Ethereum games in the play-to-earn genre have revolutionized the gaming landscape, offering not just entertainment but also a new way to engage with digital assets. Despite the rise of second-layer scaling solutions, Ethereum continues to be a popular choice for game developers and players, particularly for its role in facilitating Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs). This blog post aims to highlight the best Ethereum games that continue to utilize Ethereum’s robust and secure infrastructure. This infrastructure provides a level of trust and transparency that is crucial for the financial aspects of gaming, especially in the creation and trading of NFTs. We will explore some of these top Ethereum games, allowing you to earn rewards and engage with NFTs while enjoying immersive gameplay experiences.
Top Ethereum Games 2023 Update
Some of these games are still in early development.
Mars4
Mars4 is a Player vs Environment (PvE) survival game, accessible on Windows and Mac platforms, that plunges players into the Martian landscape of the year 2040 CE. Developed using Unreal Engine, the game offers both Single-Player and Multi-Player modes. The terrain is designed based on NASA’s Mars data, providing a realistic backdrop for survival and exploration. Players assume roles like geologists and engineers, focusing on tasks such as resource management and colony survival. The game replicates Martian conditions, including unique gravitational forces and unpredictable weather, adding complexity to survival strategies.
A standout feature is the game’s integration of Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs). Land Plots, Playable Characters, and Vehicles serve as NFTs, each contributing to the colony’s survival and economic structure. These NFTs can be traded in the game’s Peer-to-Peer (P2P) marketplace, known as MCC, adding an economic layer to the gameplay.
The game operates on its native MARS4 tokens, available on multiple crypto exchanges. Players can earn through a play-to-earn model, primarily via resource management on their NFT land plots and trading in the MCC marketplace. Specialized roles offer additional earning potential, and a community pool redistributes Mars dollars based on players’ productivity. Overall, Mars4 aims to offer a comprehensive gameplay experience, blending survival challenges with economic strategy and blockchain elements.
Parallel
Parallel is a Trading Card Game (TCG) set in a futuristic sci-fi universe where five factions, known as “Parallels,” vie for control over Earth. Developed by Echelon PRIME Foundation, the game is currently in closed beta and is accessible through invite codes. The game is compatible with Windows platforms.
The lore of the game centers around a cataclysmic event caused by humanity’s reckless depletion of Earth’s resources. After a 10,000-year hiatus, Earth regenerates, and the five civilizations emerge, each aiming to assert dominance over their ancestral homeland.
Parallel offers gameplay mechanics familiar to those who have played Magic: The Gathering and Hearthstone. Players use a 40-card deck to battle opponents, with the primary objective being to deplete the opponent’s health. The game introduces a “banking” mechanic, allowing players to burn cards to gain energy. The game also features a battle pass system, enabling players to earn packs filled with cards by completing daily missions. Players can earn PRIME tokens through various in-game activities, adding a play-to-earn element to the game.
The game offers a variety of cards as NFTs, each belonging to one of the five factions in the game: The Marcolian, The Kathari, The Augencore, The Shroud, and The Earthen. These cards come with unique abilities and characteristics that can significantly impact the game’s outcome. The NFT cards are categorized based on their rarity and class, and are available on opensea, with prices varying accordingly. Some common cards are available for as low as $1, while others can cost more than $1000. The most active players and collectors primarily use these cards as they generate the native game token called PRIME. This token plays a vital role in the game’s decentralized governance and allows for broad community participation in the ecosystem.
Wreck League
Wreck League is a real-time Player vs. Player (PvP) fighting game developed by nWay in partnership with Animoca Brands. The game is designed for cross-platform functionality, available on both mobile and desktop. It features a multiverse of characters from various Web3 projects, starting with Kodas and Bored Apes from the Yuga Labs ecosystem. Players engage in real-time PvP combat using fully customizable fighting characters, known as mechs.
The game incorporates a feature called the “Garage,” where players can interact with four different tabs: MY BOXES, MY PARTS, MY MECHS, and ASSEMBLE. In the Garage, players can see the Box NFTs they own, which contain part components. These parts can be assembled to create unique mechs with distinct attributes. Each Part NFT contributes to the mech’s visuals and attributes, allowing for a high level of customization.
Wreck League operates on a play-to-earn model. Players can earn Box NFTs, which contain part components for assembling mechs. The game also features leaderboard tournaments with various prizes. While the specific native token is not detailed, the game’s economic structure is designed to reward competitive play.
My Pet Hooligan
My Pet Hooligan is a multiplayer battle arena game that is currently in Early Access. The game is designed for Windows platforms and features a unique blend of fast-paced action and community engagement. Players control bunnies, known as “Hooligans,” and can participate in various game modes. The game is built on the Unreal Ira system, enhancing its performance and setting the stage for future expansions.
In My Pet Hooligan, players engage in battles controlling their Hooligans. The game is known for its fast-paced action, where Area of Effect (AOE) weapons like grenade launchers come in handy. It offers multiple game modes, including Battle Royale and Team Deathmatch, which are currently in development. Adding to the gameplay experience is a diverse soundtrack that ranges from punk rock to hip-hop. The game also plans to introduce social components in buildings like pubs, aiming to enhance the community aspect.
Hooligans are available as NFTs on OpenSea with a starting price of 0.7 ETH, equivalent to approximately $1,143.68 at the time of writing this article.
The game’s economy is powered by the $Karrot token, an ERC-20 token integral to the My Pet Hooligan ecosystem. Players can earn $Karrots through various means, including competitive gameplay, social activities, and community rewards. The token adds another layer to the game, allowing for a wide variety of ways for gamers, collectors, and community members to engage in the ecosystem.
Abyss world
Abyss World is an Open-world Action-RPG set in the mystical city of Nordinia. Developed by Metagame Industries and backed by AMD, IGN, and Epic Games, the game is slated for a PVE-only Early Access release on platforms like Steam, Epic, and the PlayStation Store. Players can choose from five main classes: Warriors for frontline combat, Mushas for technical weaponry, Mages for spellcasting, Engineers for equipment use, and Explorers for adventuring. The game also features five races, each with its unique characteristics, providing advantages and disadvantages in gameplay.
In Abyss World, players venture into the Shattered Lands to collect fragments for summoning Heroic Souls, which can be trained for AI-controlled battles. The game features both PVE and PVP modes, including tournaments in the Abyss Colosseum and casual fights in the Battle Arena, both located in the central city of Nordinia. Here, players can also synthesize Heroic Souls at the Hero’s Gate and trade items in the Abyss Marketplace. The game adds a layer of city-building through the Territory, a player-owned floating island. Building facilities and participating in invasion events not only strengthens the Territory but also offers rewards based on contribution.
The game operates on two types of tokens: AWT, the governance token, is used as a reward in PVP and for stakers; MGC is the in-game token with an unlimited supply, earned through in-game tasks. These tokens form the backbone of the game’s economic structure, designed to incentivize player participation and engagement.
Uldor: Shattered Glory
Uldor: Shattered Glory is a Massively Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Game (MMORPG) set in a fantasy universe. The game allows players to explore a vast open world, embark on quests to slay monsters, and participate in large-scale Player vs Player (PvP) battles. The game’s lore revolves around the empire’s rule being shattered, leading to a fight for dominance among three factions as the evil Dread King assembles an army of the dead.
he game is in its early stages, with a small version called “Uldor: Dread Arena” already released. This version serves as a teaser, allowing players to get a feel for the game while the developers gather community feedback for improvements. The game aims to offer a variety of PvP experiences, including 1v1, 3v3, and 5v5 arenas, as well as large-scale faction battles. The developers are also considering the introduction of a Battleground system to cater to both competitive and casual players. The game is expected to feature high-quality graphics and controls, drawing comparisons to games like Dark Souls in terms of gameplay mechanics.
Uldor’s economy is designed to give players enhanced ownership of their assets by utilizing blockchain technology for premium currency and game items. The game offers a variety of NFTs, including hero-class characters like Guardians and Furies, which are available for purchase during the Genesis Sale. These characters come with unique abilities and characteristics that can significantly impact the game’s outcome.
MetalCore
MetalCore is a first-person mechanized combat game set in an expansive open world on an alien planet called Kerberos. Developed by Studio 369, the game offers both Player vs Environment (PvE) and Player vs Player (PvP) modes, including 50v50 mega-battles. Players can choose to align with one of the three factions: Metal Punks, Gearbreakers, or The Holy Corporation. The game is currently in its alpha stage and is available for pre-registration on Windows platforms.
The gameplay involves piloting mechanized war machines, known as War Machines, and engaging in territorial battles. Players start as ground troopers fighting against PvE enemies and can later participate in Faction Wars for world domination. The game mechanics are designed to be gradually learned, starting from basic controls to advanced piloting skills.
MetalCore integrates Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs) in the form of Infantry and vehicles. These NFTs come with their own pre-assigned factions as traits. Owning these NFTs allows players to fabricate new vehicles from blueprints, which can be deployed in battles or traded. The game also introduced its first NFT collection of 10,000 unique infantry NFTs in July 2022. These NFTs are available for trading on OpenSea.
The game rewards players with experience, resources, and blueprints through PvP events and PvE missions. It has received positive feedback for its visuals and scale but is noted to have areas for improvement, such as respawn timers and movement mechanics. It is considered a promising addition to the web3 gaming space.
Big Time
Big-Time is a free-to-play multiplayer action RPG with a time-traveling theme. The game style can be compared to Diablo, with 3D visuals that resemble World of Warcraft. Developed by a team of industry vets, including Epic Games, Blizzard Entertainment, EA Sports, and Riot.
The combat in the game is a combination of melee and magic-based fighting, Diablo-style. You can also team up with up to six other players and raid randomly generated dungeons for NFTs.
NFT drops are random when fighting monsters and clearing dungeons. Cosmetic NFTs affect the visuals of your character. Utility NFTs are items that are used to craft cosmetic weapon & armor skins and to earn cryptocurrencies.
The game includes an economy, with a variety of ways to earn the game currency, TIME. You can use TIME to buy new equipment, character skins, and other items from the in-game store.
You can also trade TIME on Ethereum-based marketplaces like OpenSea.
Sorare
Sorare is a fantasy sports game that allows you to buy, sell, and trade NFT cards of real-world footballers and MLB players.
The game is similar to traditional sports card games like Upper Deck’s “Fleer Ultra” series. But instead of physical cards, Sorare uses Ethereum NFTs.
Each card is a digital representation of a real-world footballer, and each card is unique. The game includes cards from over 230 clubs, including major leagues like the English Premier League, La Liga, and Bundesliga.
You can use these cards to create teams of five players and compete in weekly fantasy football contests. The game also has a season-long mode where you can play against others in your league.
You can buy cards from the Sorare marketplace or from other players. And like traditional sports cards, the value of these Ethereum NFTs can go up or down based on the performance of the real-world footballer.
With the most recent upgrade, Sorare now includes Major League Baseball. Baseball fans can create the best team of NFTs representing Major League Baseball Players and compete in fantasy baseball contests.
Decentraland
Decentraland is an Ethereum-based virtual world, or metaverse, where players can explore, play games, and socialize with other players. The game shares similarities with “Second Life” game but with a few key differences.
First, Decentraland is built on the Ethereum blockchain, which allows for a decentralized economy.
Second, players can monetize content and use their avatars to travel between areas and engage in activities.
Decentraland uses the MANA crypto to buy, sell, or trade virtual land and assets.
Sidus Heroes
Sidus Heroes is a set in multiplayer RPG game an open universe. Players can travel among planets and complete missions to help their characters develop new abilities or join up with other players to complete tasks or compete against each other in a battle arena for SIDUS tokens in either P2P or P2E mode.
The game offers a political system in which players can create parties, lobby interests, and become ministers and presidents.
The Sidus Heroes game is in early access, with some basic features, including the market and the DAO.
Illuvium
Illuvium is an open-world fantasy RPG that lets players explore the land, collect illuvials, and fight one another for eth. Illuvials are Ethereum NFTs stored on the Ethereum blockchain and can be bought, sold, or traded like any other Ethereum NFT.
The game has a similar feel to Pokemon, with a collectible creature element and turn-based battles. But Illuvium takes things one step further by allowing you to breed your illuvials to create new creatures. These new Ethereum NFTs can then be used in battle or sold on the Illuvium marketplace.
There are over 100 types of illuvials to collect, each with unique stats and abilities. The game also features a variety of Ethereum NFTs that can be used to enhance your illuvial’s stats or give them new abilities.
Impostors
Impostors is an upcoming Play-and-Earn social deduction game with a murder mystery-themed gameplay mode. The idea is similar to the game “Among us”. Players in the game are either innocents or impostors. Impostors must try to kill the other players while avoiding being discovered and voted out.
Conclusion
After the meteoric rise of CryptoKitties in 2017 and the ongoing success of games like Axie Infinity, NFTs have become a staple in the cryptocurrency space. Ethereum, as the largest and most popular smart contract platform, has been the go-to choice for many game developers. However, it’s worth noting that Ethereum’s high transaction fees and network congestion have led some games to explore second-layer solutions like Polygon, Solana, or Immutable-X.
In this post, we’ve focused on games that are currently running strictly on the Ethereum blockchain, some of which are in the process of scaling to a layer-2 solution. Whether you’re new to the world of blockchain gaming or a seasoned player, these best Ethereum games offer a range of experiences, from casual play to more complex economic strategies.
What is Ethereum?
Ethereum is a blockchain platform that lets developers build decentralized applications (dApps). Every application in the Ethereum ecosystem runs on smart contracts and operates autonomously without third-party interference.
Ethereum is the second largest cryptocurrency by market capitalization after Bitcoin. It launched in 2015 and became the most widely used smart contract blockchain.
What Are P2E games or blockchain games?
Play-to-earn games (or blockchain games) use a token economy and NFTs to incentivize players to engage with their platform. They allow you to earn crypto for playing. You get tokens that you can use to get rewards like NFTs or money.
Non-fungible tokens (NFTs), are a type of unique cryptocurrency. This means that each NFT is different from any other NFT and can be used in gaming and other applications. They are often used to represent rare in-game items or assets and can be valuable if they are well-designed and popular.
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