Top 15 PC games of all time (free) you should play right now

• By G.S Vasan -
Published On: June 24, 2024

PC gaming has been around for a long time and the library of free PC games is also broad. So, we have narrowed the list to the top 15 PC games of all time (free) based on their Metacritic rating. You may be familiar with these titles since they are chart toppers on leading stores like Steam and Epic Games. But if you aren't, you can find all the details about these games here like their genre, synopsis, RAM requirement and how to play them. If you are interested, you can also find download links under each title.

Destiny 2

Destiny 2 is an online first-person shooter game set in a futuristic sci-fi setting. The world is on the brink of destruction and the last safe city on Earth has fallen. You play as a Guardian who has to protect humanity from Darkness and alien threats. We get to explore an immersive world and complex dynamics between different characters.

• Genre: Action, shooting, adventure
• How to play: First, choose the class (Titan, Hunter, or Warlock). Each of the classes has different abilities and playstyles. When you begin the game, you will get a tutorial on what to do, and how to use basic weapons. Throughout the missions, you will meet new characters, do side missions, explore the world, and win rewards.
• Metascore: 93
• Download: Steam, Epic Games

Team Fortress 2

Team Fortress 2 is a popular team-based multiplayer first-person shooter game. You have to choose one of the 9 classes including Sniper, Spy, Scout, Soldier, Medic, and Engineer. Each class comes with unique abilities and weapons. You can play in different game modes like Capture the Flag and King of The Hill. You have to capture flags, collect items, kill, and complete objectives. The game has a cartoonish art style and character design along with fun gameplay mechanics.

• Genre: Action, Shooting
• How to play: Use the mouse to control the movement of your hero. Use WASD to move the camera. Use the Q, W, E, and R buttons to use your hero's abilities. Use the mouse right-click to attack enemies or interact with the world. You can map the hotkeys to your liking.
• Metascore: 92
• Download: Steam

Dota 2

Dota 2 (Defense of the Ancients 2) is a very popular multiplayer online battle arena (MOBA) game. The game involves two teams of five players each. You can pick from 120 heroes available. Each player has a unique playstyle and abilities. You have to strategise and attack the opponent's bases (more specifically a structure called Ancient at the centre of the base) while defending yours. The world's animation and lore are fascinating. In the course of the game, you'll gain experience and items.

• Genre: Strategy, MOBA
• How to play: First, choose the class (Titan, Hunter, or Warlock). Each of the classes has different abilities and playstyles. When you begin the game, you will get a tutorial on what to do, and how to use basic weapons. Throughout the mission, you will meet new characters, do side missions, explore the world, and win rewards.
• Metascore: 90
• Download: Steam

Guild Wars 2

Guild Wars 2 is an MMORPG (massively multiplayer online role-playing game) set in the world called Tyria. The world is very dynamic. That's not just for the different terrains but also for how player actions can change what happens in the world. There are nine classes such as Warriors, Elementalists, and Thieves, each with distinct playstyles, weapons, skills, and specializations. It involves a lot of exploration and cooperative play.

• Genre: Adventure, MMORPG
• How to play: Use WASD keys to move, mouse buttons to control the camera, number keys for combat and skills, I for open inventory, M for map, and Enter for open chat.
• Metascore: 90
• Download: Steam

Apex Legends

Apex Legends is a battle-royale game set in the universe of the Titanfall series. You are dropped on a large map and must find weapons, equipment, and other resources required to attack and survive opponents. Your goal is to be the last man standing. You have to choose from a roster of Legends. Each Legend comes with a diverse set of skills, playstyle and abilities. Besides gorgeous graphics, the game also has the tropes synonymous with such games as respawn beacons, smart communication systems, and a shrinking play area.

• Genre: Shooting, battle-royale
• How to play: The movements are using WASD keys. Shoot and reload using the mouse buttons (left button to fire, right button to aim, mouse wheel to cycle between weapons), tab to open inventory, M to view the map, and T to talk with others. Stay with your team, and be strategic and meticulous.
• Metascore: 88
• Download: Steam

Also Read

10 best free PC games to play today in 2024

Top 10 two-player mobile games online (free) you should play right now

Top 10 laptop games to play right now

Rocket League

Rocket League is a vehicular soccer game in which you drive rocket-equipped cars and hit a massive soccer ball. You have to strike a goal and the player with more goals wins. The game is fast-paced and involves amazing elements like aerial shots, flips and boosts. You can customise your car with different bodies, decals, paint finishes, wheels, and more. You play on futuristic arenas with dynamic lights and effects.

• Genre: Soccer, sports
• How to play: Use WASD to move, spacebar to jump, left shift to boost, and left control to perform a Powerslide/Air Roll. Press the Z button to look behind, the tab to check the scoreboard, and T to voice chat.
• Metascore: 86
• Download: Epic Games

PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds (PUBG)

PUBG is a battle royale shooting game in which you play as one of the 100 players dropped on an island. You have to scavenge weapons, equipment and supplies. You have to shoot down others while ensuring you don't get hit. The last man standing wins. Although the island is huge, the play area shrinks with time, forcing you to engage in closer combat. This increases the game's intensity.

• Genre: Action, shooting, adventure
• How to play: Move using WASD keys and while you are driving a vehicle, still you can use WASD buttons to drive. Use shift for sprinting. Hold the right mouse button to aim and tap the left mouse button to fire. Press R to reload and X to holster the weapon. Tap Enter to chat.
• Metascore: 86
• Download: Steam, Epic Games

Star Wars: The Old Republic

Needless to say, this game is set in the Star Wars universe thousands of years before the rise of Darth Vader. It is a massive multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG) comprising diverse planets, landscapes, buildings and cultures. You can choose from various classes like Jedi Knight, Sith Inquisitor, Bounty Hunter, and Smuggler. They all have different backstories, motives, playstyles and weapons. You can traverse on intergalactic missions and space battles.

Steam

Genshin Impact

Genshin Impact is an open-world action RPG game set in the fictional world of Teyvat. There are seven regions with different cultures and deities known as Archons. You play as Traveler in search of your sibling and in this pursuit, you are accompanied by Paimon, your guide. She helps in navigation and giving you context and lore. In the mission, you explore the world, battle enemies, solve puzzles, and complete quests. Acquire new weapons, outfits and craft artefacts along the way.

• Genre: Open-world, RPG, adventure
• How to play: Before you start the game, you have to download some files from within the game. While doing this, choose the nearest server. Once the game starts, use WASD keys to move and explore the world. Hit spacebar to jump and left shift to sprint, left mouse button to attack, and E to use elemental skills.
• Metascore: 84
• Download: Epic Games

Counter-Strike 2

Counter Strike (CS) is a popular first-person shooter game wherein you take down terrorists. The game consists of various environments like urban landscapes and remote industrial sites. You have to be strategic about your moves and how you attack and defend. Teamplay is integral to the gameplay. Besides eliminating the opponents, you can also win the game by completing objectives. There's in-game currency to upgrade your arms and customise other cosmetic aspects of the game.

• Genre: Tactical shooting
• How to play: Choose a mode like Bomb Defusal and Hostage Rescue. Move with WASD. Hit spacebar to jump, Control button to crouch, left mouse button to fire, right mouse button to scope and fire, R button to reload the weapon, G button to defuse bomb, etc.
• Metascore: 82
• Download: Steam

Fortnite

Fortnite is also a battle royale game wherein you have to shoot down all opponents and be the last man standing to win. You are among the 100 players dropped onto an island with diverse biomes, resources, and items. You have to scavenge for the latter two. There is an impending storm that's engulfing and getting closer to you. This shrinks the play area bringing you closer to others. For defense, you can create buildings using collected materials like wood, metal, and stone. One can customise outfits, weapons, and other items too.

• Genre: Battle-royale, shooting, adventure
• How to play: You can play Solo, Duos, Squads, or in special Limited-Time Modes (LTMs). Move using WASD keys, spacebar to jump, left control to crouch, left shift to sprint, E button to use/pick something, R to reload a weapon, left mouse button to shoot and right mouse button to take aim.
• Metascore: 81
• Download: Epic Games

Valorant

Valorant is a tactical first-person shooting game set in a futuristic environment. You choose an agent and your role (Duelists, Initiators, Sentinels, and Controllers). You play in teams of five and choose to either attack or defend. If you choose to attack, one of the modes is to take down opponents and defuse a bomb. You have to win 13 rounds to win the match.

• Genre: Tactical shooting
• How to play: Customise the player and choose one of the modes (Unrated, Competitive, Spike Rush, and Deathmatch). Use WASD to move, spacebar to jump, left control to crouch, left shift to walk, left mouse button to fire a weapon, right mouse button to aim the shot, R to reload, and F to use/interact with the environment.
• Metascore: 80
• Download: Epic Games

World of Tanks

World of Tanks is a massively multiplayer online role-playing game. The game is set in mid-20th-century armoured warfare and consists of nations like USA, USSR, Germany, etc. You get to play in historically inspired battlegrounds and command a tank. You can select the tank and be part of a team comprising 15 members. Your goal is to capture the base or kill all opponents.

• Genre: Action, strategy, simulation
• How to play: First, select the type of tank. Use WASD to move, spacebar to handbrake, move the mouse to control the turret, scroll wheel to zoom, left mouse button to shoot, and enter to open chat.
• Metascore: 80
• Download: Steam

League of Legends

League of Legends is a multiplayer online battle arena (MOBA) set in the fantastical world of Runterra. Runterra has diverse terrains and lore. You choose one of the champions and that champion will have a unique character, backstory, playstyle, and role. You play in a team of 5. You have to kill enemy champions, minions, and neutral monsters and destroy the enemy's base Nexus.

• Genre: Action, MMORPG, adventure
• How to play: First, choose the mode. Move and attack bases using right mouse button. Press A + left mouse button to attack. Press S to stop the command. Press Q, W, and E to trigger abilities. Press enter to open chat and the tab button to view scoreboard.
• Metascore: 78
• Download: Steam, Epic Games

The Sims 4

The Sims 4 is a life simulation game wherein you control the life and actions of your character. This includes helping your character achieve their aspirations and goals, interacting with people, building things, and living different aspects of the character's life (careers, relationships, personal development and leisure.

• Genre: Simulation, casual, adventure
• How to play: Create your Sim, including its appearance, clothing, personality traits, and aspirations. Build a house or move into a house. You can check out the full list of The Sims 4 PC hotkeys here.
• Metascore: 70
• Download: Steam, Epic Games