Free PC Games
Overview
Surprisingly enough, a lot of people have created games that anyone can enjoy for free. Sometimes a game was created as a creative exercise, or as a type of challenge, but in some cases games were released for free because the developers felt that in-game purchases or advertising would be a better way to make a profit.
This list contains all 50 games I've reviewed so far that are available for free, and I've also labeled which ones are only free-ish.
Simply click on a game's title to view the full review.
Games in this List
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Bingo Blitz
This isn't your traditional Bingo! Gather powerups, earn collectables, and conquer various minigames as you explore the world and play against millions of other players! Brief thoughts: Despite the colorful cartoon characters, this isn't an appropriate game for younger players as you can spend real money on gambling simulations. Even the event-based minigames are tilted in favor of players who pay. |
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Candy Crush Saga
In this popular Match 3 game, you're not trying to clear a grid. Instead, each level has specific goals that you need to accomplish in a fixed amount of turns. While this is a fun way to pass the time, I feel that it pushed the in-game store a bit too hard, and that might be an issue for younger gamers. Brief thoughts: While this game features a lot of bright and happy characters, it also pushes players towards buying items and perks with real money. Considering the target age group, this feels uncomfortably predatory. |
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Captain Bible in The Dome of Darkness
In the far future, the Enemy has trapped a town in a Dome of Darkness. This deception field causes people to be easily misled by tricks and lies, and evil Cyber Deceivers are patrolling the streets to ensure the population doesn't learn the Truth! Only by correctly applying the scriptures can Captain Bible free the population and destroy the Dome of Darkness! Brief thoughts: The two main issues someone may have with this game lie in the short combat sequences and a few of the topics that might be discussed. However, none of the battles are particularly violent, and since this game was aimed at children, the game's installer has an option to disable the more serious topics. |
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Cave Story
Cave Story is an incredibly popular Metroidvania game about a mute little robot. When he wakes up in a dark cave, he's lost his memory and sets out to explore. However, it soon becomes apparent that this floating island is in the middle of a dangerous war between a power-mad Doctor and a dwindling resistance. Brief thoughts: The plot of this game is focused around a war that pits the timid Mimigas against a mad scientist and his magical henchmen. Thus, characters die, there's a moderate amount of violence, and a lot of evil magic. At the same time, most of this is depicted in a family friendly manner - compare it to older Disney movies like Sleeping Beauty. |
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Chip's Challenge
In order to join the Bit Busters and hang out with the girl of his dreams, "nerdy" Chip McCallahan must solve an elaborate series of brain teasing puzzles! Brief thoughts: This game is quite family friendly - even though Chip can be hurt by various hazards, it's just a "bummer", and nothing more. |
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Coloring Pixels
Have you ever tried a color by number kit? That's the idea behind Coloring Pixels. Each pixel displays a number, and you simply color the pixel using the color that number represents. There are a huge number of images to paint, and more come out as DLC on a regular basis! Brief thoughts: Since all you do here is color in images, the most offensive things you'll find here are puzzles depicting things from mythology or holidays like Halloween, and even then, everything is kept very family friendly. |
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Cookie Clicker
This famous Idle Game is all about making cookies - one way or another. Brief thoughts: Although this game is just about making numbers increase, there are some concepts (especially in the later parts of the game) that may make Christians uncomfortable. |
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Cooking Fever
Take on the role of a short order cook as you work your way through multiple restaurants and build a culinary empire. Brief thoughts: The main issue with this game isn't its content, but rather the constant need to use gems for various things. While they can be earned very slowly via gameplay, players normally buy them using real money. |
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Deepest Sword
You're off to slay a mighty dragon - except your sword may not be long enough to get the job done. Brief thoughts: Nearly all of the humor in this game revolves around sexual puns, and frankly, that's really all there is to make this game interesting for more than a few minutes. |
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Doom (1993)
Laboratories on the Martian moons were attempting to develop working teleporters, but while they succeeded, the scientists got more than they bargained for -- one of the teleporters malfunctioned, opening a gateway into Hell itself. Now a lone Marine must fight the Hellspawn back through the portal, and stop the invasion from within Hell itself. Brief thoughts: While there's a lot of violence, gore, and demonic references in this game, it's important to remember that the player is actively trying to contain the forces of Hell, not support them. Whether this context is enough to excuse the everything else is a matter of opinion. |
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Drop the Number
Have you ever played 2048? This game takes that simple concept and mixes it with Tetris styled gameplay, creating a fun new spin on adding up numbered blocks! Brief thoughts: The only issue with this game is the presence of advertisements and in-game purchases. The former can be permanently removed for a one-time payment of $4. |
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Dwarfs?!
You rule the roost as the Overseer of a new Dwarf colony. Guide your dwarfs to riches, protect them from dangerous hazards, and fight vicious monsters as you aim for a place on the leaderboards! Brief thoughts: The biggest concern about this game is that it features fantasy creatures (etc, Dwarfs and Goblins) fighting each other. Everything is shown in a very tame and family friendly way, however. |
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Findamajig
This simple game is little more than a digital version of the popular "I spy" game children play with each other. But being simple doesn't mean it's a bad game; just don't expect to spend long sessions playing it. Brief thoughts: There's nothing offensive about this title - it's just a simple game about finding things. |
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FreeDoom
While Doom source ports copy the engine that runs the early Doom games, FreeDoom functions as a free, open source replacement for their content. Not only can it be used to play custom WADs without the original games, FreeDoom is also able to function as two unique single player games! Brief thoughts: Although this is essentially a fan "remake" of the first two Doom games, most of the demonic references and imagery have been removed in favor of a space alien theme. That said, this game still features a lot of blood, gore, and graphic violence, just like the original games. |
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GenerativeCity Freerun
Fancy a game of hide and go seek? Somewhere in this computer generated city is a red cube, and it's up to you to find it. The tricky part is figuring out how to parkour over the buildings to reach the cube. Brief thoughts: This is more of a tech demo than a full fledged game. |
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Hearthstone
Hearthstone is a virtual collectible card game based on Blizzard's popular World of Warcraft franchise. Like the real world counterparts, you play this game by collecting cards, strategically grouping them into decks, and "battling" other players in online matches. Brief thoughts: This is a card game where the matches are meant to depict battles between different characters and their armies. Thus, the cards themselves often describe violent acts, fantasy magics, and even fictional demons. But, the biggest issue with this game is that, like many collectible card games, you gain new cards by either earning or purchasing booster packs - and you can use real money to do this. |
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Hill Climb Racing
In this fun little game, you try to drive a vehicle as far to the right as possible. Of course, that's not going to be too easy: you'll need to keep your ride fueled and avoid flipping it over. This is easier said than done when you're flying over hills and other obstacles. Brief thoughts: There isn't much to worry about here; at worst, you'll hear the driver's bones snap if you wreck badly enough. There are also advertisements on certain screens, though they are very unobtrusive. |
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Hocus Pocus
Hocus Pocus is a young wizard with big dreams. In order to make those dreams a reality, he sets off on a journey across time and space, his eventual goal being the defeat of four of the Wizard Council's greatest foes. Brief thoughts: Magic is omnipresent in this game, though it's mostly reduced to ammunition or specific powerups. A potentially bigger issue is that some of the backgrounds depict demonic or frightening creatures. |
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InCell VR
Scientists have developed a new way to cure disease: deliver the vaccines directly into the cells before they can become infected! The only catch is that this solution needs to be tested before it can be approved for widespread use, and they need someone to pilot the test flights... Brief thoughts: There's nothing offensive about this game. |
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Joy Exhibition
Colorful aliens wander around an exhibit in hopes of finding something interesting. Your job is to provide them with artwork created using randomly generated paint guns. Each gun produces a unique effect when fired, and since they rarely shoot straight, you'll be creating some truly unique abstract artwork for the aliens to enjoy. Brief thoughts: There isn't much to this game, but it's interesting to mess with. |
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Last Hope: Zombie Sniper 3D
Zombies and video games seem like they were made for each other, and Last Hope boils things down to the bare essentials. There are zombies, there are guns, and your role is to apply the latter to the former. For a no-frills zombie shooter, this is a real gem, and worth a look if you're a fan of other games in the same genre. Brief thoughts: Being a game about shooting lots of zombies, some violence and gore is to be expected. However, both are played down, with the zombies falling apart like dry clay and very little blood being shown. The only other concern is some minor swearing. |
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Liquidators
Based on real events, this game has players take on the roles of three braze men who prevented the Chernobyl disaster from becoming far worse. Their task was simple: drain the water from the damaged reactor before the molten debris could reach it and create a catastrophic explosion! Brief thoughts: This game focuses on the aftermath of a real disaster, which is pretty dark stuff, but it does not make light of it and treats everything with the gravity it deserves. |
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Meritous
The goal of this open source dungeon crawler is to cleanse the contaminated Orcus Dome by dispelling the monsters and restoring the flow of magical energy. It's not as easy to do as it sounds, but it's definitely a fun time. Brief thoughts: Although this game is themed after psychic powers and magical things, it really doesn't feel like either are actually involved. As there isn't anything else to worry about, this makes the game rather clean. |
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Microsoft Jigsaw
While the bulk of this game is more or less your typical jigsaw puzzle, there are some alternative games modes available via the daily challenges. Regardless of which mode you play, you'll be rewarded with gold bars when you complete a level. These gold bars can then be redeemed for more puzzles from the in-game store. If you like jigsaw puzzles, then you'll probably be playing this game for a long time. Brief thoughts: The main issue with this game is that you can spend real money on new content or perks, such as ad-free play. |
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Microsoft Mahjongg
Simple Mah Jongg games have been available for nearly every operating system out there, and it's great to see Microsoft stepped up to the plate with one of their own. They did a wonderful job on it too, making it a must have for fans of solitaire Mah Jongg games. Brief thoughts: The only potential issue here is that the game's premium version is only available via a subscription. If you're not interested in the few benefits that offers, then there's nothing to worry about. |
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Microsoft Solitaire Collection
Windows has historically shipped with a solitaire card game or two, but nowadays everything is handled through the Windows store and you'll need to install this collection manually. However, this game comes with five different solitaire games as well as a number of other fancy features, so it's clearly worth more than the old sol.exe . Brief thoughts: This game gives you the option of spending real money on perks like ad-free gameplay or extra wild cards for Pyramid solitaire. |
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Microsoft Treasure Hunt
Microsoft Treasure Hunt is a fancy variation of the classic Minesweeper game. You'll be sending an archeologist through a dangerous tomb, using the numbers in the grid to locate traps. Treasures and powerups also exist to give you more of an edge in your adventure, and unlike Minesweeper, you can make several mistakes before it's game over. Brief thoughts: The biggest problem this game has is the presence of monsters or traps, both of which function like a type of locked door instead of an enemy. Otherwise, this game is supported by advertisements. |
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Mystic Towers
Taking on the role of Baron Baldric, your goal is to save the neighboring countries by exploring twelve towers, destroy their monster generators, and clearing out the remaining monsters. Brief thoughts: There are a number of minor issues with this game that, on their own, probably wouldn't be a problem. But they do add up, and this may reach a point where some Christians are uncomfortable with them. |
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My Little Pony
It's up to you to build a new Ponyville. As you complete quests and gather products from your buildings, new ponies will move in. Eventually you'll have enough Harmony Shards to reactivate the Harmony Stones and defeat Nightmare Moon. Unfortunately, the Windows version of the game hasn't updated in years, meaning that you're missing out on features, ponies, and new adventures if you play this version. Brief thoughts: While there's a lot of magic in Equestria, the bigger issue with this game is how it's heavily reliant on players using gems, which can be purchased with real money. |
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Neverball
This open source game had you try to roll a ball through various challenging levels. However, instead of controlling the ball directly, you tilt the entire level to make the ball roll in the desired direction. Brief thoughts: Potential issues with motion sickness aside, there is nothing of concern in this game. |
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Neverputt
Neverputt is a simple open source minigolf game. It's decent enough, but it's not very polished. In fact, the lack of features and limited options make this feel like an afterthought rather than a bonafide game. Brief thoughts: One of the benefits of no-frills games like this is that there's nothing to worry about. |
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OFF
In this unusual indie horror game, players are instructed to guide the Batter as he performs his task of purifying the world's various Zones. Along the way, there are hints that not everything is as simple it seems. Brief thoughts: Despite the simple graphics, the Batter's foes are often shown as hideously deformed monsters, and many of the things that happen come off as wrong in some way. |
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Pixel Puzzles: Japan
This is a jigsaw puzzle game themed around mediation and Japan. All of the provided puzzles depict beautiful scenes from throughout land of the Rising Sun, while the puzzle pieces themselves float quietly in a large koi pond that surrounds the play area. Just be sure to avoid picking up the koi swimming along with the pieces; it's not real fond of being pulled out of the water. Brief thoughts: There really isn't anything too concerning about this game. At most, there are some mild references to Zen and Enlightenment. The player can also choose to be a little mean to the koi that lives in the pond, but that's entirely optional. |
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Pretty Good Mahjongg
If you can't get enough Mahjongg, then perhaps this collection of Mahjongg games will satiate your appetite! With over three hundred unique layouts and several additional ways to play with Mahjongg tiles, there's a lot to be seen here! Brief thoughts: Mahjongg, even when played in some of the unique ways this game offers, doesn't contain anything worth worrying about. There aren't even questionable sets available for this version! |
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Pretty Good Solitaire
Do you like solitaire? Really like solitaire? Then this is likely the collection you need, as it has over 1,000 different solitaire card games available for your enjoyment, and there's even a tool you can use to make your own custom games! Brief thoughts: The only thing that could be considered offensive about this collection are the names of certain games. For example, "Canfield" is also known as "Demon", which may sound bad. But, as these are all just variants of solitaire, there's nothing to really worry about. |
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Roguelight
This game's name is a pun on the Roguelike genre, and it also hints at the game's premise: In this game, light is very rare, making every light source you have very valuable. Eventually, you'll run out of light and fall victim to traps or monsters down below. The main goal is to see how far you can get before that happens. Brief thoughts: There are some spooky creatures in the darkness, but ultimately I don't think there's anything to be too concerned about. |
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Samorost
The quiet life of a gnome living on an asteroid made of driftwood is interrupted when he sees another asteroid heading straight for his home! With only so much time to avert disaster, he must find the other ship's control room and steer it away! Brief thoughts: The only thing I can see being an issue with this game is the fact that a character is shown smoking. |
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SANCTUARY
Until you're able to support yourself again, a pastor is willing to let you stay at his church during the night. However, something about this place feels off, and during the first night, you'll discover why - this House of God is actually home to a group of demons! Brief thoughts: This is an explicitly Christian game, so there never was a chance of it containing offensive material - in fact, it does exactly the opposite by dropping some important reminders about our Faith! |
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Secret Maryo Chronicles
The Secret Maryo Chronicles is an open source clone of the Super Mario Bros. games, and it's pretty blatant about it. But, instead of searching the world for a kidnapped Princess, Maryo seems to be on a journey just for the fun of it. Brief thoughts: Like most platformers, the only real concern is some very mild violence. For example, the player may defeat an enemy by jumping on it. |
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Simon Tatham's Portable Puzzle Collection
Also known as the SGT Puzzle Collection, this is a set of 39 logic puzzles to stimulate your brain. There's something for everyone in this collection, and you may even find some new favorites. Brief thoughts: The games in this collection are meant to test your logic skills, and don't contain anything objectionable. |
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Simple Solitaire
Simple Solitaire is exactly what it claims to be: a simple, free version of Klondike solitaire for modern Windows systems. There aren't any fancy features like daily challenges or achievements, but do you really need them to enjoy playing solitaire? Brief thoughts: The only thing that may be objectionable about this game is an advertising banner shown at the bottom of the playfield. |
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Spider Solitaire Collection
Although Spider solitaire isn't as popular as Klondike, it's still a fan favorite, and this free app provides three different ways to enjoy it. This app also features Scorpion, another game in the Spider family of solitaire card games. Brief thoughts: As this is a solitaire card game, the only potential issue is the presence of a banner ad on the left side of the window. |
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Spooky's Jump Scare Mansion
Spooky's a mischievous little ghost, and she's offered you a challenge: can you make it through all one thousands rooms in her mansion? Or will the scary things inhabiting it be too much for you? Brief thoughts: Although this game's graphics are usually drawn in a cute cartoony way, there's a fair amount of blood and horror imagery. Most of the monsters are NOT drawn using this style, which makes them more disturbing than they'd be normally. Also, the game over cutscenes are often straight up nightmare fuel. |
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SuperTux
SuperTux is a classic open source game featuring the Linux mascot, Tux. In this game, the loveable penguin travels through many different worlds as he attempts to rescue Penny from the clutches of the evil Nolok! Brief thoughts: Like other platformers, this is a fairly tame game with some very mild violence and the occasional spooky level, so there's nothing to really be concerned about. |
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Taptiles
You could say that Taptiles is a 3D Mahjong game, but that would be a little misleading. While you do eliminate the tiles in pairs, this is far from a slow or meditative game. If you want to get anywhere in this game, you're going to need to be fast and precise. Brief thoughts: Like Microsoft's other casual games, the only objectionable things here are some in game advertisements and the option to spend real money to have them removed. |
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Tetzle
This is an open source jigsaw puzzle game with a slight twist. Instead of your typical jigsaw puzzle pieces, your image is broken up into tetrominoes. Also, there are no puzzles supplied with the game; you'll need to supply those yourself. Brief thoughts: The only way this game will feature something objectionable is if you deliberately make a puzzle out of an offensive image. |
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Viridi
There is something innately calming about growing a pot of cacti, and Viridi brings this atmosphere to your computer's desktop. This isn't exactly a game in the normal sense; it's more of an interactive decoration. Brief thoughts: This "game" is little more than a cute desktop toy that you need to water occasionally. It's a good source of relaxing white noise too. |
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Wurroom
This game is perhaps best described as an interactive art piece, as there aren't any real puzzles to solve. Instead, you'll interact with one scene to find your way to the next, as if you were experiencing a series of vignettes. Brief thoughts: Even though the player is sometimes directed to interact with some of the clay objects in destructive ways, it'd be a stretch to call this violent. Otherwise, there isn't anything to really be concerned about here. |
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Yume Nikki
Madotsuki is a young girl with a very active, if slightly disturbing, imagination - and players are encouraged to explore it via her dreams. Brief thoughts: A lot of the unsettling content in this game comes from the strange and unusual things the players encounter, many of which are more weird than disturbing. That said, the player does have the option to harm others for no reason, which is the only real moral issue in this game. |
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Zen and the Art of Transhumanism
How do you make a pottery simulator interesting enough to gather the attention of the average casual gamer? Apparently you theme it around a cyberpunk future and insert some social commentary. That's this game in a nutshell. Brief thoughts: Since you're running an operating theater, the clients are nude (but they are not sexualized). More importantly, this game's theme centers around what we gain by patterning our lives after vice or virtue. |
