20 Fun Online Games to Play With Friends From Afar

Anton27/Shutterstock

If the past few years have taught us anything, it’s that we don’t need to get together in person to spend quality time with friends. Of course, the online gaming community has been in on that secret for much longer than the rest of it. Maybe that’s why it keeps growing. Over the past seven years, the number of gamers worldwide has increased by over a billion. And if you’re not already one of them, maybe you should be—especially if you’re looking for ways to stay connected to pals who live far away.

There are countless online games out there that you can play with people you already know or even as a way to make new friends online. There are also plenty of free options available to those who aren’t ready to invest in the pastime just yet. If you’re not quite sure how to get started, then keep reading. Below, we’ve put together a list of the absolute best online games to play with friends.

RELATED: Party Games for Adults (And Sometimes Kids) in Need of Some Fun .

Benefits of Online Gaming

Before we get into that list, we’ll outline a few of the benefits online gaming provides. According to a study published in the journal Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking , the gaming universe offers one of the most accommodating environments for socially inhibited, shy, and anxious individuals. Not only does the space allow players to overcome traditional hurdles in forming new friends, but it also allows them to strengthen the ones they already have.

Another study found that, in addition to helping to solidify relationships, online gaming can also satisfy the need for “personal growth,” and even improve academic performance among students. According to the authors, gaming helps promote specific cognitive skills that may be harder to nurture in the “real world.”

In this study, compared to non-gamers, the gaming crowd “show[ed]faster and more accurate attention allocation and higher spatial resolution,” giving gaming a leg up to traditional learning environments.

20 Online Games to Play With Friends

Below, you’ll find our original list of fun games to play online with your friends. See which ones seem like a fit for your interests, and let the epic battles begin!

1.Gartic Phone

Onrizon

Did you ever play the “Telephone Game” as a kid? Well, Gartic Phone is a play on that classic, with a little bit of Pictionary sprinkled in. Invite your friends to play by asking them to join a voice call using Discord or Zoom. Once everyone’s settled, ask the other players to volunteer a few silly prompts. Choose one, and draw it on the platform. No one else will know what you’ve selected, so you’ll have a blast seeing what kinds of guesses the other players come up with. Oh, and did we mention it’s free to play?

2.Apex Legends

APEX LEGENDS MEDIA

In Apex Legends, players get to choose from a lineup of outlaws, soldiers, misfits, and misanthropes to use when fighting it out on the battlefield. Each character comes with its own set of skills and unique abilities that give them an advantage over the others. The longer you survive in the game, the closer you get to becoming a “Legend” yourself.

3.Codenames

Ground Picture/Shutterstock

To play Codenames, start out by connecting to other players using your preferred audio or video chat platform. From there, the group can divide up into two teams, each led by their selected “spymaster.” These individuals will deliver a series of one-word clues to help their teammates identify all the “secret agents” on the team. The agents can go by any one of 25 possible codenames, so you want to stick to clues that will help you piece together multiple words.

4.Yahtzee! Wild

Casper1774 Studio/Shutterstock

Yahtzee! Wild may be categorized as an online game, but it stays true to the offline classic. The dice game allows you to compete against up to 11 players over 13 rounds. There is one special feature, however, and it comes in the form of “Wild Dice,” which players can use to substitute any dice in the round, thereby completing specific hands and maximizing points. Whoever has made the most progress on their score sheet by the end of the game, wins!

5.No Man’s Sky

Hello Games

The exploration and survival game No Man’s Sky contains over 30 hours of story to uncover. You’re free to play solo, but you can also play alongside up to 32 other players by joining the game’s social hub. It’s also available in virtual reality for a more immersive experience.

Once in, players are free to explore uncharted solar systems, planets, and oceans. But beware: Each area is filled with unique dangers, leaving you vulnerable and at risk. To survive, you’ll need to collect precious resources on the surfaces of planets and trade them for the ships, suits, and other equipment your fellow players may have available.

RELATED: 85 Funny Usernames for Everything Online.

6.Rocket League

Psyonix

Cars playing soccer? Why not? The sports game Rocket League breathes new life into both racing and arcade-style soccer games. Players can choose from all the drift cars available before facing off on the field. Each pick comes with different features that not only look cool, but can also help you best your competitiors.

7.Super Smash Bros. Ultimate

Sora

Super Smash Bros. Ultimate is another new take on an old favorite. In this game, players face off with the option of 74 familiar fighters across over 100 stages. The new version also includes more than 800 music tracks for you to enjoy during your fights.

8.Decrypto

<img loading=“lazy” src=“https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/08/decrypto.jpg?quality=82&strip=all&w=500" onerror=“this.onerror=null;this.src=‘https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhe7F7TRXHtjiKvHb5vS7DmnxvpHiDyoYyYvm1nHB3Qp2_w3BnM6A2eq4v7FYxCC9bfZt3a9vIMtAYEKUiaDQbHMg-ViyGmRIj39MLp0bGFfgfYw1Dc9q_H-T0wiTm3l0Uq42dETrN9eC8aGJ9_IORZsxST1AcLR7np1koOfcc7tnHa4S8Mwz_xD9d0=s16000';" alt=“Random alphabets with letters of “ENCRYPTION” on top. - 9”>

optimarc/Shutterstock

This fun game debuted online during the lockdown and found a fanbase. To play, you first need to break into two teams of two or four. From there, you’ll be tasked with transmitting certain messages to your teammates by creating different kinds of codes. They’ll need to be clear enough for the team to understand, but vague enough so that your opponents can’t intercept them. Whichever team turns out the better Codemasters, wins.

9.Street Fighter 30th Anniversary Collection

Capcom

This anniversary collection consists of 12 titles, including Street Fighter I , Street Fighter II , Street Fighter III , and Street Fighter Alpha Series . The online multiplayer mode allows players to test their skills against new challengers from around the world.

10.Skribbl

tete_escape/Shutterstock

Think Pictionary, but make it digital. To play, take turns drawing pictures to represent certain words and phrases, while your fellow players try to guess the clue. Groups of up to 12 can have their own Skribbl sessions in a private room. The more guesses someone gets right, the more points they acquire. And the player with the most points wins.

RELATED: 76 Family Feud Questions and Answers for Your Next Game Night .

11.Town of Salem

BlankMediaGames

12.Stardew Valley

ConcernedApe

Picture this: You’ve inherited your grandfather’s old farm. You’ve also got a collection of hand-me-down tools and some money to help you begin your new life. You’ll learn to live off the land, get involved with the local community, and even find someone special to date. All this and more is possible inside the world of Stardew Valley.

Also, if you’re looking for a little action, you can always explore the caves around town. These dangerous tunnels house both monsters and valuable treasure, so you’ll have to decide what’s worth the risk. You even invite a few friends along for the ride using the game’s newly launched online multiplayer mode.

13.Boggle

natatravel/Shutterstock

If you need a break from the fictional word, then kick back with an easy word search game like virtual Boggle. You can play on your own or with friends using either a 4×4, 5×5, or 6×6 grid. Try to find as many words as you can within the time allotted. Whoever has the biggest tally by the end of the game, wins.

14.Sky: Children Of Light

Thatgamecompany

If you’re looking to make new friends online, Sky: Children of Light is the place to do it. Players can explore this beautifully animated, fantastical world while teaming up with others to restore the light and solve mysteries.

15.Sea Of Thieves

Rare

Live out your wildest pirate fantasies with this multiplayer adventure game. In Sea of Thieves, players can work together to fight off dangerous sea creatures or poke around for hauls of hidden treasure. You’ll also have the option of setting sail with pirate legends like Blackbeard and Captain Jack Sparrow. Cement your own pirate legacy by exercising the strategy and skills needed to unlock new voyages throughout the game.

RELATED: 200 “Would You Rather” Questions That Are Impossible to Answer .

16.Halo Infinite

343 Industries

This new and improved take on popular favorite Halo allows players to experience combat like never before. The first-person shooter game now supports cross-play and cross-platform progression between the Windows and Xbox versions. The game contains tons of new playable multiplayer maps, which you can navigate alongside people you know and people you don’t. Plus, it’s free to play.

17.Fortnite

Epic Games

Whether you want to go to battle, hang out and watch concerts, or explore different worlds containing beautifully detailed, elaborate structures, it’s up to you in Fortnite. This family-friendly Battle Royale game offers players a variety of experiences, and they’re all designed to help improve both your gaming and social skills.

18.Ticket to Ride

Mitch Hutchinson/Shutterstock

In Ticket to Ride, players are encouraged to use different tactics to block their competitors’ lines and take over routes before someone else beats them to it. The goal is to become the quickest to link up your cities and reach your destinations (you can travel anywhere in the world, from Europe to India). This popular board game is free to play online on Board Game Arena— all you have to do is register .

19.RISK: Global Domination

Chaikom/Shutterstock

You’re in luck, because there’s now a free online version of the Hasbro’s classic RISK, a popular strategy board game focused on diplomacy and worldwide domination. You can battle up to five friends as you deploy troops and conquer territories. There are also multiple game modes available, so if you want to move forward as a single player, you can.

20.Among Us

Innersloth, Schell Games, and Robot Teddy

At first glance, Among Us appears to be a simple strategy game, challenging you and your friends to repair a spaceship. But play gets more complicated once you find out that the game randomly selects certain players as imposters, tasked with killing everyone else on board. While it’s is typically used by players who want to connect to their friends from afar, you can also join new Among Us crews easily online. Either way, the end goal remains the same: To stay alive.

Wrapping Up

1. Source: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4080869/
2. Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1008211/full

76 Family Feud Questions and Answers for Your Next Game Night

Shutterstock / Rawpixel.com

READ THIS NEXT: 152 Newlywed Game Questions: Funny, Dirty, Family-Oriented, and More .

What is Family Feud, Anyway?

Family Feud is an American television game show created by Mark Goodson. While its original run lasted from 1976 to 1988, the show has been revived twice since.

Over the years, the show has experienced a number of different hosts, including big names like Louie Anderson , Richard Karn , John O’Hurley , and—as mentioned—Steve Harvey.

In fact, it was under Harvey’s tenure that the show experienced a boom in Nielsen ratings, placing it among the top three most-popular syndicated television shows in the United States.

Today, the show can be enjoyed in over 50 different international markets, including Indonesia’s Super Family 100 , England’s Family Fortunes , and South America’s very own 100 Argentinos Dicen.

It’s also adapted into other formats, including board games, interactive films, and video games for folks to enjoy.

READ THIS NEXT: 150 “This or That” Questions to Actually Get to Know Someone .

Important Rules for Your Family Feud Game Night

Shutterstocks / Thomas Bethge

It doesn’t take much to organize a fun game night, but there are a few rules you’ll need to learn if you want to play Family Feud.

Traditionally, the game features two competing families , though you’re free to break the group up however you want.

Each must work together to provide correct answers to specific survey questions, starting with the most popular responses. The only thing you have to make sure of here is that each team contains the same number of players.

Once you’ve established your two teams and elected a host, you’ll need to find something to use as your buzzer. For this, you can use a free app online, a squeaky dog toy, or anything else of your choosing.

The next step revolves around electing your team captains. These two individuals will go head to head in the initial “face-off” round. The first team captain to buzz in with the most popular response will lead the round.

The rest of the team will also take turns guessing the remaining responses. The opposing team only gets an opportunity to participate here if the other team receives three strikes for failing to provide the correct answer.

Traditionally, answers are solicited from 100 survey participants, with each worth one point for every person who gave them. But if you want to play Family Feud at home, you have a few different ways of determining the number of points all the answers are worth.

For one, you can browse the web for questions that actually appeared on the show along with the number of points they attracted. Or—and maybe more easily—you can assign your own point values to the questions you encounter.

However you decide to proceed is up to you. Just remember, whoever has the most points by the end of your final round will be considered the winning team. Best of luck!

Supplies Needed to Play Family Feud

1. Scorecard
2. Buzzer
3. List of questions (and answers)
4. 3-5 players per team
5. Host

What is the Fast Money Round?

A typical game of Family Feud contains three normal rounds. If you want to tally up your points after that and call it a day, that’s fine. But those who want to get even more out of the game will probably want to participate in the famous “fast money” round.

To get started, the winning team must select two individuals to answer as many questions as they can in 60 seconds. One person leaves the room while the other takes their turn.

Both members of the team will be asked the same list of questions. Should the second player provide a duplicate response, they must come up with another answer on the spot.

Once the round is finished, the host adds up all the points the players have scored. If the total amounts to over 200, they can add it to their total score and declare themselves the ultimate champions!

READ THIS NEXT: 200+ Get to Know You Questions That Actually Work .

76 Family Feud Questions and Answers

Put your critical thinking skills to the test by finding the best answer for each question listed below.

Funny Family Feud Questions

Shutterstock / Krakenimages.com

1. Name something a cowboy would hate to have happen. Lose his hat Get shot in a gunfight Break a spur Get stepped on by a bull/horse Throw a lasso and misses Get bucked off a bull/horse His gun jams Get surrounded by Indians Get called a cowgirl His horse dies/gets injured
2. Which of the Seven Dwarfs describes how you feel after a couple of drinks? Happy Dopey Sleepy Bashful Grumpy
3. Name something that’s easier to catch than a new man. Cold/flu Fish Bus Frisbee
4. Fill in the blank: You’re in deep ____. Doo-doo Trouble Water Sleep
5. Name something you do in the mirror. Brush teeth Brush hair Pop a pimple/zit Check your outfit Practice dance moves
6. Name something you do when you get sick. Throw up Take medicine Stay home from school/work Go to the doctor Watch TV Eat soup
7. Name something you did not learn in school. Parenting Manners House chores Religion Common sense How to be a good spouse How to change a tire
8. Name a first-date faux pas. Talking about an ex‎ Being late‎ Coming on too strongly/saying “I love you‎” Talking nonstop‎ Forgetting your wallet‎
9. Name wedding traditions that people would not miss. Tossing the garter‎ Smashing cake in the face‎ Spending money to be in the bridal party‎ Giving the bride away‎
10. Name something you don’t want your kid to bring home. Lice‎ Cat/dog‎ Bad report card/failing grade‎ Germs‎ Cops‎ Boyfriend/girlfriend‎
11. What’s something that you can hang up on? Phone call Clothes Towel A photo frame Key holder
12. Name something you’d do if your date took you to Chuck E. Cheese. Play games Leave/walk out Eat lots of pizza Dump him Laugh
13. What’s one thing that won’t exist in 35 years? Privacy Cable television Plastic bags Handheld smartphones
14. Name some things kids like to throw at each other. Toys Food Pillows Balls Paper
15. List an activity that requires you to use your lips. Eating food Talking Whistling Playing horn Kissing
16. If you hear a noise coming from the basement, what do you hope it isn’t? A ghost Flood Mouse Cat Rat A thief
17. Name a food that many people dislike. Anchovies‎ Cilantro‎ Olives‎ Tuna‎ Candy corn‎ Tongue

READ THIS NEXT: Trick Questions (With Answers!) That Will Completely Bend Your Mind .

Family Feud Questions for Kids and Teens

Shutterstock / Morrowind

1. Name something you might find in a haunted house. Ghosts Cobwebs Spiders Mice Dust
2. List an occupation that begins with the letter “D.” Dentist Data analyst Dairy scientist Deck engineer Decorator Director
3. Name an animal that starts with the letter “E.” Elephant Eagle Eel Emu
4. Where do kids nowadays spend most of their time? Room/bed School Internet Mall Friend’s house Park Work
5. Name something cold. Ice Ice cream Snow Refrigerator Popsicle
6. Name a superhero member of the Justice League. Batman Superman Wonder Woman Aquaman The Flash
7. Name something that you might lick. Ice cream Lollipop Stamp Popsicle Envelope
8. Which household chores do kids hate doing? Cleaning their room Walking the dog Vacuuming Loading the dishwasher Raking leaves
9. Name something that you associate with cold weather. Snow Ugly sweaters Hat Mittens or gloves Hats Ice
10. Name a word a dog always understands. Walk Eat Stay Treat Sit Come Fetch
11. Name something an astronaut sees in space. Earth Planets Stars Moon Sun Alien Satellite Meteor/Comets
12. What is your excuse for not doing homework? Forgot it at home Got sick Left at school Book got stolen Dog ate it
13. Why might someone wake up in the middle of the night? They have to go to the bathroom They saw a bad dream They are feeling hungry They are feeling thirsty They heard a noise They woke up hearing the crying of a baby
14. Name popular Halloween costumes that are also professions. Doctor or nurse‎ Police officer‎ Firefighter‎ Construction worker‎ Astronaut‎
15. Name something that you might put on a sandwich. Mayonnaise Jam Peanut butter Lettuce Cucumber Butter
16. What is a drink that can be served both hot and cold? Water Tea Cider Coffee Milk
17. Name a place where kids don’t like to go. The pediatrician To bed Library Relative’s house Shopping
18. What’s something you do right before bed? Brush teeth Read Eat Drink water Say prayers
19. Name a place where you’re supposed to be very quiet. Library Church Theater/movies Bedroom Classroom Airplanes

Movie-Based Questions and Answers

Shutterstock / ADragan

1. Name something you would need if you wanted to dress up as Dorothy from The Wizard of Oz . Ruby Slippers Checkered Dress Pigtails/braids Picnic basket
2. Name a popular fictional wizard. Harry Potter Gandalf Professor Albus Dumbledore Saruman The Wizard of Oz
3. Name Marvel’s Avengers. Captain America Iron Man Black Panther The Hulk Thor Black Widow Spiderman Hawkeye
4. Name a place teenagers go in horror movies where there’s usually a killer on the loose. Cabin/camp/woods Graveyard Movie theater/drive-in Basement/cellar Closet Bathroom/shower Bedroom/bed A party
5. Name a professional athlete who has also starred in a movie. O.J. Simpson Ray Allen Shaquille O’Neal Dwayne Johnson Michael Jordan
6. Name a Disney princess. Cinderella Ariel Jasmine Belle Elsa Tiana
7. Name a character you might see at Disney World. Donald Duck Cinderella Mickey Mouse Pluto Goofy
8. Name a part of an actor’s body to which a director might apply CGI. Face Butt Groin Bust Tattoo Limbs
9. Name something that annoys you at movie theaters. Long lines People talking Kids running Mobile phones Baby crying
10. Name an actress who doesn’t star in enough movies. Jennifer Lawrence Julia Roberts Sandra Bullock Natalie Portman Keira Knightley Angelina Jolie
11. Name a movie that frequently gets remade. Cinderella‎ Batman‎ Superman‎ Robin Hood‎ A Christmas Carol‎ Dracula‎ Spider-Man‎
12. Name the thing people do after watching a scary movie at night. Research the film online Get under the blanket Switch on every light and then go to sleep Call a friend to lighten up the mood Watch something funny Go to sleep
13. Name a city that is often featured in spy movies. Los Angeles Moscow London New York
14. Name a top-grossing film released during the 2000s. Lord of the Rings Avatar Finding Nemo Shrek Pirates of the Caribbean
15. Name a Disney movie that does not have a female villain. Princess and the Frog Aladdin Toy Story Pinocchio Peter Pan Bambi
16. Name a movie that’s always on TV during the holidays. It’s a Wonderful Life Elf A Christmas Story Frosty the Snowman Home Alone Die Hard
17. Name a classic Steven Spielberg movie. Jaws Indiana Jones E.T. Jurassic Park Schindler’s List Saving Private Ryan The Color Purple
18. Name a Harry Potter character. Harry Potter Hermione Ron Fred/George Newt Scamander Dumbledore Snape Hagrid

READ THIS NEXT: 184 ‘Most Likely To’ Questions for Couples, Co-Workers, and Friends .

Family Feud Questions for Couples and Adults

Shutterstock / Krakenimages.com

1. Name a state that has a lot of sports teams. New York California Florida Texas Pennsylvania Illinois
2. Name a part of the body someone may kiss if they are really into you. Forehead Cheek Lips Hand Neck Eyes
3. Name a reason to throw a party. Birthday Wedding Holiday Party Graduation Bar Mitzvah Bachelor/Bachelorette
4. Name a professional sport where the players make a lot of money. Football Baseball Basketball Soccer Tennis Darts
5. Name something in a person’s closet that only comes out for special occasions. Suit/tux Dress Tie Jewelry Dress shoes Shotgun
6. What is the one thing that you always keep in your car? Money Spare tire Map Spare clothes A bottle of water Snacks First aid kit
7. Name something that women leave lipstick marks on. Napkin Glass Significant other Collar Pillow Straw Letter Children/babies Pets
8. Name something people spend lottery winnings on. Car Home Pay bills Go on vacation Family members
9. Name a typical New Year’s resolution. Lose weight Reach out to friends and family Quit smoking Learn a new skill Travel more Save money
10. Name something you might eat with crackers. Soup Cheese Peanut Butter Chili Sliced meats
11. Name something that makes you feel like a kid again. Disneyland Playing with kids Riding a bicycle Eating candy Jumping
12. Name something you dread being asked at a family reunion. Are you dating anyone?‎ How is the job search going?‎ When are you going to get married/have kids?‎ Can I borrow money?‎ Have you gained/lost weight?‎
13. Name something that makes a huge mess and creates chaos when it spills into the kitchen. Oil Eggs Wheat Milk Water
14. Name a beverage some people drink exclusively with breakfast. Coffee Orange juice Milk Grapefruit juice Water Champagne
15. Name something you might bring to a friend’s party. Booze/wine/beer Games Cake Gifts Food
16. Name something you’re glad only comes once a year. Christmas Birthdays Tax season Anniversary
17. What are the annoying things other drivers do? Overtake from the wrong side Blow the horn continuously Talk on the cell phone Not using turn signals Drive too fast
18. Name something you’d do in front of a mirror. Brush teeth Brush hair Pop a pimple/zit Check your outfit Practice dance moves
19. Name something you might find at a breakfast buffet. Eggs Bacon Sausage Potatoes/Hash Browns Juice Coffee Melon Cereal
20. Name a type of insurance. Car Health/Dental Life Home Renter’s Flood Travel Blackjack
21. Name someone that works in a hospital. Nurse Doctor Nutritionist X-ray technician Pediatrician Pathologist Lab Technician
22. Name something you buy by the roll. Toilet paper Paper towel Coins Stamps Wrapping paper