Ranking the Best Free Games of All Time on Steam

Everyone loves a free game, and fortunately there are plenty of great ones to enjoy on Steam at the moment.

From huge sprawling RPGs to fast-paced action shooters, if you’re a gamer on a budget there’s still plenty of things to enjoy at no additional cost.

Let’s dive into ten of the best free games you can play on Steam, where provided that you have the computer specifications for it, you’ll be able to have a good time without spending a penny.

Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike has been a mainstay of FPS games ever since its first release as a mod back in 2000. Counter-Strike 2 (actually the fifth game in the series) has remained the most popular game on Steam in its many years of existence, even going back to when it was called Counter-Strike: Global Offensive.

The rebrand to Counter-Strike 2 was seen as controversial at the time, particularly due to the removal of several maps and modes which were enjoyed by players. Although this was negatively received by players at the time, the game is generally in a place right now where it feels like the right step forward for the franchise.

Valve

Where Winds Meet

When I initially saw Where Winds Meet, I was a little surprised it was being released as a free-to-play title. The game is intended as a multiplayer experience, but its solo mode is also excellent, and is polished in such a way that it feels like the best way to play something like this without other players bothering you.

I like that it feels like an MMO, but can be enjoyed at a much slower pace. There isn’t a pay-to-win pressure on most of the game’s content, nor do I feel like I’m missing out on much if I take a break from the game. I’d recommend it as a nice middle ground between something you need to invest a lot of time into, and something that can be enjoyed at a casual pace.

NetEase Games

The Sims 4

I’m a casual fan of The Sims, but I have a lot of fond memories of playing the older games in the series when I was younger. I always loved building the houses and decorating them as opposed to the life simulation aspects, but I’ve found these features got a lot better as the series developed.

The Sims 4 has been a little controversial for doing what many fans believe is stripping back a lot of the features that made the first three games great, and while this may be true in some regards, I still feel like the most recent entry is the easiest one to come to as a newcomer. And with it available as a free to play game, there’s a lot of content available to you without having to buy into the 100+ DLC items.

Electronic Arts

Marvel Rivals

There are a lot of live-service shooters going around at the minute, but Marvel Rivals remains one of the most enjoyable ones I’ve played in recent years. Recent patches have been a bit controversial for die-hard fans of the game, but as someone else said, “this game has the highest highs and the lowest lows.”

I find the diversity between each character role to be quite fun, with each hero fitting a specific type of playstyle which feels unmatched by others. It makes for some really interesting matches where a specific team roster can dramatically make or break a game. I also have to give a shout out to some of those character designs, which closely match with the comic book aesthetic and are great for Marvel nerds who crave fanservice in every which way.

NetEase Games

Apex Legends

I’m not as keen on battle royale games now as I once was. The genre has fizzled out for me a little thanks to the huge abundance of these titles. But Apex Legends is something that I keep revisiting when I can, a lot more than other games of its ilk.

I think what is particularly fun about Apex Legends is the movement style, which is a lot more momentum-based compared to Fortnite or Call of Duty: Warzone, and derives from the best aspects of Titanfall (a game that Respawn should definitely bring back, thank you very much). It helps the matches feel a lot more fast-paced and responsive to your own planning, while also being incredibly challenging to master. It’s not for everyone, but I personally found this to be the most rewarding of the battle royales as a result.

Electronic Arts