Just because you have no spare cash to part with for a new game doesn't mean you can't enjoy countless hours of fun on Steam. The PC gaming platform not only boasts the largest marketplace of commercial titles, but there are also a bunch of free games to download. Here we run through the most popular (and some of our favorites) that you can try out today without spending a dime.
Dota 2
Dota 2 is the sequel to the player-made mod for Starcraft, which essentially created the Massive Online Battle Arena (MOBA) genre that we have today. Published and supported by Steam, this free-to-play title allows players to enjoy a wide collection of champions on the battlefield, providing an addictive experience that continuously sees Dota 2 at the top of the "most players" leaderboard on the platform.
The aim of the game is to partner up with four other players to destroy the opposing team's Ancient, whilst defending your own. Skills, tactics, and cooperation are all required to best enemies in this incredibly competitive title.
Path of Exile
Path of Exile (PoE) is essentially is an action-adventure game that borrows heavily from the Diablo series. Should you be a fan of Blizzard's interactive RNG loot lottery, you'll have a blast in PoE. To say this game offers in-depth character customization is an understatement. There are literally hundreds of skills on the table, each tweaking your character's performance.
Interestingly, the free-to-play model is a fair one to players and it's not required to make a purchase to get further in the game. As action RPGs go, this is about as hardcore as it gets. Expect to invest hundreds of hours.
SMITE
SMITE is a MOBA that is unlike many other popular offerings. This game, in particular, utilizes a third-person camera for players instead of the more traditional top-down view. This opens up more intense and clutch situations whereby you are required to keep tabs on your surroundings to remain alive. Having everything in view on a single angle is not available, which means you'll not be able to see behind your character without physically turning around.
Much like Dota 2 and League of Legends, you have to team up with other players to work together and take down the opposition. It's an excellent game all-around.
Team Fortress 2
Valve is also responsible for Team Fortress 2, which is available on Steam as a free-to-play multiplayer team-based shooter. Multiple classes are available to players, alongside classic game types like capture the flag. Originally released 10 years ago, the game still attracts thousands of players every day. What makes Team Fortress 2 unique is the art style, coupled with humorous elements and addictive cooperative gameplay.
You can also pretty much run this game on even the oldest of PCs.
EVE Online
EVE Online is an online space RPG that has hundreds of thousands of active players, many of whom take EVE gameplay and role-playing extremely seriously. You may have read about massive wars occurring in-game, lasting more than 24 hours and resulting in the scrapping of thousands of ships. But fear not, as it's an expansive universe, allowing players to do essentially whatever they desire. Wish to spend hours mining rock? Go for it.
Everything within the EVE-verse is player-driven, including the economy. Think of it as a space simulator that simulates a living, breathing community of star explorers.
Planetside 2
The concept of Planetside 2 is awesome. Massive areas are locked in constant conflict, and it begs you to bring with you a number of friends to take on the enemy force. Gameplay consists of capture points that need to be taken and held, but the scale is so massive you'll find yourself relying on vehicles to get to the next area of action. Should you enjoy the likes of Battlefield (and Star Wars: Battlefront, for that matter), you need to play Planetside 2.
Honorable mentions
Here are some free games on Steam that didn't quite make our list but are still worth checking out:
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