As the season of giving unfolds, the excitement of receiving gifts naturally follows. While the spirit of generosity is often celebrated, there’s no harm in indulging in the joy of claiming complimentary offerings, especially in the realm of PC gaming. This time of year, various digital storefronts are brimming with opportunities to snag free games. Below is a curated selection of some of the most enticing options currently available, along with a few personal recommendations. For those seeking an extensive list, don’t forget to explore our comprehensive guides on the best free games on Steam and the broader PC gaming landscape.
Epic’s Free Games
The Epic Games Store has a delightful tradition of gifting free games each month, and during the holiday season, this generosity escalates to a new level with a daily giveaway. So far, titles like Vampire Survivors and Astrea: Six Sided Oracles have graced the platform, with new games set to be unveiled every day until January 1. For those eager to keep track of these offerings, our Epic Games Store free games tracker is an invaluable resource.
Diablo 4: Vessel of Hatred (Free Trial Ends January 3)
For fans of action RPGs, the opportunity to explore Diablo 4’s new Spiritborn class is available for free on Battle.net until January 3. The game has seen significant improvements since its launch, thanks to Blizzard’s ongoing updates and balance adjustments. Tyler Colp’s review of the Vessel of Hatred expansion in October highlighted its merits, making it a worthy contender for your gaming time, especially if you’re not currently engrossed in Path of Exile 2.
Straftat
This free 1v1 shooter took the PC gaming community by storm in October, leading to a flurry of friendly deathmatches among players. Its engaging gameplay has prompted some to declare it feels almost unfair that it’s available at no cost. You can find Straftat on Steam, where it continues to attract attention.
100 Christmas Cats
Among the many hidden object games in the “100 Cats” series on Steam, 100 Christmas Cats stands out. The premise is simple yet captivating: locate the cats, click on them, and enjoy the delightful meow as they vanish, rewarding you with Steam achievements. This charming game offers a lighthearted escape, perfect for alleviating holiday stress.
GOG’s Winter Surprises
GOG is spreading holiday cheer with its Winter Sale Calendar, which features new gifts to discover until December 31. While not all offerings are free games, there are delightful finds, such as Chicken Assassin: Reloaded, currently available at no cost. To explore the latest giveaways, visit GOG’s dedicated giveaway page.
Virtual Interactive Fireplace
While not a traditional game, the Virtual Interactive Fireplace offers a cozy alternative to standard holiday visuals. If your PC is connected to a TV or you can stream it, this interactive experience allows you to start a fire by striking a match and tossing crumpled paper onto the logs—a nostalgic touch that evokes the comforting scent of a real fireplace.
Supervive
Since its early access release on Steam last month, Supervive has garnered attention as a unique blend of MOBA battle royale and hero shooter. If you’re searching for a fresh team game to engage your Discord crew, this title is certainly worth considering.
Betrayer
This unconventional horror shooter from 2014 has resurfaced on GOG after being delisted from Steam. Despite its earlier mixed reviews, Betrayer remains a memorable experience that may intrigue those looking for something different during the holiday season.
SkiFree
Gather the family around to introduce them to a true PC gaming classic: SkiFree. This nostalgic title can be downloaded from creator Chris Pirih’s website, offering a glimpse into the early days of gaming that many will cherish.
Warframe: 1999
With its latest update, Warframe continues to evolve, introducing players to an alternate-history ’90s boy band called “On-lyne.” This intriguing addition promises to enhance the free-to-play shooter’s narrative, and for those interested, Warframe remains readily available on Steam.
