The best free PC games on Steam 2021 (2023)

The best free PC games on Steam range from competitive first-person shooters to card games; if only you arestarting with pc games, you can save a lot of money and still have a lot of fun. Some of these games are much better (with much more content) if you pay for a "full version", but most will give you hours of fun for free. Here are nine of the best free PC games on Steam that go perfectly with the game.best gaming laptops, custom gaming PCs or pre-built desktops.

infinite halo

infinite haloThe campaign and multiplayer segments of the series are released separately, with the first part being free. The new Slipspace game engine is beautiful and there's new equipment to enjoy (namely the grappling hook), but you'll immediately feel right at home if you've played Halo games in the past. The same frenetic action is here, all set in a sandbox bigger than ever. The map layout is great, the weapons are as good as ever, and there are tons of people to play against.

Multiplayer progression got off to a rocky start – the free-to-play aspect means money has to come from a battle pass – but the devs have been tweaking things to ensure players don't feel a bit peeved. If you like fast-paced casual multiplayer shooters, Halo Infinite should get your attention.

destiny 2

Destiny 2's base game (without expansions) was made free-to-play on PC a few years ago, giving everyone a shot at story and PvP combat. It is a loot shooter with both RPG and MMO elements, which means that you will have to work very hard to improve your equipment. If it isstill worth playing in 2021, with the developers leveling up some of the grind to accommodate new players arriving after years of in-game content.

Destiny 2 has three classes to choose from, each with 10 different subclasses that you can switch between at will. The base game has a lot of content to enjoy for free, and when you get to the "end" you can choose whether or not you want to continue with the paid expansions. If you love the loot that comes from filming and can be behind a sci-fi story, this is a great option.

Star Wars, The Old Republic

Star Wars: The Old Republic is an MMORPG with free and paid subscription options. Basically, you can create a story for yourself in the Star Wars universe, playing any character you want. Whether it's a Jedi, Sith, bounty hunter, smuggler, or any other classic Star Wars role, it's up to you.

The Old Republic has been around for over eight years and offers five different expansions with a ton of additional content. Explore planets, carry out missions and make meaningful decisions as you live life in the Star Wars universe.

path of exile

Fans of the action role-playing game (aRPG) genre should pay close attention to Path of Exile, an online game that has been in constant development since its release in 2013. It is the classic story of waking up on the shores of a island with nothing but rags and end up a powerful demigod after countless hours of gameplay. There are new leagues all the time, each with a new cheat and gameplay loop that has players racing to glory again.

Instead of asking players to pay for each new upgrade, Path of Exile makes money with completely optional cosmetic upgrades. You can play each part of the multi-act story with any of the countless character classes, you can collect any of the countless items of equipment, and you can have fun with all your friends without spending a penny... at least unless you want to. to. forIn factChange your appearance.

This is a game that will catch you and not let you go, and is a great way to kill time while we wait to see ifDiablo 4is a return to RPG greatness.

Counter-Strike: Ofensiva Global

If you mention the words "First Person Shooter" (FPS) to a PC gamer, chances are they're thinking of Counter-Strike. Global Offensive is the latest version of the game and it is the most played game on Steam most of the time. It's a competitive five-on-five shooter that has been refined over the years into what we have now, a game that millions of people play or watch every year. With iconic maps, iconic weapons, and a steep skill curve that makes you question your own sanity, CS:GO will suck you in and won't let go until you reach Global Elite.

It was switched to free-to-play a few years ago, and you can actually have a lot of fun without spending any money. However, you can still purchase a "Prime" version of the game to play exclusively with other Prime members. Regardless, CS:GO makes most of its money from cosmetics, just like many other games in this collection. Ultimately, this is a great game for anyone who enjoys a classic hostage rescue/bomb timer competitive game.

world of warships

World of Warships is much deeper than it seems (see what I did there), and I know some people whofairplay the game despite having many other games. It's free to play, earn money with cosmetics. This online multiplayer game throws you into the sea and pits you against other huge ships and submarines, all from the WWI and WWII era.

There are over 400 ships to command and upgrade as you play, either alone or with friends. Play PVP or PVE and learn what it takes to keep your ship afloat. If you really don't like fast twitch competitive games, this one focuses more on strategy and execution than reflexes.

apex legends

We're still on the battle royale bandwagon, and only the best of them are still pulling out in large numbers. Apex Legends, from Titanfall and Titanfall 2 developers Respawn Entertainment, is considered one of the best battle royale games around, no doubt helped by its free-to-play structure. Like many other games, you make most of your money from cosmetics that allow you to show off to your friends.

Apex Legends features distinct characters with different abilities and gadgets, and teams of three can come up with some interesting strategies to get to the final circle. Ultimately it will still depend on the loot you find and how you're handling it against other teams also looking to grab the elusive victory. If what you want from Steam is a battle royale experience, this is the way to go.

war frame

Warframe is a huge game, both in terms of player count and content. Released in 2013, it has been continually expanded with new content, gaining new players along the way. You choose one of over 40 "Warframes" (the avatar you will play as), each with different abilities that can also be customized. Choose a weapon and go to a huge world where you kill, kill, kill.

You can play solo in the online world, or you can team up with up to three other players for group fun. There's a story to follow, but the real draw is the endless grind MMOs are known for. Warframe is completely free to play, but there are cosmetics you can buy to help out the developers.

dota 2

A list of the best free games on Steam wouldn't be complete without Dota 2. Whether negative or positive, most of the reviews on Steam are from players with thousands and thousands of hours of gameplay. This is a multiplayer online battle arena game (MOBA) and is a sequel to the original Defense of the Ancients mod for Warcraft 3. You and your chosen hero join a team with four other players and face another team of five, each team trying to reach and destroy an Ancient.

Each hero has a unique skill set, and the real draw here is teamwork and PVP combat. This game has a huge competitive following and is one of the most played and viewed PC games on the market. It's completely free to play, with money again coming from optional cosmetics.

GWENT: The Witcher Card Game

A few years ago, there was a little game called The Witcher 3 - our choice forbest pc game- which was contained within a separate little game known as Gwent. Gwent, which drew its cards from the world it found itself in, became so popular that developer CD PROJEKT RED decided to release a standalone version for free.

Regardless of whether or not you're interested in the Witcher universe, GWENT does a great job of introducing the characters and their backstories. There are tons of cards to collect, craft, and upgrade, and the competition is fierce. Play online or against the AI ​​and try not to go back for one more hand.

brawlhalla

Being able to pay to win in an online fighting game is not good; Fortunately, Brawlhalla maintains paid content for cosmetics and lets the talent speak for itself. It's a cross-platform game with a huge player base and mimics a lot of what makes Super Smash Bros. great. Up to eight real or AI players start on a "stage" with the goal of driving all other players off the platform.

All characters have special abilities, as well as additional equipment and weapons that drop during the scenario. There are plenty of characters to choose from (including many from outside of the Brawlhalla world), and the simple gameplay at first will keep people coming back in an attempt to master it.

war thunder

War Thunder is a bit like World of Warships in that it offers historical battles online for free, but unlike World of Warships, you can move from ocean to land to sky. War Thunder has over 100 maps to play on, featuring over 2,000 tanks, ships, planes, helicopters, trucks, and more from WWII, the Cold War, and the modern era.

It included PVP and PVE gameplay, is cross-platform with a large player base, and even works with a VR headset if you really want to feel like you're in the cockpit.