If you don't have a smartphone or tablet or you just fancy something different, there are hundreds of completely free computer games available online, ready to download to your desktop PC or laptop. So in no particular order, here's a list of some of the best free computer games you can play without spending a single penny.
Online Multiplayer
Sony Online Entertainment
There’s several infantry classes to choose from but you have the freedom to do as you please provided you have the resources which trickle through at a steady rate. You can spawn vehicles and aircraft to support your team, or join in the infantry grind as you try to capture territory. Technically Planetside 2 stands up to many paid-for games, and whilst you can stump up a bit of cash to improve your equipment it’s not a game-breaker if you dont and if your skills are up to scratch you should still be able to hold your own. The learning curve is a little steep and there’s not much in the way of tutorials but what matters more than anything is teamwork. A well organised squad can make a massive difference, not only in terms of success but also in terms of the fun you’ll have - if you’re not too shy and are prepared to make a few new friends online it’s an incredibly rewarding game.Planetside 2 is a first person shooter on a massive scale, with up to 2000 players simultaneously involved in battles over three continents on the world of Auraxis, fighting for control of precious resources and vital installations. The action is fast and furious, not to mention rather daunting when you start out as you’ll likely be dropped into a raging firefight and die within seconds. Stick with it and as you’ll gradually start to come to terms with the sheer scale of the game things start to fall into place.
Star Trek Online
Cryptic Studios/Perfect World
Gameplay is split into space combat and ground missions, the ground sections can be a bit tedious but there’s some nice storylines and plenty of references for fans to spot. However the space combat is arguably where the game really shines, you do get a feel for different ships and the ships all look very pretty. There’s also plenty of customisation options both for your character and your ship,This isn’t a fan game, this is the officially licensed Star Trek online multiplayer game so if you’re a fan you’ll find lots of familiar ground here. Originally a subscription game, Star Trek Online has followed many MMOs in switching to a free-to-play model - the idea being that players will get so involved in the game that they’ll be prepared to pay for things further down the line.
There’s a lot of paid for stuff available and a rather controversial “lock box” system where you have to pay to unlock certain rewards but the games perfectly playable without paying a penny, unlike some games where progress becomes practically impossible past a certain point unless you start spending cash.
World of Tanks
Wargaming.net
There’s a great balance to the game, for example smaller faster tanks pack less of a punch and although they’re harder to hit they’re much more fragile. It can take time to figure out your playing style but there are plenty of opportunities for experimenting. The battles themselves are often surprisingly tactical, with players cautiously moving between positions and making clever use of terrain and cover to stay out of sight and surprise the opposition.Possibly the most aptly titled game ever, World of Tanks is an online multiplayer tank combat game. Two teams of opposing tank commanders battle over a variety of arenas, from open farmland to narrow city streets, aiming to take control of the map or simply obliterate the opposition.
Investing in some of the premium upgrades will unlock better vehicles and equipment much sooner but although the gap between premium and free players is noticeable it’s not enough to ruin the fun.
Single or local multiplayer
Kraven Manor
Demon Wagon Studios
This one might not be for the kids but if you like your games spiced with a mix of atmosphere, tension and horror; then a short stay at Kraven Manor may be just for you. It is an assault on the senses with its visual trickery making you question that shadow you saw in the corner of your eye and the bone-chilling sounds echoing down the dusty deserted corridors.
The player is able to dynamically alter the environment by locating miniature models of different rooms that you find on your exploration. These are delivered by the player to an increasing elaborate scale model of the Manor itself in the grand hall and placed wherever you like. The associated room then moves and appears in real space waiting to be explored.
Keep an eye out for the mannequins on your travels. Normally stationary and harmless but lose sight of them for just a second and they move closer. Let them get too close and you’re in trouble. Echoing the Weeping Angels from BBC’s Doctor Who, these creatures make for truly chilling confrontations.
This is the type of game you play late at night with the lights off and your headphones on. Just remember; don’t blink.
Beneath a Steel Sky
Revolution Software
Developed in 1994, Beneath a Steel Sky is a PC adventure game set in a dystopian future. Developed by the same people who created the legendary Broken Sword series, the player assumes the role of Robert Foster, a man raised by indigenous people in the wasteland known as “The Gap”. After many years, the locals are attacked by armed security officers and Robert is taken back to Union City. Robert soon escapes and soon uncovers the corruption within the city.
Much of the games charm comes from the interaction between Robert and his sentient robotic creation named Joey. Joey’s personality is stored on a circuit board that can be moved to different robots as required and a running gag has Joey commenting on the new “Shell” he has been fitted into; the first being a Vacuum cleaner that understandably, Joey isn’t very happy about.
Hailing from a golden age of pre-rendered adventure games, the story, characters and puzzles are universally glorified for their depth and maturity. Years before the internet became popular, puzzles had to be thought out logically and the exhilaration of solving them made it all worthwhile.
Revolution Software has recently announced plans to develop a sequel nearly 20 years after this was released due to popular demand. It’s a game loved by adventure game fans and stands the test of time very well indeed. Recently updated and optimised for touch screen, it’s seen a re-release on iOS devices. Handily, the PC version is still available for free though you’ll need to download the free SCUMMVM software to run it on a modern PC.
Super Crate Box
Vlambeer
The premise of the game is an endless onslaught of baddies swarming to reach the bottom of the stage. It’s your job to stop them with an assortment of over the top weapons. Every few enemies, a crate will appear with a random weapon within. Pick up the box and you’ll be awarded with a point added to your score and a new weapon. Weapons range from a tame Babe Ruth-wannabe baseball bat, to a devastating bazooka, a screen clearing mini-gun and many more.Super Crate Box is one of those games that harks back to the golden days of arcade where all that mattered was to have your name at the top of the high score list. It’s a game with simple but appealing graphics, a catchy soundtrack and polished to perfection.
Let any enemy reach the bottom and he’ll come back faster and meaner than before. Let a few through and the level quickly becomes unmanageable as you try to avoid your inevitable game over screen.
Available from supercratebox.com, Steam and iOS
Sam and Max – Abe Lincoln Must Die
Telltale games
The game has a very traditional feel and the big, bold graphics really bring the characters to life. Telltale have a great track record for delivering fun, engaging adventure games having recently produced games set around both Back to the Future and The Walking Dead - whilst this is one of their older games it’s a great introduction to their offbeat adventures and quirky humour.Sam and Max are the Freelance Police, a dogged dog detective and his hyperactive rabbit partner and they’re pretty much video game royalty having featured in their first “point and click” adventure game back in 1993. If you remember games like the Secret of Monkey Island or Indiana Jones and the fate of Atlantis you’ll immediately be in familiar territory. Sam and Max made ther 3D debut in 2007 and thankfully lost none of their charm in making the transition
Alien Swarm
Valve
The game began actually began life as a mod, PC games are often fairly open and there’s an active community of people who tinker and modify game files to change or even improve aspects such as gameplay or graphics, or even create what’s essentially a whole new game.Alien Swarm is a frantic overhead shooter that has you and up to 3 team-mates fighting off waves of alien creatures on an infested far-off colony. There’s several classes to choose from, allowing you to play to your strengths and focus on dealing damage, close-up assaults or supporting your team.
Valve, the creators of the Source engine that Alien Swarm was built on, were so impressed with the work that had gone into it that they ended up hiring the team that put it together and the game eventually became a stand-alone release. In keeping with the games roots if you download the game you get full access to the code so it’s also a great way for budding game designers to experiment
Web based
Motherload
Motherload is a deceptively addictive little game that has you exploring deep below the surface of Mars in your mining pod. You can sell the metals you’ve recovered and invest the cash in powerups which will increase things like the reslience of your pod and the rate you can mine at. You’ll need to maintian yor pod and keep it supplied with fuel, and there’s plenty of hazards down there which will play havoc with your mining efforts
Mother load has a very retro feel, the most obvous parallel being Atari’s old favourite Dig Dug but there’s certainly far more depth to the gameplay. The graphics aren’t spectacular but they have a certain charm that’s in keeping with the games feel.
Samorost
The game is only a few screens and there’s no words or explanations, everything is depicted on screen. However it still manages to be utterly compelling, you really have no idea what’s going on but you still really want to know how it all ends! It’s well worth taking the time to discover Samorost simply because it’s a beautifully crafted game and that care and attention really does show.It almost feels like an injustice to call Samorost a game, it’s like a piece of interactive art. Essentially it’s a simple point and click game but it’s not immediately apparent what you should be doing or even how to do it, however that’s part of the charm. By exploring the world you’ll eventually find that certain parts of the landscape are interactive and will trigger events, and with a bit of logic and creative thinking you should be able to progress.
Fantastic Contraption
Fantastic Contraption is a “physics” game that starts simple but becomes fiendish. The goal is pretty straightforward - transport something from one part of the screen to the destination point. To do this you’ll have to get your A-Team on and build a machine from a selection of parts. This starts off easy, but much of the game is as simple or as complicated as you want it to be. Gravity and other forces will also play their part so it’s important to make sure that whatever you create is stable enough to stay together.
Wheels are your main source of power so these will feature heavily in your designs, however you don’t just have to use them as direct propulsion and people have made amazing, well, contraptions like catapults, tanks or even walking machines! The courses will get more difficult as you go along, but there’s always a solution. There’s also a great community around the game allowing people to share their favourite contraptions and allowing new players to see just what’s possible.
So there you have it - that ought to keep those idle hands busy! We’ll be updating this article regularly so check back in the future for some more updates on the best free PC games out there!
If you're new to PC gaming and haven't built up a decent library of games yet, check out some of our previous recommendations below.
The Archive
Tribes Ascend
The Tribes games have been around for about 11 years now, and the developers have decided to make their newest release, Tribes Ascend, free to play. At first glance, you might mistake it for your average first person space shooter, something similar to the Halo franchise perhaps. Once you see it moving it's a different story - Tribes moves at breakneck speed, allowing players to ‘ski’ down slopes and use a jetpack to quickly shoot up the other side. The game becomes a much deadlier version of “tiny wings” where speed and accuracy reign supreme.
Check out this introductory video, for a taste of the Tribes Ascend action:
As with any free-to-play game you can add money to it if you want to. Purchasing the in game cash ‘gold’ allows you to unlock more weapons and character classes a lot quicker than you would usually and also gives you a small boost on the XP you earn. If you find yourself playing Tribes Ascend regularly then it might be worth adding a couple of pounds to the game, but it's so well balanced at this point that anyone can have fun without feeling outgunned by the paid players.
Also try: Global Agenda
Team Fortress 2
Team Fortress 2 has been around so long now it has no right looking as good as it does. Originally something you would have to pay for, Team Fortress went free-to-play in 2011 and attracted a whole new crowd of players. At its heart is a basic multiplayer first person shooter, but that's part of what makes it so addictive and playable. It's easy to get into and learn the basics, plus the game provides tutorials and handy hints along the way. If you want to get deeper into the game you can pay to buy loadouts. These give you different weapons and accessories that can be used in-game. Every loadout has it's downsides, keeping the game very balanced, even if you've never bought a single piece of additional content.
Check out the Team Fortress 2 intro video
Also try: Micro Vaults, Quake Live
Nitronic Rush
Nitronic Rush is kind of like what would happen if you managed to bring a Bugatti Veyron into the world of Tron. It's an arcade time trial game, where the track hates you and wants you dead. Obstacles sprout from the ground, and missing sections of track become more and more common as you travel round it. Fortunately, you have a couple of handy gadgets built into your vehicle. Rockets burst from the rear and a pair of small wings allows you to glide across more open sections. You can't use these forever, but it's not long before they recharge and you're powering down the next straightaway. Just make sure it's not directly into a wall. The game is completely free and even comes with a couple of gameplay modes, including a stunt course where you can flip and spin your car to your heart's content. Well worth a try if you're looking for some arcade fun.
For fast-paced racing thrills, check out the Nitronic Rush intro video:
Also try: Trackmania Nations
Slender
Collect the pages. That's all you have to do - wander around and collect the pages. I kept telling myself this over and over, while I was playing Slender. This free, first person horror game from Parsec productions is one of the most terrifying games I have ever played. Slender has a simple concept and short play time, but it's a masterclass in building tension and something that any horror fan should check out at least once.
Turn the lights out and play through headphones for the full experience and remember, it's only a game... isn't it?
Spelunky
Those who think video games have become too easy these days should check out Spelunky. Spelunky is a ‘rogue-like’ cave explorer, which means that every time you play it the cave has a different layout. You never know what might be behind that next rock or at the bottom of a short fall. It also means you get one life. As soon as your health meter runs out you get put right back at level 1 where you started. Despite this though it keeps you coming back for more, with the same kind of sadistic charm that players might remember from games like Super Meat Boy or N+. Part of this is due to the amount there is to discover in the caves. From damsels in distress to grumpy shopkeepers that are more than capable of looking after themselves, there is plenty to find.
Spelunky also taps into to that high score mentality. You just need to collect that little bit more gold to get a higher score than last time. Whatever it is that keeps you coming back, be prepared to die over and over again. A version of this game has just been released on XBox 360, but the original PC game is still completely free to download.
Also try: Cave Story
Battle For Wesnoth
Though it may not be the most graphically intensive game on this list, those that download and play Battle For Wesnoth have found a surprisingly deep and exciting turn based strategy game. . Anyone that's played games like Civilisation or the Might and Magic series will feel right at home, but here the focus is much more on combat and wiping out the other armies on the map.The fantasy theme means its not just swords that clash, but magic and monsters can be called in to join the fray. The battles can be epic and although there are plenty of single player careers to get through, it's the 8-way multiplayer that can get really crazy. If you've got some time to kill and some like-minded friends, give Battle for Wesnoth a download.
Before you begin your mission, check out the Battle for Wesnoth intro video:
Also try: Free Civ
Moonbase Alpha
Few games can claim to be officially NASA endorsed. In Moonbase Alpha it’s your job to repair the life support system that's been obliterated by a recent asteroid. It can be genuinely stressful watching those precious last minutes of oxygen slip away as you try desperately to fix that last pump. But don't worry, you are given all the right tools for the job, including repair kits, robots and a rover . You can also join up with friends and bound around the moon together. This is where the game gets really fun. Whether you are working as a team to get the base fixed as quickly as possible or larking around taking the rover off for some sweet jumps, there are plenty of ways to have a good time. Either way, Moonbase Alpha is worth a download and it's even available on Steam at the moment, with full Steam leaderboards - so go check it out!
Move over flight simulators, it's time to take this shuttle into space! Watch the Moonbase Alpha video:
League of Legends
League of Legends is one of the most popular online games currently available and like everything else in this list it's completely free to play. It is just one of the games in a rapidly expanding genre known as MOBA . Purely multiplayer focused, this game pits 2 teams of champions against one another in a bid to push deeper into the other team's territory and eventually destroy the closely-guarded crystal at the other end. It is a game of tactics, quick thinking and an even quicker mouse click. You play as one of the champions on each team and each champion has their own set of attacks and powers. On top of that there are smaller, non-playable characters that constantly spawn and run along three lanes on the field. It's your job to push the other team back far enough that you can get these smaller characters to flood the opposing base. That is a very simplified explanation of what can quickly become a very tactical game.
Get ready to hone your battle tactics, with League of Legends:
League of Legends this might be one of the hardest games in this collection to just pick up and play straight away. With words like ‘jungling’ and ‘item builds’ being bandied around, it can take a while to start picking up all of the terms. Fortunately, there are some helpful video tutorials out there to get you started. Even if you watch the help videos I would still suggest playing against a computer controlled team before you start taking on real players. The League of Legends community is one of the most passionate out there and matches can get pretty heated.
Being a free-to-play game you are going to get a little more out of it by adding some dosh. For free you are given a selection of champions that rotates every month, so you can't guarantee the character you have been learning with will be there next time you play. You can purchase these characters so that you always have them unlocked, along with extra outfits and cosmetic changes to each one. If it sounds like something you want to try, you can jump right in without having to spend anything at all.
Also try: Heroes of Newerth, Super MNC
Digital: a love story
Digital: a love story might be the oddest addition to this list. Less of a game and more of a digital novel, the game is told through the medium of 1980’s bulletin board posts . It plays out a lot like an adventure game, with the text in each post guiding you on what to do next. It only takes about an hour to get through, and does involve a lot of reading, but it's surprisingly engaging. You really feel like you have gone back in time and been given access to an early PC. If you can get past the old clunky interface the story is strong enough to keep you ploughing through and is well worth a look if you fancy a good old love story.
Dungeons + Dragons Online
I couldn't really finish a list of free PC games without adding an MMORPG in there somewhere. Dungeons and Dragons Online is one of the many Massively Multiplayer Online Role Playing Games to have gone free-to-play in recent years and become successful. Not being a big player of these kinds of games, I've been pleasantly surprised by how easy DDO is to get into. There are a lot less of the ‘fetch quests’ that seem to plague these types of games and this makes it a lot more action oriented than something like World of Warcraft. There is also an ever present dungeon master that narrates your tale for you. Far from getting in the way, this voice keeps the game moving along and feels a lot like the D&D you might have played by rolling dice on a table top. In fact, it feels so much like it that anyone who previously played D&D with the Dungeons and Dragons 3.5 rule set will feel right at home, thanks to the mechanics behind the scenes.
The controls and gameplay are easy enough that even inexperienced players can get a kick out of this game, but as with any MMO I would advise that you don't travel alone. These types of games are much more fun when played with a group of mates, so if you're going to jump in, I would gather a few friends together. You can add money to the game to purchase items from the DDO store, but a lot of the items can be found in the game world anyway, so it's very easy to enjoy Dungeons and Dragons Online without spending a penny.
Also try: Lord of the Rings online