---

---

20. LEAGUE OF LEGENDS

 

The list would not be complete without Riot Games’ League of Legends. This top-down MMO has been dominant for quite some time, so much so that it has garnered a dedicated player base of well over 120 million players. The preceding statement alone qualifies it to be classed among the best games in general but there is more. League of Legends has one of the most rapidly growing and competitive esports scenes. To date, it is still one of the most view games on twitch by very passionate audiences.

---

19. BRAWLHALLA

 

Blue Mammoth Games has created a platform fighter with a low skill floor but a deceptively high skill sealing named Brawlhala. The low skill floor makes the game accessible to many players as it is easy for them to get a hang of the controls and mechanics of the game. However, upon investing enough time, the more competitive players are retained by the mechanics required to beat the top level competitors. The fact that the game has an esports scene certainly adds value. Also, up to 8 players can brawl at a time.

---

18. RIFT

 

The fundamentals of Rift can claim the credit for the game’s success as these fortified features are the reasons this MMORPG is placed among the best free-to-play games. One of the said features is that the game allows players full jurisdiction over their character, from how they look to the way they play. Another feature is the massive dynamic battles in which players get to indulge. Last is the dungeons and raids integrated which present accolades and a rewarding means by which they can be acquired.

---

17. REALM ROYALE

   

Realm Royale emerged when there were existing battle royale juggernauts hogging the spotlight. Luckily, Heroic Leap Games understood that if Realm Royale was to make a splash it needed to first dare to be different. The introduction of powers and mounts distracted BR players from the other big name titles long enough for the players to get hooked, forming the foundation of a dedicated community. Said players have since watched Realm Royale become one of the best free-to-play titles available.

---

16. WARFACE

 

Warface stands out in a gaming world where first-person-shooter games are a dime a dozen. To do this, a game in the genre has to offer something truly special. Among the keys to Warface’s success is the developer My.com. The developer has worked earnestly to ensure the game evolves while remaining in keeping with its core concepts. The game is centred around fast-paced cooperative and competitive action which has been captivating for many, making it one of the best free to play titles available.

---

15. NEVERWINTER

   

For many players, Cryptic Studios has truly created an MMORPG masterpiece with Neverwinter. Polygon said it best, “With its fast-paced combat and ubiquitously streamlined design, Neverwinter nails the concept of what an action-MMO should be.” That is a pretty big forward from a reputable and established reviewer. Should the players be asked their responses would be one and the same, they will agree that Neverwinter is currently one of the top free-to-play games available.

---

14. PLANETSIDE 2

   

PlanetSide 2 is among the lot of Steam games with a 4.5-star rating, which augers well for Daybreak Game Company’s reputation. Anyone who has ever played the game can attest to it being deserving of said rating. For those who don’t already know, PlanetSide 2 is an all-out planetary war, in which thousands of players merge forces to battle across enormous continents. The game sees players select a faction for which they will fight then play their part in eliminating players of the rivaling faction.

---

13. SPELUNKY

 

Spelunky has been the title to satisfy the desires of platformer enthusiasts for almost 6 years. Players gravitate towards the game because of its unique nature and randomized levels that serves up a challenging and refreshing experience every time you play. The game sees players venture into deep underground then explore crevices where perils dwell. You go in search of gold but must withstand the monsters and traps that stand guard. Spelunky is currently accessible through Steam.

---

12. WAR THUNDER

 

Gaijin Entertainment leads the description of their game with “War Thunder is the most comprehensive free-to-play, cross-platform, MMO military game”. Upon playing the game most players are in agreement with the developer. The preceding statement can be verified by visiting War Thunder’s Steam reviews which are dominantly positive. “With fun, exciting combat combined with plenty of customization and room for personal skill, this game is sure to be a fan favourite”, said reputable reviewer MMORPG.

---

11. DOTA 2

 

Valve embraces the fact that DOTA 2 has both a high skill cap and a high skill floor. Whether or not you see that as a deterrent is up to you but there are over 568,000 active players that are magnetized by it. The fact that it is one of the hardest MOBA’s existing is a major selling point. Allegedly, players that manage to master the game often have an ego attached that derived from a sense of accomplishment. The game also has one of the largest esports scenes in the world with the largest prize pool of all.

---

10. STARCRAFT 2

 

StarCraft 2 is one of the pioneering real-time-strategy games so when fans make mention of the title there is generally an aura of prestige attached. The game is currently over 9 years old and still very much active. One chief reason the game is held in such high regard is, it is simplistic in nature consequently making it easy to balance. Balance is a variable many online games struggle to attain but when players lose in StarCraft 2, it is generally themselves who are to be blamed.

---

9. FORTNITE

 

Fortnite is a juggernaut in every sense of the word and is objectively the number one performing game in the world by a massive margin. Many titles of promise have spawned throughout the game’s lifespan, threatening to knock it off its perch but none has been able to do so thus far. Epic’s battle royale game has amassed an addicted player base of an astonishing 250 million players worldwide. A truly astounding number that is but it is well warranted as the developer constantly introduces new content.

---

8. COUNTER-STRIKE GLOBAL OFFENSIVE

 

Although the free-to-play tag was not assigned until recently, Counter-Strike: Global Offensive has to be on all general lists of top free-to-play titles. What the game has managed to accomplish with its esports scene is unprecedented and commendable. The game remains very balanced and immensely rewarding to skill and game knowledge. The esports scene, the microeconomics and rewarding gameplay are just a few factors that can be presented to substantiate the claim that CS:GO is among the best.

---

7. WORLD OF TANKS

   

World of Tanks is in the company of the best free to play online games. With it, Wargaming has created a world in which players pilot massive, customizable tanks and engage in tactical battles through historic locations. Being one of the most sought after titles is evidence enough that World of Tanks has been rooted in the hearts of its player base. The gameplay is so captivating that the players’ dedication persists and will prolong beyond these 9 years of the game’s existence.

---

6. PALADINS

 

Paladins one of the best free-to-play titles out right now as Evil Mojo Games and Hi-Rez Studios were able to surmount the criticism and negativity tossed at the title in its preliminary stages of development. The wave of scorn was from those who claimed the company copied another popular game at the time. However, players that have lived both experiences account that Paladins is not only unique but among the best free to play titles and the size of its active player base corroborates that claim.

---

5. HEARTHSTONE

 

Blizzard Entertainment has developed Hearthstone which is a collectable card game embraced by a large chunk of the gaming community. For the developer, the reason the game is successful is that it adheres by the slogan attached which is, “Deceptively simple and insanely fun”. A thriving esports scene and daily Twitch viewership exceeding 20,000 are just two of the many factors assuring Hearthstone’s prevalence. It is not only the number one free to play CCG but the best CCG overall.

---

4. PATH OF EXILE

 

Path of Exile is an action RPG that is looked upon with much favour in the gaming world. The preceding statement can be supported by the fact that of Path of Exile’s 77,000 plus reviews on Steam, the average is very positive. All the praise and attention the title receives is largely attributed to it being a one-stop destination for players in search of depth. The game has so many different options that it has very high reputability, which garners the sustained interest from its player base.

---

3. WARFRAME

 

Digital Extremes’ Warframe is a title deserving of applause as it was shrouded by much scepticism at its inception. The future of the title was blurred as it dared to be different. Ironically, now 6 years into the future and the same unique pathing that amassed doubt has lead the title to prosperity. The developers are cheered for their capacity to lend an ear to their community and implement its demands. Warframe is currently the third most played free-to-play game on Steam.

---

2. TEAM FORTRESS 2

   

Sitting in 4th position on the Steam Charts for most-played title is Team Fortress 2. Being fourth might not appear impressive absent context, but the contrary is true. The arena FPS will be 12 years old in October of this year which means this game has withstood the test of time and persists to assert dominance. An argument can be made that both Steam and Team Fortress 2 were developed by Valve Corporation but the numbers do not lie, TF averages 46,000 active players per month.

---

1. APEX LEGENDS

 

Apex Legends is undoubtedly one of the best free to play PC games in the world. Almost every gaming news outlet has done a feature on the emergence of Respawn’s Apex Legends. For those who don’t know, Apex legends is a squad-based Battle Royale game in which players use weapons, tactics and special abilities to best their opponents in a quest to become sole survivors. To put things in perspective, Apex legends had a player base of 50 million within a month of being released.

---

---

ALSO ON ALLKEYSHOP NEWS

---

10 Best Sports Games from 2018   10 Best Sports Games og 2018: Here are the top 10 sports games of 2018 counted down together with our best deals for each title.

---