What Are the Best Free Games for PC?
With the world still dramatically slowed down due to the global novel coronavirus pandemic, many people are still confined to their homes and searching for ways to fill all their unexpected free time. When it comes to escaping the real world and killing a little time, it’s hard to beat the magic of some PC gaming.
If you’re worried about what a gaming hobby could do to your tight budget right now, we’ve got you covered. The fun of gaming gets even better when you find games you love that you can play for free on your PC. Let’s take a look at a few of the top-rated free PC games, according to Tech Radar and PC Magazine, across a range of genres.
Fortnite
Fortnite is arguably the most popular of the Battle Royale games to hit the tech world in quite some time. The game dumps you into a world with 99 other players, where you engage in a free-for-all battle until only a single player is left standing. Think that sounds bloodthirsty? Well, one of the best parts about the game is that you can play with your friends — regardless of which platform they have, PC or gaming console — so get ready for some “friendly” backstabbing.
Even if you aren’t playing with friends, it’s easy to find a match to join, and the game is highly addictive. If gathering resources, building structures and shooting at your enemies is what you look for in a game, Fortnite is the game for you.
League of Legends
League of Legends is one of the most highly played multiplayer online battle arena (MOBA) games available for the PC. In this game, you must coordinate with your teammates to destroy the opposing team’s base. Don’t expect to master the complexities of this game overnight, but the action starts as soon as you click the “play” button.
The game rewards careful tactics and good teamwork and is always free to play, but if you want to keep your character after a week or add any special features and enhancements to your game play, you will have to pay a fee. League of Legends uses a freemium model where characters rotate weekly, and certain extras cost money. The game does provide opportunities to earn game currency as you play, which you can then use to purchase champions.
Brawlhalla
The “brawl” in Brawlhalla pretty much says it all for this fighting game that is similar to the popular Super Smash Bros. by Nintendo. You fight in competitions with up to four players, and the ultimate goal is to knock your opponent out of the arena to score points. Each character has its own set of weapons to use during a match. Like League of Legends, Brawlhalla engages in a weekly rotation of playable characters, but you can always purchase your favorites using in-game currency you collect as you play. Screenrant gave this fighting game a “Very Good” rating.
Smite
Smite is another popular MOBA, this one with its champions being gods from ancient pantheons and classic myths. Matches take place between five-person teams that focus on destroying their opponents’ bases and towers. The game is played from a third-person perspective, making combat feel much more dynamic. Smite also features a rotating roster of free characters that can be permanently purchased with in-game currency or bought in packs with real cash. PC Gamer rated Smite an 86 out of 100, with particularly high marks for its arena combat.
Pro Evolution Soccer 2018 Lite
Pro Evolution Soccer (PES) is one of the bestselling video game franchises of all-time around the world. Each year, new editions don’t necessarily offer many new features versus previous years, but they do tend to introduce gaming improvements like better dribbling and player responsiveness. The game also continues to make an effort to perfect the fan-favorite Master League mode.
The “Lite” version of Pro Evolution Soccer is free and gives players access to the Online myClub and PES Matchday Mode in addition to playing in Local and Co-op Matches and honing their skills in Training Mode. Some teams and stadiums are only available with the paid version of the game, but fan favorites like FC Barcelona and Manchester United are included.
