Internet gaming offers an advantage to traditional digital games, giving players an ever-increasing array of characters, challenges and player-versus-player action to keep them entertained. Unlike “offline” games, internet games update automatically and offer virtually limitless expansion capabilities to keep gamers engaged. Listed below are the top 5 most addictive internet games on the market today – these are the virtual superstars of the web’s game options.
1.) World of Warcraft
World of Warcraft, known as WoW to its devotees, is a massively multiplayer online game set in the fantastical realm of Azeroth. Players battle it out against monsters, dragons and even each other on competitive realms. Various expansions have been introduced over the last 10 years, with the latest, Mists of Pandaria, slated to roll out by the end of 2012. The game was created by Blizzard Entertainment, and even features an offline connection for casual gamers: codes found in WoW: The Card Game decks can be redeemed for in-game pets and mounted creatures.
2.) Diablo 3
A third official installment to the wildly popular Diablo franchise, players of this online co-op game have waited anxiously for this hot title, which has been nearly 10 years in the making. Another Blizzard invention, Diablo 3 lets players choose a unique class – such as a Wizard or Barbarian – and battle their way through both hell and heaven to kill the title character.
3.) Castleville
This intensely addictive Facebook game uses a series of quests, co-op linking and crafting to keep players coming back for more. Each player’s kingdom is filled with animals that need to be fed, crops that need to be watered and harvested, and workshops that need to be tended to. Friends can help one another by performing 5 harvesting/gathering actions per day for connected kingdoms, and seasonal promos keep the game fresh.
4.) Bejeweled
A classic that has held gamers in thrall for several years now, this gem-swapping puzzler calls to mind the classic Tetris of the 1980′s. Bejeweled has crossed several digital boundaries, making it available to avid gamers via cell phones, tablets and even Facebook. Special combo gems can be created by making rows of 4 or more gems, triggering explosions, color clears and more.
5.) Words with Friends
Much like Scrabble, Words with Friends pits the player against, unsurprisingly, their friends to build words and score the most points. Another game that is widely available, this particular game rose to popularity through the iPhone app store, where it continues to enjoy hundreds of downloads daily.
