Guardian Insider

In a world where digital connection is more important than ever, online games have become the virtual playgrounds of modern friendship. Whether you’re catching up with long-distance friends, looking to unwind after work, or planning a weekend of virtual hangouts, online games offer a fun and interactive way to stay connected—no matter where you are.

From strategic challenges to party chaos, here’s a guide to the best online games that promise hours of remote fun with your friends.


1. Among Us – Trust No One (Or Everyone)

Platform: PC, iOS, Android, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation, Xbox
Best For: Group deception and chaos

This social deduction game exploded in popularity during the pandemic—and for good reason. In Among Us, you and your friends are crewmates on a spaceship, working together to complete tasks. But there’s a twist: one or more of you is an imposter, tasked with sabotaging the mission and eliminating the others.

Why it’s fun: It’s the ultimate trust game. Accusations fly, alibis are spun, and paranoia runs high. It’s a hilarious test of friendship and persuasion.

Pro tip: Use voice chat through Discord to take your sessions to the next level.


2. Jackbox Party Packs – The Ultimate Digital Party

Platform: PC, Mac, Xbox, PlayStation, Nintendo Switch, Smart TVs
Best For: Party games with a twist

Jackbox Games offers a series of party packs filled with quirky, clever mini-games that players can join via their phones. Only one person needs to own the game—the rest join through a browser link.

Popular games include:

  • Quiplash – a funny fill-in-the-blank game
  • Fibbage – where lying convincingly is the goal
  • Tee K.O. – design hilarious T-shirts and vote for your favorites

Why it’s fun: These games are great for any group size, from 3 to 10+, and bring out creativity and laughter.

Pro tip: Share your screen over Zoom or Discord and invite as many players as you like.


3. Skribbl.io – Pictionary Goes Online

Platform: Browser-based
Best For: Casual, creative fun

Skribbl.io is a free drawing and guessing game that’s like a virtual version of Pictionary. Each player takes turns drawing a word while others try to guess what it is.

Why it’s fun: The joy (and chaos) of trying to interpret your friend’s terrible drawings is unmatched. It’s low-pressure, quick to learn, and always hilarious.

Pro tip: Create private rooms and customize word lists to personalize the experience.


4. Minecraft – Build, Explore, Survive Together

Platform: PC, Mac, Mobile, Xbox, PlayStation, Nintendo Switch
Best For: Creative collaboration and adventure

Minecraft has stood the test of time as a sandbox game that offers endless possibilities. Whether you’re building dream castles, exploring caves, or surviving against mobs, it’s a perfect game for long-distance friends.

Why it’s fun: It’s collaborative, open-ended, and lets players get as creative or competitive as they want.

Pro tip: Use mods and custom maps to enhance gameplay and create custom challenges.


5. Fortnite – Battle and Bond

Platform: PC, Console, Mobile
Best For: Fast-paced action with style

Fortnite isn’t just a battle royale game—it’s a whole social platform. With cross-platform play, weekly events, creative modes, and even in-game concerts, it’s a dynamic and entertaining way to game with friends.

Why it’s fun: It combines teamwork, strategy, and constant updates that keep the experience fresh.

Pro tip: Try Creative Mode for a more relaxed, fun-focused hangout instead of hardcore competition.


6. Tabletop Simulator – Game Night Without the Table

Platform: PC
Best For: Board game lovers

If you and your friends are fans of board games, Tabletop Simulator is a must-have. It’s a virtual platform where you can play thousands of classic and indie games—from chess and checkers to Catan and Cards Against Humanity.

Why it’s fun: It gives you the feel of a real game night, complete with virtual dice, cards, and boards.

Pro tip: Use the Steam Workshop to access user-created versions of your favorite games for free.


7. Fall Guys – Wacky Competitions

Platform: PC, Xbox, PlayStation, Nintendo Switch
Best For: Light-hearted multiplayer fun

Think of Fall Guys as a game show meets battle royale. Dozens of jellybean-like characters run, jump, and dive their way through absurd obstacle courses. It’s chaotic, colorful, and highly competitive.

Why it’s fun: It’s impossible not to laugh as you and your friends bumble your way through the mayhem.

Pro tip: Queue into matches together for friendly competition or form a party to stick together.


8. Gartic Phone – Telephone + Drawing = Chaos

Platform: Browser-based
Best For: Drawing, guessing, and pure silliness

Gartic Phone takes the classic game of telephone and mixes it with doodling. One player draws a prompt, the next describes it, the next draws the description, and so on. The results? Pure hilarious nonsense.

Why it’s fun: It’s fast-paced, requires no drawing skills, and leads to unpredictable laughs.

Pro tip: Great for bigger groups (up to 30!), and even more fun if you’re on a voice call reacting in real-time.


9. Rocket League – Soccer Meets Rocket Cars

Platform: PC, Console
Best For: Competitive, fast-paced team fun

Rocket League is simple to describe—soccer with rocket-powered cars—but mastering it takes practice. You and your friends can form a team, pull off aerial shots, or just crash into each other for laughs.

Why it’s fun: It’s high-octane, wildly addictive, and surprisingly deep.

Pro tip: Set up custom games for 2v2s or 3v3s with just your squad for more chill fun.


10. Don’t Starve Together – Survival and Strategy

Platform: PC, Console
Best For: Dark humor and survival fans

This spooky, hand-drawn survival game challenges you and your friends to explore a creepy wilderness, gather resources, build shelters, and fend off bizarre creatures. It’s hard—but fun.

Why it’s fun: It’s perfect for groups who like strategy and want a challenge with a whimsical art style.

Pro tip: Designate roles among your friends—one gathers food, one builds, one fights monsters!


11. UNO! Mobile – Classic Card Game Online

Platform: Mobile, Facebook, Browser
Best For: Casual players and card game lovers

Who doesn’t love a round of UNO? With online play and voice chat, you can now skip the deck and still play with friends across the globe.

Why it’s fun: It’s familiar, competitive, and perfect for a quick, casual hangout.

Pro tip: Turn on house rules like Stacking or Jump-In to spice things up.


12. Stardew Valley – Cozy and Collaborative

Platform: PC, Console, Mobile
Best For: Chill gaming and life simulation fans

In Stardew Valley, you and your friends can build and manage a farm, fish, mine, craft, and even get married (in-game, of course). It’s cozy, wholesome, and perfect for a relaxing time.

Why it’s fun: It’s the ultimate chill game. You can farm, explore, and bond at your own pace.

Pro tip: Plan your tasks together and divide responsibilities—it’s teamwork farming at its finest.


13. Codenames Online – Wordplay with a Twist

Platform: Browser-based
Best For: Word nerds and thinkers

Codenames is a clever game of associations. Players split into two teams and give clues to guess the correct words on a board without triggering the assassin word. It’s all about how your brain works.

Why it’s fun: It’s great for groups, sparks creative thinking, and offers lots of “aha!” moments.

Pro tip: Pair with a video call to see those epic lightbulb moments and groans of defeat.


14. Dead by Daylight – Hide and Seek with a Killer Twist

Platform: PC, Console
Best For: Horror fans and adrenaline junkies

In this 4v1 asymmetrical horror game, one player is the killer while the others try to escape. Each match is a suspenseful race against time with moments of terror, triumph, and betrayal.

Why it’s fun: It’s thrilling, tense, and perfect if your friend group loves a little fright.

Pro tip: Take turns being the killer for a more balanced and fair experience.


15. Trivia Murder Party – Smarts Meet Spooks

Platform: Jackbox Party Pack 3 & 6
Best For: Quiz lovers with a dark sense of humor

Another Jackbox gem, Trivia Murder Party combines classic trivia with a spooky game-show vibe. Wrong answers get you closer to “death,” and mini-games keep everyone engaged.

Why it’s fun: It’s educational, funny, and features just the right amount of horror.

Pro tip: Don’t be afraid to guess—you never know who’s bluffing.


Conclusion: Stay Connected, Stay Playing

Online games are more than just pixels on a screen—they’re experiences, inside jokes, late-night hangouts, and moments of joy. Whether you’re into intense survival games, ridiculous party games, or laid-back farming simulators, there’s something out there for every friend group.

In the end, the best online game is the one that brings you and your friends together, makes you laugh, challenges you, or simply helps you forget about the world for a little while.

So boot up that console, fire up Zoom or Discord, and dive into your