The digital age has paved the way for the online gaming industry to consistently reach new heights of development. Each year, the said industry never fails to devise new features that coincide with the dynamic expectations and demands of each customer demographic.
People, especially gaming enthusiasts, have always been hooked on different genres of games. Thanks to the internet’s broadened accessibility, both old-time players and even those new to the world of gaming are able to collaborate with other players worldwide. Additionally, the consistent evolution of technology helped make it a breeze for newly developed games to adapt easily to the contemporary gaming setup and lifestyles of today’s generation of gamers.
What makes online gaming truly captivating is it has broken all the limitations set by time, distance, and language, all while successfully bringing together players across different countries. People can easily play their favorite games with players from other parts of the globe.
Online games have gradually reshaped the world’s culture of entertainment and recreation. In fact, it has now become an integral part of almost every individual’s daily routine.
That said, it is never too late to join the growing online gaming community. Here are 2020’s top five highly recommended and must-try games that both long-time and newbie players will surely enjoy:
1. PLAYERUNKNOWN’S BATTLEGROUNDS
PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds (PUBG) is by far this year’s most popular online video game.
First released in early 2017, PUBG quickly gained player recognition and eventually earned a multitude of followers spanning the entire globe. In the same year, PUBG also became a critical hit when it won the Best Multiplayer Game at The Game Awards back in 2017.
This critical recognition led to a cascade of commercial success that enabled the game to generate almost six million dollars in the United States alone in June 2018.
What makes PUBG so enjoyable to play is how it incorporated third-person shooter genre in a battle royale game, making it possible to indulge up to 99 players in one game match. Players can team up and strategize together to mow down the opposing teams. The criteria or basis for winning the game is rather simple: Players simply need to survive the death box-like arena and finish off all hidden enemies.
Aside from its amazing gameplay, PUBG is renowned as well for its state-of-the-art graphics that deliver a more immersive and life-like gaming experience.
This game is available for PS4, XBOX, IOS, PC, and it also has a mobile version for smartphone users.
2. FORTNITE BATTLE ROYALE
Developed by Epic Games, a North Carolina based game developer and publisher, Fortnite Battle Royale, or more commonly known and referred to as Fortnite is yet another online video game that allows players to channel their inner sharpshooters. The main objective for each player is to be the last man standing on the battlefield. After each match, winners receive a corresponding reward.
Fortnite offers an action-packed, third-person shooter gaming experience for players. While it bears noticeable similarities with PUBG in terms of gameplay and fighting, the subtler graphics and character designs make Fortnite even more appealing to both older and younger audiences.
3. LEAGUE OF LEGENDS (LoL)
For ten years and counting, League of Legends (LoL) has been taking players to the mystical place of Summoner’s Rift. Over time, League of Legends has gained immense recognition by players who are into MOBAs.
Widely recognized as one of the leading MOBAs today, LoL allows players to work together in groups of five and battle it out against other teams. Set in a virtual battle arena, each of the participating teams’ members gets to pick a champion to embody. In order for a team to win, they must successfully destroy the base of their opponents.
What makes LoL and other popular MOBAs like DotA2, Heroes of the Storm, and Smite all the rage, is that all of them are well-balanced with top-notch graphics and seamless gameplay. Regardless of the heroes or champions that players pick, victory will always depend on how well they strategized and played with their teammates.
4. COUNTER-STRIKE: GLOBAL OFFENSIVE (CS: GO)
The first Counter-Strike game was developed and initially released in 2000 by the same company. Following the favorable reception of players, Counter-Strike’s developers used it as a fuel to continue enhancing the game.
Counter-Strike: Global Offensive is a multiplayer, first-person shooter video game developed by Valve in August 2012. It is the fourth installment in the Counter-Strike Franchise.
CS: GO allows players to form teams, with each round allowing up to two opposing teams to compete. Opposing teams are then made to face-off in a ranked-based game setup. Players compete in multiple rounds of objective-based gameplay with the goal of having the most number of wins to gain victory.
For individuals who are into first-person shooter games. CS: GO is one of the must-play games of the year. It is available on XBOX, PlayStation and Microsoft Windows.
5. DEFENSE OF THE ANCIENTS 2 (DotA 2)
Defense of the Ancients 2 or simply DotA 2 is a multiplayer online battle arena video game made popular by Valve. It is the sequel to the community-created mod for Blizzard Entertainments’ Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos and its expansion pack, The Frozen Throne.
DotA 2 is a MOBA where players are sent into a five-versus-five match where the two teams will fight to defend their team’s base called the “Ancient”. DotA 2 is a highly competitive game that requires a committed team and good communication among the members for them to win a match.
DotA may be remembered by some as just another MOBA game, but the big difference brought by DotA 2 transformed the game franchise into the gold standard for all other MOBA. The game allows players to choose from over 110 unique characters with distinct abilities for free. The only time players need to pay money (although still not compulsory) is if they want to acquire a variety of hero skins or if they wish to purchase the annual battle pass.
ARE YOU READY TO JOIN THE ONLINE GAMING FEVER?
The online gaming industry has opened opportunities for gaming enthusiasts to showcase their competitive, strategic, and imaginative sides. Online games are not limited to a particular demographic alone. In truth, it encompasses a vast number of genres and variations, that it can cater to people of all ages. The only secret to enjoying each game is to set one’s heart and mind into achieving the main objective.
So, which one of these games will you start playing first?
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