The Best Games for Staying in this Weekend

People across the UK are looking for ways to save. One of the easiest ways to avoid overspending is to stay at home for the weekends—or, at least, avoid heading to shops and restaurants. But there’s only so much to do walking around, enjoying nature, and catching up on errands or chores.

In other words, it’s easy to get bored staying at home. Though it’s a straightforward way to save, it’s easy to simply lounge on the couch and binge-watch another sub-par series. If you’re looking to avoid these long stints of boredom, gaming offers a varied and diverse escape. In fact, some of the best games today can be accessed straight from a smartphone or a laptop—no fancy equipment needed. 

Games allow you to immerse yourself in a new world and take on a new role. No matter how casual your interests are, there’s a game out there that can sweep you off your feet. We’ve got a few suggestions here that will help you get started. 

First, we have more general suggestions that should suit more casual players. Then we’re going to focus on RPGs or role-playing games, which offer a truly engrossing experience.

Poker

Well over a hundred years past its invention, poker remains a global staple. In fact, it’s so popular that gamers might play it as a mini-game in a hit like Red Dead Redemption 2. Unlike early players, however, a modern poker buff is more likely to play online rather than in-person. If you enjoy the game, then dive into the world of virtual poker. 

You can try out different variations, including popular choices like Omaha poker, along with different types of games like tournaments or sit-and-go formats. Because the game involves quite a bit of strategy and long-term thinking, you’ll be fully engrossed in each move.

Disney Villainous

If you'll be staying in with friends or family this weekend, a board game could be a good choice. Forget old favorites like Life or Sorry; instead, try a newer release like Disney Villainous. This board game has a straightforward set of rules and a long list of famous characters for players to choose from. Simply choose a hero (or villain) to get started.

As the villain attempts to accomplish their goals, other players must step in their way. Not only are the rules easy to learn, but most people will also recognize the long list of characters if they've seen a few Disney hits. In fact, that element adds a dash of nostalgia that makes this board game even more playable.

The Sims

Another great casual option is The Sims. There are now dozens of releases that let you zero in on your interests, including pets, romance, and more. The barrier for entry is the lowest on this list, meaning just about anyone can download this game and start playing. 

Best of all, it allows you to choose your own adventure. Depending on which expansion packs you have, you can dive deep into the life of your Sim, developing their career, perfecting their home’s interior design, and even making friends around town. You won’t even notice the time flying by.

Cyberpunk 2077

If you’ve heard of this game, you might know it thanks to the controversy surrounding its release. After years of building the game’s hype, players experienced quite a few bugs after downloading the game. But rest assured—these bugs have been fixed and critics have hailed this game as one of the best of its generation. 

Cyberpunk 2077, as the title suggests, is a sci-fi game. Players must step into the shoes of a mercenary as they navigate a semi-recognizable Californian city. Along the way, players must contend with the emerging memories of a being whose life seems to be fused with the main character. It’s heady, it’s modern, and it’s got Keanu Reeves—what more does a sci-fi adventure need?

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt

If fantasy is your thing more than sci-fi, then consider stepping into the shoes of Geralt of Rivia. You might know him from the recent Netflix series. Though marred with controversy, this open-world RPG is widely recognized as one of the best fantasy RPGs ever released. This game takes place in a fantasy world inspired by feudal Europe. 

In case you don’t have any exposure to the Witcher universe, Geralt is a monster hunter. But that’s a very short summary of his tale, as it also involves a powerful and discerning sorceress named Yennefer and a young royal-turned-assassin named Ciri. As with Cyberpunk 2077, there’s a fantastic narrative that underpins this game. It will keep you at the edge of your seat, continually pushing for the next mission.