The popular TV series streaming platform continues its gaming services with Netflix cloud games. Netflix has recently expanded its entertainment offerings to include cloud gaming, allowing users to stream games directly to their devices much like they would movies or TV shows.
While the service is officially in beta and invites are limited, there’s a workaround for eager gamers who don’t want to wait for a broader rollout.
Netflix has recently offered users the ability to play many games for free on devices such as iPads. Now it aims to take this structure it has built to the next level with Netflix cloud games.
Netflix cloud games are easy to access
For those looking to dive into Netflix’s gaming experience without an official invite, the process is surprisingly straightforward. By using a desktop web browser and logging into their Netflix account, users can directly access the games through specific URLs. This method bypasses the need to wait for access to be granted through the usual channels. Here are the steps and some insights into the games available:
- Open your browser: Start by opening a web browser on your desktop. This method currently does not support mobile browsers.
- Log into Netflix: Navigate to the Netflix website and sign in with your credentials.
- Direct links to games: Click on the direct links to the games. Here are a few titles available:
- The Almost Gone: Explore the complex interplay of dioramas and the interconnectedness of existence in this critically acclaimed puzzle game that delves into themes of mortality, grief, and psychological well-being.
- Infernax: Follows the journey of a valiant knight who comes back to his native land, only to discover it ensnared by dark and malevolent sorcery. Embark on a quest to unravel the enigmas behind the curse and confront the repercussions of your choices.
- Oxenfree: Delves into the supernatural as a circle of friends, led by Alex, inadvertently triggers a paranormal tear while hosting an ill-fated overnight gathering on an island.
- Link Twin: A puzzle game.
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- Reigns: Ascend to the throne as a modern-day medieval monarch, wielding your royal controller to enact your rule upon the kingdom with either benevolence or malevolence. Swipe left or right to impose your will and shape the fate of your realm.
- Mole Gem Mayhem: Defend your flock of sheep from relentless waves of moles, ensuring they remain untouched! Use your skills to shoot down crystals and halt the spawning of additional enemies.
- Story Warriors Fairy Tales: Walk over words to bring them to life and shape your adventure. Navigate the twisted tales of Bela as classic fairy tales collide due to an evil master plan. Join forces with dwarves, princes, and fairies in a word-based world unlike any other. Master the gameplay and play with words in ways you’ve never imagined.
- Reigns Three Kingdoms: Engage in military negotiations, marry to strengthen your alliances, and recruit soldiers to fight turn-based card battles in this historical epic.
These games are not graphically intensive, which means they should run smoothly on most systems, although the streaming resolution is currently capped at 720p. This might result in less crisp visuals, especially on larger screens, but it remains a convenient way to test out Netflix’s gaming content.
Are Netflix cloud games shaping the company’s future?
Netflix’s venture into cloud gaming is still in its early stages, and the current game selection reflects this. The games available are simpler and not as graphically demanding as major console titles. However, this initiative signals Netflix’s ambition to become a more diversified entertainment platform. As the service evolves, we can expect enhancements in game quality, streaming resolution, and user interface.
The potential integration of more complex games could make Netflix a formidable presence in the cloud gaming market. For now, users in regions like the US, UK, Canada, and several European countries have the best chance of accessing these games with minimal latency, thanks to closer server proximity. However, as with all cloud-based services, user experience may vary based on internet speed and hardware capabilities.
While Netflix’s gaming feature is still developing, the ability to access games without waiting for an official invite offers a glimpse into what the future of streaming games might look like. Whether this will revolutionize how we consume gaming content remains to be seen, but it certainly adds an exciting layer to Netflix’s already robust streaming service. So, can Netflix cloud games do what Google once wanted to do with Stadia? Will their vision be in this direction, we will all see in the future?
Featured image credit: Furkan Demirkaya
