Today, it seems like the file size and price of games are skyrocketing. As games become more and more complex, the average title now fills 60 to 100 gigabytes of space on your hard drive, and some are beginning to push the $70 price tag. For some, both of these trends can really put you off from video games, making the hobby somewhat inaccessible.
Thankfully, the game market is massive, with thousands of titles for players to experience. If gameplay is what you’re after and great graphics aren’t a priority, you can find a wealth of retro games with very low file size and an even lower price point. Here are some old-school games you can play for free.
Runescape
Runescape is perhaps one of the most famous free-to-play MMORPGS out there. The game’s simple yet non-restrictive gameplay has attracted a fiercely dedicated fanbase, and both Classic Runescape and the remastered experience still receive high player counts to this day.
Runescape is all about fighting monsters, cooking food, cutting down trees, and mining rocks to improve a set of skills that allow you to participate in a real-time player economy. Whether you want to experience the game’s story and quests or just be a pro fisherman, the best part of Runescape is that it’s totally up to you how you play.
Wizard101
Perhaps one of the most unique MMORPGS out there, Wizard101 is a classic kid-friendly game that is still beloved by kids and adults alike. The game sees you playing as a wizard in Wizard City, engaging in magical battles using a unique card-based mechanic that revolves around deck building and collecting exciting new spells.
The early game is free-to-play, giving you about 15-20 levels of free-to-play content. Afterward, you can continue to experience the game with a premium membership, or by individually purchasing the zones you want to play in.
The unique thing about Wizard101 is that you can actually play forever without paying for a membership. The game never locks you out after the end of your free trial, instead just restricting you to the first few zones.
World of Warcraft
Another classic MMORPG, World of Warcraft is an old and storied game that continues to receive new expansions and constant updates from its dev team. This means that you’re likely never to run out of stuff to do once you start playing, as you have 19 years of content to catch up.
Though World of Warcraft is technically a subscription-based game, players can play for free up to level 20, which takes longer than you may think. In addition, you can actually purchase memberships using in-game gold, so crafty players can play the game without spending a single dollar.
Team Fortress 2
Team Fortress 2 is one of the most popular competitive shooters of all time. Featuring two teams of mercs duking it out in several game modes, TF2 is all about destroying the enemy in cartoony, explosive combat and discovering new weapons and hats to collect and trade as you do.
TF2 is available on Steam for free, and the only thing you have to pay for in the game is loot crates. There are nine playable classes and a super dedicated player base that is active at all hours of the day.
Guild Wars 2
Another MMORPG pushing on its 11th year, Guild Wars 2 features a wholly unique setting and a dedicated fanbase that keeps the game going to this day. The base experience for GW2 is totally free, with only the expansions being pay-to-play.
The great part about Guild Wars 2 is that it is a very nonlinear, open-world game, allowing you to travel to multiple different starter zones and complete each area as you wish. Your character’s story quests are level based, and how you get those levels doesn’t matter.
Neverwinter
Neverwinter is the MMO developed by and within the Dungeons and Dragons universe, giving players the chance to play the world of D&D in more ways than just the tabletop. Originally released in 2013, Neverwinter’s experience stands the test of time, with even the aging graphics looking pretty nice on a modern machine.
The game is also totally free to play, with everything from level one to the level cap being completely pay-free. It’s easy to totally lose a weekend, or even a week in Neverwinter, and your wallet will never know the difference.
AdventureQuest
AdventureQuest and AdventureQuest Worlds are both free-to-play RPG games that are famously kid-friendly. They feature a unique 2D side-scrolling style and a simple yet engaging story that younger players can consume without being confused.
The best part about AdventureQuest games is that they can be played in your browser. While Flash is no longer supported, there are Flash-emulating plugins you can find in the Chrome store that allow you to continue to play AdventureQuest without downloading the launcher.
Counter-Strike: Global Offensive
CS:GO is a highly competitive, fast-paced shooter that inspired games like Valorant and Tarkov. It’s practically considered the grandfather of reflex shooters, alongside other titans like Quake.
Another free-to-play shooter from Valve where the only paid feature is cosmetics, CS:GO is a classic FPS game that continues to see a ton of active daily players. It even maintains a healthy competitive scene, with cash prizes available for the highest-ranking teams to come and claim.
Those are 8 classic free-to-play games, but there are still plenty out there for players to enjoy. If you loved this list, check out more great content like this in the listicle section of our website.
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