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We like free stuff. That’s why we posted links to download and play 365 free games so you could have a decent game to play for every day of the year, free of charge. Unfortunately, GamesRadar has yet to wrestle the most formidable type of free games into submission so that they can be preserved in their proper list form for eternity. We’re talking about the free games that were good enough to sell, important enough to review, and memorable enough to warrant a second play through years later.
Luckily, we’ve somehow managed to sort through over a hundred previously-for-sale titles that you can now play for free, and synthesized our list down to just the essential games you’d still want to play. Most of them look dated, for sure, but whether you’re looking for some decent side-scrolling action, nostalgic hits from the golden age of adventure, classic titles of interest, or even MMORPGs, you’re bound to find something in the following pages.
Alien Carnage (aka Halloween Harry)
This side-scrolling action series was originally released as Halloween Harry, but was later renamed as Alien Carnage due to concerns that the original title might confuse customers, making them think that it was a Halloween-themed game.
The game puts you in control of agent Halloween Harry, and charges you with saving the world from aliens that are trying to turn everyone into zombies. Blast and burn your way through a series of old school levels with your trusty flamethrower and jetpack. Saving damsels in distress will fill up your health meter.
Above: The retro artwork will deliver a nostalgic kick in the pants to anyone who remembers classic DOS platformers distributed by Apogee Software
Allegiance
This online space combat/real-time strategy title was well received by critics when it released in 2000. Players pilot various vessels ranging from small vessels to capital ships and would work as a team to destroy the enemy’s bases and ships. Each team is assigned a Commander who leads the group, purchasing miners, managing resources to build bases, and developing new technology for their team to use in combat.
Above: The quality of Allegiance’s visuals hold up pretty well
Unfortunately, Microsoft no longer supports or runs Allegiance, and released the game under a shared source license in 2002. The good news is that the game’s strong fan base has been keeping the game alive at www.freeallegiance.org. You’ll need to create a Gameplay Account in order to play. Click here after you’ve downloaded the client by following the link below.
Above: An Allegiance trailer with lots of sexy and spacey gameplay footage
ArchLord
We still like the idea behind ArchLord, an MMO where every player competes to become the god-like ruler of their server. Unfortunately, when ArchLord released, it was criticized for dated graphics, grindy gameplay, and a ruthless environment where parties of hardcore players picked off individual players in their quest to become the new ArchLord.
Above: Who wouldn’t want to lord over an entire server of players? Now that ArchLord’s free, it’s harder to criticize it’s rough spots
But that was then, and this is now - and ArchLord no longer charges a monthly fee for admission. Since then, Webzen has taken over the distribution and maintenance of ArchLord from Codemasters and has made it a free-to-play title. Now that it’s free, there’s no real risk in trying it and it’s a lot easier to forgive the game’s rough spots. If ruling over every player on your server sounds good to you, check out the official site to set up an account after you’ve downloaded the client.
Battle Chess
Battle Chess brought the classic board game to life with detailed and hilarious animations for each piece. After it released, other game developers followed suite with imitators, like Star Wars Chess, Terminator 2: Chess Wars, and National Lampoon’s Chess Maniac 5 Billion and 1.
Above: Battle Chess was the first chess game with real personality
Publisher and developer, Interplay, later released the original Battle Chess for free due to the success of the sequel. The “animated chess game” fad may have died a long time ago, but nostalgia for Battle Chess, the first and best of the bunch, still runs strong.
BattleForge
Part Magic: The Gathering, part Warcraft III, BattleForge aimed to combine card collecting and real-time strategy elements in a single title. We were worried that the game would bully players into buying additional unit cards via micro transactions, making the core game feel like a rip off. Fortunately, we were wrong - and BattleForge turned out to be a great RTS in its own right. Now that the core game is free, BattleForge is better than ever. Head to the official site or follow the link below to get the client.
BC Kid (aka Bonk)
As far as console mascots go, the TurboGrafx-16’s Bonk never reached the level of stardom seen with Nintendo’s Mario or Sega’s Sonic. But that doesn’t mean that the 8-bit caveman didn’t come packed with a fair share of platforming punch. Now, thanks to Factor 5, the studio that developed the Amiga version of BC Kid (aka Bonk), you can bang heads against bad dinosaurs for free. Follow the link below for the game and the emulator required to run it.
BC Racers
BC Racers was developer Core Design’s answer to Super Mario Kart when it released on the Sega Mega-CD, Sega 32X, and 3DO in 1993. Take prehistoric-themed riders, such as Chuck Rock or Brick Jagger, for rocky races on rides crafted from stone and wood. The co-op mode allowed for a second player to ride shotgun in the sidecar and fire off Stone Age weapons at opponents.
Above: BC Racers’ designer, Toby Gard, later went on to create Lara Croft. The PC version was released as freeware in 1995
Above: The animated opening of BC Racers for the Sega CD
Beneath a Steel Sky
This sci-fi adventure title was well received when it released in 1994. Praised for its original plot and dark sense of humor, the game follows the story of Robert Foster, an orphaned survivor of a plane crash who finds himself fighting to survive as he is drawn into a sinister government conspiracy.
Above: Beneath a Steel Sky’s comic book introduction featured art from Dave Gibbons (the artist for Alan Moore’s Watchmen)
A remastered version of this classic is available for the iPhone on the App Store, but the original PC version was released as freeware in 2003. We recommend heading over to Good Old Games, where you can download a version that’s compatible with Windows XP and Windows Vista. Or just click on the link below.
Download it now
