So, you’re bored. It happens to the best of us. The puzzle games we used to do with our friends are just not cutting it today. And we run out of lives in our favorite mobile games. Additionally, as usual, we have already run the marathon today, so no more exercises until tomorrow.

Well, if that’s how you feel, we have you covered! Check out our list of the best games to play when bored! You don’t have to be too emotionally invested, as those titles have plenty of ways to have casual fun. Of course, we recommend getting as immersed as possible because it will only add to the experience as a whole, but there are so many games we understand that sometimes you just want to have fun. And that’s it. So, let’s explore various game modes, see multiple fantastic worlds, or find the best puzzle game to see the light of day! Here are the top video games to play when bored!

• Developer: Dennaton

• Release date: March 2012

• Meta Score: 85

• Platforms:  Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, PlayStation Vita, Stadia

First on our list, great for some summer murdering streaks – Hotline Miami! If you have never played it – you definitely should. Although it came over a decade ago, the game is still fun to play, and the graphics are still 2D, so nothing has changed in that department. It’s a video game you can finish in about 5 hours, so it’s not that long, but we can guarantee you that you will have tons of fun all the time!

What’s It All About?

It takes place in 1980s Miami, which is not the safest place in the world. You are the main character who receives a phone call from a mysterious caller. You don’t know much, but one thing is clear – someone will get killed! The plot is pretty basic, as you, Jacket (a person, not a piece of clothing), go down into the dungeon that is 1980s Miami, searching for the briefcase taken by the Russian mafia —pretty standard Wednesday. Nevertheless, with each level completed, everything becomes more and more surreal, with you questioning your sanity each step of the way.

Gameplay

Regarding the gameplay – it’s a total animal, this game right here. It’s gore and violent; it’s stylish for some reason. It feels like an aesthetic experience for a dungeon crawler, even though everything is in 2D. You have guns and melee attacks and can even utilize your environment to murder your enemies in blood.

The only downplay for casual gaming is that it’s not the most accessible game; you can get killed relatively quickly. You don’t, unfortunately, wear any armor, as you are a normal human being, so you need to strategize your actions to come out on top. So, be aware of that.

Additionally, be aware of the fantastic music that’s in this game! It’s the VHS-era classic synth-wave fun! You will be humming your favorite parts from this game in no time, especially during these long strolls through the nights in Miami. Or wherever you may be, no judgment there.

• Developer: Dennaton Games / Abstraction Games

• Release date: March 2015

• Meta Score: 75

• Platforms:  PC, PS3, PS4, Vita, Android, Switch, Xbox One

After finishing the first one, it’s always good to check out the sequel Hotline Miami 2: Wrong Number. Is it better and stronger in every case? Or is it a missed call (pun intended) that made the first one look like a masterpiece? Well, let’s find out!

What’s It All About?

The second game takes place right after the first one has commenced. We will not get into too much detail to not spoil the fun, but let’s leave it at that – a couple of things may be unclear after the first game. In this one, we follow it further into the Miami dungeon to find the bad, or – just unfriendly – guys and take what’s ours.

Gameplay

Gameplay-wise – the game continues the excellent course from the first, with some added brutality and even more gunslinging than in the first. Of course, there are multiple levels here, full of crazy enemies, where you need to use different tactics to get them all murdered in the first place. Overall, the brutality is on the rise, and the strategizing aspect is even better than in the original, so if you want more but better – you came to the right place.

When it comes to the famous visuals – it’s more of the same. It’s still a pink/blue Miami Vice vibe with added yellow to blend it all and differentiate it from the first. Same fantastic tunes, same synth music – what can you expect more? Well, it could be a bit more original in the end. But, in our book, it’s still a great title to recommend!

• Release date: 2014

• Developer: 3909 LLC

• Platforms: Android, iOS, Microsoft Windows, Mac operating systems, PlayStation Vita, Linux

• Metascore: 92

Another game on our list is a classic title, Papers, Please. It’s a game unlike any other “best-bored games” as it delves into the beautiful country of Arstotzka, where everyone is scared of potential spies. Why is it here on this list? You can just put it on, play a couple of missions, turn it off, and forget about it. Or potentially create an entirely new way of thinking about tyrannical regimes. It’s up to you.

What’s It All About?

The game occurs in what can be interpreted as the former Soviet Union. You are a border officer, and it’s up to you to see all the potential spies wanting to go into your country and destroy it from within. If any rat gets in, or someone gets out to never come back, it will all be on your head.

Gameplay

How can you spot a problematic person? Well, it’s easy; you just need to look for inconsistencies between what they claim and the reality. Look for their facial expressions, ask them questions, and see if their story is straight. It’s a sad yet somehow wonderful experience that teaches you a lot about what it means to be a human being. And if that did not convince you to check out this casual game, nothing will!

• Release Date: June 2018

• Developer: InnerSloth LLC, PlayEveryWare

• Platform(s): PC, Switch, Android, iOS

• Meta Score: 85

On the other hand – you can always check out Among Us. When it comes to playing games when bored – this will thrill you instantly! It’s a great game, whether you want to just casually have fun with some strangers or play online with friends – it’s a super funny game, where you will be laughing and accusing each other of being a traitor in no time.

What’s It All About?

You're on a spaceship, traveling to who-knows-where. But here's the catch – there's an alien on board that can look like one of us astronauts. Let's call it the "Impostor." Your task? Figure out who the Impostor is and stop them before they harm the whole crew. Sounds easy, doesn't it?

Gameplay

The gameplay in this title is pretty basic. As we have mentioned, you are on a spaceship, and there are a couple of things you need to do. There are a couple of choirs on every ship, so there are few mini-games for you to play. Also – trying not to die is a big thing, so you must find out who the Impostor is and eject him immediately. 

You can play as Crewmates or Impostors. Most of the crew are Crewmates, but there are usually from 1-3 Impostors on the ship. After every murder, you must decide who did it and how we should eject that person. If the wrong one was removed, you must try again until you find the right person to throw it out.

If you want to have a little fun with no consequences, it’s great for a few games. After that, you can return to your everyday life and seek impostors.

• Release Date: November 2011

• Developer: Mojang Studios

• Platform(s): PC, PS4, PS3, Vita, Xbox One, Xbox 360, Switch, Wii U, Android, iOS

• Meta Score: 93

Next, we have the most popular game, Minecraft: Java Edition. There is probably nothing higher than this one when it comes to casual games. You have everything: an open world, the ability to build whatever structure you want freely, and a story you can finish – Minecraft allows you to have lots of fun without ever needing to commit to it 100%. Plenty of games for you to play out and many add-ons for you to utilize that can make it even more fun for you and your friends. And that’s only the base game!

What’s It All About?

Well, it’s not like this game has a story or anything. You are stranded on an island; plenty of resources are all over you, and you just need not die. Is it easy? Well, it’s not hard; you must find shelter and keep yourself full of food, water, and warmth. How do you build stuff? You take it from the ground and build from your gathered blocks. There is a kind of story here, as you are fighting against some dragon, but that’s not a plot, is it?

Gameplay

One of the things that made this game so enjoyable is the casual aspect of it, for sure. You can cure your boredom in minutes by simply getting into Minecraft, maybe playing some mini-games like golf, having fun with friends in online mode, playing sports, or, if you want, just sitting there on the porch and scratching yourself. Whatever floats your boat.

The only thing to remember is that you should probably take care of yourself in case zombies get to you. They are not that realistic, but they are deadly, and ending from their block-like hands is one of the worst ways to go down.

Going on an adventure, gathering resources, and creating statues everywhere is much better. Minecraft allows you to fully immerse yourself into the experience, as you can build whatever you want, dig great tunnels, polish your skills, and even bring a whole city into existence. This game seems not to have any end, and that’s a great asset, especially if you are terminally bored.

You also have a multiplayer mode to have fun with friends, create a team, and go on a quest! Millions of fans of this game worldwide feel excited every time they log in, so there must be something in this one!

• Release Date: May 2020

• Developer(s): Ghost Ship Games

• Platforms: Windows, Xbox One, PS4, PS5, Xbox Series X/S

• Meta Score: 85

The same goes for the lovely dwarfs at  – Deep Rock Galactic. If you want not to be bored again, this is the best way to do it. Just listen to this. You are a dwarf, among many dwarves, roaming the space looking for resources to sell. It’s exciting, and has lots of battles against worms and other alien creatures. If you are still not entertained – it has a co-op mode: just class, pure class from this one.

What’s It All About?

The central premise of this game is that you and your friends are dwarves who are the best ones in the galaxy when it comes to picking up stuff! You then sell this stuff on markets or make contracts for the highest bidders and gain money to advance your mission at hand further. And when it comes to the dwarves themselves – they do all the classical dwarf things like drinking beer, talking, and just having fun, waiting till the night ends. 

Gameplay

When it comes to gameplay, it’s pretty straightforward. You have a few classes to choose from. You can either be a Gunner, Driller, Scout, or Engineer. Each of those guys has a unique way of helping out in the whole finding space stuff process. 

Working together is one of the most essential things in this game. Whether you like it or not, no single dwarf will be able to complete the mission with the speed necessary and safety. Sometimes, you need to save your friends from a giant bug; sometimes, you need to use your skill to find the right path – all dwarves are necessary for completing the mission, especially according to the no-dwarf-left-behind motto.

So, if you want to get in on the whole dwarf fun, win some coins, have a ton of laughs, and become the legend of your craft – the dwarf world is something you would enjoy. And you can’t be sad with dwarfs; they are too fun to have around!

• Release Date: September 2013

• Developer: Rockstar North

• Platforms: PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Windows, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S

• Meta Score: 97

Our next pick is another extremely popular game – GTA V. Over a decade has passed since the release of this title, and it seems to be still as playable as it was back then. It may be frustrating at times, but with so many new updates, it became a role-playing game, a First-Person-Shooter/Doom kind of experience; you can even get into survival mode in this – it seems to be a neverending story! So, if you are bored, there is plenty of stuff to do in this game to cure your boredom and bring joy back to your life.

What’s It All About?

The game's main plot is known to many, but let’s reiterate once again. The whole thing takes place in the beautiful city of Los Santos, which was highly inspired by the Los Angeles area. You are playing as three characters, each with their own backstory. 

The first is Michael De Santa, a bank robber living in a giant mansion with his family. He has a bit of a temper, so you can expect lots of arguing with his wife and daughter. 

Next, we have Trevor Philips, who used to work with Michael but has now decided to become an unhinged individual living in some kind of desert. 

Finally, there’s Franklin Clinton, a guy from the hood trying to get by in this criminal world. All team up for the new and fantastic empire to be built upon what they have left behind.

Gameplay

You can easily switch between all these characters, do the main plot, or decide that you would like to try something completely different. Those guys usually work together, so you can work on a problem from three different perspectives and help each other out if necessary. 

Additionally, the game has a giant community full of like-minded individuals who are always trying to add new things to the game. Because of this, it gets more and more interesting, as people are forming Role-Playing communities who talk to each other over voice chat and pretend to be a cop or a robber – there are plenty of different ways to have fun in this game and cure boredom, you will definitely need a lot of time to get acquainted with it. But it’s not Dark Souls or anything, so you can do it at your own pace without getting into too much of a hassle.

• Release date: 2018

• Developer: Ludeon Studios

• Platforms: PlayStation 4, Xbox One, macOS, Linux, Microsoft Windows, Mac operating systems

• Meta Score: 87

The next pick on our list is the classic – Rimworld. Creating your very own sci-fi colony has never been as fun as this one. Most games on our list are pretty easy to play in your free time, but this one will cure your boredom and get you hooked on some space exploration as well. Is it a perfect game? Definitely not, but it has a lot of heart to it, and there is a reason why people worldwide have been falling for this title for many years now.

What’s it All About?

Well, the main concept is pretty simple. You crashed onto a foreign planet with no understanding of what is going on. So, you need to find a way to live in this unpleasant world, see a way out, and help your fellow friends and foes. Of course, it’s not like you start from scratch; you have some people to help you out, so you can easily start a civilization while also doing some quests on your own. It may seem boring, but it’s everything, so be sure to check out the tools the creators have prepared for you!

Gameplay

When it comes to gameplay – there’s a lot to unpack here. This game is a great simulator for creating a colony, so, as you can expect, there are a lot of things going on here. The main objective of the game is to survive, essentially, against all odds. As you progress, you get more and more advanced technology with even greater threats on the horizon.

What makes this game especially interesting is that an AI storyteller randomly generates all of the events. Everything you see is created by a computer in real-time, and it’s not the Candy Crush Saga level of advancement. It’s much more sophisticated than that. 

There are essentially three main storytellers: Cassandra Classic takes the more traditional approach, Phoebe Chillax is more, well, chill, and Randy Random does not really care about what is going on; he is all about creating chaos!

You need to take care of many things on your ship, with your crew needing food, rest, and shelter, but also – a place to sit or have some conversation during a meal. They have basic and complex needs, so if you want to address those, you will have to get to know them a little better. In the end, it’s a great title, with lots of difficult choices to make in it. One thing is for sure – you will never be bored in this one.

• Release Date: 2011

• Developer: Bethesda Game Studios

• Platforms: PC, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360

• Meta Score: 94

And finally, the last game on our list – Skyrim. Just Skyrim, everyone knows what’s going on. The Elder Scrolls has been one of the most successful game franchises in gaming history. Each title changes our outlook on the gaming world as a whole, and to this day, they are putting out some of the most outstanding games ever created. Skyrim is a title that will never get old, as there are always some things to do in it. You can even organize a battle royale with dragons and everything or become the master craftsman you always wanted.

What’s It All About?

The story is big and interesting, but, as with all Bethesda games, it’s still only an addition to the millions of side-quests you will be doing constantly in this title. When it comes to action games, this one definitely takes the cake! You start the game as a prisoner, who will soon become the Dragonborn, a legendary fighter who will free the world from evil dragons. You are also the one able to use Dragon-breath to slaughter your enemies and whatnot. So that’s a plus!

Gameplay

When it comes to gameplay, it’s a classical Bethesda-style fashion, where you can pretty much do anything you want. You can craft your weapons, go on a mission to get them, steal them, and sell them elsewhere, there’s a lot to do here. 

During the game, you unlock different abilities by using those, so if you want to be great at Destruction magic, you just need to use it a lot and learn from the masters that you find on the map. So, if you want to become a true Dragonborn and save Skyrim once and for all – give this one a chance. You will also be able to kill an elder dragon, so that’s another great thing about this title!

And here we are, at the end of this article! As you can see, you will never have to be bored again. We have tons of fantastic games for you to kill time in your real life but also – have some fun at the same time. Whether it’s gathering all the power-ups in the world, taking only several hours to finish a game, or enjoying some action-packed main quest to the end of time – there are plenty of titles for you to choose from. Of course, some are better than others, but one thing remains the same – they are a great way to spend time, and in the end – each pick will satisfy your needs!

Thanks so much for checking out our article on video games to play when bored. We hope that you will find your picks for a great price at Royal CD Keys. Of course, those are not all we do, so be sure to check out our wide selection of articles on various topics, from office-related through gaming and software – we are positive that you will find something for yourself. That’s it for today; stay safe, and we will see you in the next one!