The casual web game market is really heating up with some of the big money finally realizing that there is a huge audience for this type of content. At the same time there seems to be an explosion in the number of great games that are out there.
Here’s 5 interesting web games that I’ve run across recently. These games all share the following attributes:
- Instant game play. Fast loading, no install required.
- Intuitive controls. Web games can use the mouse, the keyboard or both. Dual mouse + keyboard controls can give a high degree of responsiveness (think Quake).
- Uniqueness. Web games need some kind of unique hook to differentiate themselves from the myriad of other games out there.
- Playability. Ultimately a game has to be fun to play. Playability is an elusive quality that often comes through a large amount of iterative tweaking and trial and error.
99 Bricks
99 Bricks is an ‘anti-Tetris’ puzzler where the aim is to build the tallest tower possible using 99 bricks. Features real-time physics to determine whether your tower will remain upright. Made by the egg-heads at WeirdBeard.
Tasha’s Game
Tasha’s Game is a very friendly and playable game with really nice mouse + keyboard controls and a unique storyline. It’s a little on the easy side and well suited to a lunchtime session. Built by DoubleFine, the game studio behind Psychonauts.
Draw-Play 3
Draw-Play 3 is a unique experience that builds on the Linerider concept where you draw the play-field for your character to walk on. Built by Eggy. Level 15 was as far as I got 🙁
Robokill
Robokill is a very slick and playable mouse + keyboard shoot-em-up in the vein of Smash TV that features very nice detailed graphics. Built by Rock Solid Arcade.
Vampire Boy
And just to prove that using the latest technology is not important, Vampire Boy is a 10 year old web game that’s as fun now as when it first came out. Beautifully responsive controls and attention to detail make this a joy to play. Built by Benjamin Pitt of RobotDuck.
Let me know in the comments if you know of some other cool games that deserve a link.
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I just released a game called Multiplayer Memory Mayhem and this seems like a good chance to pimp it!
http://nonoba.com/lucklaboratories/multiplayer-memory-mayhem/
I think it’s pretty good (although I guess I would say that)… The multiplayer aspect can make it very addictive (it’s best when there is 3-5 other people playing with you)… And the idea is that it’s simple enough to pick up immediately but through the interaction with other players it gets addictive and keeps you coming back for more…
[…] Felix of Airtight Interactive talks about five interesting web games. […]
[…] Flash Games – 5 Interesting Web Games […]
Maybe you’ll enjoy this one.
http://www.flashchess3.com
Free online classic chess game with tutoring features. Great for a coffee break. “Site of The Day” Adobe award.
That Robokill game could not possibly be any cooler. That thing BLOWS SmashTV out of the water. So much fun, and great graphics. Love the detail!
@liviurene
Thanks for the Chess Game. Very nice. That’s one I’ll definitely be playing.
nice……….
Robokill’s a cool game people should check it out. Thank you
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I’ve just come across a strange but interesting game called Titchy Big Kittens.
http://titchyeye.co.uk/titchyBigKittensPlaySharewareGame.aspx
Robokill couldn’t be better even though it’s hard it Rocks!!!! Best flash game i’ve ever played!!!!!!! I am enjoying 99 Blocks to although it seems a bit bogus because your tower falls apart for no reason. I want to play Vampire Boy but unfortunetly my computers having issues loading it. Draw play was really bad i’d put that low on my list. Tasha’s game is so so. Overall site is Awesome