Everyone needs a break from the daily grind, work-related pressures, and this year, the stress of COVID-19. However, with the looming threat of new outbreaks and getting infected or stuck in confinement again, not everyone is willing to take the risk of traveling. But that doesn’t mean your lockdown has to be boring! There are literally hundreds of video games waiting for you , so you can have exciting adventures without leaving the house. Do you find that hard to believe?
Today there are a number of digital platforms where you can buy and download a variety of video games without having to go to a specialty store. What many people don’t realize is that some parts of the video game catalogs on pages like Steam , GOG or the more recent Epic Store are completely free. That means you can have a blast this summer playing games non-stop without spending a dime!
To make your search easier, in today’s article, we’ll share a roundup of the best free-to-play games on the most popular platforms for video game downloads. Let’s have a look!
The best free-to-play games on Steam
Steam , the Valve-owned platform for digital game downloads, is inarguably the most comprehensive platform and the favorite of the gaming community. This comes as no surprise: it was a pioneer in sector , and today it has an enviable catalog that no other platform can beat. Its selection ranges from the latest triple-A games to the best indie games in the sector, and obviously a wide variety of free-to-play games.
But before anything else, make sure you have installed or updated the Steam client and have the latest version. You can find the link below.
And now, without further ado, here are some of our favorite games.
Brawlhalla
Brawlhalla is a fun multiplayer fighting game for a total of eight players. Similar to the classic Super Smash Bros , it features epic battles in an arena with platforms that only the most agile players with the quickest reflexes can win. Victory depends on the player obtaining the best arsenal and knowing how to use it. Aside from being highly addictive and free, Brawlhalla has characters that change each season. For example, right now its guest characters include the protagonists of the Ben 10 cartoon series. Want to try it?
Counter-Strike: Global Offensive
CS: GO may not be the newest title in the Steam catalog (in fact, it has been there since 2012), but that doesn’t mean it’s not one of the most entertaining. This title is perfect for fans of multiplayer FPS games , delivering the same experience as the classic Counter-Strike without costing a dime. It’s a great choice if you’ve always wanted to have a blast with your friends playing a military shooter that has stood the test of time.
Dota 2
Fans of MOBA (Multiplayer Online Battle Arena) games can’t miss the chance to play Dota 2 . One of the most familiar and popular titles in the genre, it features battles between two groups of five players . Despite being free, Dota 2 has no reason to envy paid MOBAs; in fact, it has generous content and a wide range of heroes to make every game a real challenge. It’s a must if you’re an eSports aficionado.
Paladins
Paladins has become a real classic among the top free-to-play games in the Steam catalog. This shooter is the perfect mix of Overwatch and Team Fortress 2 , providing the best of both worlds to offer a title that is as vibrant as it is fun. With more than 36 characters to choose from and diverse, colorful battle arenas, Paladins is a multiplayer shooter that promises hours and hours of fun. It’s ideal if you’ve always wanted to play Overwatch but have been dissuaded by its price.
Want more free-to-play games on Steam? You’re in luck! The below article has a complete list of free games you can play on Steam.
The best free Steam games 2020
The best free-to-play games on GOG
GOG , or Good Old Games, is a platform for digital video game downloads created by the Polish team at CD Projekt (The Witcher 3). Unlike Steam, its catalog is made up almost entirely of old games and gems from video-game history that unfortunately no longer work on today’s operating systems. Thanks to GOG downloads, many gamers have recovered their catalog of classics and have been able to play them without a problem on computers with Windows 10. In short, it’s a little paradise for those who love the video games of yesteryear.
As with Steam, before we look at the free video games that you can download from GOG, we recommend installing its GOG Galaxy client (although this step is not necessary). You can download it easily and safely below.
Here are our favorite free-to-play games in the GOG catalog.
Beneath a Steel Sky
After the recent release of Beyond a Steel Sky … why not play the first part? Beneath a Steel Sky is an excellent graphical adventure from the company Revolution, which once again showed us the magic of its Virtual Theater system. In it we’ll have a dystopian futuristic adventure where Robert Foster must escape from a city that is both advanced and cruel to its inhabitants. With designs by David Gibbons (Watchmen) and an unforgettable story, this is a point-and-click adventure you simply must play.
Shadow Warrior
Shadow Warrior is a controversial FPS from the creators of the famous Duke Nukem 3D . In it we’ll play the role of Lo Wang, a ninja warrior who must fight hordes of demons summoned by Zilla Industries, the protagonist’s former bosses. Raw, violent and highly entertaining, Shadow Warrior is a classic shooter that has inspired countless sequels.
Lure of the Temptress
Like Beneath a Steel Sky, Lure of the Temptress is another Revolution title you can’t miss. In fact, this was the game that invented the Virtual Theater system, where all the characters in the adventure live their own lives, so you never find them in the same place. Unlike Beneath a Steel Sky, Lure of the Temptress is a medieval-themed, point-and-click title where young Diermot must face Selena, The Temptress. It’s perfect if you like adventure games with a fantasy theme and a good dose of humor.
Worlds of Ultima (The Savage Empire and Martian Dreams)
Worlds of Ultima is a spinoff of Richard Garriott’s legendary video-game series divided into two titles, The Savage Empire and Martian Dreams. In them, the Avatar will be transported to worlds quite unlike the Britannia we know and love. In The Savage Empire , the Avatar is immersed in a wild world similar to the classic Lost World from Doyle’s novel, while in Martian Dreams , we’ll travel to Mars like some characters in a Jules Verne novel. In fact, Martian Dreams is such an original title that you’ll play alongside the likes of Nikola Tesla, Rasputin, and George Washington. It’s ideal if you like the Ultima saga.
Worlds of Ultima: The Savage Empire
Worlds of Ultima: Martian Dreams
Interested in more free-to-play games on GOG? Click here to access its full catalog of free video games.
The best free-to-play games on Epic Games Store
One of the latest video-game download platforms to arrive on the scene has been Epic Games Store . It has a good catalog of exclusive games, such as the popular Fortnite , which has made it a favorite among gamers around the world in a very short time.
As with Steam, in order to download and play the titles from the Epic Games Store, you need to have its client installed . You can download it quickly and easily below.
Fortnite
Fortnite is inarguably the top free game on Epic Games Store . And few video games have caused such a furor as this fun, colorful battle royale. If you like shooters and want to find out why Fortnite has been one of the most popular games in recent years, don’t miss the opportunity to try it out. It’s free!
Unlike other platforms, Epic Games Store offers free games every week, available to users for a limited time. To ensure that these games are always free-to-play in your account, just add them to your library during the time they are free. To discover which games are free right now at Epic Games Store, click here .
Thirsty for more? Don’t worry, we have you covered! Below you’ll find an in-depth article with a roundup of the best websites for downloading free games . We promise you’ll have enough fun to last your whole vacation.
The best free-to-play retro games in The Archive
We hope you found our selection of free-to-play games helpful. What’s your favorite video game? Tell us about it in the comments section!
