5 of the Most Addictive Games in History

Some games are just built different. They don’t just entertain you for a few hours—they hook you on completely. Whether it’s the thrill of leveling up, the constant chase for better loot, or the satisfaction of outsmarting opponents, there's no denying that certain games tap into that perfect mix of dopamine, progression, and obsession. 

These are the kind of games you boot up for a “quick round” only to look up and realize it's 4 a.m. If you’ve ever said, “Just one more game” and actually meant twenty, this list will feel very familiar.

Courtesy Next Upgrade Shop

And if you're planning to get lost in a game for hours, make sure you're at least staring into a gaming monitor that's soothing to the eyes—like the Adreamer LIBRA 15M Gaming Monitor from the Next Upgrade Shop!

DOTA 2

From DOTA 2

Ask any internet café regular in the Philippines and they’ll tell you: DOTA 2 isn’t just a game—it’s a lifestyle. Its deep mechanics, vast array of heroes to learn, and rewarding—if sometimes maddening—team dynamics make it dangerously easy to pour in hundreds of hours. It’s even been blamed for broken relationships and numerous cutting of classes. If you’ve ever heard the words “GG” (because we can't write the words actually being exclaimed there) shouted in a cramped shop, you know this game held an addictive power that was hard to quit.

World of Warcraft (WoW)

From GIPHY | @SouthPark

Few games have had as much of a grip on players as World of Warcraft. It even puts our country's previous obsession with Ragnarok Online to shame. Since its release in 2004, WoW has turned millions into quest-hungry adventurers, with some players logging over 10,000 hours. The Guardian even ran an article about someone losing their marriage to the game. The constant updates that have lasted 20 years on, social guild dynamics that have brought literal families together, and end-game raids make walking away feel like abandoning a second life (in Hardcore WoW, that's actually true). It’s MMORPG comfort food that keeps pulling you back.

Candy Crush Saga

Don’t let the pastel colors and cutesy candy fool you—Candy Crush is pure pixel crack. This mobile juggernaut has had people swiping during dinner, meetings, and even weddings. The Mirror even interviewed a mom who played almost 18 hours a day due to it. If a game can turn your non-gaming mama into a night owl, you know it’s serious. With its timed rewards, limited lives, and daily challenges, it’s the kind of game that whispers “just one more” until your battery dies.

Football Manager

A management game about football (or soccer) might sound dull to some, but to millions around the world, it’s an irresistible obsession. The fantasy of taking your favorite football club from obscurity to global glory—while controlling everything from tactics to transfers—is strangely powerful. For fans of the sport, it taps into both the competitive spirit and the dream of calling the shots. And once you start chasing that league title, it’s incredibly hard to stop.

Clash of Clans

In the Philippines, Clash of Clans became a household name almost overnight. It mixed real-time strategy with social gameplay so well, people would set alarms to collect resources and plan midnight raids. It was especially notorious in barangay tournaments and local school groups, creating mini digital warzones among friends and family. The grind is real—and so is the addiction.

Upgrade Your Obsession with Next Upgrade Shop 

If you're going to lose hours in a game, do it in stunning detail—grab the Adreamer LIBRA 15M Gaming Monitor from the Next Upgrade Shop and level up your experience. After all, if you’re going to be addicted to a game, you might as well enjoy the view!