They say the best things in life are free, but does that hold true for video games? Those on the hunt for thebest PC gameshave come around to the idea that sometimes you don’t need to put down any money upfront to play a top-quality game. In fact, many of thebest multiplayer PC gamesare (or have become) free-to-play and fullycross-platform gamesto entice more people to play. While you don’t have to spend your cash to test these games out, your time is just as valuable. As manyfree PS5 gamesandfree Xbox Series X gamesas there are, the number of free games on Steam alone dwarfs those platforms by orders of magnitude. Let us narrow down your search for the best free games on PC.
Plenty ofupcoming PC gameswill also release for free, so keep your eye out for new entries.
Counter-Strike 2
If you ever wondered whatCounter-Strike 2would look like if it embraced hero shooter mechanics, you would getValorant. There are two teams: One has the goal of planting the bomb (the “spike”), and the other is trying to diffuse it. On top of that, though,Valorantadds a roster of hero shooter-like heroes that each have their own set of abilities to add more depth to the combat on top of intelligent positioning and twitch reflexes.Valorantcombines so many elements from other genres that it creates something new entirely. The game plays likeCS 2,sure, but after a few rounds, it’s clear thatValorantis operating on a different level. It’s engrossing, complex, and, best of all, free to play.
Team Fortress 2
Rocket League
Halo Infinite
Genshin Impact
Overwatch 2
Marvel Rivals
The new kid in the free-to-playhero shooterspace isMarvel Rivals,which shakes up the formula by being far more than anOverwatchclone. Putting literal superheroes into the game is part of that, butRivalsdoesn’t just rely on its characters to carry the experience. Each hero feels unique and true to their powers and personalities. Almost a direct counterpoint toOverwatch,this game is in third person, so you’re able to see all your cool cosmetics and abilities, has no role queue, and is built for 6v6 battles. With 33 heroes at launch and more added each season, odds are at least one of your favorites is on this roster.
Apex Legends
Path of Exile
Brawlhalla
Guild Wars 2
EVE Online
Neverwinter
The Finals
While it wasn’t the first game to introduce destructibility into online shooters, it was theBattlefieldfranchise that pushed that technology the hardest first. Those are still some of thebest FPS games on PC, but they are not free. Now, a smaller game calledThe Finalstook that idea, shrunk it down to a more intimate PvP experience, and made destructibility both fun and tactical. Each match feels completely unique, and the different game types all shine when the map is a constantly evolving battlefield for you to exploit.
Call of Duty: Warzone 2.0
Star Wars: The Old Republic
Hearthstone
Blizzard is the master of polish, and this was never more apparent than when the developer releasedHearthstonein 2014. Taking fan-favorite characters from the Warcraft series (Thrall, Jaina Proudmoore, and many more), players battle in aMagic: The Gathering-style card duel to the virtual death, using a variety of spells and minions — including Murlocs — in an effort to lower their opponent’s health to zero. It’s a deceptively simple premise. Aside from “mana crystals,” which determine how many cards — and which cards — you can play in any one turn, there aren’t many unique game mechanics toHearthstone. Yet the game’s brisk matches and wide range of strategies will keep you itching to play one more game. New cards, which can be purchased using gold earned through normal play, help you develop your own custom decks. You can also get cards more quickly by spending real money, though gold is given out at such a liberal rate that you can stick with playing free if you hone in on a single competitive deck.
