Games you can play offline
Which games work without an internet connection, and what to check before buying.
A slow or unreliable connection does not stop you gaming, but it does change what you should buy. Here is how to tell what will work.
What works offline
Single-player games on disc are the most reliable choice. Install from the disc, play without a connection. Most large single-player games — action-adventure, RPGs, platformers, racing, fighting games against the computer — need no internet once installed.
That covers a very large part of what people actually play.
What does not
Online multiplayer, obviously. Live-service games, which check in with a server constantly. Free-to-play games, almost universally. And cloud gaming, which is entirely dependent on the connection.
The traps worth knowing
Day-one patches. A disc game often needs a large download before it is playable in its finished state. On a slow connection, plan for that. See patches and updates.
Digital games and the primary console setting. A digitally purchased game will play offline on your primary console, but if the console is not set as primary it may require a connection to verify the licence. Worth checking on a second console.
Games that need one-time activation. Some require an initial connection even for single-player.
Save syncing. Cloud saves need a connection. Offline, saves stay local — fine, but know that they are not backed up.
How to check before buying
On the box: look for wording about an internet connection being required. Games that need one are legally obliged to say so, usually on the back near the rating.
On a store page: the features list states whether online is required and how many players are supported offline.
Ask us. Call 16280 with the title and we will tell you before you buy — this is a quick answer and a common question.
A practical recommendation
If your connection is unreliable, buy physical single-player games. They install from the disc, they do not depend on servers, and you can sell them when you finish — we buy selected used games back in cash, and within 10 days of purchase at a better value if the game is in excellent condition.
It is also worth favouring games with substantial split-screen or local multiplayer, which give you the social side of gaming without needing a connection at all.