As mobile gaming ascends gradually, PC gaming still reigns supreme among hardcore enthusiasts and purists. The PC Master Race is for one and all, offering a wide variety of genres to play. While you do need to pay for popular games such as Call of Duty or Doom, there are plenty of gaming titles that you can play for free. With this in mind, we went through a huge list of games we have played over the years, and curated a list of the best free games to play for PC.
Dota 2
Available via Steam
Dota 2 started ouat as a World of Warcraft 3 mod, and is now a full-fledged game. It is also one of the most-played free-to-play titles in the world.
This top-down MOBA (Multiplayer Online Battlefield Arena) game offers tons of customisations and has more than 100 characters to play with. Each game generally lasts for 30 to 40 minutes, and largely depends on skill levels of competing players.
If you are serious about competitive gaming, you would be delighted to know that Dota 2 also has one of the biggest gaming communities, and the last International event’s prize pool measured more than 20 million US dollars.
Paladins
Available via Steam
If you are a multiplayer FPS enthusiast, Paladins currently might be the best game you can take up to ease your gaming needs. It offers a good character cast with distinct abilities and playing styles. As you progress in the game, you will unlock more characters and bonus abilities. The game falls just short of Blizzard's Overwatch, and can be compared to TF2.
League of Legends
Play online
Another popular MOBA title, League of Legends is similar to Dota 2, only with more focus on character customizations. Players can customize characters according to their gameplay, and you can further customise them from within the game to suit team requirements.
Hearthstone
Play via Battle.net
Developed by Blizzard, Hearthstone is a turn-based card game with tons of card variations, which unlock as you play. The best part is, you can play this game on a PC, or on iOS/Android devices with a single account.
Team Fortress 2
Available via Steam
Another gem from the makers of Half life 2 is Team Fortress 2. The game made its debut back in 2007, and even after 10 years down the line, it still is one of the best MMO titles. You play with one of the nine character classes in fun, intense team battles, until the timer goes off or your team kill more enemies.
Warframe
Available via Steam
In Warframe you will be playing as Tenno, an ancient race of warriors who have woken from a long cryosleep to find themselves at war. This third person co-op is one of the best PvE titles available today and offers a wide variety of missions, quests and assassination events. Players will be able to play with a wide variety of weapons, including bladed ones.
Path of Exile
Available via Steam
Path of Exile will remind you of the original Diablo and offers tons of quests and side missions for you to go through. On top of that, you need to figure out the right way to scale your character throughout its journey. The game is even more fun when played with friends. It is huge and addictive, and will take an unreasonable amount of your time. So, don’t blame us if you lose a day or two in trying to find a hidden treasure.
Smite
Available via Steam
In Smite, you become God. Well, at least you control one as the game focuses on Gods fighting among themselves in a PvP format. You get to use a lot of magical powers, and destroy the enemy fountain to win. It is more like Dota 2 in third person format.
World of Tanks
Play Online
World of Tanks is another very popular MMO, in which players can play against each other in mid-20th century tanks. The game is fairly simple and objectives are pretty similar to any multiplayer FPS game you may have played. That said, it is incredibly fun to steer a tank and blow up enemy vehicles.
Pacman
Play online
Pacman is one of the classic games that do not require any introduction. All you have to do is gobble, so click the link above and get started.
Spelunky
Download from here
Spelunky is one of the best indie titles we have laid our hands on in the last decade. The game is quite simple - you dodge every enemy and keep an eye out for traps to progress further in the game. You will die initially, but once you get the hang of the controls, it will easily put a grin on your face.
Eve Online
Play via Steam
If you like space battles and MMORPG, Eve Online is one of the biggest titles to play, and it’s free. With over 5,00,000 subscribers and 7,800 star systems, the probability of you exploring new stuff is huge. The game includes activities like mining, manufacturing, piracy, trading, exploration and combat. Eve Online is known for its vastness and immense complexity.
Relic hunters zero
Play via Steam
With its blocky character design, Relic hunters zero is a two-stick shooter game, which reminds us of Hotline Miami. You can play with six characters in a cutesy world where you have to shoot evil space ducks and turtles. The game is super fun and will put you on the edge of your seat as your progress in the game.
Expendabros
Play via Steam
Expendabros is another fun filled side scroller reminiscent of the old Contra games. This game is based on the Expendables movie franchise, and you’ll get a lot of explosions, non-stop action and a flurry of bullets. It can also be played with up to four players at once.
Star Wars: The Old Republic
Play via Origin
Star Wars: The Old Republic is a lesser-known game among the masses but it is the only free PC game you will find with Star Wars characters. It is a massive MMORPG, with stories developed by none other than Bioware. The game has its name in Guinness World Records as the "Largest Entertainment Voice Over Project Ever", with over 200,000 lines of recorded dialogue. There are an unimaginable number of missions and side quests in this game.
Killer Instinct
Available on Microsoft Store
If you are a fan of arcade style games such as Tekken or Mortal Kombat, then Killer Instinct is right up your street. Originally developed by Double Helix for the Xbox One, it has been available for free on the PC for quite some time. There is one hitch though, there are only a few characters available in the free version and you might have to pay to unlock the rest. Still, it is a good 1 vs 1 arcade game worth exploring.
Fallout Shelter
Play via Steam
Yes, the quirky platformer which was first announced for smartphones, is now available for PC via Steam. The game remains the same, and you have to build and populate your Vault and if you are unaware of what vaults are or why Fallout is a big name in the gaming industry, well you landed on the wrong page, buddy.