It might not be easy to choose the finest free-to-play games, especially since the list keeps growing every month. We’ve put together a list of the best free games available for download in 2024.
The best thing about free games is that you don’t need to spend a single penny on them. If you’re new to gaming, they let you get started without costing you a cent.
The best free games naturally tend to offer additional paid extras such as cosmetics or battle passes, but if you jump in without spending anything you’ll still have a great time.
So, here are our picks for the best free games in 2024 for you to download on PC, PS5, Xbox, or Nintendo Switch to play right now.
Apex Legends
Platforms: PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Xbox Series S|X, Nintendo Switch, PC
EA may have sent Titanfall 2 to die back in 2016 up against Battlefield and Call of Duty, but the best thing to come from it was Apex Legends. A spin-off of sorts that in many ways has eclipsed the original, Apex Legends is a battle royale with unique characters called Legends.
Each has its own set of abilities, which combine with fluid movement and shooting mechanics to create a squad-based battle royale that feels unique from others in the genre.
The Finals
Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series S|X, PC
The Finals was revealed as a surprise during The Game Awards as the game was released right after the trailer was shared during the show. Owing to this, there was a lot of hype for The Finals, and rightfully so. This FPS allows players to battle their teammates in virtual arenas.
The combo of a first-person shooter with in-game chaos is really fun to experience in a multiplayer game making The Finals a must-play if you’re looking for a fun free-to-play game.
Brawlhalla
Platforms: PlayStation 4, PC, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, Android, iOS, macOS
Brawlhalla is one of the most popular free-to-play fighting games. Apart from the fact that you don’t have to spend a single penny to buy the game, Brawlhalla has a vast roster of characters from across pop culture.
From Ezio to Aang, you can select any character and brawl with your friends and the best part is that the game is cross-platform which means you can play with your friend playing on a console while you play the game on your phone or any other platform for that matter.
Counter-Strike 2
Platforms: PC
CS2 or Counter-Strike 2 is the successor to the global phenomenon that was CSGO. Counter-Strike arguably is the grandaddy of tactical shooters. The game is highly competitive and one that rewards quick thinking and even quicker reflexes, while also being one of the longest-running and most popular esports in history.
Valve’s shooter may offer weapon skins that can cost more than a car, but you can try it out for nothing – making it an ideal choice for one of the best free games in 2024.
Doki Doki Literature Club
Platforms: Linux, Microsoft Windows, Mac
Doki Doki Literature Club looks like a standard dating sim. However, that is exactly what the game wants you to think. What begins as a dating sim soon turns into a brutal and extremely disturbing psychological horror experience.
That being said, the game is not for the faint-hearted and features gore and violence. If you do intend to play it, however, it’s best to just jump in blind to get the true grotesque experience.
Dauntless
Platforms: PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Xbox Series S|X, Nintendo Switch, PC
Dauntless takes the core Monster Hunter formula of killing giant beasts to turn them into weapons and armor, but strips out a lot of the more impenetrable elements and boils it down to a great co-op action title that won’t cost you a penny.
The game keeps growing, and offers cross-play and cross-progression, too, meaning you can pick up where you left off.
Destiny 2
Platforms: PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Xbox Series S|X, PC
Working as a bizarre hybrid of a first-person shooter and an MMO, Destiny 2 has some of the most satisfying combat, with the story focusing on more personal moments.
While the free-to-play version has been cut down considerably, there’s still plenty to see and do, and it’s great to play with friends, too.
DOTA 2
Platforms: PC
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DOTA 2 is as complex as it is addictive, building from humble beginnings to become one of Steam’s most popular titles. Sharing to MOBA crown with League of Legends, DOTA is full of powerful heroes and tactical considerations.
It may take you hundreds of hours to feel like you’ve gained a strong grasp of its deeper mechanics, but there’s nothing quite like it when it clicks.
Fortnite
Platforms: PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Xbox Series S|X, Nintendo Switch, PC
No list of the best free games in 2024 would be complete without arguably the biggest game in the world right now. Fortnite has continued to adapt and evolve over the years adding various new modes, characters, and collaborations.
If not for the competitive Battle Royale, you can check out Fortnite for its collaborations with iconic artists such as Weeknd and the latest record-breaking Eminem Big Bang Event.
Halo Infinite
Platforms: Xbox One, Xbox Series S|X, PC
While Halo Infinite’s campaign is very good, it’s multiplayer that’s likely to keep players logging in over the coming months. Capturing the magic of Halo 3, this free-to-play suite offers plenty of maps and modes, as well as a battle pass to earn unlocks for free.
Halo’s unique pace will take some getting used to, but Halo Infinite rewards skilled players while also making newcomers feel at home with a lengthy tutorial and a bot-based playlist. It’s worth noting, though, that the game’s community has dwindled since launch due to a lack of sizeable content updates – here’s hoping it’ll grow again soon.
Genshin Impact
Platforms: PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, PC
While many laughed off Genshin Impact as a Zelda clone back at its unveiling, the game has become nothing short of a phenomenon. Sure, there are plenty of visual similarities, but the game also offers its own unique identity.
Using a Gacha system, players will undoubtedly need to grind to earn Genshin Impact’s best characters and loot, but it’s well worth the time. The game offers a huge open world to explore, while also including satisfying action RPG combat that makes it one of the best free games — and one of the most generous.
Rocket League
Platforms: PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Xbox Series S|X, Nintendo Switch, PC
Rocket League is perhaps one of gaming’s simplest concepts to explain, even to non-gamers — it’s football (or soccer), but with cars. Don’t expect anything as basic from the gameplay, though, as Rocket League has one of gaming’s most notoriously high skill ceilings.
While it’ll take time to find your feet (or should that be wheels?), you’ll soon be flying through the air to score a stunning, tournament-winning goal in one of the best free games you’ll find today.
Valorant
Platforms: PlayStation 5, PC, Xbox Series X|S
Riot may be dominating a lot of this list, but Valorant is the developer’s latest free-to-play sensation. Standing on the shoulders of what came before (in this case, it’s CS: GO), Valorant is an insanely popular shooter that rewards precision and patience.
With regular updates adding new Agents, maps, and more, the game has become an esports juggernaut already.
Warframe
Platforms: PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Xbox Series S|X, Nintendo Switch, PC
Ninjas are cool, there’s no questioning that, but space ninjas? They’re even cooler. Warframe smartly wraps this understanding into every facet of its ever-expanding universe. Not only does Warframe offer diverse character classes, but it also keeps growing.
What began as a corridor shooter now has open-world segments, huge ship-to-ship battles, and multiple single-player storylines that weave a universe’s worth of lore throughout.
XDefiant
Platforms: PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Xbox Series S|X, PC
XDefiant is the latest free-to-play game released by Ubisoft, and the best way to describe it is as a blend of Overwatch and Call of Duty with many weapons similar to COD. The game features various factions from different Ubisoft IPs, such as Far Cry, Splinter Cell, Watch Dogs, and Ghost Recon.
That said, the gameplay is fast-paced and dynamic, with each weapon having its own identity, which makes for satisfying gunplay.
Best upcoming free-to-play game
Marvel Rivals is Marvel’s version of Overwatch, with a superhero twist set to release on December 6, 2024. The game recently ended its Closed-Beta run in July after receiving a positive reception.
Now that you know the best free-to-play games in 2024, you can take a look at the best Assassin’s Creed games ranked, and the best multiplayer games to play in 2024.
