Looking for something new to play but don’t have the dime for the latest release? There’s never been a better time to opt for a free-to-play title instead. While “free” once meant lower quality gaming, that’s not really the case anymore, with plenty of AAA-level titles releasing on a F2P model. Mind you, with most of the games on this list, you’ll likely be tempted to spend some money on microtransactions, but that really is up to you, isn’t it?
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Check out our picks for best free games below:
Apex Legends
Available on: PS4, Xbox One, PC
A battle royale title focused on teamwork, Apex Legends allows players of all confidence levels to engage in strategic team battles across a huge map, with a unique “Ping” system which allows for non-verbal communication. It also features a fun array of characters, each with their own special abilities, as well as incredibly satisfying first-person shooting mechanics.
Dauntless
Dauntless is a game all about battling large monsters to earn loot and craft gear to fight even larger monsters. What separates Dauntless from games such as Monster Hunter (aside from its non-existent price-tag) is its Pixar-esque visual style.
Smite
Available on: Nintendo Switch, PS4, Xbox One, PC, Mac
Smite is an online battle arena game with a unique perspective, showcasing its action in a third-person viewpoint as opposed to the traditional top-down visuals. This means that you always feel closer to the action, controlling one of the game’s 101 Gods to slay minions and other players alike.
DC Universe Online
Do you love massively multiplayer online games but not the fantasy aesthetic? DC Universe Online could be for you, then. It allows you to create a superhero and battle alongside characters such as Batman or Superman – or team with villains such as The Joker!
Pokémon Go
Available on: Mobile
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A game played by millions to this day, Pokémon Go has received a large number of updates in recent years. Player-versus-player battling and trading, along with heaps of new cute critters, have been added to the game since its launch. It’s definitely worth revisiting if you haven’t played since Pokefever first reignited in 2016.
Brawlhalla
A free-to-play fighting game, Brawlhalla plays a lot like Super Smash Bros. While it doesn’t feature the same volume of recognizable characters as Nintendo’s title, it does have a few familiar faces, such as Rayman. New characters are regularly added, too!
Let It Die
Available on: PS4, PC
A hack and slash title with a twisted imagination, Let It Die follows your character working to the top of a spire full of secrets. Your companion is a skateboarding Grim Reaper known as Uncle Death, which pretty much tells you everything you need to know.
Fortnite
Available on: Nintendo Switch, PS4, Xbox One, PC, Mac, Mobile
Fortnite needs no introduction. It’s a phenomenon with a massive reach and for good reason. It’s the king of the Battle Royale space, with a unique building mechanic separating the best from the rest, an art style that emphasizes cartoonishness over realism, and loads of secrets to be found by its passionate community.
Killer Instinct
Available on: Xbox One, PC
Launched alongside the Xbox One in 2013, Killer Instinct serves as a reboot of a beloved beat-em-up from yesteryear. The fighting mechanics are up there with the best brawlers around, and it’s a looker too – particularly on Xbox One X.
Phantom Dust
A remaster of an original Xbox title, what Phantom Dust lacks in visuals, it makes up for in content. The entire game is free and doesn’t require you to interact with any microtransactions. The game is a mix of third-person action and card battling, with multiplayer included.
Hearthstone
Available on: PC, Mac, Mobile
Blizzard’s Hearthstone is a card-based battler born from the Warcraft franchise. Its simple mechanics, gorgeous art style, online matchmaking, and single-player campaigns make it easy to recommend. In fact, it isn’t uncommon to spend several hours playing, such is its addictiveness!
Realm Royale
A spin-off from Paladins which places players in (you guessed it) a battle royale situation. Realm Royale has some neat twists on the formula, such as being able to forge new items at specific map locations, and four different classes to choose from.
Warframe
Available on: Nintendo Switch, PS4, Xbox One, PC
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Warframe launched in 2013 and has amassed 50 million players since then. A loot-shooter with fast-paced, third-person combat, Warframe has seen additions such as open-world areas, vehicles, and more gear to earn on a near-constant basis. While there is a heavy grinding element, this makes it an ideal game for the Switch. You can play it while kicking back and watching something on your TV.
Arena of Valor
Available on: Nintendo Switch, Mobile
A 5 vs 5 online battler, Arena of Valor has players choose from 78 different heroes to fight it out across multiple modes and attempt to destroy an enemy base. The concept is simple, but the nuances of each character make the learning curve pretty steep.
Pokémon Quest
An action-adventure game starring Pokémon you say? Sign us up. Pokémon Quest features blocky renditions of your favorite Pokemon, in a similar visual style to Minecraft, and tasks you with completing your collection through real-time battles and island exploration.
Jetpack Joyride
Available on: PS4, PS3, PS Vita, Mobile, PC, Apple TV
An “infinite runner” with a lot of charm, Jetpack Joyride sees players escaping a lab while dodging laser beams and other obstacles. Each run earns coins which can be spent on new equipment and bonuses.
Vainglory
Making a detailed online battle arena work well on mobile devices is no easy task, but Vainglory makes it look super simple – units are easily identifiable, each with their own strengths and weaknesses. In the game, two teams battle it out for control in a world with massive monsters.
Path of Exile
If you’re a fan of Diablo, then you’ll find a lot to love in Path of Exile: randomly generated levels to explore, monsters to slay, and loot to earn. Having originally launched in 2013, this Action RPG is in better shape than it’s ever been.
Planetside 2
Planetside 2 is an online shooter with huge battles fought by thousands of combatants across land and air. In fact, the game holds the Guinness World Record for largest first-person shooter match, with over 1158 participants!
Star Wars: The Old Republic
Available on: PC
A huge online game from BioWare set in the Star Wars universe, The Old Republic features incredible storytelling, dynamic player choices, and plenty of adventures in the “galaxy far, far away.” If you loved the classic Knights of the Old Republic games, this free spinoff is well worth trying out.
There you have it – proof that the best things in life are free!
