It’s like the concept behind Flappy Bird was caught in the TARDIS’s wake and hurled back to 1972, right into Atari’s lap. Over time, the bats shrink and the game speeds up. Space (or tap) makes the minimalist protagonist jump a bit.

And rather than controlling the bat, you control the ball. Instead of two players, there’s you alone. Well, this game is, as its moniker suggests, ‘almost’ Pong. Endless frustration when both players realised how inept they were at returning said ball. Fortunately, you can save progress in your browser and continue at a later date. Logistics and supply management are as important as surviving animal attacks, and the adventure can be long and gruelling. It’s a text- and menu-driven adventure in which you build up and maintain a successful community in a harsh wilderness. Coming from the same developer as Gridland (also in this list) and supplying a similar ‘thrive ‘n’ survive’ challenge, A Dark Room nevertheless takes a very different tack.

Free single player games online