25 Best Free PC Games - roneyribeiro

PC gamers are truly spoiled for choice with dozens of games being released every day, often to the point that some gems fly completely under the radar. Trawling in Steam charts should come with a health warning - it can be downright overwhelming. If you don't want to spend the money, there are plenty of best free PC games to grab your attention instead, but as you might expect, it's hard to separate the useful from the payload.

Below you'll find some of the best PC games that won't cost you a penny, just so you don't have to figure out if Minecraft rip-off X is a better download than Minecraft rip-off Y and actually play something. which is worth it . We went with an eclectic mix of different genres to make things more interesting, including shooters, MOBAs, TCGs, and narrative adventures.

We've also deliberately tried to avoid talking about free PC games which are just gateways to a grind with little else to offer other than a wallet tease; we mostly favor full games over “introductory” offers.

If you have irritating hard drive space or just want to expand your Steam library, here are the best free PC games you should download and also how you can. Keep in mind that these are only

not in any order

and that it is a living list, so we can add a new game if it impresses.

THE BEST FREE PC GAMES:

Doki Doki Literature Club

Mary's Room

Fortnite

Counterattack: Global Offensive

Warframe

Team Fortress 2

Dota 2

brawlhalla

QuakeChampions

League of Legends

Hearthstone

The Awesome Adventures of Captain Spirit

dwarf fortress

Spelunky Classic

World of Warcraft

Apex Legends

Destiny 2

Deltarune: Chapter 1

Crusader Kings II

More Room In Hell

call of duty warzone

Runescape

World of Tanks

VRChat

Path of Exile

1. Doki Doki Literature Club

Doki Doki Literature Club

Developer:

Salvato Team

Editor:

Salvato Team

Micro transactions?

Download:

Steam

Possibly the most original game on this list, Doki Doki Literature Club may look like your ten penny visual novel starring high school kids, but it's quite the opposite. Although it's a bit slow to really get going, it's worth the wait.

To explain what makes Doki Doki already a cult classic would be to spoil part of the experience. Instead, go into it expecting your expectations to be subverted and remembering that it's "not for the easily disturbed." Consider yourself savvy.

2. Mary's room

Mary's room

Developer:

like charlie

Editor:

like charlie

Micro transactions?

None

Download:

Steam

Mary's room

is not a game that will change the landscape of the industry as we know it, instead serving as an interesting journey into someone else's life that you can go through on your lunch break - it only takes an hour, but it's an hour you'll be glad you spent.

Perhaps more easily (and perhaps cynically) labeled as a walking simulator, Marie's Room is a mystery about two friends and the passage of time presented through a memory that's open to interpretation. If you want to play something that will make you sit back and think, this free PC game is for you.

3.Fortnite

Fortnite

Developer:

Epic Games

Editor:

Epic Games

Microtransactions?

Yes

To download:

epic launcher

Fortnite

(Fortnite: Battle Royale in particular) is an extremely ridiculous game that's as much a meme at this point as it is a seriously competitive shooter. It can leave you out in the cold trying to get into it with so many players building Legoland every fight.

It'll be tough if you're just getting started, but stick to the learning curve and maybe also gather a team and there could still be plenty of surprises in store. Fortnite is also a game that refuses to stand still for a minute, so expect constant updates with new items and map changes.

4. Counter-Strike: Global Offensive

CSGO

Developer:

Valve

Editor:

Valve p>

Micro transactions?

Yes

To download:

Steam

Much like Fortnite, there is a well-established pool of experienced players still playing CS:GO who can offer brick walls to overcome. However, with the ability to play offline with bots to learn the ropes, you'll learn to play Dust 2 over and over again and hang on to the best of them before too long.

CS now also has a

battle royale mode

with the corny name of Danger Zone, which the community seems to have simply dismissed. While most still gravitate towards the "classic" experience, there are plenty of different ways to play Counter-Strike, but beware of the in-game chat if you're sensitive.

The best way to experience it is with friends who don't mind wearing the newcomer. It is by far the most popular game on Steam, but its players absolutely do not suffer from fools.

5.Warframe

Warframe

Developer:

Digital Extremes

Editor:

Digital Extremes

Microtransactions?

Yes

To download:

Steam

It's been pretty insane how far Warframe has come since its rough launch in 2013. Originally a fairly straightforward action adventurer, Warframe is now an epic endeavor that consumes the lives of nearly everyone who touches it thanks to the near-infinite content and to a very real grind.

During the grind can be a little unforgiving at times, that's somewhat offset by all there is to see and do. Featuring a friendly community thanks to its PVE community and an alternative for those jaded by Destiny, Warframe continues to go from strength to strength year after year.

6.Team Fortress 2

Team Fortress 2

Developer:

Valve

Editor:

Valve

Micro transactions?

Yes

To download:

Steam

Another older Valve game that's almost as popular as the new games released on Steam every week, Team Fortress 2 served as inspiration for Overwatch and Paladins while doing so many years earlier - and arguably better. It's free, which gives it a leg up on the former, and isn't completely exorbitant with its microtransactions, which helps it against the latter.

A radical departure from its predecessor, TF2 ditched the serious military shooter aesthetic and went in a completely different direction. A bright and colorful team-based shooter, Team Fortress 2 offers plenty of silly fun despite being over a decade old and not the most faithfully updated game.

He also has hats. Lots of hats.

7. Dota 2

Source: The Verge

Developer:

Valve

Editor:

Valve

Micro transactions?

Yes

To download:

Steam

If you have played a

MOBA

in the past and you haven't really taken a liking to it, you certainly won't get away with Dota 2 either, as it's one of the less "slick" options. There's also a steep learning curve to overcome, but the offline practice modes can help you get the gist of it, which is fortunate since MOBAs are notoriously difficult for newcomers to tackle.

Here's a word of warning, though: addiction will come to you quickly. Dota 2 is notorious for devouring your life, so you better enlist some friends to share the waterslide of obsession as you scratch the surface of this game before realizing there's a towering and intimidating beast to inside.

8. Brawlhalla

brawlhalla

Developer:

Blue Mammoth Games

Editor:

Ubisoft

Microtransactions?

Yes

To download:

Steam

Dubbed "Smash for the poor," Brawlhalla is a chaotic multiplayer brawler that shares a lot in common with Nintendo's flagship that it'll always be hard pressed to part with.

While it may never reach the level of success of its most obvious inspiration, Brawlhalla has something to gravitate towards, which includes a decent character pool and accessible gameplay that makes it great fun with friends.

Competitively, Brawlhalla is likely to have an unbalanced meta and somewhat toxic community, so you've been warned if you're thinking of getting serious. Regardless, there's more than enough to keep you and your family entertained for a few hours if you're Switch-free and just want to have some fun.

9. Quake Champions

QuakeChampions

Developer:

idSoftware

Editor:

Bethesda

Micro transactions?

Yes

To download:

Steam

It's a bit odd that Quake Champions isn't more popular than it is. It's a nice slice of retro arena shooting paired with modern sensibilities with a free intro and plenty of content. Maybe a modernized and polished Quake isn't what fans wanted, but if you just want a fun FPS, Quake Champions will more than get the job done.

The game's champions offer a different take on the arena shooter and fall under the Overwatch umbrella of having different abilities suited to different situations - it's no longer just about who has the fastest reactions.

Quake Champions isn't the most popular entry on this list of the best free PC games, but it's supported enough that you can really sink your teeth into it if you want to, even if the wait of a match is sometimes a bit long.

10. League of Legends

League of Legends

Developer:

Riot Games

Editor:

Riot Games

Micro transactions?

Yes

To download:

Direct

An incredibly popular free-to-play PC title, LoL is also incomprehensible to those uninitiated to the ins and outs of MOBA, possible even more so than the aforementioned Dota 2. There's an overwhelming number of people playing this free game for a reason, though, and that's because it's arguably the best MOBA out there.

While you'll find it hard to get close to the competitive scene at this point in the game's life, you'll still gain something from racing the lanes in League of Legends, so as long as your social life fades away without you realizing it .

While microtransactions can be overwhelming for some and the community is so toxic it needs quarantine, it's a good time with friends as long as you can wrap your head around it.

11. Hearthstone

Hearthstone

Developer:

Blizzard

Editor:

Blizzard

Micro transactions?

Yes

To download:

Battle.net

The progenitor of the surge in demand for GCC, Hearthstone remains arguably the best example.

While it's certainly not a walk in the park to master, it's also not so obtuse, dense, and too cynically driven by money that you can't figure out its ins and outs. Those who pay more will get more out of the game almost no matter what, so keep that in mind before jumping into competitive play.

The Blizzard seal of approval and attention to detail is evident as well as a lowered skill cap making it quite approachable. The outcome of matches depends a lot on the RNG, although that might not be a big deal if you're just looking for a timeink.

Think of Hearthstone as a modern solitaire to hang out with rather than something that should consume your being, and you'll get something by collecting cards until your eyes hurt.

12. The Awesome Adventures of Captain Spirit

Captain Spirit

Developer:

Dontnod

Editor:

Square-Enix

Micro transactions?

None

Download:

Steam

While the developers themselves may label it as such, calling The Awesome Adventures of Captain Spirit "just" a demo doesn't quite do it justice. A standalone story set in the Life Is Strange universe, Captain Spirit centers on a young boy as he seeks to escape the stresses of his life by letting his imagination run wild.

Those who love LiS will find much to like in this short solo parable, but anyone who enjoys emotional rides that can be labeled almost critically as a "

walking simulator

will also find much to enjoy here.

It may not convert the unconverted, but to provide a full toy chest to explore and bridge the gap between LiS installments, Captain Spirit deserves space on your hard drive.

Of our

Captain Spirit Review

13. Dwarf Fortress Classic

Dwarf Fortress

Developer:

25 Best Free PC Games

Oh man I just figured out that you can play vrchat without a headset but the only thing is you cant move your arms asfreely with a headset
— Lil' Lavender | ✨SHOP + COMMS OPEN✨ Tue Jan 09 08:16:01 +0000 2018

Tarn Adams

Editor:

Bay 12 Games

Micro transactions?

None

Download:

Direct

Listen, unless you have the patience to learn what many are calling the densest, most confusing game ever made, you might want to survive Dwarf Fortress: a maddening hybrid of different genres that's far more complex than its visuals. base would suggest.

The keyword here is creativity, but with the caveat that whatever you do you will eventually fail - that's just the way the game works.

There's no big story or obligations other than keeping your stronghold intact while you lead the dwarves in its upkeep and also expansion. That's it, but don't be fooled into thinking you can just pick up and master Dwarf Fortress.

Serving as heavy inspiration for Minecraft, consider it the ugly but also beautiful (in the sense that it will stun and subdue you with its difficulty) cousin to the Mohjang Monolith and remember that dying is fun before starting it. .

14. Spelunky Classic

Spelunky Classic

Developer:

Mossmouth/Derek Yu

Editor:

Mossmouth, LLC

Micro transactions?

None

Download:

Direct

Arguably the definitive roguelike (

and maybe even independent

), Spelunky Classic paved the way for many of its peers when it gained cult status in 2008. An HD update was released in 2012, but if you can handle more basic visuals and the less comprehensive package, Spelunky Classic is yours for absolutely nothing.

Players are tasked with scouring underground taverns in search of treasure while fending off the beasts and ghouls lurking within. It sounds simple, but with an ever-changing layout and oppressive difficulty that undoes all your hard work after a single mistake, you've got an addictive dungeon crawler with iconic status that feels entirely earned. Don't bother traders if you can help it.

15. World of Warcraft

World of Warcraft

Developer:

Blizzard

Editor:

Blizzard

Micro transactions?

Yes

To download:

Battle.net

A bit of a cheat on our list of the best free PC games as the rest of the content after level 20 is closed, but the Starter Edition for World of Warcraft is more than enough if you just want to socialize and partake in the best activity. everyone's video game: go fishing. If you just want to farm and chill with friends, the entry point for WoW will hold you until/if you decide to commit.

While WoW isn't quite the massively multiplayer juggernaut it once was (nothing can stay on top forever), there's still a certain catharsis to be had to force and a hobby that will become an obsession if you don't pay attention. The

restrictions

with the free account are quite a few, although they can actually be a boon for you to see sunlight more than once every four months.

16. Apex Legends

Apex Legends

Developer:

Respawn

Editor:

Microtransactions?

Yes

To download:

Origin

It is truly remarkable

Apex Legends achievement appreciated

when launched, the popularity almost

unmatched

of a new game with barely a shred of pre-release, making it a serious battle royale contender from day one being something of an oddity. And that's without even considering that it's published by EA, which isn't

person's favorite society

But it really deserves the limelight as Respawn, a studio who know how to create an FPS with their eyes closed, delivered a game that charmed even the most jaded battle royale veterans with innovations big and small. the

ping is inspired

and the much deeper respawn mechanic for match flow than you might first think, making Apex a game with plenty of depth beneath its sheer veneer.

A quick Apex tip for new players: stick with your team, for the love of the game.

Christ

. Also available on Steam, for anyone allergic to Origin. Almost everybody ? Fair enough.

According to our

Apex Legends Review

17. Destiny 2

Destiny 2

Developer:

Bungie

Editor:

Bungie

Microtransactions?

Yes

To download:

Steam

Destiny 2 has come a pretty rocky road to get to where it is. After a strong launch, the playerbase quickly turned on the game with thin content, weak updates, and microtransactions where there were none in the previous game. After parting ways with previous publisher Activision, it looks like Bungie did the right thing in flipping the (space)ship.

Whether you want to dive into the story, take on raids, or just dab your friends in the hub, there's plenty of content you get with the free version of Destiny 2 on Steam, all backed by the shooter. masterful on which Bungie built its name. It's still not a perfect game and we need to integrate new players much better, but it's progressing.

You can upgrade to larger versions at any time, all for a relatively decent price.

18. Deltarune: Chapter 1

Deltarune

Developer:

Toby Fox

Editor:

Toby Fox p>

Micro transactions?

Nope

Download:

Direct

We're allowed to talk about this one now, right? Released under a shroud of secrecy, Deltarune: Chapter 1 was the epitome of Toby Fox, almost a blob of shadow without the need for marketing – the community itself took care of it. The best thing about it? It was totally free.

Currently as a teaser for Fox's follow-up to Undertale, Deltarune's first chapter retains a similar aesthetic and irreverent tone, but changes things up to bring it more in line with a traditional RPG. We're a long way from releasing the full game, though Chapter 1 has enough depth and character to keep you coming back again and again.

19. Crusader Kings II

Crusader Kings 2

Developer:

Paradox Development Studio

Editor:

Paradox Interactive

Micro transactions?

DLC Packs

Download:

Steam

One of the densest and most patricidal strategy games ever made, Crusader Kings II is one of the best free PC games, and also generally one of the best you can play, period. Its free version was released on Steam to coincide with the news of

Crusader Kings III

, released in 2020 to wide acclaim.

You receive a position of power in a country and the rest is up to you - or your scheming underlings. Whether you want to aggressively expand your kingdom across the globe or be embroiled in a seemingly endless civil war in Ireland, Crusader Kings II is an absolute roleplayer's dream.

You may need to hunt down a pretty big guide chunk to ease the daunting experience, though. You can lose everything pretty quickly, I blame those vassals.

20. No More Room In Hell

Game No More Room In Hell

Developer:

No More Room in Hell Team

Publisher:

Lever sets

Micro transactions?

Nope

Download:

Steam

"What if Left 4 Dead, but free" is the staple hook of No More Room In Hell, a mod that's been converted into a full-featured, free-to-play multiplayer game without any microtransactions. It's basically unheard of in the industry. of gaming these days, and the fact that No More Room In Hell is a total gem doesn't hurt either.

Taking a more Left 4 Dead based approach, ammo is scarce and the game doesn't hold your hand. Rather than just bandaging your bites, the infection will spread throughout your body and slowly turn you into a zombie. Whether or not you want to disclose this information to your teammates is up to you.

Following should be released in the future and

will even include the house

of Night of the Living Dead as a card.

21. Call of Duty Warzone

Warzone

Developer:

Infinity Ward, Raven Software

Editor:

Activision

Micro transactions?

Yes

To download:

Battle.net

One of the most popular franchises of all time, Warzone achieving major success as the first 'properly speaking' free-to-play game should surprise no one. He experienced a meteoric rise that he owes not only to the name he bears.

Many Battle Royale developers are desperately trying to make an impression in what is a saturated market with some

very bad ideas

. Warzone, however, takes the well-worn formula and puts some clever tricks into it to deliver something that feels unique.

Featuring 1v1 fights for respawns,

unique bonuses

, and even

cross play

, Warzone is likely going to be around for years to come.

22.Runescape

Runescape

Developer:

Jagex

Editor:

Jagex

Microtransactions?

Yes

To download:

Steam

The game that ruined many formations finally arrived on Steam sometime in 2020, leading to millions of players jumping down the Runescape rabbit hole once again. Almost every review of the game warns other players about its addictive nature and how much it will consume your life.

If that doesn't worry you, what is Runescape? Well, it's basically an MMORPG where you can do whatever you want, either solo or with friends. Chat with other players and trade your way to vast riches, become a fighting god, and undertake numerous quests across Gielinor.

Although free, players can purchase a subscription for monthly perks, which include special outfits and even a larger world to explore.

23. World of Tanks

World of Tanks

Developer:

Jagex

Editor:

Jagex

Micro transactions?

Yes

To download:

wargaming

Ever veered into a tank in Battlefield and wished you never had to get out? Enter World of Tanks, a vehicular combat game that's been so successful it feels like Wargaming has already created around ninety spin-offs for it.

The truly dedicated will want to play its full version, which includes over 600 authentically historic vehicles to race across more than 40 battlefields around the world. Compete against a multitude of other players in different battles, whether it's fortress battles or special battles in solo or alongside other players.

While you don't have to drop any money in World of Tanks, there are certainly plenty of players who do, so you might want to be wary of this when battling online. Tanks aren't cheap, after all.

24. VRChat

VRChat

Developer:

VRChat Inc.

Editor:

VRChat Inc.

Micro transactions?

None

Download:

Steam

VRChat is basically if Ready Player One had any restraint whatsoever, it's a pop culture hangout where people from all over the world hang out, gossip awkwardly, and also participate in weird games that they themselves created. VRChat is filled with user-generated avatars, so don't be surprised to see Lickitung chatting with Ganondorf within five seconds of loading.

Despite its name, VRChat

may

be played without headphones, but it really comes into its own in virtual reality. Gamers even fully embrace the second-life aspects of VRChat with full-body virtual reality, tracking and all. Hey, if anyone wants to be Scrappy Doo and upset people in a virtual world, that's their prerogative.

Remarkably, despite the maintenance required to keep it online, there are no microtransactions or hidden captures of any kind within VRChat at the time of writing. You can sign up for VRChat Plus, but it's not required.

25. Path of Exile

Path of Exile

Developer:

Grinding Gear Games

Editor:

Grinding Gear Games

Micro transactions?

Yes

Download:

Steam

The game tailored for those who want Diablo but without all the Blizzard nonsense, Path of Exile is a beloved dungeon crawler.

who will do his best to crawl into your life and completely ruin all your obligations. p>

Developed by Grinding Gear Games, Path of Exile sees you trying to exact revenge on the continent of Wraeclast, though you'll likely forget all about it once you start digging into deep customization, whether for your character and their skills or your own fancy lair.

A game that never lags by constantly changing and refreshing itself, Path of Exile features microtransactions, though these are mostly cosmetic and don't affect gameplay. You can play for 100 hours without even looking at the in-game store.

Where to find more free PC games

There's no shortage of websites and marketplaces for finding free PC games, though you might find it's a bit of a lucky dip in terms of quality and quantity. Sites like Steam and

Humble Bundle

often offer full-price games for free, usually as part of some sort of promotion, such as when a new game in a series comes out and the publisher wants more looks at their old titles - you can build up a library quite impressive from these promotions alone.

Similarly, the "relaunch" (so to speak) of the

Epic Games Store

as a third-party and proprietary platform to buy games has allowed Epic to spend a lot of money to offer free PC games. Two new games are added every month for a limited time at zero total cost to players. Even if you're not a fan of the store, the free stuff is hard to ignore.

On a similar note, Twitch is also giving away free games each month to Twitch Prime subscribers, itself being part of the package if you're an Amazon Prime subscriber. There is usually a lot of variety and quality, so

be sure to check it out

If you feel like supporting much smaller tariffs,

itch.io

is one of your strongest bets because it has a ton of free indie games and mods (without microtransactions) that could serve as a proof of concept for many developers to see if their project is worth going for. before, or simply to offer something for free.

GameJolt

is very similar but also allows players to choose a price to pay if they then want a few titles.

You can never go wrong with the classics, so you can always party like it's 2005 by heading to

mini clip

and try their Flash games. Basically, you're spoiled for choice if you want the best free PC games.