30+ Best Free Games in 2024: Play Without Purchase

The best free games to play in 2024 offer a high-quality experience without spending a dime. More games are transitioning to a free-to-play model, making gaming the most accessible it has ever been – but it can be difficult to know which one is worth your time.?

From mobile games to play on the go to high-quality AAA titles that utilize the full power of your PC and console, we’ve curated a list of games that show how the best things in life are free.

Table of Contents Table of Contents

1. Key Takeaways
2. 30+ Best Free Games to Play in 2024
3. More Free Online Games You Can Play in 2024
4. The Bottom Line
5. FAQs

Show Full Guide

Table of Contents

1. Key Takeaways
2. 30+ Best Free Games to Play in 2024
3. More Free Online Games You Can Play in 2024
Show Full Guide
4. The Bottom Line
5. FAQs

30+ Best Free Games to Play in 2024

30. Lost Ark

Lost Ark is a classic MMO RPG that still ranks among its competitors as one of the best free Steam games.

Its blend of fast-paced action combat, expansive world exploration, and diverse classes brings a unique experience that offers endless hours of gameplay. It combines the depth of an MMO RPG with the excitement of ARPG-style gameplay, offering compelling storylines, engaging endgame content, and stunning visuals.

29. Warframe

Warframe is known for its fluid, fast-paced combat, deep customization, and cooperative gameplay. Its free-to-play model offers tons of content, including diverse Warframes, weapons, and missions, all set in a futuristic, evolving world with regular updates.?

Players can now play the new Warframe 1999 demo on all platforms starting October 16, 2024, and experience why it is considered by many to be a fun free game to play – especially with a clan.

28. Pokemon Go

Pokémon Go became a worldwide craze when it first launched on July 6, 2016. Since then, it has continuously been updated with Pokemon from the latest generations and new quality-of-life features. It is among some of the best Pokémon games to play in 2024.?

It is quite literally a game you can play on the go; it’s one of the best mobile games that doesn’t cost money and encourages you to be active. For the best experience, keep an eye out for the weekly Spotlight Hour events.

27. War Thunder

War Thunder is a great free game for players looking for immersive combat across air, land, and sea. It offers a vast range of vehicles, detailed physics, and a blend of arcade and simulation modes, making it accessible yet challenging for military history and combat enthusiasts.

Players should be prepared for its grind-heavy progression system, as unlocking higher-tier vehicles and upgrades requires significant playtime or monetary investment.

26. Zenless Zone Zero

While Genshin Impact boasts a beautiful open world to explore, Zenless Zone Zero has you diving straight into the action in a punk urban setting. It’s easily among the best HoYoverse games.?

The game’s mix of flashy combat, large character roster, and an engaging story elevate it to one of the top free-to-play games on PlayStation. It is a constantly updating live service, with new banner events to collect characters, new chapters to progress the story, and additional maps to explore.?

Elevate your hack-and-slash experience by using the best Zenless Zone Zero codes, or learn who to play with by following our Zenless Zone Zero tier list.?

25. Destiny 2

Destiny 2 is one of the best free games on Steam right now, with a juicy story that flows well whether you decide to jump in alone or with friends. The character customization is genuinely unmatched and could take up hours of your time before you even consider getting in, slaying aliens, and traveling the universe.

24. Overwatch 2

If you’re looking for a competitive title amongst our best free games list, then you’re in luck. Overwatch 2 is an aggressive first-person character shooter with an ever-growing roster of heroes and a seemingly infinite combination of team compositions; this is a fantastic option that never gets old.

23. The Sims 4

When you just want to wind down, The Sims 4 is the best free game to play after a long day. Allowing you to vicariously live through your own Sim, just build a load of houses or even commit heinous acts you wouldn’t ever commit in real life. While a PC game at the core, it can be considered one of the best free PS5 games and holds its own on Xbox platforms thanks to intelligent controls befitting a controller.

22. Legends of Runeterra

Legends of Runeterra is one of the many card games that has made it onto our best free PC games list. For those who prefer strategy games and still want an element of competitiveness, then this title immerses you in the world of Runeterra, hosting brilliant animations and countless options for deck-building.

21. Brawlhalla

Fighting games have taken the world by storm, and Brawlhalla is a perfect free option for those who don’t want to fork out on AAA titles. Jump in alone or with up to three other friends and battle it out in this Super-Smash Bros-style game. It’s one of the best games for free as it has regularly updated with dozens of “Legends” to choose from meaning you’re unlikely to get bored of your character’s play style any time soon.

20. Fortnite

Battle Arena games have risen in popularity, and Fortnite has easily taken center stage in the genre as one of the best free-to-play games. Not only are there enough pop culture skins in the game to satisfy everyone, but the ever-changing map and rotation of weapons always keep the title feeling fresh. It’s available on practically every platform as well, supporting crossplay with all systems.

It’s one of the most popular free games for a reason, as there’s so much more to do than the standard battle royale mode. Take out the building element altogether with Zero Build, or go around the backrooms in a spooky IKEA-inspired showroom. There’s even a fully-fledged guitar rhythm game inside and a LEGO crafting and surviving mode to enjoy as well. It’s essentially one hundred games in one, acting as a portal to a wealth of experiences.

19. Valorant

With a wide range of character shooters on the market, Valorant is one of the best free games right now to pick up. The first-person shooter is made by Riot Games and presents some amazing utility to take advantage of based on which agent you select, ensuring every game feels unique.

18. Multiversus

Despite Multiversus not being as popular as it was at launch, the competitive fighting game allows you to play solo or pair up with a buddy and play as your favorite Warner Brothers character. Each character has a unique skill set and combos to learn, meaning you can spend countless hours in this title. It’s one of the best free-to-play games for fighting fans, excelling on the latest console generation.

17. Rocket League

If you’ve ever wanted to play football as a car, then in comes Rocket League. Sure, it might sound like a strange concept, but Rocket League can provide you with both a relaxing casual gaming experience as well as an intensely competitive one, so no matter what mood you’re in, you can always boot it up. It also receives a wealth of content updates, making it one of the best free games after all these years.

16. Apex Legends

Another amazing Battle Royale title joins our list of best free games in the form of Apex Legends. Select your hero, each with their own skill set, and take on a number of other players either as a team with friends or face the challenge solo.

15. League of Legends

League of Legends is a pretty gritty top-down MOBA title with over a hundred different champions to play, each with their own set of abilities. For those who are looking for a game you can play with friends competitively and easily lose track of time whilst in the thick of it then League of Legends is one of the best free PC games to pick up.

14. Genshin Impact

For anime lovers, Genshin Impact will no doubt be one of the best free mobile games to pick up. It’s also available on PC and PlayStation consoles as well if you want a big-screen fix. This beautiful open-world action title allows you to explore the lands of Teyvat while recruiting a team of fighters along the way to battle monsters and tackle other obstacles the different areas have to offer.

13. Call of Duty: Warzone

Activision has taken arguably its most popular title and turned it into one of the best games that don’t cost money in the form of Call of Duty: Warzone. If you’re a fan of the gunplay and mechanics of the beloved Call of Duty franchise, then Warzone combines all of that into a fast-paced Battle Royale.

12. Counter-Strike 2

After the long-lasting success of Counter-Strike: Global Offense, Valve has hit the ground running with its successor, Counter-Strike 2, one of the best free games on Steam. This competitive first-person shooter requires you to play tactically to protect zones and plant bombs as a team.

11. Hearthstone

Competitive games come in many forms, and Hearthstone is proof of that. This constantly evolving card game is the best free game for those who prefer making strategic movements rather than relying on gunplay and reaction times but still want the satisfaction of beating an opponent. It ranks among the best fun free games to play for its charm, heart, and depth in a competitive market.

10. Runescape

You can’t mention good free games without bringing up Runescape. It’s a legend of the gaming industry with a legacy stretching all the way back to 2001. The massively multiplayer online roleplaying game allows you to explore a vast fantasy world while completing missions and quests, all while becoming a part of the ever-growing community. You can either play the aptly named Old School Runescape or try out the newer Runescape 3 a modern version that has received regular updates for over a decade.

9. Mech Arena

Mech Arena is a multiplayer shooter where, as the name suggests, you get to pick out your own Mech, customize it with different buffs, and then jump in and battle it out against other players. With options between a 5v5 control point mode, as well as different deathmatch options there are a range of ways to prevent this title from going stale. It’s a great free game that offers up a stellar time, whether on console or mobile.

8. Forge of Empires

If you enjoy city building or resource management titles, then Forge of Empires is one of the best free PC games to pick up. This top-down strategy game allows you to slowly create an empire and watch it evolve through different time periods, as well as make the tough choice between working with or battling other players.

7. Magic the Gathering: Arena

Fans of the popular card game Magic the Gathering’s commander edition will find that Magic the Gathering: Arena scratches exactly the same itch without having to physically pull all of your cards out. The slow-paced card game stands out as one of the best free mobile games due to its versatility, with it being available on PC as well as mobile if you prefer to play on the go or on the toilet, no judgment.

6. EVE Online

No other title beats out EVE Online in the best free PC games category when it comes to community. The space-based MMO allows you to recruit a crew and build a ship and features giant online battles organized by the players themselves, which can often see thousands of players taking part at once.

5. Dauntless

Sometimes, the best part of gaming can be working with your friends; on the contrary, it can also be one of the most frustrating things on earth. Dauntless ranks as a cool free game to test your friendship. It allows you to jump into the three-player co-op and work together to chain attacks and spells to defeat enemies and explore the world.

4. Paladins

Similar in fashion to Overwatch 2, Paladins is a colorful and full-of-life character shooter. Whether you want to play competitively or casually, solo or with friends, Paladins makes you protect control points and run around on horses – what more could you ask for?

3. Dota 2

Despite being over a decade old, Dota 2 has held its ground in our best free games round-up, with over 100 heroes to choose from, no two games are the same. The MOBA title plays similarly to League of Legends but definitely embraces more of a fantasy element.

2. Teamfight Tactics

Teamfight Tactics is an auto battler like no other. Despite being a spin-off of League of Legends, you don’t need to have played it to enjoy or understand Teamfight Tactics at all. With a roster that changes every few months, play solo or with a friend in Double Up mode to put together a team composition and destroy your enemies.

1. Fall Guys

If you’re looking for a chill party game that somehow doubles up as one of the most frustrating titles of all time, then Fall Guys is the one for you. You compete against a hundred other players to take on different parkour challenges each round, with the slowest of the groups eliminated each time. It’s one of the best free games on Switch as well as other consoles, thanks to its pick-up and play nature.

More Free Online Games You Can Play in 2024

The Bottom Line

These are the best games that don’t cost money, showing that you don’t need to spend on full-price titles to have a good time.

Some titles will require you to spend money on other aspects of gameplay, such as online multiplayer, DLC, and cosmetics. However, the lack of a price tag ensures you have nothing to lose when testing out these free-to-play games.

FAQs