The online gaming world is bristling with sizzling-hot titles. Whether it’s PC, Mac, or mobile games, the gaming universe stands ready to deliver – in a big way. Of course, one man’s meat is another man’s poison, so to answer the day's question, we’ve turned to the most trusted sources in the industry. Get ready, get set; we’re about to blaze a trail through gaming central with the hottest games hitting the market this season.

Zynga Poker

Kicking things off in spectacular fashion is the #1 card game of our time, poker! But it’s not just your typical poker game – this one’s from Zynga. As the #1 social game, this variant delivers pulse-pounding action on every play. Available to mobile poker players via apps (the App Store or Google Play Store), fans are treated to power-packed plays 24/7. Top-notch tournaments, generous rewards, and exciting games like Texas Hold'em, Omaha, Pineapple Poker, Burn’em, and Short Deck are available.

It’s the social gaming appeal of Zynga that resonates with players. Fans are treated to a captivating array of tournaments featuring various games and endless opportunities to compete. All of the action is guaranteed safe and secure, just the way players like it. With fair gaming, trusted outcomes, and credible on-screen action, it's RNG-powered poker with a difference. All games are independently tested and audited, courtesy of Gaming Labs, and full certification is provided.

One of the most important reasons why Zynga Poker shines so bright is that you don’t need to deposit to play. That's right; folks can enjoy free games around the clock. That's because the in-game currency consists of free poker chips. All new players are offered $2 million Free Poker chips to get started, and spin bonuses are offered every two hours. Better yet, poker newbies can learn to play poker in free-play mode at zero risk. This is ideal for testing your poker skills and strategies before you move on up to the more competitive levels of play.

Braid

Braid is a PlayStation 5-game and this is its signature anniversary edition. With a high metascore from critics and a favorable user score from players, it is rapidly ascending the rungs as the must-play game hitting the market this season. An indie game by design, Braid is ideal for players with little knowledge of the lore or gameplay features. That makes it a great option for first-time players.  It features challenging levels of play and a sense of accomplishment as players advance from one level to the next.

As the must-play game, this attraction is all about different platform worlds, unique items to collect, and tons of levels to advance through. It features re-drawn art and the anniversary edition of this eponymous title is well worth its admission price. Critics have lauded the impressive quality of the game, some deem it masterclass. It's a puzzle platform style game with all the bells and whistles you could hope for. As a fan of Jonathan Blow’s indie game, you'll certainly not be disappointed with Braid. If nothing else, it's a tribute to the original, and its masterclass.

At just $20, the anniversary edition is a nostalgic tribute to simpler times when indie developers rose to prominence by dint of masterful gameplay.

Death Stranding: Directors Cut (Mac)

Here’s one for Mac players – Death Stranding: Directors Cut. At $19.99, this popular new game certainly doesn’t do too much damage to your pocketbook. It’s notable because this is Apple’s breakthrough attempt at conquering the gaming market. That’s something it neglected for decades (most PC games are MS or PlayStation, Nintendo, Sony, etc). But now, Apple’s competing for its share of the market and this title is sublime. With Apple’s new Vision Pro headgear, this game also plays out beautifully for the upper-end of the gaming market.

But what's it all about? Picture the scene… The near future in America. A massive and unprecedented apocalyptic event has occurred. They call it Death Stranding. Society as we know it has collapsed. Now, nothing is easily available so people have to rely on porters to deliver supplies to and fro. This is known as the Chiral Network. As one of these porters, you – the player – assume the role of Sam Bridges. Beware, this is an unforgiving landscape, replete with vicious enemies and an unrelenting environment. As you struggle across an inhospitable landscape, you must undertake missions to fulfil seemingly impossible objectives. The cinematic aspect of the game is world-class. With Apple at the helm, players can expect exceptional entertainment throughout.

Take note, this game only works well on Mac operating systems 13.3/iPad operating system 17.0+, that's because the graphics require plenty of firepower. There are panoramic vistas of note and the special effects are dazzling beyond compare. Fortunately, Mac’s foray into the gaming arena hits with KO power. It's certainly an encouraging sign for players, and the price point is low enough to accommodate pretty much anyone in the gaming world.

These three games are racking up tremendous player interest in the online entertainment world. Zynga rules the roost as the #1 social poker game online. It's played fast and furious, and no deposits are needed. For fans of throwback indie games, Braid is a no-brainer – it's spectacular, with plenty of nostalgic appeal. And then one dropped from the Apple tree - Death Stranding: Directors Cut. While the action is less intense than you would expect from games like Resident Evil 4, Total War: Pharaoh, or Even Balder's Gate 3, it's a tour de force in gaming excellence on Android and iOS apps for players!