Free games to grab over the holidays

GamesFree games to grab over the holidaysWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.

(Image credit: Lemaitre Bros)

A Straftat screenshot.

It’s a time for gift giving, which must also mean it’s a time for giftreceiving. That’s not the part we’re supposed to cherish, but I won’t tell on you if you do a little cherishing. Getting free stuff is nice, and there’s always more free stuff to claim from PC gaming’s various stores this time of year.

Below, I’ve collected some of our top free game recommendations right now—plus a few odds and ends I personally recommend—but also check out our bigger lists of thebest free games on Steamand thebest free PC gamesin general.

Epic’s free games

Even if it’s just their way of luring non-Fortnite players into the Epic ecosystem, it’s hard to complain about being handed a free game on theEpic Games Storeevery month. And during the holidays, Epic gives away a new free game every day.

So far it’s given away Vampire Survivors and Astrea: Six Sided Oracles, and there’ll be new games every day through January 1. Check ourEpic Games Store free games trackerto see what can be claimed and what’s already been given away.

Diablo 4: Vessel of Hatred (free trial ends January 3)

(Image credit: Tyler C. / Blizzard)

A muscular Diablo 4 spiritborn character wearing green armor on a dark jungle-themed background

Straftat

(Image credit: Lemaitre Bros)

Black Lodge twin peaks red glowing room while being fired on in STRAFTAT

PC Gamer’s productivity briefly skidded to a halt in October when we discovered this new, free 1v1 shooter and everyone started challenging each other to deathmatches. It’s so good we said thatit feels unfair that it’s free. You can pick upStraftaton Steam.

100 Christmas Cats

(Image credit: 100 Cozy Games)

100 Christmas Cats

One of dozens of free hidden object games in the “100 Cats” series on Steam, this is a game where you look for cats. When you find a cat, you click on it, and it meows violently, pops out of existence, and you get a Steam achievement. It is incredibly enjoyable. If the holidays stress you out, click on some cats. You’ll feel better. Get it and the otherson Steam.

The biggest gaming news, reviews and hardware deals

GOG’s winter surprises

(Image credit: OneShark/Akupara Games)

GOG’s got some presents for us. Through December 31, you’ll find new gifts to unwrap in itsWinter Sale Calendar(scroll down to find it). They mostly aren’t games—I have just downloaded some nice seasonal wallpapers—but at the time of writing, you can get Chicken Assassin: Reloaded for $0, though the giveaway ends soon. To just see if a game giveaway is available, head towww.gog.com/en/#giveaway.

You can also check out GOG’s more permanentfree games collection—there are some great classics on it. (Some are on Steam, too, if you prefer.)

Virtual Interactive Fireplace

(Image credit: Script Ocean Games)

Virtual Interactive Fireplace

Supervive

(Image credit: Theorycraft Games)

Supervive artwork

It’s been pretty popular since it released inearly access on Steamlast month, but this free-to-play “MOBA battle royale meets hero shooter” might’ve slipped under your radar whileMarvel Rivalshogged the F2P attention. We were impressed with the genre mashup when we previewed it earlier this year; if you’re looking for a new team game to get the Discord crew to try, it’s a good candidate.

Betrayer

(Image credit: Black Powder Games)

Betrayer screenshot

This odd 2014 horror shooter was delisted on Steam and is no longer available there for some reason, but it reappeared on GOG for free. Grab it! It’s not the most festive game, I admit, and I didn’t give it a particularly high score when Ireviewed it a decade ago, but I remember feeling conflicted about it. Clearly, it stuck with me.

SkiFree

A SkiFree screenshot.

Gather the kids around and show them what arealPC gaming classic looks like. If you’re unfamiliar, wewrote all about SkiFreea few years ago, and you can download itfrom creator Chris Pirih’s website.

Warframe 1999

(Image credit: Digital Extremes)

Warframe 1999 Hex syndicate

Warframe’s been around for ages, of course, but its latest update is “bonkers,” as Fraser put it. As a little taste of what to expect from the free-to-play shooter’s new story, it features an alt-history ’90s boy band called “On-lyne.” Fraser’sgot more details here, and Warframe isavailable on Steamas always.

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Epic’s free games#

Diablo 4: Vessel of Hatred (free trial ends January 3)#

Straftat#

100 Christmas Cats#

The biggest gaming news, reviews and hardware deals#

GOG’s winter surprises#

Virtual Interactive Fireplace#

Supervive#

Betrayer#

SkiFree#

Warframe 1999#

Epic’s free games

Diablo 4: Vessel of Hatred (free trial ends January 3)

Straftat

100 Christmas Cats

The biggest gaming news, reviews and hardware deals

GOG’s winter surprises

Virtual Interactive Fireplace

Supervive

Betrayer

SkiFree

Warframe 1999