Free games aren’t that common, but they aren’t that rare either. There’s plenty of them if you know where to look, and they don’t have to be just battle royale shooters and MMOs (though those are great too, and have earned their spot on this list).
And I know what they say — if it’s free, you’re the product — but these games are genuinely great and you don’t need to spend any money on them if you don’t want to, plus I didn’t find any ads or anything shifty, so you can enjoy them without worrying.
So, without further ado, here are the best free games out there.
Last updated on:
Genshin Impact
- Platforms: PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, iOS, Android
- Genre/Type: Open-world Action RPG, Gacha, Co-op Multiplayer
Genshin Impact is an open-world RPG with anime-inspired art, fun combat, and an elemental magic system. You can explore the world of Teyvat solo or team up in co-op, discovering secrets, dungeons, and powerful bosses while collecting a huge roster of playable characters. The game is free-to-play, and while it uses a gacha system for unlocking new characters and weapons, it’s surprisingly generous. You can finish the story, explore, and enjoy events without spending money.
Path of Exile
- Platforms: PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One
- Genre/Type: Action RPG, Hack-and-Slash, Online Multiplayer
Path of Exile is a dark, gritty action RPG in the vein of Diablo, but with even deeper character customization. Its enormous passive skill tree and countless loot combinations make it a dream for theorycrafters and hardcore ARPG fans. The game is fully free-to-play, with frequent expansions that add new leagues, skills, and mechanics. Monetization is focused on cosmetic skins, extra stash tabs, and convenience upgrade, none of which are required to experience the full game.
Final Fantasy XIV
- Platforms: PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, macOS
- Genre/Type: MMORPG, Story-driven Online RPG
Final Fantasy XIV has become one of the most beloved MMORPGs, thanks to its rich storytelling, gorgeous world, and welcoming community. The free trial is famously generous — it includes the base game A Realm Reborn plus the full Heavensward expansion, with no time limit. You can enjoy hundreds of hours of quests, dungeons, and raids without paying a cent. Monetization kicks in once you want to go beyond the trial: further expansions and a subscription are required. Still, the free tier is one of the best deals in gaming.
Rocket League
- Platforms: PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch
- Genre/Type: Sports, Competitive Multiplayer, Arcade
Rocket League is basically soccer with rocket-powered cars. It’s a simple premise — score goals by smashing a giant ball with your car — but it’s so awesome to play. The game went free-to-play in 2020, and monetization now comes through seasonal battle passes, cosmetic car skins, and esports-inspired items. None of it affects gameplay, so competition stays fair whether you pay or not.
Warframe
- Platforms: PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch
- Genre/Type: Online Action RPG, Co-op Shooter, Loot Grinder
Warframe is a sci-fi action game where you control space ninjas armed with guns, blades, and wild abilities. Missions span across planets and space itself, with co-op squads tearing through hordes of enemies in a mix of shooting, melee combat, and parkour. It’s entirely free-to-play, with monetization tied to cosmetics, boosters, and unlocking gear more quickly. Everything (frames, weapons, companions) can be earned through gameplay though, if you’re patient, so spending money is more about convenience than necessity.
Palia
- Platforms: PC, Nintendo Switch
- Genre/Type: Cozy MMO, Social Simulation, Life Sim
Palia is a cozy MMO that’s all about community, farming, and exploration. It’s set in a lush, colorful world and you get to do fishing, gardening, cooking, and building up your home alongside friends or solo. So, if you’re looking for something more relaxing than what I listed above, this is the game for you. Monetization is light-touch: cosmetics and optional extras support the game, but there’s no pay-to-win, since progression and core activities are free. Do keep in mind that this is still in early access, so give it a little grace, but updates are frequent and it’s getting better all the time.
Guild Wars 2
- Platforms: PC
- Genre/Type: MMORPG, Open-world Online RPG
Guild Wars 2 is one of the best (if not the best) MMORPGs, and it’s known for its huge world, action-oriented combat, and massive world events where hundreds of players can jump in together. The base game is entirely free, and pretty generous, but it does limit you in some ways, like with chat and trading. Still, you can enjoy it for what it is and have some fun.
Marvel Rivals
- Platforms: PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S
- Genre/Type: Third-Person Hero Shooter, Online Multiplayer
Marvel Rivals is a third-person hero shooter where you assemble squads of iconic Marvel heroes like Spider-Man, Captain America, and Scarlet Witch, and go head-to-head in team-based 6v6 battles. It’s entirely free-to-play, and all heroes are available without spending money. Monetization focuses on optional cosmetic items and battle passes, so nothing you buy affects gameplay.
Valorant
- Platforms: PC, PlayStation, Xbox Series X|S
- Genre/Type: Tactical FPS, Competitive Multiplayer, Team-based Shooter
Valorant is a tactical first-person shooter where each match is a 5v5 showdown. The game is free-to-play, and all core gameplay is accessible without spending money. If you do want to spend money, it will be purely cosmetic, offering skins, sprays, and battle passes that let you customize your agents and weapons without giving any competitive advantage.
Apex Legends
- Platforms: PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch
- Genre/Type: Battle Royale, Hero Shooter, Team-based Multiplayer
Apex Legends is a battle royale where players form three-person teams, picking from a roster of unique Legends, each with special skills. The game is free-to-play, and monetization is entirely optional.
Honkai Star Rail
- Platforms: PC, iOS, Android
- Genre/Type: Turn-based RPG, Gacha, Story-driven Adventure
Honkai: Star Rail is a turn-based RPG set in a sci-fi universe where players embark on a journey aboard the interstellar train and explore diverse worlds, battle enemies, and uncover mysteries of the Star Rail. The game is free-to-play, but it is a gacha system where you acquire new characters and weapons. Obviously, spending can speed up collecting your favorite heroes, but all content is accessible without paying.
Overwatch
- Platforms: PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch
- Genre/Type: Team-based FPS, Hero Shooter, Competitive Multiplayer
Overwatch is a team-based first-person shooter where players select from a diverse roster of heroes, each with unique abilities and roles. Just like in most games of this type, it’s fully free to play, but you have options to buy cosmetic items like skins, emotes, and seasonal event rewards.
Halo Infinite
- Platforms: PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S
- Genre/Type: First-Person Shooter, Online Multiplayer, Sci-Fi Action
Halo Infinite is a first-person shooter that brings the iconic Master Chief back in a sprawling sci-fi universe. There’s both a story-driven campaign and a free-to-play multiplayer mode and you get classic Halo gunplay with new mechanics like the grappleshot for vertical movement and creative combat strategies. Multiplayer is entirely free.
The Finals
- Platforms: PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S
- Genre/Type: First-Person Shooter, Team-Based PvP, Destructible Environments
The Finals is a first-person shooter where you compete in teams across fully destructible arenas, using class-based abilities, weapons, and the environment itself to gain the upper hand. It’s free-to-play and all monetization is purely cosmetic, with skins and emotes available for purchase.
The Fall Guys
- Platforms: PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, Android (via Epic Games Store), iOS (EU only)
- Genre/Type: Battle Royale, Party Game, Online Multiplayer
Fall Guys is a free-to-play battle royale where up to 60 players control jellybean-like characters in a series of obstacle courses with the goal to be the last bean standing. The game is entirely free-to-play. While the in-game currency, Kudos, can be earned through gameplay, Show-Bucks (the premium currency) can be purchased with real money (but it’s not necessary to have this).
Doki Doki Literature Club
- Platforms: PC (Windows, macOS, Linux), PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch
- Genre/Type: Visual Novel, Psychological Horror, Narrative Adventure
Doki Doki Literature Club! is a free-to-play visual novel that starts as a cheerful high school dating sim but quickly turns into a psychological horror experience. You get to interact with the club’s members through dialogue and poetry, only to discover unsettling twists that break the fourth wall. The game is entirely free, with an optional fan pack offering digital extras for those who want to support the developer. Everything essential to the story and experience is available without spending money, though.
Among Us
- Platforms: PC, iOS, Android, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S
- Genre/Type: Social Deduction, Party Game, Multiplayer
Among Us is a multiplayer social deduction game where players work together to complete tasks aboard a spaceship, or try to secretly sabotage the crew as an Impostor. Its simple mechanics, charming graphics, and tense gameplay make it endlessly replayable and fun. The game is free-to-play on mobile and inexpensive on PC and consoles.
Umamusume: Pretty Derby
- Platforms: iOS, Android, PC (via Steam)
- Genre/Type: Sports Life Simulation, Gacha, Idol Management
Umamusume: Pretty Derby is a free-to-play sports life simulation game where players train anthropomorphized horse girls to compete in races. I’ll admit it, it sounds a bit strange, but it’s actually really fun. It’s free-to-play, and all core gameplay is accessible without spending money. But then obviously, it’s gacha, so you’ll get offered many opportunities to spend money. Still, it isn’t necessary.
Wuthering Waves
- Platforms: PC (Windows, macOS, Steam), PlayStation 5, iOS, Android
- Genre/Type: Open-World Action RPG, Gacha, Sci-Fi Adventure
Wuthering Waves is a free-to-play open-world action RPG where you play as Rover, a mysterious traveler navigating a post-apocalyptic world. While the core experience is accessible without spending money, there’s still a gacha system for acquiring new Resonators and weapons.
Marvel Snap
- Platforms: PC, iOS, Android
- Genre/Type: Collectible Card Game (CCG), Strategy, Online Multiplayer
Marvel Snap is a collectible card game where you can build decks of iconic Marvel characters and compete across locations that can change the game. The game is free-to-play, and all core content is accessible without spending money.
How to Get Games for Free: Step by Step Guide
And if you end up liking absolutely none of the above, here’s a secret — there are legit, legal ways to get free games. Yes, even the ones you’d normally have to pay for. And not just indies and less popular titles, but AAA games and similar. Here’s a guide on how to find the best options so you don’t have to spend a dime but still get to have tons of fun.
Quick tip: If you don’t want to do all of the below, you can just go to one of the aggregator sites and join to track all free games across the web. Some of the good examples include GamerPower, MMOBomb and IndieGala’s giveaway page. I personally love GamerPower, but pick whichever one works best for you.
Step 1: Go to Epic Store for Weekly Giveaways
Epic hands out at least one free game every week, no strings attached. Once you click “Get” during the promo window, the game is yours forever. And during holidays (Christmas, so, December mostly), you can get a free game every day! So, keep an eye on that store, and here’s what you need to do:
- Create or sign into your Epic account.
- Visit the Free Games section (via the launcher or website).
- Add the game to your account through checkout (price = $0).
- Repeat weekly — even if you don’t plan to play right away, it’s worth stockpiling.
Step 2: Get Free Games Through Prime Gaming
Okay, so this is not entirely free because you need a Prime account if you want to do it, but it’s worth mentioning because it’s a great option. If you already have Prime, you also get Prime Gaming. Every month, new PC games and codes (for Epic, GOG, Steam, etc.) are up for grabs.
- Head to gaming.amazon.com and claim what’s on offer.
- Redeem store codes quickly, as some have expiry dates.
- Once claimed, the game is yours even if you cancel Prime later.
Step 3: Get Free Games on GOG
GOG is home to DRM-free games, and it regularly rotates permanent freebies or special promos. This is also a great place to find some of the older games that you loved.
- Log into GOG and go to your favorite genre of games (or “Browse All Games”)
- Set the filter for “Show only free games”. (I’d also recommend setting it to not show any DLCs, just to avoid confusion).
- Download directly without a client, or use GOG Galaxy for convenience.
Step 4: itch.io – indie treasure trove
itch.io is packed with indie titles, many of them free or “pay what you want.” You might not find any AAA titles here, but if all you want are good, fun games, this is the best place to get them.
- Filter by price to zero in on freebies.
- Download directly or use the itch desktop app to manage your collection.
- Watch for limited-time giveaways tied to events or game jams.
Step 5: Watch Out for Bundles and Store Promos
Humble, Fanatical, and other bundle stores occasionally hand out free games. Subscribe to their newsletters or occasionally check the front page. If you do subscribe, you might get mystery freebies or loyalty giveaways.
Step 6: Join Betas, alphas & playtests
Developers often hand out free keys in exchange for testing. You can get a ton of free (if slightly unpolished) games this way. I’d recommend following studios on Steam, Discord and their socials. Sometimes you’ll just get timed access, other times a keep-forever copy.
Step 7: Keep an Eye on Twitch Drops & Giveaways
Watching streams can earn you free in-game loot or even full games. So, if you spend a ton of time on Twitch anyway, this is a great way to also get games. It’s important to know what to look for, but game devs and popular streamers will often announce streams where you might get drops, so just join and try to get the codes as quick as possible