No disks, no complicated compatibility problems, absolute mobility and millions of potential users; you can see why browser games are no longer regarded by developers as "fringe".
Modern desktop and laptop hardware has reached a kind of technological tipping point whereby games with acceptable visual quality and sound effects can now be rendered on-screen within web browsers, without requiring expensive video cards, top end processors or buckets of memory.
I won't lie to you - some of the browser games out there are awful. But every now and again, a real gem appears that reminds you why the games that stick in your memory are often the fun, quirky ones with questionable graphics and oodles of gameplay. So without further ado, here are five of the best browser-only titles available right now.
#5: Runescape
Ok, this might not prove the most popular of inclusions, but you have to look at the facts here - over a hundred million people play Runescape. It's the most popular Massively Multiplayer Online game out there. Sure, it's graphically dated and could quite easily be described as "boring", and yes, anyone with spare pocket change is already playing World of Warcraft, but for a game with such an outwardly simple appearance, Runescape has captured a remarkable fan base.
It's an RPG title that will have you questing and interacting with non-player characters and monsters alike. It comes in two flavours - paid and unpaid - and while non-subscription client may omit a few high-level quests, there's still plenty to keep you occupied. The tutorials will walk you through chopping down trees, lighting fires and cooking a variety of wildlife, and you'll find the traditional experience-bar-level-up system intact.
It's not for the hardcore gamer by any stretch of the imagination, but if your hardware and internet connection is somewhat lacking, you might find it a worthwhile distraction.
#4: Line Rider
This one is a no-brainer - it's a simple concept, easy to pick up and ridiculously addictive. Even better, it scales well. You start off by drawing a series of lines, then activate the play button to send your character ("Bosh") riding along them on his sled. You can create any number of paths for him to take, and throw in jumps, loops - basically anything you can imagine.
For the artists out there, there's simply hours and hours of enjoyment creating masterpiece drawings that double as paths for Bosh to navigate. Originally conceived as a physics demo, Line Rider has become an internet phenomenon in its own right, with stacks of YouTube videos showing the game in progress. It's even been ported to the Nintendo DS, Wii and Apple's iPhone. Not bad for a free browser game!
#3: Travian
This one swept through our online forum community and quickly disappeared, and much like Swine Flu, it's an aggressive little beast. Travian provides you with the ability to take control of your own feudal community and rise through the ranks to earn respect from legions of internet nerds slightly less addicted than you.
Travian follows the same time-honoured concept favoured by drug pushers the world over; the first hit is free, because we know you'll be back. Where most games present you with a fairly linear presentation, Travian subtly encourages you to spend more and more time organising raids, building structures and generally contributing to an entirely virtual world. Game play can be achingly slow at times, and it's occasionally possible to convince yourself that you're watching news footage from your own battles rather than the action itself, but this only adds to the sense of achievement when you finally outfox your rivals.
Travian makes the list only because it's a great representation of how a free browser game can suck the life out of your social calendar just as easily as full retail title can.
#2: Desktop Tower Defence
Thanks Blizzard. You've once again unleashed a monster. Desktop Tower Defence is an independent title that owes its existence to WarCraft III and the modding community, who quickly discovered how addictive the tower defence concept can be. Simply put, you're competing against ever-increasing waves of monsters which must be killed before they can kill you. You achieve this by festooning your available real estate with as many towers as you can, which are unlocked and purchased using money acquired by killing aforementioned monsters. Again, the simple concepts are often the best, and it doesn't get much simpler than this.
Peer beneath the otherwise simple façade however, and you'll discover a game that requires pinpoint accuracy and a solid understanding of defensive techniques. You will replay levels and wish you'd placed a tower a millimetre to the left. You will rip your hair out in frustration as one of the monsters makes it past your seemingly impenetrable defensive line. You will question why you continue to play this damn game over and over when there are a million other things you could be doing with your time. Brilliant.
#1: Quake Live
The Quake series is practically a household name. Since 1996, twitch-gamers the world over have logged countless hours moving at high velocity around multiplayer maps attempting to frag as many noobs as they can. Arguably, the gameplay hasn't changed much over the years, however graphical improvements abound - the latest iteration, Quake 4, is coming up four years old now, but still looks impressive on high-end graphics cards.
Quake Live is essentially Quake III Arena crammed into your browser, with a few graphical tweaks to keep it all looking fresh. You still get the same run-and-gun free-for-all action that made Quake III so popular, as well as improved net rankings and achievements to appeal to casual and hardcore gamers alike.
In order to play, you'll need to sign up for a free account, then download and install a browser plugin which will manage the rest of the patching and configuration required to play. It's all pretty basic stuff, and to ensure you're not placed into the game with people likely to crush you, a short tutorial and ten minute challenge will ascertain your skill level and match you with equally talented (or untalented) players.
Quake Live is still technically in a state of open beta, however it's immensely popular and finding a group of people to fight against is never hard. Quake Live is an excellent demonstration of the progress the gaming industry has made over the past decade - I can still remember when Quake III Arena bought most machines to their knees, so to be able to play it now in a browser is no small feat. The sheer entertainment value on offer for zero outlay makes this one an easy victor.
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Do you have a better browser game you're currently addicted to? Let us know in the comments section below!
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