Games and entertainment have come a long way over the past two decades thanks to a number of factors. From the rise of the smartphone to increased internet speeds, the variety and range of options on offer for gamers has never been more eclectic. But that’s only true if you know where to look. You could be forgiven for thinking gameplay experiences today are actually pretty repetitive and predictable. The app offerings provided in both the Google Play Store and Apple’s App Store are home to some real gems, but you have to wade through a lot of knock-offs and clones sometimes to find the titles really worth playing. Elsewhere, sometimes it seems like console games are settled down into a rhythm of releasing incremental yearly refreshes that offer little in the way of new features, and with ever more microtransactions and hurdles to jump through to get up and playing each time. But don’t feel disheartened, because it really is true that we’re living in something of a renaissance for truly novel and exciting gaming pursuits – simply peruse our top picks below and you’ll see what we mean.
Head in the Clouds
Games consoles – and the games themselves – are more expensive than ever nowadays. It’s a tough sell to shell out £70 on a new game you’re not even sure you’ll like. There is, however, an alternative. Cloud gaming is a set of technologies that have been quietly developing in the wings of the industry for a number of years. Initially, the leading proponent of this technology was the since discontinued Google Stadia, but now the best option for most gamers is to explore what Xbox Cloud Gaming has to offer. This comes as part of the Xbox Game Pass Ultimate Subscription and for £12.99/mo will give you access to hundreds of Xbox, PC and indie games – including day one releases of flagship titles like Halo: Infinite and Forza Horizon 5. The best part? You don’t even need an Xbox. You can play these games on your smartphone, TV or laptop thanks to the cloud streaming technology that underpins it.
The Rise of Live Games
What exactly is a live game we hear you asking? Well, there are several ways to answer that, but the simple response is that it’s any game that actively incorporates live footage and people into its core design. If there’s one sector that has got this down to a T, it’s the world of online casinos. There you can find a growing number of quality live titles that feature highly qualified – and charismatic – dealers serving up unprecedented immersion in the digital table gaming space. Online casinos have always cast about for ways and means to further integrate the experience of digital casino gaming with the glamour and excitement of their brick-and-mortar namesakes. Live games are but the latest attempt at capturing all the glitz you expect from a casino experience, albeit with the added bonus of it beaming right to your phone or PC. 
Sandbox Play
Much of the thrill of gaming comes from the exercise of unbridled creativity and play – something that is arguably lacking in a lot of modern titles. This fact has, however, not been lost on everyone. In fact, some games out there are built entirely around giving people the tools they need to create their own games, levels and experiences – and to play others’ creations too. Undoubtedly the best known and most successful of these is Minecraft – the world’s best selling title, beloved the world over for its compelling lego set-style crafting and worldbuilding. There’s also Roblox, which despite being historically associated with younger audiences, has become a popular destination for gamers of all ages and stripes. Roblox is home to millions of players – and thousands of unique games created by the community. There’s truly nothing out there like the anarchic fun offered by this title – and best of all, it’s free to play.
