We've all been there. It's 4.30pm on a lazy Friday afternoon in the office and you've done all your work during the week. Leaving early is not an option, so you should find something to do for the next 30 minutes or so. Enter the savior that is browser-based games online.
Whether it's about putting on, blowing up as many balloons as possible or becoming the most famous iceberg penguin (RIP Club Penguin), the perfect procrastination tool for you is out there somewhere.
To help you find that, we have reduced all existing online games (of which I can assure you there are many) to find the best 18.
Here is our selection of the best online games you can play now .
READ NEXT: The best PC games you can buy
The best online games you can play now
1. Frogs Fractions
Play it here
In the humble opinion of this author, Frogs Fragments by Jim Crawford is the best free online game that adorns the global network. Launched in October 2012, it is described as a parody of the game genre & # 39; edutainment & # 39 ;. To start, you control a frog, and the goal is to pluck insects from the sky to defend the fruit that has been kneaded by the friendly amphibian. As time passes, you can spend points on improvements to improve the frog's skills in the game. Without wishing to give too much, you will also experience riding a dragon through an asteroid field to Mars and running for president in the context of a music simulation game. Try it and you will understand, I promise.
Best of all? Absolutely no knowledge of the fractions is required to complete the game.
Its sequel, Frog Fractions 2, was funded by Kickstarter in 2014, with a final release in December 2016. But it could only be accessed by first completing a multi-segmented alternative reality game developed by Crawford, of course.
2. Wonderputt
Play here
Wonderputt, if not the best free online game, is almost certainly the most aesthetically pleasing. It's a simple concept: you have to go through 18 holes in the least amount of strokes possible, so it's basically crazy golf. "But golf is the opposite of entertainment." I hear you lament. Do not fear, because the entertainment here derives from the beautiful way in which the course is transformed to reveal new sections and challenges. Expect to find ski slopes, skyscrapers and Stonehenge on your way through the countryside.
Wonderputt is really a unique online gaming experience, and although it does not have much repetition value, you'll definitely appreciate the idea and the effort that's gone. at.
3. Aggressive alpine skiing
Play here
At the other end of the spectrum, aggressive alpine skiing is one of the simplest, but most effective concepts that exist. One of the OG flash games that you can find on the Internet, your task is to reach the end of the slope unharmed. It sounds easy, but that is before considering that you avoid multiple stationary obstacles, as well as a gunman (very unexplained) trying to knock you down from a gondola.
The frantic pace of the game takes a while getting used to, but you will soon find yourself hooked. You will also have a long way to go before exceeding the maximum score of 2,147,483,647 from "Neddy & # 39; s & # 39; s. Mine is 3,870 at this time.
4. Robot Unicorn Attack
Play here
An endless game that found fame in classroom computers across the country, Robot Unicorn Attack also helped (briefly) restore the popularity of the English synthpop duo Erasure. His iconic soundtrack helped him to become one of the most popular and most played games that appeared in Adult Swim, obtaining one million reproductions in the first week of its release. The games website has made official merchandise, and has also been launched in the App Store and Google Play. Three tracks, titled Heavy Metal, Christmas and Evolution also arrived in due time.
With infinite value of repetition, this game is for you if you dream of living in harmony, harmony, harmony (oh yes). [19659012] 5. Bubble Trouble
Play here
Bubble Trouble sees you, and potentially a friend, struggling to clear all the bubbles and get out of trouble. You must destroy the spheres that bounce by dividing them again and again with a line of your harpoon, without letting you touch them at any time. You can collect the objects you fall for improvements and get bonus points by eliminating all the bubbles before the time runs out.
However, the best aspect of this game is the playable character. Think that Hellboy meets Keanu Reeves in the Matrix trilogy. It sounds weird, but believe me, it's a strong look.
6. Bloons Tower Defense 5
Play here
For a brief period, Bloons Tower Defense became the favorite game for travelers from all over the country. Its latest version, Tower Defense 6, is only available on iOS and Android, proving its popularity. The main objective of the game is to prevent the & # 39; bloons & # 39; arrive at the end of a predetermined course. You must choose several types of towers and traps to place around the course to defend against the bloons, and advance to the end of the game.
The original Bloons, also produced by NinjaKiwi, could be said to be an even better game. In short, you are an unbearably cute little monkey that throws darts to bust as many balloons as possible. They will spend hours of fun / distraction without meaning.
7. Fancy Pants Adventure 2
Play here
In the competitive world of side-scrolling flash games, Fancy Pants Adventure 2 surely bears the crown. It has the imaginative name & # 39; Fancy Pants Man & # 39; as the playable character in his second outing of the series. You must guide our wavy-hair hero through open levels that present enemies like spiders, snails and mice armed with guns.
One of the most enjoyable aspects of Fancy Pants Adventures is the 2D, hand-drawn design of the playable. worlds Combine this with an ultraintensive and attractive gameplay, and you'll have a winning formula. It is not surprising that the console and iOS versions continued in 2011 and 2012, respectively.
8. Wolfenstein 3D
Play here
The original and even better first-person shooter video game available online. The rudimentary 3D graphics of Wolfenstein were pioneers at that time, but the game still holds. It also has a historical theme. You will put yourself in the shoes of the ally spy William "B.J." Blazkowicz while escaping the German Nazi prison known as "Castle Wolfenstein" and carries out a series of crucial missions against the Nazis. Did you get caught playing your teacher / boss? Just say that I was doing historical research!
If shooting the bad guys is what an Inglorious Basterds likes, Wolfenstein 3D will fulfill all their gaming needs.
9. Slither.io
Play here
Slither.io is glorious in its simplicity. This massive multiplayer game allows you to take on the role of another unbearably cute animal (they are becoming a recurring theme on this list) in the form of a luminous worm. The latter faithfully follows his mouse around the screen, collecting small pieces of food as he goes to help it grow in size. Your task is to become the largest worm in the whole server (which is very unlikely to happen). The game grew in popularity after the YouTubers promotion as PewDiePie, and has been ranked at the top of the App Store and Google Play charts.
10. Tanki Online
Play here
This is essentially a death match involving tanks. What more could you ask for? With several scenarios to choose from, your goal is to destroy all the other tanks, while yours is to destroy you. You can choose from a wide range of tower upgrades, including a freezing gun, or two bestial shots and rail guns.
Actually, maneuvering the tank requires some time to get used to it, since the turret moves completely independent of the main body, but once you're there, you'll never look back. This is one of the best games on our list in terms of graphics, too. It really looks like you're playing a PS2 or Xbox game.
11. RuneScape
Play here
It would be an insult to leave the iconic fantasy game off this list. Released in 2001, RuneScape is recognized by Guinness World Records as the world's largest and most updated free MMORPG (for the uninitiated, which represents the massive multiplayer online role-playing game) ever created. The beauty of RuneScape lies in its endless possibilities. Instead of following a linear story, players instead set their own goals and objectives within the open world.
A new independent game replaced the original in 2016, but you can still play the latter here.
12. Bloxorz
Play here
The beauty of successful puzzle games lies in its simplicity. Think of Tetris and Portal. Although the two may seem different, the objective of each one could not be clearer. Accumulate the bricks in the first and jump through your portals to escape in the second. In Bloxorz, your goal is to make the block fall into the square, that's all. Although it is not as simple as it sounds. As each level throws a new design and therefore a different challenge, as the game becomes progressively more difficult. You would do well not to tear your hair off at times, but ultimately, Bloxorz is one of the most addictive and rewarding games that exists.
13. Cut the Rope
Play here
Speaking of addictive but rewarding games …
Cut the Rope joins the group of titles on this list that I'm sure you've already heard about. The great success of the original 2010 has generated five sequels, three of which are available on iOS and Android. This game also fits into the "puzzle" category, but with more emphasis on physics and movement. The goal is to feed the candies with the adorable name "Om Nom", collecting stars on the fly. In each level, the candy hangs from one or several strings, which you must cut with a mouse click, manipulating the edible prize around all kinds of obstacles in the process. Cut the Rope has a very friendly interface, and it's really easy to learn, so you'd probably better try it, instead of reading my attempt to explain it.
14. MotherLoad
Play here
Can you dig? If you can! Pushing the hat to old arcade favorites like Dig Dug and Boulder Dash, Motherload sees you exploring the substrates of Mars, in search of a legendary hideaway of rare and valuable minerals. You must navigate the dangers of Martian soil, including hidden gas pockets, earthquakes and other surprises. As time passes, you can buy upgrades for your mining pod: the Motherload reward system is what makes it one of those games where you just have to go back for more.
15. GeoGuessr
Reproduce it here
GeoGuessr is the perfect game to gather a group of friends around the screen of your computer in order to discuss with each other what is the correct answer. It will be placed in a semi-random location somewhere in the world in Google Street View, and your task will be to place a marker on a world map as close as possible to where you think you are. In just one round of play, this author thought that Nicaragua was New Zealand, Brazil was Australia and Germany was east of Russia, so it is not as easy as you might think.
GeoGuessr also presents a "challenge mode" where you can play against friends up to a time limit. Bravo to Swedish developer Anton Wallen for producing an educational and genuinely fun game.
16. OpenLara
Play here
Out of nowhere, Lara Croft seems to have made her way back to the public consciousness this year. The launch of a blockbuster and an excellent new game have returned attention to the character who became famous for Angelina Jolie. OpenLara allows you to play the original Tomb Raider unlocked in your browser. Like a new version of the engine, it does not recreate the whole game, but it has some of the classic levels, such as the city of Vilcabamba, with underground cave systems, bloodthirsty wolves and ferocious bears. Although the controls seem somewhat archaic nowadays, OpenLara offers a great journey of nostalgia for anyone who is a fan of the original game. The ability to play first or third person is also a good touch.
17. Sports Heads Football
Play here
Although it seems to have stopped receiving its annual update, Sports Heads Football is still a great way to distract yourself while you're away. Like many other football games at Mousebreaker, you play for a whole season (which takes at least a couple of hours) and in this case, your goal is to beat other Premier League teams in one-on-one matches to put points on board. Think of it as an improved version of Super Slime Soccer.
The names of the unlicensed players also provide some comic relief. Yes & # 39; Wine Runey & # 39; and & # 39; Christian Rollover & # 39; they are not legends of the real game, they are certainly from this one.
18. QWOP / CLOP
Play here
So bad that it's good, this terribly difficult game has a special place in the heart of any browser game fan. You are Qwop, the only representative of an underfinanced Olympic team in a small nation. So under-trained, in fact, that unfortunately you have somehow managed to completely lose control of your muscles and joint functions. You must use the QWOP keys (pure coincidence) to not end the 100m final at a good time, but only to complete it. In numerous attempts, the PB of this author was an inspired 3.9m, so you should have a job in your hands.
If diving directly into the cauldron of the Olympic arena is too much for your frayed nerves, then maybe you should try CLOP. This is the same concept, but with a unicorn running in the opposite direction, because why not?