Over time, Chromebooks are becoming much more popular. They’re low-powered, affordable alternatives to a full-fledged laptop, boasting a system that runs on ChromeOS, cheaper components, and minimal storage solutions. They’re designed to be used for low-effort, daily activities, like surfing the internet, writing up documents, doing some light work, and watching movies. But did you know that they’re fast becoming machines that can be used for gaming and that there are many Chromebook games out there that you can play with the press of a button?
It goes even further than that. There are now hardware manufacturers creating gaming Chromebooks. They’re devices that are designed to utilise cloud streaming services to provide cutting-edge gaming experiences, and they’re taking the market by storm. Outside of that, some of the best games for Chromebook are hosted in web browsers or as desktop applications with almost no real resource requirements. It’s no longer the end of the road as a gamer when you buy a Chromebook, as thanks to the wide variety of Chromebook games on the market, it’s now an extension to that road – or the start of it.
Can You Use a Chromebook For Gaming?
In 2024, the number of people gaming on a Chromebook is rising sharply. It’s a super-accessible method of gaming that’s affordable and effective, and all it needs is a solid internet connection. That’s mostly thanks to cloud-based gaming services, which use server-end computing power to play games that are streamed to your device so you can play them in real time, hence the requirement for a strong and stable internet connection.
There are plenty of manufacturers working hard on creating the best gaming Chromebooks possible, from Lenovo to Acer and from ASUS to MSI. Typically, if you want to play Chromebook games, you’ll want to opt for one of these ‘next generation’ gaming Chromebook devices, which feature elements such as:
- 120hz monitors
- Powerful processors (CPU)
- Up to a 16-inch screen
- Super-fast NVMe SSDs
- USB-C connectivity
- Intel Iris Xe Integrated Graphics (GPU)
They’re not as powerful as dedicated gaming laptops, but they’re not supposed to be. Some of these gaming Chromebooks will set you back just a few hundred dollars, which is an insanely low price for the technology you’ll be getting access to.
What Are The Best Chromebook Gaming Services?
If you want to play Chromebook games, you’ll be taking advantage of a wide range of gaming services. Most commonly, these services boast high-tech streaming platforms that allow you to play almost any game imaginable without ever downloading a single file. There’s a cost involved – but that doesn’t mean that there aren’t free Chromebook games out there. That’s what we’ve covered below, so just read on if you want to learn how to play Chromebook games without spending a penny.
Here are the best Chromebook gaming services that you can use to stream games to your Chromebook device:
- Nvidia GeForce Now: As one of the best streaming services for Chromebook games, Nvidia GeForce Now has a huge catalogue of compatible games that can be explored at a low price. It even features some free Chromebook games.
- Amazon Luna: This tech titan is becoming more of a gaming company with each passing day, and Amazon Luna is a testament to that fact. It features so many top-tier games that you’ll find it tough to choose your next title.
- Xbox Cloud Gaming: With Xbox Cloud Gaming, you’ll be paying one monthly fee to get access to more than 100 world-class games, and with Microsoft’s best-in-class infrastructure, you’ll be able to stream them on Chromebook without any issues.
- Google Play Store: There are few other ways to get games on a Chromebook that are easier than with the Google Play Store, which features a huge library of great games, many of which are free to play.
As you can see, you’ve already got some great foundations there and some brilliant reasons to play games on a Chromebook.
What Are The Best Chromebook Games?
Let’s get into the core of our guide – here’s our list of the best Chromebook games you can get right now. It’s a diverse list with a little something for everyone – enjoy!
State of Survival
If you want to play one of the best zombie apocalypse-based strategy games on your Chromebook, then you’ve come to the right place. In State of Survival, you’re tasked with building, maintaining, and defending a settlement against the onslaught of the undead – as well as other players trying to steal your resources. It’s a fantastic, free-to-play game with plenty to offer, and it can be played on a Chromebook with the utmost ease, thanks to it being available as a mobile variant in the Google Play Store or as a browser game.
It’s easy to get into and it has plenty of life in it, plus there’s a community of more than 100 million players driving it ever onwards. It’s a solid game with great visuals and some unique hero characters – and you never know which one of them you’ll unlock next. It’s a low-effort game with plenty of quests and collectables to find, and it’s guaranteed to keep you entertained on your Chromebook for hours.
Fallout Shelter
If you’re not interested in a zombie apocalypse, then what about a nuclear apocalypse? In Fallout Shelter, players are tasked with building an underground shelter – called a ‘Vault’ – and populating it with survivors attempting to live out the nuclear annihilation of the planet. It requires planning and resource management, as players are charged with constructing rooms that provide water, food, power, and other resources to the Vault. There’s a huge array of missions to take on, which sees players build their team of survivors, equip them with outfits and weapons, and go out into the Wasteland to fight creatures, other humans, and mutants.
It’s a fantastic, free-to-play game that’s a perfect title for any fans of the Fallout franchise, and it’s one of the best Chromebook games as it takes almost no requirements to run it. It’s available as an installed application through the Google Play Store, and it’s a hugely addictive experience. Once you’ve started building and managing your underground Vault, you won’t want to stop playing.
Raid: Shadow Legends
Raid: Shadow Legends is one of the most prolific Chromebook games that started life in 2018 before the concept of a Chromebook had even surfaced. It’s a multi-platform, free-to-play fantasy RPG with huge potential, and since it was released, it has pulled in tens of millions of players. It’s a popular game amongst content creators and streaming, as the game’s developer often partners with these creators to push the brand out across the internet, influencing other gamers to get involved with this top-tier RPG.
In Raid: Shadow Legends, players must collect and upgrade a team of skilled champions, levelling up their abilities and equipment over time. It’s a diverse game with plenty to do, from a campaign to dungeons, and clan battles to arena fights. It’s easily one of the best online Chromebook games you’ll find, and it can be played in a web browser, so you don’t even need to download anything.
Genshin Impact
Genshin Impact is a monumentally popular game that features a massive open world and a branching storyline bursting at the seams with characters, lore, and collectables. It’s a free-to-play game that took the world by storm when it was released in 2020, and since then, it has attracted tens of millions of players. It’s an award-winning game with gorgeous visuals and countless characters to play as, and as an RPG, it has a lengthy lifecycle that’ll keep you entertained for a long time.
It’s one of the best Chromebook games as it can be played in so many ways. For instance, you could download it through the Google Play Store or run it through Nvidia GeForce Now, with both methods producing similar results. There’s a reason why Genshin Impact has spawned an entire universe of gaming – it’s a brilliant title that you’re sure to enjoy on your Chromebook.
Hero Wars
Hero Wars is a brilliant game for those who have little time to actually play a game. It’s an online RPG that can run on Chromebook devices with the utmost ease, thanks to the fact that it’s playable in a web browser. It has been around since 2016, drawing in millions of dedicated players, all of whom are eager to dive into the depth and breadth of Hero Wars. It’s a game that’ll see you build up a team of hero characters and venture out into the wild to engage in vicious, intense battles against bosses and other players.
By default, Hero Wars is a free game, and that’s a huge win if you’re looking for Chromebook games that you don’t need to pay for. Once you get started, you’ll find it hard to stop playing, as there are no limits to the creativity and power that you can wield in Hero Wars. With more than eight modes and areas to explore, all with unique creatures and elements, there’s plenty to do in Hero Wars to keep you occupied on your Chromebook.
Stardew Valley
Stardew Valley is one of the cosiest, most entertaining farming games ever made. It was built (and is maintained) by one person, but that doesn’t stop it from being a beloved game that millions of people have played. It’s a perfect Chromebook game because it takes so little to run, and yet it offers so much. It’s an expansive game with plenty of quirky characters, missions, and farming options, and you’ll ultimately start with nothing and end up with a thriving, productive farm like no other.
It’s an affordable game – but it’s not free. It’s well worth that investment though, and when it comes to Chromebook games, you won’t find one as enjoyable and wholesome as Stardew Valley.
Forge of Empires
Forge of Empires will turn you from an average gamer into a masterful builder of cities and a leader of people overnight. This free Chromebook game boasts millions of players for good reason – it’s well worth looking at if you’re trying to find browser-based Chromebook games. In Forge of Empires, you’ll be focused on building up cities that start as humble tribes but ultimately become thriving, gargantuan cities.
It’s a hugely accessible game that can be played on a Chromebook with no problems whatsoever. If you’re looking to build a city, raise a community, and join forces with other players, then consider Forge of Empires – it won’t steer you wrong.
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