Best free games 2022: play big and save bigger

techradar.com:

The best free games have come a long way from the old loot-box cash grabs that plagued the market a few years ago. While those are still around, the market has matured in some exciting ways.

Whether it's the best MOBAs or the best MMO games, there are plenty of options available that offer an excellent gameplay experience without costing you a penny.  There are even some AAA-quality titles out there that offer few compromises in order to be free-to-play.

Besides, who wants to have to put more and more money into games when you've already made a major investment in the best gaming PC or the best gaming laptop that you could afford? Let's be honest, your wallet could use a break. A lot of free games offer a great way to try something out before throwing down money on upgrades or DLC for a game you don't even know if you'll enjoy – and you might never have to pay anything at all.

So what kind of high-quality games can you get for the low, low price of nothing? We've pulled together our picks from around the PC gaming world to help you find the right title for you.

You've heard the meme, but now might be the time to dive into one of the best PC games ever made, period. 

The game itself might not exactly be 'new', since it was originally released several years ago, but it's gotten a new lease of life lately thanks to a dedicated community that avoids a lot of the toxicity you can find in other online games. Given the online environment today, it's little wonder that Final Fantasy XIV has built up such a devoted following. 

Unlike a lot of other free-to-play MMORPGs, you can level your character all the way up to level 60 (multiple times, even) and enjoy the game's award-winning expansion Heavensward for free, with no restrictions