If you’re in the mood for a bit of strategic fun without spending money, these free PC games are for you. You don’t need to make a real-life investment to conquer fictional kingdoms or outwit opponents (although you can if you want to).
Conqueror's Blade
PC, GeForce Now
Conqueror’s Blade has you taking part in massive medieval battles—over 1000 soldiers, to be exact. You, as a fierce warlord, lead armies and crush enemies with style across many maps around the world (including Japan, as of the Sengoku update!).
So, how do you win with strategy? It's how well you command your troops—position archers, deploy heavy cavalry, unleash siege weapons, learn each unit’s unique strengths. Choose unit and weapon combos wisely and place them at the most advantageous spots.
Conqueror's Blade Sengoku trailer
Hero Zero - Multiplayer RPG
PC, Browser, Android
You’re a wannabe superhero trying to save the world from outrageous villains while building a secret base under your house. Level up your hero and prove you’re the best in Humpreydale.
The game may have a funny, cartoonish art style, but don’t let it fool you into thinking there’s no deep strategy here. It lies in smart upgrades and teamwork—equip hilarious gadgets and strengthen your hideout while joining forces with friends.
And keep an eye on the monthly season pass for exclusive gear.
Sword of Convallaria
PC, iOS, Android
Lead a band of mercenaries through Iria in Sword of Convallaria. Iria is a magical, mineral-rich land in a web of political chaos. The players tackle intense battles and make game-changing, tough decisions. Try to bring peace or a little profitable mayhem.
You must become a master of grid-based combat: position allies, use the environment, and balance attacks to outmaneuver enemies on complex terrains.
Every choice shapes the story, too, so even a small decision could tip the scales in your favor… or send you reeling back to the tavern for some “strategy” refreshers.
Mr. Mine
PC, Browser, iOS, Android
Become the boss of a quirky little mining crew in the legendary clicker Mr.Mine—drill deep into the earth to uncover hidden treasures and odd encounters. Keep upgrading, digging, and raking in gems until you’re richer than a dragon’s hoard.
To become rich by digging, you’ll need to upgrade your drill (there’s over 100 upgrades), hire scientists, and unlock special buildings that make mining faster and more profitable.
Keep an eye out for secret encounters and rare relics—worth their weight in gold (and then some).
Pixel Starships
PC, Android, macOS, iOS
Time to build the ultimate (fully modular) starship and prove your crew can take on anything the Universe has in store. Pixel Starships puts you in command of a spaceship in an 8-bit galaxy where you manage everything.
Victory means balancing resources, mastering ship power controls, and programming AI (not the chatbot kind!) to keep your crew ready for anything, anytime (really, even when you go offline). Juggle diplomacy, exploration, intense battles—and laser cannons.
Prominence Poker
PC, PS4, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S
Build a reputation and bankroll in a gritty city of Prominence (get it, that’s why it’s Prominence Poker). Here, poker is more than a game—it’s a way of life, and a way to the top.
Outsmart crafty and shady players (and even shadier AI) to earn respect, riches, and maybe face down the elusive "Mayor" himself, if you dare.
Holding good cards is not enough to win, it takes reading opponents, managing bets, knowing when to bluff and knowing when to fold. Customize your avatar to keep rivals guessing, and use table items to distract just enough to slip your best hand by them.
Realm Grinder
PC, Browser, macOS, GeForce Now, Android, iOS
In Realm Grinder, you start as a humble farm owner with dreams of building an epic kingdom that keeps going when you’re not looking. Align with magical factions, invest in structures and spells, unlock upgrades, and grow in riches and power.
Factions matter—elves reward quick taps, demons favor big power plays, and so on. Customizing your upgrades to maximize profit also matters. Keep experimenting with spells, buildings, excavations, and reincarnations to find a strategy that makes your kingdom unstoppable.
AdVenture Capitalist
PC, Browser, macOS, PS4
Want to become a billionaire tycoon, but start with just a lemonade stand? Probably not in real life, but that’s AdVenture Capitalist in a nutshell. Your goal is to rake in piles of cash, amass ridiculous wealth, and get so rich that angel investors practically throw themselves at you.
Build smart (not hard), invest smarter. Hire managers to keep cash flowing even when you’re offline and diversify into new businesses whenever there’s the opportunity.
Puzzle Pirates
PC, macOS, Java
Can you imagine being a pirate on a quest for booty, fame, and the biggest pirate hat you can find, but you solve puzzles? It sounds totally outlandish but in Puzzle Pirates, it’s real.
Prove your pirating prowess by conquering the seas and joining a fearless real-player crew.
Every swashbuckling skill, from sword fighting to ship sailing, comes down to your puzzling chops. To be the best, you’ll need to master each game, strategize with your crew, and maybe run a shop or two—because who says pirates can’t have a side hustle?
Super Auto Pets
PC, Browser
Build a team of cute-as-heck pets/animals with wild abilities, and then send them off to battle for glory (and probably some kibble). Win as many matches as you can and become the ultimate Pok—I mean, pet squad.
To stay on top, you’ll need to mix and match pets to create combos that pack a punch in Arena mode or battling head-to-head. You decide when to attack and when to back off, and that decision may change the course of the whole battle.
Call of War: World War 2
PC, Browser, macOS, iOS, Android
You’re the mastermind behind a WWII nation’s rise to glory, from seizing provinces to hatching schemes with allies (or foes) over epic, weeks-long campaigns. World domination for the win—what’s a few tank battles and airstrikes between friends!
Manage troops in real-time, research secret weapons, install spy networks, and deploy every WW2-era unit, including atomic bombs. Play the diplomat, the conqueror, or the tech whiz, but only the smartest, sneakiest, and most relentless stands a chance.
Call of War: World War 2 trailer
Town of Salem 2
PC, macOS
The social deduction game Town of Salem 2 drops you in the middle of a seemingly charming (but not-so-charming) town where you either hunt killers or hide among them.
Use every trick in the book—deception, deduction, or sheer charm—to survive the night and unmask the villains before they get you (unless you’re the villain).
You’ll need to read the room, play your role (from Bodyguard to Witch), and either keep the peace or stir up chaos. In Salem, trust is rarer than a cat with nine lives.
Balatro
PC, macOS, Switch, PS4, PS5, Android
Balatro is a poker-flavored roguelike in which you build a deck, stack up winning hands, pull off wild combos, and take on high-stakes blinds. Outwit the house and reach the final boss blind for that sweet, sweet victory.
You’ll need to master your deck by mixing standard hands, Tarot cards, Jokers, Planet cards, Vouchers, and more. Every card and discard can flip the game, so load up on the combos.
Shadowverse CCG
PC, macOS, iOS, Android
In this Japanese card battler, you choose a class and fight epic card duels with stunning art and fully voiced characters. Climb to victory using skill and strategy, or add a sneaky dash of spell-slinging finesse—luck only takes you so far, after all.
With eight leader classes and a constant stream of new expansions, every deck is a fresh opportunity for clever combos, whether unleashing Vengeance, going full control, or crafting some sneaky tactics.
One-armed robber
PC
Rob banks, but with a twist: you’ve only got one arm to work with—or bring a friend along for double the limbs and double the loot. Fill your bags at the bank vault and high tail it out before the alarms (or the guards) get you.
To pull off the perfect heist, you’ll need to pick your tools: go quiet with a suppressor or bulk up with extended mags, whichever playstyle you prefer. Also, bring backup duffel bags for extra cash haul.
Yu-Gi-Oh! Duel Links
PC, Android, iOS
Yu-Gi-Oh! Duel Links brings the much beloved card game to life with iconic characters like Yugi, Kaiba, Joey, and Mai—and you can play as any of them. Build an unstoppable deck, and battle players worldwide (or AI) through epic stages to become the King of Games.
Winning means mastering every aspect of your deck, from legendary monsters like Dark Magician to tricky combos and picking the perfect support cards. With each duel, you’ll level up and unlock skills to help you outwit everyone.
Goose Goose Duck
PC, macOS, Android, iOS
Can you picture yourself as a goose on a mission with some serious trust issues—because your team may include scheming ducks out to ruin everything? Complete tasks and sus(s) out the impostors to stay alive long enough to send the baddies packing.
You must be both sharp and sneaky. Complete your objectives while dodging sabotages, hide in Vents or Lockers to avoid surprise “environmental kills.” In meetings, throw some clever shade to keep the flock in your corner.
Age of Empires III: Definitive Edition
PC, GeForce Now
Age of Empires III: Definitive Edition is a classic real-time strategy, but now in its “definitive” form. You command powerful civilizations, build empires, conquer foes, and make history across Europe, the Americas, and Asia in dazzling 4K.
Victory calls for balancing military might, resource management, keeping your people happy, and smart alliances. Deploy troops, adapt tactics, keep your cities growing, all while tackling ferocious enemies (and other players) and shifting battlefronts.
Age of Empires III: Definitive Edition trailer
KARDS - The WW2 Card Game
PC, macOS, Android, iOS
KARDS - The WW2 Card Game mixes WWII battlefield tactics with classic card game strategy. You command forces across land, air, and sea not by commanding units or maps, but by building the ultimate deck.
Victory means balancing resources while choosing the right tanks, aircraft, artillery, and infantry to control the field.
Be it Blitzkrieg blitzes to defensive digs, each move demands both clever card play and tactical thinking, while managing Kredits and support assets can be the difference between victory and retreat.
KARDS - The WW2 Card Game trailer
Idle Champions of the Forgotten Realms
PC, Switch, GeForce Now, PS4, Xbox One, macOS, Android, iOS
Idle Champions of the Forgotten Realms brings together heroes from the D&D universe to take on epic adventures and foes across realms like Icewind Dale, Baldur’s Gate, and Avernus. Collect legendary Champions and battle through iconic D&D campaigns.
Formations that make the most of each Champion’s abilities are the ones that win. You’ll need to mix and match skills and manage resources carefully, while maybe even tapping into Modron Automation and Multi-Party Mode.
Idle Champions of the Forgotten Realms trailer
Fallout Shelter
PC, iOS, Android, Switch, PS4, Xbox One
Fallout Shelter lets you create and manage your very own underground Vault in the iconic Fallout universe, where you’re in charge of keeping Dwellers safe, productive, and happy in a world that’s gone very, very wrong.
You’ll need to balance resources, assign jobs, train skills, and keep track of your people’s well-being to keep the Vault running. Send explorers into the Wasteland for supplies, set up defenses, maybe even play matchmaker to grow your Dweller population.
RISK: Global Domination
PC, macOS, Android, iOS
Lead armies to take over the world in digital battles that bring the classic board game RISK to life. Outmaneuver everyone else with clever alliances and even more clever battles until your empire covers the map.
Build up forces, negotiate alliances (or betray them), and seize continents while defending borders. Every decision and deployment can tip the scales in this global showdown, including the more unexpected events, like fending off zombies or outsmarting futuristic armies.
RISK: Global Domination trailer
Crusader Kings II
PC, macOS, GeForce Now
Crusader Kings II is a beloved grand strategy game, once paid from base game, now free-to-play without expansions. It throws you into the medieval chaos of Europe, where you’ll rule, scheme, fight, charm and (hopefully) survive long enough to build a mighty dynasty.
In a grand strategy like this, winning is a delicate mix of diplomacy, deception, intrigue, economy, and a healthy dose of war. Marry into alliances, keep an eye on vassals with shifty loyalties, root out treacherous plots, and, when time comes, defend your lands (or attack).
GWENT: The Witcher Card Game
PC, PS4, iOS, Android, GeForce Now, Xbox One, macOS
Step into the Witcher universe and play GWENT in real life—mind-bending duels where you wield cards featuring Geralt, Yennefer, and other beloved characters. Outsmart opponents in fast-paced battles across a range of classic, seasonal, and arena modes.
Here, timing and tricks do the...trick. Do you open strong to rattle them or hold back your best for a final round surprise? With both melee and ranged cards to play across different rows, each card you sling and every bluff you pull just might turn the tables.
GWENT: The Witcher Card Game trailer
Onmyoji
PC, GeForce Now, Android, iOS
Deep into a mystical Heian-era Japan in Onmyoji, spirits roam and onmyoji—legendary spirit-masters—keep the balance. As Abe no Seimei, you’ll recover lost memories and unlock secrets hidden between worlds while commanding magical shikigami.
Each shikigami has unique powers and stories. Choose your champions and evolve their skills, then test your tactics in Duels, Demon Parades, and more.
Summoners War
PC, Android, iOS
Summoners War invites you to the Sky Arena to collect monsters from every element—Fire, Water, Wind, Light, and Dark—and build teams to take on fierce battles.
Equip runes to awaken monsters and assemble a perfect squad to tackle everything from real-time raids to PvP guild battles. Choose the right artifacts or pull off a last-minute skill upgrade, it’s all on you.
MARVEL SNAP
PC, macOS, Android, iOS
Each match takes about three minutes, but every play packs a punch in this quick-fire card battler. Build a team of iconic Marvel heroes and villains to outsmart opponents across dozens of Marvel locations. Bluff it ‘till you make it with the “SNAP” mechanic.
Make combos with a 12-card deck, mastering location effects from Asgard to Wakanda, and timing your SNAP to apply just the right pressure.
Limbus Company
PC, Android, iOS
From the creators of Lobotomy Corporation comes Limbus Company. It pulls you into a dystopian city where you command 12 “Sinners” hunting for mysterious Golden Boughs in a mysteriously grim world.
Link up skill icons for major damage, choose the right Identities and E.G.O for synergy, learn the quirks of enemies—from tough Abnormalities to foes with affinity-based attacks.
