11 Best Free PC Games You Need To Play

If there’s one thing gamers love more than anything, it’s a freebie. Fortunately, the PC gaming community, with its penchant for indie releases and open-source content, is an absolute gold mine for excellent free-to-play (F2P) content.

But what are the best free PC games? When there are so many great contenders from the freebie sector, it can be hard to narrow it down to a definitive list. Regardless, we’ve decided to give it a go anyway.

Your taste in games and what you’re searching for right now will dictate the title you choose from this list. Whatever your choice, rest assured that these games stray from pay-to-win elements and have dedicated communities as well as regular updates.

Without further ado, here are the unmissable free PC games you need to be playing.

The Best Free Games at a Glance

Short on time but want to find the best free PC game to jump into next? Take a look at our table below.

Game	Best for	Rating
Fortnite	Players who enjoy fast-paced battle royale action and creative building mechanics	78/100 on Metacritic
Counter-Strike 2	Fans of competitive first-person shooters who enjoy tactical gameplay and team strategy	82/100 on Metacritic
Dota 2	Players looking for a highly competitive and team-oriented game that also offers other ways to play	90/100 on Metacritic
Apex Legends	Fans of dynamic battle royale games with distinct character abilities and team strategy	89/100 on Metacritic
Genshin Impact	Players who enjoy open-world exploration and anime-style action RPGs with a gacha system	81/100 on Metacritic
Path of Exile	Fans of complex, deep action RPGs who enjoy intricate character builds and a dark, immersive game world	86/100 on Metacritic
EVE Online	Players interested in deep space exploration and complex, player-driven economies and politics	69/100 on Metacritic
Call of Duty: Warzone	Fans of the Call of Duty series looking to experience tactical combat against over 100 other players	79/100 on Metacritic
League of Legends	Fans of competitive, team-based strategy games with a strong eSports scene	78/100 on Metacritic
Marvel Rivals	Players looking for a hero shooter that strays from typical 5v5 gameplay	74/100 on Metacritic
Naraka: Bladepoint	Those interested in a melee-oriented battle royale	71/100 on Metacritic

1. Fortnite

Fortnite is perhaps the most popular battle royale game on the planet. In Fortnite, you’re dropped onto an island along with 99 other players, where you’ll scavenge for weapons, resources, and gear while battling to be the last one standing. What sets Fortnite apart from competitors is its building system, allowing you to construct structures on the fly for defense.

The game is refreshed with regular content updates, including new weapons, skins, and gameplay features. Fortnite’s PvE mode, Save the World, introduces gameplay features rivaling even the best action adventure games around. Major seasonal events also introduce significant map changes and story developments. These events often collaborate with popular franchises from movies, TV, and other games, keeping the experience fresh and engaging. 

2. Counter-Strike 2

If you’ve been PC gaming for any length of time, then you’ve undoubtedly heard of the Counter-Strike series, one of the best free games on Steam. With competitive gameplay, solid mechanics, and a relentlessly dedicated fanbase, Counter-Strike 2 is one of the top online games you can choose.

Counter-Strike 2 gives you the option between Hostage Rescue, Bomb Defusal, Deathmatch, or a battle royale-inspired Danger Zone mode. There are other similar options with smaller player counts, and all modes can be played either in competitive or casual lobbies.

You can expect a challenging experience, owing to the dedicated player base that have already mastered the complex mechanics present. If you’re up for the challenge, Counter-Strike 2 has a very healthy eSports scene, so you have the potential to work your way up to pro level.

3. Dota 2

One of the most notable titles among MOBAs, Dota 2 is a must-play for fans of real-time strategy. In this 2013 title, players line up in teams of five to pick from over 120 characters in a variety of roles and then compete against another team in thrilling, high-stakes gameplay. For years, Dota 2 has been one of the best free Steam games.

Dota 2 includes both PvP and PvE elements. While much of the gameplay revolves around meeting your enemies in the lanes and engaging in skill-expressive combat based on different abilities and attacks, there are also AI-controlled creatures that you can farm for experience and in-game currency for upgrades.

4. Apex Legends

If you’re looking to download free games that will keep you playing for hours, Apex Legends has successfully carved a name for itself as one of the most popular battle royales and best action games. It’s a fast-paced, team-based experience with unique character abilities and a gorgeous art style.

Apex Legends blends the best of other battle royales in terms of gameplay, art direction, and mechanics. If you like the sound of ability-based characters and a higher time-to-kill than other titles, Apex Legends is for you.

With a dedicated fanbase and development team, the game receives regular updates with new characters and maps to choose from. This not only keeps the game fresh, but adds new dynamics to the existing roster of characters. This makes the battleground a dynamic, ever-evolving experience that keeps you coming back.

5. Genshin Impact

Genshin Impact boasts stunning visuals, an expansive open world, and engaging action RPG/gacha mechanics. One of the best free-to-play PC games, you’ll enjoy a ton of free content before you even have to consider any of the in-game purchases available as you explore Tevyat and fight the Fatui and Abyss Order.

In Genshin Impact, you’ll use Primogems to create “Wishes,” the backbone of the game’s gacha mechanic. Through Wishes, you’ll unlock new characters and weapons that make you stronger and more versatile in combat. Since there are many different enemy types, this power increase is more important the further you progress.

Both the setting and storyline of Genshin Impact are compelling, with lore and memorable characters in abundance. The gorgeous art style makes every lush forest, towering mountain, and ancient ruin you visit feel special. With regular updates, Genshin Impact continues to evolve, offering countless hours of entertainment for both casual and dedicated players.

6. Path of Exile

Path of Exile is probably the best RPG out there and definitely a must-play for anyone who is a fan of medieval games. A feature that makes Path of Exile one of the best free PC games is that it offers an extraordinary breadth and depth for an F2P game.

It’s set in the sinister and sprawling open-world universe of Wraeclast, a place full of magic, intrigue, war, and statecraft. The main goal of the game is to build your supernatural skillsets and fighting acumen to take on a range of sinister enemies.

This is a game with a massive cult following — one that has grown as the game has added a huge number of free updates and expansions, the most recent of which came out in July 2024, Settlers of Kalgurr.

If you’re a fan of the award-winning Diablo series, you’ll definitely love this gripping, imaginative, and surprisingly special role-playing game.

7. EVE Online

EVE Online is more than a game. It’s a living, breathing universe where your actions affect the entire galaxy — a space-based MMO renowned for its complex player-driven economy, vast sandbox environment, and playstyle freedom. Whether you’re a feared pirate, wealthy trader, powerful industrialist, or player-alliance member, EVE gives you the tools to carve your own story.

The game’s universe, New Eden, is filled with thousands of star systems to explore. Each system offers different resources, challenges, and opportunities. The real allure of EVE Online, however, lies in the social and political interactions. Players form corporations and alliances, engage in massive space battles, and influence the game’s economy and territorial control in ways that have real consequences.

As one of the best Windows games, you can expect a steep learning curve and complex mechanics. The helpful community and countless resources will help you get up to speed. With regular expansions, EVE Online remains a unique and compelling spacefaring experience.

8. Call of Duty: Warzone

In many ways, Call of Duty: Warzone is similar to other fan-favorite titles in this popular franchise, and it’s one of the best games to play for free. You can choose from a variety of weapons as you play and take part in gun-slinging tactical combat. However, unlike other CoD titles, whose multiplayer gameplay often didn’t go beyond Team Deathmatch, Warzone offers a new way to play.

Warzone focuses on large-scale, battle royale gameplay, with matches containing up to 150 players. This makes Warzone one of the largest battle royales, truly putting your skills to test whether you choose to queue alone or with friends. 

9. League of Legends

League of Legends is a mainstay of the MOBA genre, and arguably still one of the most popular MMO games online despite its long history. Its huge player base, roster of champions, evolving meta, and successful eSports scene make it one of the best free PC games. In League of Legends, you’ll pick between different roles and champions before heading into a 5v5 match.

League is a very comprehensive experience that requires a bit of time to get used to; don’t feel discouraged if you don’t do well at first. In fact, you might consider disabling your game chat so you can’t be subjected to the “flaming” others in the community are known for. Don’t worry — everything your team needs to communicate with you can be done through pings.

10. Marvel Rivals

Marvel Rivals is one of the biggest free games for PC to release in recent years. Finding a game for six people to enjoy can be challenging, especially when it comes to the hero shooter genre. In many cases, these games only support five-player queues. However, Marvel Rivals is unique in that it offers 6v6 matches, allowing you to queue up with five other friends.

Marvel Rivals includes over 40 characters for you to pick from and play, each with their own abilities and roles. While each character may be unique in their own way, they’re all connected. This is because this 2024 title revolves around the Marvel Universe, containing familiar faces like Spider-Man and the Hulk. 

11. Naraka: Bladepoint

Naraka: Bladepoint is a battle royale title with matches that can support a total of 60 players. One of the main elements of this game is melee combat, as wuxia is an essential aspect of Naraka.

You can queue up alone or with up to two friends. However, before you can dominate the battle royale and climb to victory, you’ll need to choose a playable character. There are currently 22 characters to pick from, with more occasionally added with new seasons.

Find Your Favorite Free PC Game 

These are the absolute best free PC games. None of them should cost you even one penny. If you found this guide useful, there is plenty more where that came from.
We love to provide our community of gamers with expert insights on the best games of the moment, including hidden gems that are flying under the radar. Make sure to consult our extensive game guides to learn more about the best upcoming PC games!

Free Games FAQ

Can I Play PC Games for Free?

While not all PC games are free, there are more free-to-play games available on PC than you’d find on consoles. We’ve compiled the best ones available into the list above.

What Is the Best Free Game on the PC?

The best free games on PC depend upon the type of genre you’re going for — for example, strategy, shooter, or city-building. The list above narrows the games down to 11, but you’ll have to consider your personal taste to find the best one. 

What Is the Best Free Game To Download?

The best free game to download depends on your personal taste, computer specs, and what you’re searching to play currently. Our list of 11 games above is a great place to start.

Are Free PC Games Safe To Download and Play?

If you’re downloading a free PC game from a trusted store such as Steam or Epic Games, then it’s a near-certainty that it’s safe to download and play. 

Do Free PC Games Have In-Game Purchases or Ads?

Yes. Since free PC games don’t charge anything for you to jump in, they frequently work off of an in-game purchase or ads model to make their revenue.

According to our research on data-backed gaming trends, ads are ranked second for the top frustration gamers face. While it’s reasonable that these games need to have some type of revenue generation model, the best free games ensure that the microtransactions and ads don’t infringe upon your free experience.

Can I Play Free PC Games Offline?

Some free PC games can be played offline, it just depends which one you play. The Elder Scrolls II: Daggerfall can be played offline, while others, such as League of Legends, require an internet connection, as it’s a multiplayer game.