How many times have you bought a game that you didn’t like? Nowadays that seems to happen to many people, myself included. Mostly because publishers don’t provide demos anymore for some reason. But at the same time, there are free games you can download, play, and only then pay, if you so desire.
That’s the so-called freemium model, which usually involves the game having a cash shop of some sort. Because how else would they make that sweet munny? But some games might take it too far, gimping gameplay and progression just so players would spend more money.
That being said, here’s a list of handpicked games that have really entertaining gameplay, can be enjoyed absolutely for free on PC, and have the least predatory MTX practices among most free PC titles!
1. Dauntless
Genre: Action role-playing game
Singleplayer: Yes
Co-op: Online only, 2-4 players
Competitive: No
Controller support: Yes
Connectivity: Always online
Regular updates: Yes
Dauntless is a fast-paced monster hunting game. It consists of a fairly addictive game loop of fighting powerful monsters, using their body parts to craft better gear, and fighting even stronger monsters. But most of the time, it’s easier said than done.
The game’s monsters (behemoths) take some getting used to, especially if you’re new to the genre. Each behemoth has a unique attack pattern, movement style, special abilities, and weaknesses you’ll have to learn before you can triumph over it. But when you do, the sense of accomplishment is one of the highest highs this game has to offer.
2. Warframe
Genre: Third-person shooter game
Singleplayer: Yes
Co-op: Online only, 2-4 players
Competitive: 4v4 and 8 player FFA modes
Controller support: Yes
Connectivity: Always online, solo sessions without latency
Regular updates: Yes
Warframe is a very fast and responsive third-person shooter where you take control of a warframe, which is basically a space ninja. The core gameplay is shooting, slashing, and exploding hordes of enemies, which is a blast (no pun intended). But the real highlight is the movement scheme.
You can slide, wall run, twirl, and flip midair. And since movement is momentum-based, the better you can chain all those together, the faster you’ll move across the level. So when you seamlessly fly through a level, it can feel incredibly rewarding, especially when your teammates can’t seem to keep up with you.
Whether you like perfecting your mechanical skills, unlocking every weapon and warframe, defeating challenging bosses, or just progressing through the story, Warframe has a staggering amount of content on offer. There has never been so much to play in a free-to-play game!
3. Path of Exile
Genre: Action role-playing game
Singleplayer: Yes
Co-op: Online only, 2-6 players
Competitive: Duels, team battles, CTF, race seasons
Controller support: No
Connectivity: Always Online
Regular updates: Yes
Path of Exile (PoE) is an action role-playing game that’s often called the spiritual successor to Diablo 2. You play as an exile, a criminal sent to the continent of Wraeclast to pay for their crimes. Discover a land that is much worse than any kind of prison. But the undead, demons, mutants, and eldritch monstrosities are just the tip of the iceberg.
There’s a lengthy campaign (anecdotally, it took an IGN reviewer 80+ hours to complete) complete with “colorful” characters and an interesting story. But the real time sink this game has to offer (with some players having played over 2000 hours) are the possibilities.
This includes over a hundred abilities, countless talent tree paths, endless dungeons, endgame maps, and challenging bosses. If you get past the steep learning curve, PoE is a thrilling and satisfying experience. And it is, undoubtedly, one of the best free PC games out there.
4. Brawlhalla
Genre: Platform fighting game
Singleplayer: Can only play versus bots
Co-op: Premade teams in 2v2 and 3v3
Competitive: Duels, Team Battles, and FFAs of up to 8 players
Controller support: Yes
Connectivity: LAN and Online
Regular updates: Yes
Brawlhalla is a rarity within the fighting game genre. Mostly because no one really makes platform fighters. And while Brawlhalla definitely drew inspiration from the Super Smash Bros series, it has developed an identity of its own.
A more cartoony visual style, a less-forgiving playstyle, and a unique backstory of an afterlife where fighters duke it out for all eternity. This fighting game gives you some an exhilarating fighting experience. Whether it’s barely beating someone or outright dominating them, it’s gratifying because you accomplished it with your own skills.
Additionally, there are already more than 40 playable characters, giving you plenty to learn, master, and enjoy. And best of all, it’s not just limited to a Nintendo console!
5. Starcraft II
Genre: Real time strategy
Singleplayer: Full campaign
Co-op: Arcade modes and competitive multiplayer
Competitive: 1v1, 2v2, 3v3, 4v4, and FFA
Controller support: No
Connectivity: Always online
Regular updates: Periodic multiplayer balance changes
Starcraft II is one of the very few survivors of the dead RTS genre. Set in a war-torn universe, you take control of one of the three intergalactic species. The human-like Terran, the enigmatic aliens Protoss, and the hive-mind mutants Zerg. Plenty of superb visuals, lore, story, and replayability via the online arcade and competitive modes. Don’t miss out on the enthralling spectacle of seeing two armies clash against one another.
And if you’re up for it, you can create your own game modes and content via the free map editor, giving you countless hours of fun!
6. Warface
Genre: First-person shooter
Singleplayer: No
Co-op: Online only, 2-5 players
Competitive: 4v4 game modes and 8 player deathmatches
Controller support: No
Connectivity: Always online
Regular updates: Yes
Warface is a futuristic first-person shooter with responsive shooting and fluid movement mechanics. While it was first released in 2013, the game has received many updates, adding new game modes, maps, and weapons, keeping it fresh and exciting to this day.
That being said, the only downside is not having any real singleplayer campaign. But if you enjoy multiplayer and are tired of getting a new Call of Duty or Battlefield title every year, this is a great replacement that won’t cost you a dime and will stay relevant for years to come.
7. Apex Legends
Genre: Battle Royale
Singleplayer: No
Co-op: Premade teams of up to 3 players
Competitive: Battle royale matches of up to 60 players
Controller support: Yes
Connectivity: Online only
Regular updates: Yes
Apex Legends is a battle royal game that takes a slightly different spin on the genre. You start each match midair and slowly descend on the usual battle island/arena. After you land, it’s time to frantically run around and gather weapons, armor, and various supplies while also shooting any enemy you come across. And you’d think we’d have considerable burnout from PUBG, Fortnite, and other pitiful battle royales. But Apex somehow eludes that.
To begin with, you don’t play a nameless, soulless character you can project yourself onto. Each character has an interesting, sometimes relatable and sometimes repulsive backstory that lets you connect with the character better. Not to mention that each character also has different abilities like setting up portals, putting down energy shields to block bullets, or even calling in an airstrike. Add in the really responsive and satisfying movement and Apex carries a unique identity other battle royale games wish to have.
8. Paladins
Genre: First-person hero shooter
Singleplayer: No
Co-op: Online only, premade teams of up to 5 players
Competitive: 5v5 game modes
Controller support: Yes
Connectivity: Always online
Regular updates: Yes
Paladins is a first-person hero shooter with objective-based gameplay. It’s sort of the middle ground between MOBAs and other FPS games, trading some depth (MOBA) for accessibility(FPS). The gameplay is fast-paced and enjoyable and will hook you instantly in most cases, offering you a wide variety of interesting heroes with fun abilities.
And while most similar games (Overwatch, for example) get repetitive after a while, the loadout system in Paladins helps keep it fresher for a longer time. It allows you to change the durations and/or effects of your abilities, so you can play one hero in many different ways. This way you can customize each hero to match your playstyle and give them your own identity.
9. Dota 2
Genre: MOBA
Singleplayer: Can play versus bots
Co-op: Online only, premade teams of up to 5 players
Competitive: 1v1, 5v5 game modes
Controller support: No
Connectivity: Always online
Regular updates: Yes
Dota 2 is one of the most established MOBA games in the genre. And arguably the most difficult one out there as well. It sports a mellow visual style, sticking to the tried and tested gameplay of any MOBA – two teams of five fight in a lengthy tug-of-war to destroy the opposing team’s base. To do that, you have a massive roster of heroes with unique abilities, strengths, and weaknesses. Along the way, you level up said heroes, get gold and buy items to gain an edge over your enemy. But this is where the most infuriating part of this game comes in.
Players who are better than you will almost always run circles around you. They will deny creeps so you don’t get gold, they will kill you more often so you keep losing gold, they will manage their mana better, and they’ll always know your movements because they know how to use wards effectively. In short, it’s a struggle for new players, having a massive barrier of entry. But once you get over that, winning fights, stringing multiple kills together, and dominating games can feel incredibly satisfying.
10. League of Legends
Genre: MOBA
Singleplayer: Can play versus bots
Co-op: Premade teams of up to 5 players, and various 5 player arcade modes
Competitive: 1v1, 3v3, and 5v5
Controller support: No
Connectivity: Always online
Regular updates: Yes
League of Legends is the most popular MOBA game to date. And much of its success is thanks to the very low barrier of entry. No death penalty, spammable abilities, and flashy visuals, focusing more on twitch reflexes rather than strategic thinking. The end result? Fast-paced gameplay that is addicting, satisfying, and frustrating at the same time. League of Legends is based purely on momentum. What do you do in the first few minutes affects how the entire game plays out.
At the lowest level its mindless brawls all over the map. At the mid-tier, it’s inflated egos that desperately want to taste victory. And at the highest level, it’s players building their momentum into an unstoppable whirlwind. No matter who you are, it can feel horrible to lose, but at the same time, becoming stronger, killing enemies, and winning games feels incredibly satisfying, causing you to come back for more. This has made League of Legends one of the best and most popular PC games of all time.
11. Counter-Strike: Global Offensive
Genre: First-person shooter
Singleplayer: No
Co-op: Premade teams of up to 5 players
Competitive: 5v5 game modes
Controller support: No
Connectivity: Online only
Regular updates: Yes
CS:GO is a first-person shooter that relies heavily on twitch reflexes and strategic thinking.
Every game (or round) is played between a team of terrorists and counter-terrorists. The former usually need to plant a bomb to win, but the latter need to stop the bomb from being planted or defuse it when they can’t.
It’s a simple concept that is exceptionally executed and feels really satisfying to play. In part due to great map design, having levels with multiple routes, risky shortcuts, numerous hiding spots, and overwatch locations. This is further bolstered by utility grenades, such as the flashbang, molotov cocktail, and smoke grenade, preventing and sometimes stopping enemy advance completely.
And the deal is sealed with the arguably hardest shooting mechanics found in any game. You think you got the recoil from the AK under control, but in a tense situation, it becomes much harder to hit anyone. Due to all this, there’s quite a bit of learning involved, but once you get past that, headshotting enemies and winning rounds can feel really satisfying.
12. War Thunder
Genre: Vehicular Combat
Singleplayer: Yes
Co-op: PvE content for up to 4 players, premade teams of up to 4 players
Competitive: 32v32 battles
Controller support: Yes
Connectivity: Always online
Regular updates: Yes
In War Thunder, currently, you have three choices – be a tank commander, be an aircraft pilot, or be a ship captain. The first choice gives an exhilarating boots-to-the-ground experience where you drive a tank through abandoned cityscapes and ruined farmland. It’s all about awareness, accuracy, and positioning yourself behind cover. This is considerably improved by the visual spectacle of destructible environments and impressive, sometimes intimidating sound effects, giving you a sense of being on a real battlefield.
The second choice is less visually impressive, but loads more intense. There’s no hide and seek involved, so when you spot an enemy aircraft, it’s a dogfight till the bitter end. And downing an enemy to give your team an advantage is an exhilarating feeling.
Last but not least we have the naval combat. Cruisers, destroyers, and even battleships. All loaded with canons and missile launchers to obliterate on anyone standing in your way. Out of the three this one gives the greatest sense of power. Who would dare stop you with all that firepower?
Oh, did I mention everything happens on the same battlefield? Ships can shoot down planes and bombard tanks, planes and helicopters can assault ships and tanks, and tanks can, well, scurry around.
And those were the best free PC games to play in 2019!
Hey you! Yes, you! What did you think of my free-to-play PC games list? Was it helpful? Inaccurate? Adequate? Maybe you got your own gaming suggestions? Let me know in the comments below!