Browser-based gaming is by no means a new phenomenon, with some established examples having been around more than a decade. The popularity of in-browser games has risen sharply recently thanks to the growing penetration of high-speed internet, and the need to occupy time whilst waiting for something interesting enough to happen that it warrants a blog entry.

We've compiled a list of some of the most entertaining, addictive or otherwise enjoyable browser-based games available. They range from the usual fantasy and science fiction genres to Popomundo, where players attempt to manage a pop act to fame and fortune.

The first game we'll look at is zombie apocalypse MMORPG Urban Dead.

Urban Dead has gained a massive player-base due to a combination of wide appeal (zombie apocalypse RPGs are sadly rare) and elegant execution.

Players choose to participate in the game as either a human or zombie character; human players then choose a class and receive bonus skills and equipment. For human characters the goal of the game tends (initially at least) to be survival; to make their way from building to building, avoiding fatal encounters with zombies. For zombies, the aim is the opposite; zombie players lurk in quiet locations, often between accessible buildings, preying on wandering humans.

More interesting than the game-established content is the behaviour of players themselves. While it's only natural for human players to congregate in fortified buildings, zombie players tend to swarm together for the security offered by numbers. This means that while you might encounter the occasional lone zombie, it's far more likely you'll find a shambling horde. Practical reasons for zombie gangs arise on their own, without direct developer encouragement.

While games like Kingdom of Loathing (more below) are almost entirely PvE, Urban Dead is exclusively PvP. If ever you attack another character, human or zombie, there is another person on the receiving end of your digital actions. By the same token, you'll receive beatings from other players, so finding cover for while you're offline is imperative.