Because it's free or cheap, there's a stigma that it's low quality. However, this is far from the truth, as some games made by indie developers often have the best gameplay and well-thought-out stories. Just because a game isn't a AAA JRPG doesn't mean it can't have an amazing narrative. Even the most basic platform games can have such features.
Free games are also a good option if you want to try something a little different from your usual wheelhouse or a bit more leisurely. In this list you will find the best free games with amazing stories.
Updated on September 28, 2024 by Jacqueline Zalace: We all appreciate good free games. Right? Because of this, we've updated our list to give you a few more games for you to check out. You can also now find information boxes and additional images for the games listed.
20 Star Wars: The Old Republic
If you're a fan of the Star Wars franchise and have never tried The Old Republic before, get your fix right away. It's an MMORPG where you can create characters of various classes, and each class has its own story that you can follow.
They fall into two categories: Republic or Empire, so there are a lot of options for customization here. The map has many planets to explore and stories to discover, all set in the Star Wars universe. Since the game has been around for a long time, there is a lot of content to keep you entertained.
19 Exciting Literature Club
This visual novel game is the definition of not judging a book by its cover. The title promises something similar to a typical high school story, but it's definitely more than that. Although some parts of the story are dark, be careful because the twists and turns within it will surprise you.
There is a paid version called Doki Doki Literature Club Plus, but the original is completely free on the developer's website. If you like visual novels that go beyond the ordinary, this is definitely worth checking out.
18 Grim's Hollow
If you enjoy the RPG game style but don't want a game that's too long, Grimm's Hollow is a great choice. The characters are very well written, have a good soundtrack and a really pretty color palette.
You follow the story of Lavender, a girl who passed away but did not enter the afterlife. Instead, she becomes a Shinigami in a place called Hollow. She learns that her younger brother Timmy is also somewhere in the Hollow and sets out on an adventure to find him. It's really interesting to see the game's take on the afterlife contributing to a great story.
17 The Amazing Adventures of Captain Spirit
Developed by Square Enix, the game is part visual novel and part adventure. A prequel to Life is Strange 2, it follows the story of a young boy named Chris who uses his imagination to cope with the deaths of his mother and emotionally uncaring father.
There's not a lot of in-depth gameplay here, but it's a lovely little emotional story that seems to frame the childhood mind in all the right ways. If you want to start playing Life Strange, it's worth playing first.
16 Lalana
If you like puzzle games, this short adventure about frogs created by students at Southern Methodist University will delight you.
In the story, an ancient temple is cursed, turning everything to stone except one small guardian who takes the form of a small amphibian. They must continue their quest to rid the temple of its poison, rescue their Guardian friends, and restore the neglected home to its former glory. It contains a story worth visiting and can be downloaded for free from the Steam store.
15 genshin impact
Genshin Impact is an open-world free-to-play gacha title from Mihoyo that takes you into the land of Teyvat and goes on a quest to find out what happened to the twin brothers. Joining you on your adventure is your companion Paimon. Recruit other adventurers through gacha and story completion as you explore the world and participate in the game's plot.
Each character has unique high fantasy lore that adds a deeper component to the story. Updates and new content are frequently added to the game, usually expanding the main story arc. You can also participate in free events. If you want to enjoy an open world RPG with gorgeous graphics, Genshin is the best choice.
14 guitar girl
This is a really simple and relaxing game where you play a female character who is an aspiring musician. The story is told similar to an animation in the short animation genre. The girl is a high school student who wants to cheer people up with her music. Leveling up your guitar skills will help you get more followers on social media.
The gameplay itself is very simple, just tap the screen to play the guitar. The story unfolds through messages your followers send you. The most memorable one is probably the cat that acts as a wingman for its owner, your secret admirer.
13 Dinner with an Owl
Do you remember the point-and-click PC visual novel-style games that seemed to be everywhere when you were a kid? This is a grown-up version with a horror-themed twist.
Play the story of going to the home of a dinner-loving owl creature who won't allow his guests to leave. At first everything about the plot seems obvious, but there are strange twists and turns that we never see coming. Fortunately, this game isn't that scary for people who are easily offended by horror games, it's just very creepy and weird.
12 fate grand order
The Fate anime series is known for its amazing writing, so it's no surprise that the free mobile game Fate Grand Order has an amazing story. You begin your journey as a new recruit for Chaldea, a security organization seeking to prevent the future incineration of humanity.
Unfortunately, as the last person in Chaldea, a terrible accident occurs that leaves you unable to summon past servants or spiritual heroes. These warriors will aid you in your quest to save humanity as you travel to various eras in history to repair rifts in time. You have the option to purchase microtransactions to use in gacha, but they are not required to play the game.
11 gravity bone
For those who enjoy spy stories, Gravity Bone is a must. Don't be put off by the funky art style. This is worth playing for the story alone. The premise sounds boring, as you perform multiple tasks for the company you work for, but the story makes it possible.
There are no innovative gameplay tactics here, but fans of the visual novel style format will definitely enjoy it. You can download it for free directly from the developer Blendo Games website or the Steam store.
10 cry of fear
Cry Of Fear is the perfect free game for fans of Silent Hill style horror games. The story is set in an empty town filled with monstrous animals and many scary aspects.
You'll have to travel to the cold city to find out what's going on. By using a variety of classic horror game mechanics such as immersion, this will definitely be an unforgettable experience. Interestingly enough, this game also started out as a mod.
9 cave story
Cave Story takes place in the underground region of the island, inhabited by a species called Mimiga, peaceful creatures that become vicious when they eat certain flowers. Outsiders want the Demon Crown, a hidden artifact on the island, and will stop at nothing to obtain it.
It's since been ported to many consoles, but you can download the original Cave Story for free from the developer's website. Cave Story has been praised by critics for years and is considered one of the best platform games in terms of story, art style, and gameplay.
8 final fantasy 14
If you've ever wanted to get into the Final Fantasy franchise but aren't sure where to start, Final Fantasy 14 is a great game to start with. The MMO style offers a ton of variation while also providing a great story that connects to previous games.
The base game is now free along with the Heavensward expansion. Final Fantasy 14 left a unique and indelible mark on the MMO scene. Plus, you get to ride a giant yellow bird.
7 warframe
Warframe combines elements of farming simulation, story, open world, and shooter. You play a character who goes on a journey to explore the universe. There are many quests to complete and much of the story is something you can choose for yourself.
Now almost a decade old, the game has plenty of content to keep you entertained for a long time. This story raises profound, philosophical questions about life, both synthetic and organic. Best of all, you can become a space ninja type character.
6 Guild Wars 2
Guild Wars 2 is another MMORPG. Like Final Fantasy 14, this game is free to download and play, but there are also expansion packs available for purchase. In Guild Wars 2, you can play a deep story up to level 80.
There are five races to choose from, each with their own unique story and map location. Guild Wars 2 celebrated its 10th anniversary in 2022. This means that the game contains more than 10 years of content. If you're hooked, you can purchase the Heart of Thorns, Path of Fire, and End of Dragons expansion packs.
5 under the steel sky
Beneath a Steel Sky is a 2D point and click game with a cozy pixel art style. In this game, you take on the role of Robert Foster, who lives in a city controlled by a fascist AI. As you progress through the game, you must uncover the mystery of this dangerous AI.
This is another short game that takes about 6 hours to complete. But in those six hours, you'll be playing through a rich story full of interesting characters.
4 Marie's room
Marie's Room can be cleared in under an hour, but that doesn't mean it lacks story. In this game, you play as Kelsey, searching Marie's room to find out what happened to her.
Overall, the game is a simple walking simulator type game where you examine various objects. Through this simple gameplay you will learn a deep and touching story.
3 Kata and Shojo
Katawa Shoujo is a visual novel set in a high school for students with disabilities. By attending this school, you will have the opportunity to meet and get to know five disabled characters.
Overall, Katawa Shoujo handles living with disabilities respectfully. There is some 'adult' content, but you have the option to completely remove these scenes from the game without losing anything. If you want to play a unique and moving visual novel, you should give Katawa Shoujo a try!
2 Guardian Tales
Are you looking for a cute and classic JRPG? Look no further than Guardian Tales. The game takes place in Canterbury, which is under attack by 'invaders'. Of course, your role is that of a guardian knight who must save the world.
Along the way, you'll find a variety of dungeons, bosses, and heroes to keep you company. There is also PvP content you can play if you want to test your strength. Overall, the game packs a lot of content, with the main story alone taking an average of 135 hours to complete.
1 Deltarune
Deltarune is a “similar story” to Undertale, a bullet hell RPG where you can choose between violence and outright pacifism. Deltarune follows Kris, a human living in a world of monsters, as he (along with a few friends) discovers an alternate universe in danger of destruction.
Deltarune embodies creator Toby Fox's unique style and design very well. With retro art and quirky writing, the characters are some of the most memorable around. Before you know it, you'll find yourself falling in love with all the characters, making the overall story more compelling.
