While video games evolve from generation to generation, gamers mostly stay the same. And every gamer knows the worst thing about gaming is boredom.
Eventually, you get tired of rotating through your library of games. But unless you’re swimming in money, it’s not easy to check out a bunch of new titles all at once.
The solution? Free games! There are a ton of free games out there that are just waiting for you to get your game on.
Of course, some of these free games are better than others. How can you know what is worth your time and what’s worth skipping out on? We’ve assembled a comprehensive guide to the best free games you start playing today!
Fortnite: Battle Royale
You might be shaking your head at the first entry on our list. After all, Fortnite: Battle Royale has reached that cultural saturation point where even your grandmother knows what it’s all about.
If you can get past that, though, you’ll find a surprisingly rich and complex game. This survival game is very easy for newcomers to pick up and begin having some serious fun. And if you really want to start unlocking cosmetic goodies, you can purchase a Battle Pass.
However, part of why this game is at the top of our list is that the free experience doesn’t feel like a compromise. There is a lot to explore and enjoy, and you can do it all without spending a dime.
Hearthstone
Many gamers grew up playing Magic: The Gathering or other customizable card game. As you get older, though, the realities of pouring a ton of money into cards and time into finding games starts taking its toll.
While Magic has created its own free online version in the form of Magic: The Gathering Arena, the best of the digital CCGs is Blizzard’s Hearthstone. While the game encourages you to spend money on virtual gold to buy packs, you can earn gold through daily challenges and never pay anything.
The game is full of Blizzard Easter eggs, but you don’t need to be a World of Warcraft superfan to love this game. It’s deep and strategic while being cute and accessible. And did we mention it plays perfectly on your phone and tablet as well as PC?
League of Legends
League of Legends is more than just another fun game. It’s a game that pretty much defined what a Multiplayer Online Battle Arena could be!
The game encourages you to buy additional heroes, but you can play with a handful of free characters and unlock more by earning “IP” through gameplay. This approach actually works well for newcomers because it lets you master a handful of characters without overwhelming you with options.
If you’re curious about the MOBA style of game, this is a solid title to start with. You’ll find accessible gameplay and a (more or less) supportive online community to help improve your skills.
Brawlhalla
Ever ask yourself what makes Super Smash Bros. so popular? One of the main reasons is that it is deep enough to reward hardcore players while being accessible enough that anyone can have fun.
That “Smash” spirit lives on in the free fighting game Brawlhalla. At any time, you can play six of the characters for free, but the selection rotates. If you want to secure any fighters for use at any time, you can buy them by paying real world cash or currency you earn from gameplay.
Ultimately, Brawlhalla combines a cute aesthetic and accessible fighting moves with rewarding combos and a party game mentality. And since it’s free, you can easily get your whole crew involved!
Star Wars: The Old Republic
With the general success of The Mandalorian and The Clone Wars, Star Wars fever is in the air. In fact, it’s enough to make you even forget about how bad The Rise of Skywalker really was. However, it can be difficult to find a modern Star Wars game that is more than a frenzied shooter.
Star Wars: The Old Republic, though, helps you scratch that Star Wars itch in the best possible way. The graphics are memorable, the quests are interesting, and every bit of dialogue is professionally voice-acted.
The only real downside for “free to play” subscribers is that you don’t get as much experience from quests and kills as subscribers do. But you can fix that problem by joining a guild offering XP bonuses and play through one of the most enjoyable Star Wars games of the last decade!
Path of Exile
Are you craving a classic “hack and slash” RPG experience? Or maybe you’re a fan of Diablo I and II and want to relive the glory days of that series? In that case, Path of Exile is your game!
Basic gameplay involves mastering your chosen class, delving into dangerous dungeons, and slaying every monster you find. But with Path of Exile, there is a crucial twist to this entire formula: random generation.
Every dungeon and open area of the game is randomly-generated each time you play. That means you can play this free game for the rest of your life and never have the exact same experience.
Starcraft II
The original Starcraft was the biggest flex from Blizzard. They had already dominated the RTS scene with games like Warcraft II. The original Starcraft, complete with Battle.net and mod possibilities, showed how much they had grown as a company.
To Blizzard’s credit, the sequel represents a similar quantum leap over their previous efforts. And Starcraft II: Wings of Liberty (the first of multiple expansions) is now completely free to play.
The campaign mode is filled with memorable characters and set pieces. However, the real star of the show is the multiplayer mode that pits your skills against players all around the world.
Team Fortress 2
Thanks to games like Overwatch and Apex: Legends, the notion of a shooter with remarkably different characters and classes may seem like old hat. However, Team Fortress 2 is one of the first games to show us how successful the formula can be.
This free game blends colorful, cartoony graphis with seriously fun gameplay. And there is a class for everyone, from the stealthy and sneaky Spies to the “let it all burn” Pyros.
If you haven’t played TF2 in a few years, it’s worth logging in and seeing just how much the game has grown. You’ll be amazed at how much content you can enjoy without spending any cash.
What are your favorite free games to play right now? Tell us in the comments below!
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