Global Offensive
Counter-Strike: Global Offensive is a multiplayer first-person shooting game. The game always splits players into two teams. There are terrorists and counter-terrorists. The objective of both groups is to eliminate the other. There are also side missions for each side during gameplay. The terrorists, for example, must plant the bomb or defend the hostages. The counter-terrorists must save the hostages and defuse the bomb.
There are nine game modes in total that players can choose from. The game provides players access to a multitude of weapons. This includes guns, grenades, and makeshift bombs. The game also introduced a battle-royale gaming mode called “Danger Zone.” Players group into teams and try to eliminate other teams.
Counter-Strike is compatible with any PC. Users can also play it on the Xbox 360, Xbox One, and PS3 consoles.
26. Cribbage
Cribbage is a classic card game where you can play against other friends. The goal is to get 121 points by scoring points while each player drops their cards. The score is tracked on a Cribbage board, where you have to go around 2 times to win. If you don’t have a cribbage board, not to worry, you can play Cribbage here.
Final Thoughts
Gone are the days when peers and family members all had to be physically present in one room to play a game. Nowadays, various online platforms host board games, card games, and multiplayer video games. The ability to engage in online gameplay with your friends and family also counts as quality time. And the best thing is? No one has to leave the house. And if you ever get tired of playing multiplayer, there are always single-player PC games to fall back on. If you want to explore new games for free, we recommend this list of the best game download sites.
Online video games are also very efficient. There’s no need to purchase actual boards and pieces. Sure, it might cost a little for the subscription or purchase of the online game. And of course, most of these games require a stable internet connection. Online multiplayer games, in particular, require a good internet speed for smooth gaming. A stable internet means that your upload and download speeds are up to the standards. Nonetheless, you won’t need to pack up the actual pieces when you’re done. Given the circumstances, this is the next best thing to a family or friendly gathering. Just make sure to stay home and make the games count.
