Summary
- Some free single-player games worth checking out are Helltaker and Sheepy: A Short Adventure.
- Yume Nikki and Doki Doki Literature Club! Are two classic indie games with unique storytelling and gameplay.
- Grimhook offers fast-paced action with a satisfying grappling hook mechanic in a 3D setting.
Gaming is one of the most expensive hobbies in the world right now, so it’s no surprise that people are constantly trying to find new ways of playing good games without spending a cent. The only problem is that most free games on the market are either filled to the brim with microtransactions and/or can only be played in multiplayer.
Consumers who want to enjoy a solid single-player video game without spending money may feel alienated at first, but fortunately for them, there are actually some excellent offerings out there: it’s just a matter of knowing exactly where to look for them. The following single-player games are completely free, and they are all definitely worth checking out.
Yume Nikki
One Of The Most Important Indie Games Ever Made
Yume Nikki
- Released
- June 26, 2004
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- t
- Genre(s)
- Adventure
Back in the early 2000s, Japanese developer Kikiyama made a huge impact on the industry by releasing one of the very first indie video games, simply titled Yume Nikki. While it was made with RPG Maker 2003 (which is immediately evident by its graphic style), this is not really a conventional RPG at all. It’s more of an adventure game with an isometric perspective and a few horror elements.
Yume Nikki is all about a young girl named Madotsuki and her journey through her own dreams, which very quickly get surreal, psychedelic, and disturbing. This is one of the most distinctive video games ever made, and it directly inspired many other great indie RPGs that came after, like Undertale and Omori. Fortunately for those who’re interested, Yume Nikki has always been 100% free to download, but now it’s also available on Steam, which has made it even more accessible.
Doki Doki Literature Club!
A Brilliant Visual Novel With A Mind-Blowing Twist
Doki Doki Literature Club!
- Released
- September 22, 2017
WHERE TO PLAY
- Genre(s)
- Visual Novel, Horror
While not all gamers enjoy visual novels, Doki Doki Literature Club! Is a great game that everybody should experience once in their lives. Created by indie developer Dan Salvato over the course of two years, Doki Doki Literature Club! Went viral on the internet when it was first launched, and it is still being discussed to this day.
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Unfortunately, it’s almost impossible to explain what makes this game so brilliant without spoiling the mind-blowing plot twists that are hiding behind its cutesy and colorful façade, but anybody who’s interested should try it out for themselves before they get spoiled. It’s important to point out that this game has an enhanced port with additional content titled Doki Doki Literature Club Plus! That does cost money, but the original 2017 version is completely free.
Deltarune (Chapters 1 & 2)
Undertale’s Excellent Spiritual Successor
Deltarune
- Released
- October 31, 2018
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- Teen // Language, Suggestive Themes, Mild Blood, Fantasy Violence
- Genre(s)
- RPG
It's safe to say that most gamers nowadays are familiar with developer Toby Fox, the creator of Undertale. Back in 2019, he shocked his massive fan base by shadow-dropping a new game titled Deltarune, and the best part is that it was (and still is) completely free. However, as anybody who played it until the end quickly discovered, this initial release was just Chapter 1 of an ongoing project.
Toby Fox later released Deltarune Chapter 2 in 2021, which was also free, and only recently, in June 2025, he finally launched Chapters 3 and 4, which are paid content. However, the first two chapters of Deltarune are still completely free, which is great because this is one of the best indie RPGs currently on the market. With an engaging storyline, a cast of colorful and lovable characters, brilliant mechanics that parody the RPG genre, and one of the catchiest soundtracks ever made, Deltarune would be a must pay even with a price tag. The fact that it's free only makes it more enticing.
Astro's Playroom
The Best Pack-In Game Of This Generation
Astro's Playroom
- Released
- November 12, 2020
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- E10+ For Everyone 10+ due to Fantasy Violence
- Genre(s)
- Platformer
Pack-in video games (as in, games that come free with a console launch) are a dying art today, which is why Sony blew the minds of consumers when it launched the PlayStation 5 in 2020, and it came with a free game pre-installed. While Astro's Playroom is basically a tech demo meant to show players what the PS5 and its DualSense controller can do, it's actually a full game with hours’ worth of content.
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In Astro's Playroom, players take control of the titular character as he delves inside the PS5 console by exploring four different levels full of collectibles. This is a colorful and accessible 3D platformer that was clearly made with a lot of love and care for the PlayStation brand, but many PS5 users are not even aware that it exists. Astro's Playroom is such a great free game that it even received a direct sequel, simply titled Astro Bot, which won Game of the Year in 2024.
Helltaker
A Fun Puzzle-Adventure Game About Sharply Dressed Demon Girls
Helltaker
- Released
- May 11, 2020
- Platform(s)
- PC
Even though Helltaker may seem like a weird dating sim at first, it’s impossible to deny how entertaining, refreshing, and creative it is. Solo developer Łukasz Piskorz took the indie scene by storm back in 2020 when he released this unique project for free, in which the player has to solve a series of well-designed puzzles in order to reach a demon girl at the end of each level.
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Helltaker quickly gained a sizable following, not only because of its engaging gameplay, but also due to its solid character design and detailed 2D animation. After this huge success, Piskorz went on to make a bullet hell game titled Awaria, which is also free and worth checking out.
Sheepy: A Short Adventure
A Beautiful But Ominous Pixel Platformer
Sheepy: A Short Adventure
- Released
- February 6, 2024
WHERE TO PLAY
- Genre(s)
- Platformer
Gamers who are looking for a beautiful and distinctive experience but don't want to spend any money to get it should definitely give Sheepy: A Short Adventure a try. A very small team made this indie 2D platformer, and the first thing about it that immediately pops out is its outstanding presentation.
Sheepy: A Short Adventure was brought to life with incredibly detailed sprite work for both its titular protagonist and its environments, and everything looks way too good for a game that is 100% free. On top of that, its atmosphere is oddly somber, its soundtrack is surprisingly captivating, and, while the gameplay is quite simple, it's entertaining enough to keep players engaged throughout the entirety of its short duration.
The Murder Of Sonic The Hedgehog
This Hilarious April Fools' Gag Is Perfect For Any Sonic Fan
The Murder of Sonic the Hedgehog
- Released
- March 31, 2023
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- e
- Genre(s)
- Visual Novel
Back on April 1st, 2023, Sega released a freeware game titled The Murder of Sonic the Hedgehog, and, for something that was just supposed to be a silly April Fools' gag, a lot of effort and care clearly went into its development. Because of this, The Murder of Sonic the Hedgehog is a legitimately great game that most people—especially those who are fans of the Blue Blur—should experience on their own.
The player takes control of an employee aboard the Mirage Express, a train where the "Sonic Gang" is celebrating Amy Rose’s birthday. However, when it appears as though Sonic the Hedgehog has been murdered, it's up to the player to find out who did it. Needless to say, The Murder of Sonic the Hedgehog is a tongue-in-cheek parody of murder mysteries that takes the form of an old-school point-and-click adventure. It has well-written dialogue, a hilarious sense of humor, a few fun mini-games, and countless nods and Easter Eggs that longtime Sonic fans are sure to love.
Grimhook
A Fast-Paced Action Game With A Satisfying Grappling Hook Mechanic
- Released: December 8, 2023
- Developer: Unlimited Fries
- System: PC
- Genre: First-person, Action
Most free games currently on the market seem to be 2D RPGs, platformers, or visual novels, but Unlimited Fries' Grimhook is absolutely perfect for those who may be seeking to play something more ambitious that was built with 3D graphics. As its name implies, this is a first-person action game in which the player wields a grappling hook for both platforming and combat.
Grimhook's biggest highlight is its fluid and fast-paced movement system, which makes the exploration extremely engaging and satisfying. The entire experience is elevated further by its beautiful hand-painted art style and its striking Lovecraftian themes. Needless to say, this is all surprisingly ambitious and unique for a free product, and being able to experience such a solid game without paying a single cent feels almost criminal.
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