Highlights
- The best games are easy to learn and hard to master, which adds to their appeal.
- Certain games, like Fortnite and Dead by Daylight, have a low barrier to entry but offer challenges for players to improve their skills.
- Games like Guild Wars 2 and Mortal Kombat allow players to start with basic abilities and combos but offer advanced techniques for those who want to reach a higher level of play.
"All the best games are easy to learn and hard to master.” It is a beautiful aphorism by Nolan Bushnell, the founder of Atari, and it shows the foundation for many great games that are being played by millions today.
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Getting to play a game for the first time, and enjoying it without putting in hours of practice and research, is undeniably fun. Just like it always feels amazing to master that one combo, or a particularly difficult trickshot, and then putting it to use in a match. Striking the balance between the two is not the easiest thing in the world, but certain games and companies have polished the formula to near perfection.
9 Fortnite
Average daily player count - 15 million
Fortnite is extremely popular among both adults and younger players for many good reasons. Not the least of which is the incredibly low barrier to entry into the game. Players of all skill levels can get into a match, after a quick tutorial, and have a pretty good time with the game.
As players begin to climb the ELO ladder, they will be matched against better and better opponents, and the need to hone one’s skills quickly increases. There are many aspects to a good player that can be improved, from shooting, to building, to strategic decisions.
8 Dead by Daylight
All Steam reviews - Very Positive (498,116)
Dead by Daylight
- Platform(s)
- PC , PS4 , PS5 , Xbox One , Xbox Series X , Xbox Series S , Stadia , Switch , Mobile
- Genre(s)
- Horror , Survival
- Multiplayer
- Online Multiplayer
Dead by Daylight is one of the most popular asymmetrical horror games on the market, and both its content and player count are on a steady rise. New players can easily hop into a game, and the dynamic matchmaking should pair them with a group of their skill level.
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The mechanics of the game are fairly simple, but there are many playstyles, perks, and powers to master for players who put more time into the game. On top of that, players can always create a lobby for friends, and try to run away from their maniacal buddy with a chainsaw.
7 Guild Wars 2
Average daily player count - 1 million
This MMORPG does a fantastic job of easing players into their unique combat system and mechanics with an immersive prologue tutorial. As players level up, they are slowly introduced to more and more abilities, and by the time they hit the cap level they are at least somewhat proficient in their class.
For those interested in late-game content there are many difficult encounters, like Raids, Fractals, and Strikes, where players will need to get hold of better gear and utilize their abilities to their maximum potential. The PvP and WvW are also great battlegrounds, where players continually hone their skills against each other.
6 Mortal Kombat 1
All Steam Reviews - Mostly Positive (10,001)
Mortal Kombat 1
- Franchise
- Mortal Kombat
- Platform(s)
- PC , PS5 , Switch , Xbox Series X , Xbox Series S
- Genre(s)
- Fighting
The Mortal Kombat franchise has always been incredibly popular, both among hardcore fighting fans and casual players who occasionally dish it out with their friends. The series has always had its unique advantages over its competitors, and the lower skill floor is not the least of them.
Players can easily start doing basic combos and abilities that look cool and are fairly effective without spending too much time on manuals and combo guides. On the highest level of play, pros can chain up incredible juggling attacks, and the difference between them and a novice is incredible to witness.
5 League of Legends
Average Daily Player Count - 12 million
Players generally love or hate League of Legends, but its impact on the MOBA scene and Esports in general is undeniable. The high number of Champions, which vary in degree of difficulty, is also a big part of the appeal of the game.
Players can begin with using simpler heroes and enjoy simple combat and farming without too much trouble. As players progress, the amount of growth potential becomes quite clear. From learning macro mechanics to perfecting micro mechanics, there is almost endless room for growth.
4 Hearthstone
Average Daily Player Count - 330, 000
Hearthstone remains one of the most popular collectible card games online, and is a great example of Blizzard’s love for the “easy to learn, hard to master” formula. On the surface, the basics of the game are quite simple to grasp, with the ultimate goal being to attack the other player’s Hero.
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Over the years, more and more new cards and heroes have been introduced to the game, greatly expanding the pool of characters, spells, and even mechanics. Becoming truly great at the game will take a certain amount of dedication and familiarization with everything this simple card game has to offer.
3 Overwatch 2
Average Daily Player Count - 1,723,000
Despite the numerous controversies and questionable company policies, Overwatch 2 continues to be played by millions of people worldwide, with new players joining in every day. It isn’t hard to see why the game garnered so much attention when it was first released, with its diverse cast of characters and colorful art style.
The game has done a fantastic job with the various character playstyles, allowing players who might not be as twitchy or caffeinated as others to perform just as well, with various abilities that don’t require perfect aim or complicated mechanics to be effective.
2 Rocket League
Over 10 million copies sold
Rocket League really took the world by surprise back in 2015, as players enthusiastically dove into the new contender for a fresh Esports scene. While at the dawn of the game, players were understandably utilizing simpler strategies and movements, it is truly fascinating to see how far the players have come in more than 8 years.
Nowadays, certain tricks that seemed impossible in the game's first months have become the default for many professionals. Nonetheless, it remains an easy game to casually spend a few hours in.
1 Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
Over 32 million copies sold
Super Smash Bros. has made an indelible impact on the fighting game genre, redefining it in a unique way. What sets it apart is its accessible gameplay and a diverse roster of beloved characters from Nintendo and beyond. This inclusive character lineup, along with an intuitive and dynamic combat system, make it extremely easy to pick up and casually play with friends.
The Smash Bros. Esports scene is still extremely vibrant and active, even for the classic Super Smash Bros. Melee. Players from all over the world regularly showcase just how far the game's mechanics can be pushed, and the awesome tricks that the characters are capable of in the right hands.
