25 Best Free PC Games

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

Below are 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. worthy of interest. 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 match; we mostly favor full games over "dive" deals. introduction".

If you have hard drive space the existence of which is irritating or you 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 Those are

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 bedroom

|

Fortnite

|

Counter-Strike: Global Offensive

|

Warframe

|

Team Fortress 2

|

Dota 2

|

brawlhalla

|

Tremor Champions

|

League of Legends

|

Foyer

|

The Awesome Adventures of Captain Spirit

|

dwarf fortress

|

Classic caving

|

World of Warcraft

|

Apex Legends

|

Destiny 2

|

Deltarune: Chapter 1

|

Crusader Kings II

|

No more room in hell

|

Call of Duty Warzone

|

Runescape

|

tank world

|

VRChat

|

Path of exile

1. Doki Doki Literature Club

Doki Doki Literature Club

Developer:

Salvato Team

Editor:

Salvato Team

Micro transactions?

Nothing

To download:

To smoke

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

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

2. Mary's room

Mary's bedroom

Developer:

like charlie

Editor:

like charlie

Micro transactions?

Nothing

To download:

To smoke

Mary's room

is not a game that will change the landscape of the industry as we know it, but rather 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 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

Micro transactions?

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 may leave you in the cold if you try to get into it with so many players building Legoland in every fight.

It'll be tough if you're just getting started, but stick to the learning curve and maybe also put together 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

Micro transactions?

Yes

To download:

To smoke

Much like Fortnite, there is a well-established group 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 will 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-named Danger Zone, which the community seems to have simply dismissed. While most still gravitate toward the “classic” experience, there are plenty of ways to play Counter-Strike, but beware of the in-game chat if you're of a sensitive disposition.

The best way to experience it is with friends who aren't afraid to wear the newcomer. It's by far the most popular game on Steam, but its players suffer absolutely no fools.

5.Warframe

Warframe

Developer:

Digital extremes

Editor:

Digital Extremes

Micro transactions?

Yes

To download:

To smoke

How far Warframe has come since its rough launch in 2013. Originally a fairly simple action adventurer, Warframe is now an epic endeavor that consumes the lives of nearly everyone who touches it thanks to the nearly endless content and a grind is very real.

Although the grind can be a bit unforgiving at times, it is somewhat compensated by all there is to see and do. Featuring a friendly community thanks to its PVE community and an alternative for those who are 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:

To smoke

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. is 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 having more than ten years old and not the most faithfully updated game.

He also has hats. Lots of hats.

7. Dota 2

Source: The Edge

Developer:

Valve

Editor:

Valve

Micro transactions?

Yes

To download:

To smoke

If you played a

MOBA

in the past and you haven't really gotten used to it, you certainly won't get away with Dota 2 either, as it's one of the less "smooth" options out there. There's also a curve steep learning curve to overcome, but the offline practice modes can help you get the gist of it, which is lucky because MOBAs are notoriously difficult for newcomers to approach.

Here's a word of warning, though: addiction will come to you quickly. this game before realizing there is a towering and intimidating beast within.

8. Brawlhalla

brawlhalla

Developer:

blue mammoth games

Editor:

Ubisoft

Micro transactions?

Yes

To download:

To smoke

Affectionately dubbed "Smash for poor people", Brawlhalla is a chaotic multiplayer brawler that shares a lot in common with Nintendo's flagship that it will always find hard to part with.

While it may never reach the level of success of its most obvious inspiration, there's a lot in Brawlhalla to gravitate toward, which includes a decent character pool and accessible gameplay that makes it a lot of 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 of that, there's more than enough to keep you and your family entertained. family, for a few hours if you're Switch-free and just want to have a little fun.

9. Earthquake Champions

Tremor Champions

Developer:

Identification software

Editor:

Bethesda

Micro transactions?

Yes

To download:

To smoke

It's a little 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 lots of content. -Being 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.

Game champions offer a different take on 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 quickest 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, although the wait for a match is a little too high. time.

10. League of Legends

League of Legends

Developer:

Riot Games

Editor:

Riot Games

Micro transactions?

Yes

To download:

Direct

An incomprehensibly 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 is 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 may find it hard to approach 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 much so that your social life will disappear without you caring. realize.

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 get your head around it.

11. Hearthstone

Foyer

Developer:

Snow storm

Editor:

Snow storm

Micro transactions?

Yes

To download:

Battle.net

Progenitor of the surge in demand for GCC, Hearthstone remains arguably the best example on the market.

While it's certainly not a walk in the park to master, neither is it so obtuse, dense, and too cynically driven by money that you ultimately can't understand its ins and outs. more will get more from the game almost regardless, so keep that in mind before taking the plunge into competitive play.

The Blizzard seal of quality and attention to detail are evident, along with a low skill cap, making it quite accessible a big deal if you're just looking for a delay.

Think of Hearthstone as a modern solitaire to kill some time 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?

Nothing

To download:

To smoke

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 focuses about 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 might 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. Dwarven Fortress Classic

dwarf fortress

Developer:

Tarn Adams

Editor:

Bay 12 Games

Micro transactions?

Nothing

To download:

Direct

Look, 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 way more complex than its basic visuals suggest.

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

There's no big story or obligations other than keeping your fortress intact while you lead the dwarves in its upkeep and 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 mind-blowing (in the sense that it will amaze you into submission with its difficulty) cousin to the Mohjang Monolith and remember that dying is fun before you start it.

14. Classic Caving

Classic caving

Developer:

Mossmouth/Derek Yu

Editor:

Mossmouth, LLC

Micro transactions?

Nothing

To download:

Direct

Arguably the definitive roguelike (

and maybe even indie

), Spelunky Classic paved the way for many of its peers when it gained cult status in 2008. An HD update came out 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 that lurk there. It sounds simple, but with an ever-changing layout and oppressive difficulty that undoes all your hard work. dogged after a single mistake, you have an addictive dungeon crawler with iconic status that feels entirely earned. Don't bother the traders if you can help it.

15. World of Warcraft

World of Warcraft

Developer:

Snow storm

Editor:

Snow storm

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 locked out, but the Starter Edition for World of Warcraft is more than enough if you just want to socialize and partake in the best gaming activity. video of all: fishing. If you just want to farm and relax with friends, WoW's entry point 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 having grinding and a hobby that will become an obsession. unless you are careful.

boundaries

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:

Reappear

Editor:

EA

Micro transactions?

Yes

To download:

Origin

It is truly remarkable

success that Apex Legends has enjoyed

when launched, the almost

unparalleled popularity

of a new game with barely a shred of pre-release, making it a serious battle royale contender from day one, which is something odd. And that's without even considering that it is published by EA, which is

nobody

favorite company.

But it really deserves the limelight because Respawn, a studio that knows how to create an FPS with its 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

Christ

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

Of our

Reviews of Apex Legends

:

17. Destiny 2

Destiny 2

Developer:

Bungie

Editor:

Bungie

Micro transactions?

Yes

To download:

To smoke

Destiny 2 has come a pretty rocky road to get where it is. There were none in the previous game. After parting ways with previous publisher Activision, it seems Bungie did the right thing by flipping the (space)ship.

Whether you want to dive into the story, take on raids, or just dab your friends in the hub, you get plenty of content with the free version of Destiny 2 on Steam, all backed by the masterful shooter that Bungie is building their name. It's still not a perfect game and could do a lot better with the integration of new players, but it's getting there.

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

Micro transactions?

Nope

To 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 drop of shadow without the need for marketing – the community itself cares. is busy. The best thing about it? It was totally free.

Essentially acting as a teaser for Fox's Undertale follow-up, 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. , 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:

Interactive Paradox

Micro transactions?

DLC Packs

To download:

To smoke

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

Crusader Kings III

, which was released in 2020 to wide acclaim.

You are given 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 world or plunge into a seemingly endless civil war in Ireland, Crusader Kings II is an absolute role-player's dream.

However, you may need to seek out a fairly large guide to ease the daunting experience. You can lose everything pretty quickly, I blame those vassals.

20. No More Room in Hell

No more room in hell game

Developer:

No more room in the team from hell

Editor:

Lever sets

Micro transactions?

Nope

To download:

To smoke

"What if Left 4 Dead, but free" is the basic 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.

A sequel is planned for release in the future and will be

even include the house

of Night of the Living Dead in card form.

21. Call of Duty Warzone

war zone

Developer:

Infinity Ward, Raven Software

Editor:

Activision

Micro transactions?

Yes

To download:

Battle.net

Being one of the most popular franchises of all time, Warzone achieving major success as the first “properly speaking” free-to-play game should come as no surprise to anyone. not just in the name it bears.

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

pretty bad ideas

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

With 1v1 fights for respawns,

unique bonuses

, and even

cross play

, Warzone will likely be around for years to come.

22.Runescape

Runescape

Developer:

Jagex

Editor:

Jagex

Micro transactions?

Yes

To download:

To smoke

The game that ruined many educations has finally landed on Steam during 2020, once again leading millions of gamers to jump down the rabbit hole of Runescape. Almost every review of the game warns fellow gamers 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 go on many quests across Gielinor.

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

23. Tank World

tank world

Developer:

Jagex

Editor:

Jagex

Micro transactions?

Yes

To download:

War games

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

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

Although 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 them when battling online. Tanks don't come cheap , after all.

24. VRCchat

VRChat

Developer:

VRChat Inc.

Editor:

VRChat Inc.

Micro transactions?

Nothing

To download:

To smoke

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

Despite the name, VRChat

can

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

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

25. Path of Exile

Path of exile

Developer:

Grinding games

Editor:

Grinding games

Micro transactions?

Yes

To download:

To smoke

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 slip into your life and completely ruin all your obligations.

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 its skill or your own fancy. hiding place.

A game that never lags by constantly changing and refreshing, 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 store for the game .

Where to find more free PC games

There's no shortage of websites and marketplaces to find free PC games, though you might find it a bit luckier in terms of quality and quantity. Places like Steam and

Humble Bundle

will often offer full-priced games for free, usually as part of some kind of promotion, such as when a new game in a series is released and the publisher wants more looks at their old titles - you can create a pretty impressive library from these promotions alone.

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

Epic Games Store

in a third-party and proprietary platform to buy games has prompted Epic to spend a lot of money to bring free PC games. Two new games are added every month for a limited time at a total cost of zero for players. Even if you are not a fan of the store, the free products are hard to ignore.

Along the same lines, Twitch also offers free games every month to Twitch Prime subscribers, which itself is part of the package if you're an Amazon Prime subscriber. There's 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. 'fore, or just to put something out there for free.

GameJolt

is very similar but also allows players to choose a price to pay if they wish for certain 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 are spoiled for choice if you want the best free PC games.

READ NEXT:

The Best Survival Games You Should Play

Some of the coverage you find on Cultured Vultures contains affiliate links, which provide us with small commissions based on purchases made while visiting our site.

game news

,

movie reviews

,

struggle

and much more.