PC has plenty of fantastic titles for gamers to enjoy, both from third-party developers and some PC exclusives. MMOs, shooters, platformers, and everything in between is available to players thanks to markets like Steam and GOG.
Free to play games have seen a massive surge in popularity in the past few years as well, bringing AAA quality to a subgenre most believed to mean the game would nickel and dime you. In this list, we will be looking at 10 amazing free to play PC titles based on Metacritic user scores, as the nature of free to play means the games are constantly evolving and everchanging, meaning critic reviews lose their value over time. Nevertheless, here are 10 awesome free games on PC.
10 Apex Legends - 88/5.9
With the rise of Battle Royale games like Fortnite and PUBG, it makes sense that other developers would try their hand at the genre. Respawn, the developers of Titanfall, would go on to make one of the most interesting Battle Royale titles in recent memory.
Apex Legends is a Battle Royale with a larger emphasis on teamplay and ability synergies than the chaotic building of Fortnite. Gunplay and movement are excellent since many of Apex's mechanics are borrowed from Titanfall with great effect. Any BR fan should give this game a try.
9 War Thunder - 6.1/81
World War II games used to be commonplace back in the early 2000s, but have seen significantly fewer releases as time has progressed. For those who still wish to play a good World War II game, War Thunder might be for you.
This game lets players fight in large battles on land, air, or sea. Air battles are arguably the games most fleshed-out mode, letting players select fighters, bombers, and everything in between from various factions from the war. The tank battles are surprisingly good as well, riveling World of Tanks.
8 Gwent - 7.0/80
The Witcher 3 is one of the best RPGs ever made, with its incredibly complex narrative and beautiful open worlds creating an experience no one could forget.
Some even got sucked in because of a card game called Gwent that players could optionally participate in. Well, Gwent is a standalone game anyone can play, preserving the phenomenal simplicity and endless depth the minigame was known for. Some much-needed balance tweaks and added deck variety are a welcome sight as well, making this card game one of the best on the market.
7 EVE Online - 7.4/69
Does this game even need to be introduced? This game has been around since 2003, constantly evolving its gameplay systems to encourage its player-driven sandbox EVE is renowned for.
Well, for those who may not have heard of it, EVE Online is a player-determined sandbox where users control a large variety of spaceships to do whatever they want. Want to spy on enemy corporations and plan an attack? Sure. Want to explore wormholes for some sweet loot? Go for it. This game has something for everyone, so long as you can stomach its endless layers of mechanics and dedicated community.
6 Brawlhalla - 7.4/70
PC never got to experience the amazingness of Super Smash Bros., but many imitators have been created over the years to replicate its signature gameplay.
Brawlhalla does a fantastic job of doing its own thing while scratching that 2D arena itch that Smash does so well. Plenty of interesting characters and hard to master combos are here for players to enjoy. It's a shame so few critics and users know about this great game.
5 Path of Exile - 8.1/86
Many were disappointed with Diablo III's focus on accessible gameplay compared to its predecessor. Many felt that the major focus on item sets and the auction house hurt what could have been.
Well, there is a spiritual successor to Diablo III that respects the gameplay depth that Diablo II introduced all those years ago. Path of Exile is one of the best aRPGs out there, rivaling most $60 aRPG releases and even beating some. This game has an incredibly fair monetization model, so you don't have to worry about the game selling power or anything of that regard. The flexibility for character builds that Path of Exile offers is unmatched in the genre, making this game a must-play for aRPG fans.
4 Smite - 8.2/83
Many know of League of Legends and DOTA 2 for their simple gameplay but unending depth for engaged players. Whether it's because of this or the camera view, some gamers just can't get into those titles.
Smite is effectively a third-person MOBA title, letting players control gods from various mythologies as heroes. Few MOBAs let players control Fenrir or Ra, but even fewer let players control them from a third-person perspective. This closer view makes Smite feel more engaging than League or DOTA, setting Smite apart from the rest of the competition.
3 Starcraft II - 8.3/93
Blizzard's incredibly successful Starcraft II is a free game players can try. Regarded as one of the best RTS titles of all time, this is a game you do not want to miss.
The campaign for Wings of Liberty is available for everyone, alongside multiplayer and custom lobbies to fight against your friends. Balance and visual flair are key pillars to Starcraft, something Blizzard has nailed with this installment.
2 Warframe - 8.4/68
Do not let the low critic score dissuade you from trying this ninja shooter, as it has changed dramatically since most reviews were released.
Players get to control Warframes, character classes that have 4 distinct powers that annihilate enemies in unique ways. The excellent movement mechanics and fantastic customization make this one of the best free to play games currently available. The recently released "Empyrean" update is a great starting point for anyone interested in Warframe.
1 Team Fortress 2 - 9.1/92
Class-based gameplay has been a thing long before Overwatch arguably popularized it. None have done it better, however, than Valve's Team Fortress 2.
This chaotic shooter pits 2 teams against each other in a wide variety of game modes, with both sides getting access to 9 distinct classes that play very differently from each other. Different weapons allow these classes to play vastly differently. Fair micro-transactions and Valve's signature polish make this one of the best free titles anyone could play on their PC.