Free games that run well even on modest computers

Building a decent PC without spending your entire paycheck is challenging enough without having to buy games like crazy on top of it. The good news is that nowadays there are tons of Free games that run well even on modest computers, without needing a state-of-the-art graphics card or having to pay every other day.

In the following lines you have a very complete guide with dozens of free titles that run well even on mid-range PCs from a few years ago, many of them with almost negligible microtransactions or focused on cosmetic aspects. We'll talk about shooters, MOBAs, MMORPGs, card games, strategy games, racing games, battle royale games, indie games, and even games you can enjoy directly from your browser.

What do we mean by "free game" on PC

Before we get to the list, it's worth clarifying that there are several types of free games on PCAnd not all of them work the same way in terms of business model or how micropayments affect the experience:

• Free to Play (F2P)The most widespread model: You play for free, but there is content, battle passes, skins, or progression shortcuts that are purchased with real money. Here, it's key to understand to what extent the game becomes pay to win or simply accelerate progress.
• Pay What You WantTypical of the indie scene (especially on itch.io). They are complete games that you can Download it for free and, if you like, leave a tip to the creator. Many jam games and creative experiments go here.
• Freeware / Free: titles that their authors have decided completely releaseSometimes they were paid and have become free because their commercial cycle has ended; other times they are born directly as free projects for notoriety or for pure love of art.

In this guide you will find examples of all three models: from behemoths like Fortnite or League of Legends even small browser projects or open source games like 0 AD or Freeciv, including large F2P games with years of content behind them.

40 free games that run very well on modest PCs

Free action and shooters that won't wreck your PC

Destiny 2

Bungie's shooter blends first-person shooting with RPG elements and a spectacular science fiction setting. Currently, its core gameplay is... Free to play with a good number of campaigns, cooperative activities, and PvP modes Available for free. Money does come into play for the larger expansions, but with the free content you have dozens of hours of gameplay ahead of you.

On a technical level, with a typical 2012 PC (Core i3, 6 GB of RAM and a GTX 660 / Radeon HD 7850You can try lowering the graphics settings; if you have problems calculating folder sizes, consult How to calculate the size of a folderIt's not a pay-to-win game: spending money unlocks stories and areas, but in combat Skill matters more than money..

Warframe

Possibly one of the best free-to-play cooperative action games that exist. You control the Warframes, a kind of super-agile space ninjas armed with rifles, pistols, and katanas, in PvE missions that you can do solo or in co-op.

With a Core i5 750 / AMD FX-4100 processor, 4 GB of RAM and a compatible graphics card DirectX 11 You can move it around without any problem. What's captivating is its massive amount of content and the community, which is usually quite welcoming to newcomers. The microtransactions are more focused on... Accelerate progression and obtain Warframes/skinsBut you can play for years without spending if you have patience.

Counter-Strike 2

The natural evolution of the classic CS remains the king of Steam in terms of player numbers. Furthermore, the 64-bit Steam client Windows has improved compatibility with modern games. It's a 5 vs 5 tactical shooter where aiming, communication, and map knowledge are absolutely key. It's demanding on the player, but the Source 2 engine is well optimized.

With a quad-core CPU, 8GB of RAM, and a graphics card DirectX 11 with 1 GB of VRAM You can move it, especially if you prioritize FPS over graphics quality. The game is free; paying gets you skins and matchmaking in "Prime" player queues, but You don't buy competitive advantage.

Team Fortress 2

Almost prehistoric, yet still alive and kicking. It's a class-based first-person shooter with nine very distinct characters and a casual and cartoonish tone which makes it perfect for playing with friends without as much competitive pressure as CS.

At the hardware level it's ridiculous: with 512 MB of RAM, a 1,7 GHz CPU and a graphics card compatible with DirectX 8.1 It's already running. There are hundreds of cosmetics and alternative weapons; although some modifications slightly affect gameplay, the game is balanced enough that Don't feel disadvantaged for not paying.

Valorant

Riot applied what they learned from LoL to the shooter genre and the result was a Tactical FPS with agents and powers It blends Counter-Strike with hero shooter elements. Fast-paced rounds, a single shot can take you down, and team coordination is everything.

The game is very well optimized: with a Core 2 Duo E8400 or Athlon 64 X2, 4 GB of RAM and a graphics card of the type Intel HD 4000 or Radeon R5 200 You can play without any drama. The microtransactions are purely cosmetic, focused on weapon skins, so everyone competes on a level playing field.

Apex Legends

One of the most solid battle royale games on the market. Respawn brought the agile controls of Titanfall to a format of three-player squads with unique heroesEach character has their own unique abilities, adding an extra tactical layer.

With a sixth-generation Core i3 or AMD FX 4300, 6 GB of RAM and a graphics card GTX 600 / Radeon HD 7000 It plays perfectly. It's quite generous as a free-to-play game: new heroes are unlocked through gameplay, and real money is mainly used for... skins and battle passes.

Call of Duty: Warzone

The Call of Duty franchise's free-to-play model offers enormous maps, up to 150 players per match and highly polished gunplayinherited from Modern Warfare. It's serious and impactful, and if you're a lifelong CoD player, you'll feel right at home.

It's more demanding in terms of requirements than other battle royale games, but it's still manageable on a mid-range PC: a quad-core CPU, 8 GB of RAM, and a mid-range graphics card from a few generations ago are sufficient if you adjust the graphics settings. The business model revolves around... battle passes and cosmetics.

Fortnite

The true mass phenomenon. Its Battle Royale mode pits 100 players against each other on a shrinking island, but what sets it apart is the system of real-time constructionwhich offers a lot of creative and defensive possibilities. If building overwhelms you, there are also modes without building.

It's very flexible with hardware: with a second-generation i3 or AMD FX 4000, 8 GB of RAM and a graphics card as modest as a Intel HD 4000 or GeForce GT 630 You can play, lowering the settings if necessary. Microtransactions are almost entirely focused on skins, dances, and battle passes, so You can enjoy it without spending a single euro..

Enlisted

If you're drawn to World War II but looking for something different, Enlisted offers large-scale battles where you control not just one soldier, but a whole host of them. an entire squadron accompanied by AIWhen you die, you pass to another member of your unit, which keeps the pace high.

It features large maps, vehicles, and a more tactical approach than your typical arcade war game. Performance-wise, it's reasonably well optimized and is an interesting option if you're looking for a A slightly different F2P war game.

Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Siege

Siege's evolution towards the free-to-play model has solidified its position as one of the best tactical team shootersSlow and very tense rounds, environmental destruction, gadgets everywhere, and a huge amount of information and sound.

It's more demanding in terms of coordination than other shooters, but it's very rewarding when you play with people who communicate well. The free base content is extensive; new agents and cosmetics are unlockable. playing or payingbut without it being mandatory to pay to compete.

MOBAs, hero shooters, and competitive action

League of Legends

The ultimate MOBA. Two teams of five players face off in the Summoner's Rift with the goal of destroying the enemy Nexus. Over 160 champions, each with very different abilities, and a learning curve that's incredibly addictive.

On a technical level it's very lightweight: with 2 GB of RAM, a modest CPU like a Core i3 or basic APU, and a graphics card like GeForce GT 400 / Radeon HD 6570 You have more than enough. The game is perfectly enjoyable without spending money; champions are unlocked with in-game currency, and what you do buy are mostly... skins and small convenience shortcuts.

DOTA 2

League of Legends' biggest rival. Its approach is similar (two teams of five, symmetrical map, base defense), but it's denser, with more layers of strategy and less user-friendly mechanics For beginners. On the other hand, if you get hooked, you'll be hooked for years.

The great advantage of DOTA 2 is that All heroes are available for free From the very first minute. What you're paying for are visual enhancements, some passes, and optional extras. It runs well on modest PCs (GeForce 8600 GT / Radeon HD 2600, 4 GB of RAM), and its complexity means you'll always have something new to learn.

SMITE

Another MOBA, but viewed from behind the character, in third person. You control gods and mythological figures of all kinds in 5 vs 5 matches with a more direct action approach than clicking on the map.

With a Core 2 Duo or Athlon 64 X2, 4 GB of RAM and graphics like GeForce 8800 GT / Radeon HD 3870 You're more than covered. It has tons of gods and modes, and again, the microtransactions focus on unlocking characters faster and on cosmetics, without blocking access to competitive play.

Paladins

The most direct free-to-play alternative to Overwatch. It's a hero shooter 5vs5 In this game, you choose champions with unique abilities and customize them with cards and talents. Visually, it's cartoonish, very colorful, and very hardware-friendly.

With 4 GB of RAM, a Core 2 Duo / Athlon 64 X2 and a graphics card GeForce 8800 GT You play it very well. The pass to unlock all the champions is paid, but you have free rotation, in-game currency, and unobtrusive microtransactions, so you can play for many months without spending.

Overwatch 2

Blizzard turned its hero shooter free-to-play, maintaining the core 5v5 objective-based matches with highly differentiated heroes and an emphasis on skill and coordination combosIt remains an accessible title, with quick queues and very straightforward action.

With a third-generation i3 or AMD Phenom, 6 GB of RAM and a graphics card GeForce 600 series / Radeon HD 7000 It works flawlessly. The business is in cosmetics and the battle pass; new heroes can be unlocked. playing without payingalthough paying saves you time.

Marvel Rivals and Strinova

If you fancy something more recent, Marvel Rivals arrives as a third-person hero shooter with a roster of superheroes Huge: Spider-Man, Thor, Black Widow, Venom, Iron Man, etc. It has synergistic team abilities and a design intended to be easy to learn but difficult to master.

Strinova, for its part, proposes third-person tactical games with an anime aesthetic and very limited requirements (4th gen Core i3, 4 GB RAM, GeForce GT 730 / Radeon R7 240). Both rely on cosmetic microtransactions and passes, without imposing a paywall to compete.

MMORPGs and lightweight online role-playing games

Guild Wars 2

One of the most beloved and generous MMORPGs. Its free version gives you access to the entire base campaign and tons of structured PvE and PvP content, with a dynamic open-world event system which means there's always something to do.

The requirements are modest: run on Core 2 Duo / Athlon X26 GB of RAM and older graphics cards like the GeForce 8600 GT / Radeon 2600 XT. The best part is that microtransactions have a limited impact; you can get almost everything relevant by playing, and paid expansions expand the world but They do not invalidate the base content.

Star Wars: The Old Republic

If you're a Star Wars fan, this BioWare MMORPG is still a delight in terms of storytelling. Eight classes, each with its own unique abilities. own campaign doubled and full of decisionsiconic planets and tons of cooperative content.

It works well with older CPUs like the Athlon 64 X2 / Core 2 Duo, 4 GB of RAM, and graphics cards like GeForce 610 / Radeon HD 7450The F2P model imposes some quality-of-life limitations (slots, some raids, etc.), but you can play entire campaigns without spending money, and its microtransactions They won't ruin the base experience for you if you take it easy.

Albion Online

MMO sandbox with isometric view, 100% player-driven economy and a system «You are what you wear"instead of fixed classes. You can change roles simply by changing your equipment, which gives a lot of flexibility."

It's surprisingly lightweight (SSE2 CPU, 4GB of RAM, DirectX 10 graphics) and addictive thanks to its mix of farming, open-world PvP, and guild battles. Microtransactions are geared towards premium items and cosmetics, but the game's design itself makes it... is perfectly viable not to pay, accepting to go a little slower.

Lost Ark

A hybrid between a Diablo-style ARPG and an online MMO, with an isometric perspective, visually stunning combat, and a a lot of PvE contentIt's one of those games where you always have something to do: dungeons, raids, collectibles, ships, housing…

With a Core i3 or Ryzen 3, 8 GB of RAM, and a GTX 460 / Radeon HD 6790, it runs well. The monetization model includes quite a few progression shortcuts, so the time vs. money trade-off is noticeable in the endgame, but As a free main game to sink many hours into, it more than delivers..

The Lord of the Rings Online and Dungeons & Dragons Online

Two veterans of online role-playing who remain alive thanks to their communities. LOTRO lets you explore the Middle-earth with very low requirements (Pentium 4, 512 MB of RAM, GeForce 3…) and a free-to-play system where many content packs can be purchased with currency earned by playing.

Dungeons & Dragons Online, on the other hand, has more of an instanced dungeon approach and combat inspired by the rules of D&DGraphically it's dated, but it doesn't demand much from the PC and mixes F2P with paid modules that can also be unlocked with internal currency if you are consistent.

Eve Online

The gigantic space sandbox game allows you to play for free in "alpha" mode, with limitations in skills and shipsBut it does offer access to the core gameplay of trading, mining, piracy, and corporate warfare. If you enjoy large-scale management and PvP, it's unique.

It's not the most user-friendly game, but in return it offers brutal depth, and You can even fund a full subscription using only in-game currency. If you put in the work.

Action, ARPG and action role-playing games

Path of Exile

Considered by many to be the true successor to Diablo II. It's a brutally deep ARPG, with a gigantic passive treeLinkable skill gems, temporary leagues, and tons of endgame content.

It runs perfectly on modest hardware (quad-core CPU, 6 GB of RAM, GTX 650 / Radeon HD 7770). Its greatest strength is that its business model focuses on... cosmetics and stash spaceWithout selling power directly, you can compete at the highest level without spending if you organize your inventory well.

Warframe, Dauntless, Eternium, and other light ARPGs

Besides PoE, you have more direct action alternatives. Dauntless is a kind of Free to play cooperative Monster HunterIdeal if you want to hunt monsters with friends without paying for the Capcom game. Eternium, less well-known, offers a classic ARPG with three classes (mage, warrior, and bounty hunter). Very undemanding on hardware and surprisingly fun for how simple it seems.

They all share the idea of ​​offering many hours of combat and farming with microtransactions focused on accelerating progress or visual aspects, making it very viable to play. without going to the store if you enjoy grinding.

Strategy, cards and management

Starcraft II

A benchmark for real-time strategy. The Wings of Liberty campaign is completely free, along with the basic multiplayer mode and cooperative Commanders up to a certain level.

It's surprisingly forgiving on older systems (Athlon 64 X2 / Core 2 Duo, 2 GB of RAM, GeForce 7600 GT / Radeon HD 2600 XT). If you're into fast-paced, well-designed strategy, this is for you. one of the best RTS games in history without spending a penny.

0 AD and Freeciv

If you want strategy games without microtransactions or in-game stores, open-source projects are for you. 0 AD is an Age of Empires-inspired RTS where you choose an ancient civilization and compete for resources and territory. It doesn't have the graphical polish of a modern AAA title, but its community... He has been improving it and adding content for years..

Freeciv, on the other hand, is a tribute to/free alternative to Civilization. You manage your empire turn by turn, expand cities, and engage in diplomatic or military conflicts with other civilizations. Both are completely free, with no catches, and they work. perfectly on modest PCs.

Hearthstone, Gwent, Marvel Snap and more cards

In the realm of digital card games, you have plenty to choose from. Hearthstone popularized the free-to-play format of collectible decks with fast-paced matches and spectacular effects; you can progress without paying, although those who invest money complete meta decks sooner.

Gwent offers an alternative with its own unique rules set in The Witcher universe, more strategic and with less RNG, while Marvel Snap opts for ultra-fast duels Perfect for short bursts of play. They all share the same pattern: reasonable progression without spending money if you play casually, but with the temptation to spend if you want to keep up with the competitive metagame.

Driving, sports and arcade action

Rocket League

Football with flying cars. Little more needs to be said. Its blend of physics, skill, and quick matches makes it a essential in any librarySince it became F2P, it's also accessible to everyone.

It runs on fairly modest PCs and its business model is based entirely on cosmetics and season passesThe gameplay is identical for everyone, whether you pay or not.

RaceRoom Racing Experience and Asphalt 9

RaceRoom is a competition-oriented driving simulator, with a good physical model and steering wheel supportMuch of its core content is free, and you add cars and tracks as you like. The requirements are moderate (dual core 2,4 GHz, 4 GB of RAM, DirectX 9c graphics card).

If you're looking for something more arcade-like, Asphalt 9 offers spectacular and visually stunning races, inherited from its mobile counterpart, in a free-to-play format. Graphically, it's not cutting-edge on PC, but in return... It's very well optimized and visually appealing..

Battle royale, survival and crazy mods

PUBG: Battlegrounds, Fall Guys and company

PUBG was one of the pioneers of the modern battle royale genre. Today it's free to play and offers a competitive edge. slower, more tactical pace than Fortnite or Apex. Its requirements are somewhat higher, but it runs acceptably on a mid-range PC with a graphics card from a few years ago.

Fall Guys, at the opposite extreme, turns the battle royale genre into a Takeshi's Castle-style quiz show. 32-40 players fight to avoid elimination in short, absurd minigames. It's lightweight, accessible, and perfect for quick games with friends.

Unturned, Once Human and other survival games

Unturned is a zombie survival game with a Minecraft-like aesthetic that, thanks to its low-poly design, runs phenomenally well on almost any machine (although curiously it requires 8 GB of RAM). It features an open world, building, PvP, and a lot of mods created by the community.

Once Human blends survival, base building, and cooperative action in a well-crafted post-apocalyptic world. Its requirements are higher, but it still runs acceptably on the PC described (4th gen Core i5 / Ryzen 3, 8 GB of RAM, GTX 650 / RX 550), even if you have to lower the quality.

Social simulation and “different” games

The Sims 4

The quintessential life simulator has a free base game. With it you can Create Sims, design houses, and get caught up in experimenting with their lives. for many hours without touching the expansions. Technically it's very manageable: a 2nd gen i3 / Ryzen 3, 4 GB of RAM and a dinosaur-like graphics card like the GeForce 6600 GT are more than enough.

If you get hooked, the expansions are another story (and another budget), but as a free base game it's a huge amount of free content.

Roblox, Trove, Dungeon Fighter Online and more

Roblox is more of a platform than just a game: millions of user-created experiencesFrom silly minigames to full-fledged pseudo-MMOs, most are lightweight and playable on almost any PC, with in-app microtransactions managed with their own currency.

Trove mixes Minecraft-style blocks with MMO and combat, while Dungeon Fighter Online does the same with 2D beat 'em up with MMO-style progressionThey are all lightweight options, with a lot of variety and very active communities.

Free browser games: no installation required and compatible with any PC

If your computer is very small or you simply don't want to fill up the hard drive, or you have problems such as when Windows says there is no space, the browser games They're pure gold. Modern browsers have become complete gaming platforms thanks to technologies like HTML5 and WebGL, leaving the era of Flash and Java behind.

This ecosystem has everything: from absurd minigames to full-fledged MMOs accessible from a single tab. Some well-known examples are: Agar.io (spheres that eat each other), Hole.io (you are a hole that swallows the city), or Shell Shockers, a shooter in which the protagonists are eggs armed to the teeth.

MMO and browser strategy

If you're more drawn to strategy and management, you have gems like Forge of Empireswhere you develop your city throughout different historical eras with turn-based combat on hexagons, or Freeciv Web, the browser-based playable version of Freeciv, with single-player and multiplayer games without installing anything.

Also noteworthy are MMO-style proposals such as Dragon Awaken, Game of Thrones Winter is Coming (strategy with massive battles set in the series), or Tanki Online, focused on customizable tank battles with surprisingly good graphics for a web game.

Retro action, indies and preserved classics

In the retro gaming realm, portals like the Internet Archive allow you to play games directly from your browser. authentic PC and arcade classics: Doom, Wolfenstein 3D, Golden Ax, Street Fighter II, SimCity, Command & Conquer, Diablo, Alone in the Dark, Prince of Persia, Monkey Island... All emulated on the website itself.

In addition, itch.io has hundreds of games created for game jams and indie projects under a free-to-play model "Pay what you want"Just go to the free games section, filter by tags (platformers, horror, puzzles, etc.), and prepare to be amazed. Downloads are available via a "Download Now" button, where you can pay €0 or leave a tip if you loved the game.

With this wide range of options, including well-designed F2P programs, freeware gems, open-source projects, and browser games, it's perfectly possible. fill years of leisure without buying a single gameEven with a modest or older PC: it's just a matter of choosing which tests to try first, adjusting the graphics quality where necessary, and troubleshooting issues like when the file explorer takes too long to openand let yourself be guided by what best suits your tastes and available time. Many of these games will be available at Steam or on other platforms.