Today, we’re treating you to some of the best free to play PC games where shelling out cash isn’t a necessity, but an optional means of getting an early advantage through premium services. If you’re expecting casual titles which lack depth and enjoyability just because they don’t cost a dime, then you ought to think again as the name we’ve mention on this roster comprise of high quality releases that are sure to offer countless hours of fun. We’ve got first-person shooters, strategy based releases and many other action packed titles, all designed for PC.
1. Planetside 2:
Sony Online Entertainment has done a marvelous job with Planetside 2. Considered a MMOFPS release, gameplay here is solely online and you won’t be going up against a small amount of players like what most first person shooters offer, but a sheer number of enemies which amount to thousands on a single server. This release provides massive locations for combat and you’ll also get numerous types of air and ground vehicles.
At the start, you’ll have to select a faction. There are three in total, namely new conglomerate, Terran republic and Vanu sovereignty. Each empire fights for territorial control on the planet Auraxis. Sony plans on launching Planetside 2 for the PS4 in 2014.
2. Warframe:
If you’re searching for title that will deliver hours of enjoyment with co-operative gameplay, then we’d recommend taking a look at Warframe. Developed by Digital Extremes, this release allows 4 players to complete missions together. Gameplay is in over the shoulder third-person view. The story revolves around a war being fought by different factions. You will be part of the Tenno which is the only playable group and go after the Grineer and Corpus.
After being preserved in Cryopods for centuries, you wake up as an ancient warrior and take the fight to the enemy in advanced exo-armor suits called Warframes. There are 3 different types available, each having unique characteristics. Also, there are 10 types of mission available including Assassination, Survival, Extermination, Defense, Rescue and Spy.
3. Team Fortress 2:
Team Fortress 2 is one of the greatest FPS games to have ever been created and it’s a lot of fun to play. Creator Valve made the game available with a fermium model back in 2011. Featuring 9 different character classes, this release has a plethora of maps and weapons available. You can take part in various types of matches such as King of the hill, Territorial control, Capture the flag and Mann vs. machine amongst others.
The graphics are also fantastic with cartoonish visuals. One of the most exciting parts of TF2 is that it’s being updated with new content such as game modes, maps, equipment and more. The only downside here is that you’ll have to download and sign up for an account with Steam (that’s if you haven’t already).
4. Blacklight Retribution:
Blacklight Retribution is yet another FPS addition on this roster. Set in a futuristic world, you jump into the battlefield equipped with armored exoskeletons called the Hardsuit. This release has various game modes for combat including Deathmatch, Team Deathmatch, Capture the Flag, Domination and King of the Hill, with many more in the works.
Sadly, there’s no single-player mode here, but you will be able to practice and improve your skills in training arenas by going up against bots. One of the main highlights are the sheer amount of customizations which can be made to weapons. You can modify almost every part of a gun, making it lighter or stronger.
5. Hawken:
Mech titles aren’t in plenty, but the few that are available offer enjoyable gameplay. Hawken is one such release that delivers futuristic Mech combat in a full multiplayer package. Through it, Adhesive Games has attempted to deliver a realistic experience of piloting a robot combined with fast-paced action. There’s no melee hand-to-hand combat here, but you do get rockets and machine guns to say the least.
There are different classes of Mechs for you to choose from, namely light, medium and heavy, and each of them can be upgraded as well as customized. Also, there are numerous modes available with many more expected to arrive in the future.
6. Ghost Recon Online:
Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon series has harbored some of the most enjoyable tactical shooters over the years and this online multiplayer release allows you to experience futuristic combat by leveraging cutting-edge weapons and technology. The game is designed with third-person visuals and you can take part in 16-player matches.
Support for clans is also made available and there are 3 types of classes to choose from. They comprise of Assault, Specialist and Recon, each having unique abilities that deliver an advantage on the battlefield. To make things more interesting, the developer has thrown in ladder rankings, player statistics and unlockable equipment.
7. Smite:
Dota 2, HoN and LoL are viable additions to this compilation, but Smite takes things to a new level by offering 3D gameplay with a similar MOBA experience that’s found in the former 3 titles. The title basically revolves around mythological gods where players assume the form of different deities with a goal to destroy the opposition in 5v5 team matches.
While other MOBAs will have you controlling your unit with the help of the mouse, here you’ll use the traditional (WASD) method to navigate around the map. With the level system, you can make your god stronger by increasing abilities and attacks. The game offers Arena, Assault, Conquest, Domination, joust and Practice modes for combat.
Conclusion:
Now that we’ve reached the end of the best free to play PC games array, do tell us which of these titles do you look forward to playing the most. And as a reminder, you will encounter in-game purchases where you can get access to premium content and services for a small fee. Apart from this, each release can be enjoyed at absolutely no cost.