The best Mac apps of 2018 These 30 useful apps are absolutely essential for Mac lovers.
The best so far (and coming soon)- The best free MMORPG Games in 2018, pre-order offers and instant download MMORPG, MMORTS and MMO games. The best free MMORPG Games in 2018, pre-order offers and instant download MMORPG, MMORTS.
- Find the best free to play MMORPGs for Mac including MMO games and other Mac compatible online games that run on OS X to download and play for free.
By Kirk Hiner & Ric Molina | Updated June 30, 2019
I think you’ll agree 2019 is shaping up to be a great year for Mac gaming.Sure, there’s the sheer quantity of new games released (did you know there are over 8,700 Mac games on Steam?) but what really has us excited is the high quality of the best Mac games of 2019 so far.
And you know what? The games planned for the remainder of the year are just as exciting.
PS: If you want even more top-notch games for your Mac, check out the 100 Best Mac games you can play today.
And as most “2019” guides cover older games too, we made sure this list is limited to games released in 2019 (with the exception of Leif Johnson’s excellent Mac games you need to play sreies). Enjoy!
Your Mac deserves more love!
It drives me crazy to see so many Mac users discard gaming because haters told them Macs can’t run games!
It is my mission to show you all the awesome games you can run on Mac (you too, MacBook users!). Just look at all the great Mac games from 2019 alone!
Game | ★ Best Overall | Best for MacBook | Best Value |
Genre | Role-Playing | Collectible Cards | Action |
Release date | 2019 | 2019 | 2019 |
Metascore | |||
Our rating | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ |
Requirements | Medium | Low | Low |
Check Price |
The Rest of the Best:
Subnautica: Below Zero | Call of Duty: Black Ops 3 | Dawn of Man| Tannenberg | DUSK | DiRT 4 | Imperator: Rome| Rise of Industry
Divinity: Original Sin 2
Mac Release date: 2019Developer: Larian Studios
MacOS developer: Elverils
Metascore: 93
Divinity: Original Sin became an instant classic when it was released in 2015, and now Mac gamers can once again journey to Rivellon. Divinity: Original Sin 2 brings back the deep turn-based combat, multiplayer campaigns, and complex story, and adds some exciting new features.Up to four players can adventure together online or locally via split-screen, the AI has been updated to be even more devious, and exploration has been opened up to provide countless ways to interact with characters, animals and the environment.
One more thing… Featuring Touch Bar and iCloud support, this is the most advanced Mac port to date. Having the direct support from Apple’s own Metal team definitely paid off!
Expand to see if your Mac run it
Demand Level: Medium
System Requirements: A 64-bit processor, OS 10.13.6 High Sierra, Intel Core i5 Processor, 8 GB RAM, HD Graphics 5000 or Radeon R9 M290X, 20 GB hard drive space.
Slay the Spire
Mac Release date: 2019MacOS developer: Mega Crit Games
Metascore: 89
What happens when you fuse a collectible cards game with a roguelike? You get Slay the Spire, a single player deckbuilder from Mega Crit Games. Build your deck and use your cards wisely as you battle your way to the top of a spire that changes each time you play.Slay the Spire contains over 250 cards, over 150 unique items to find and use in your quests, and an impressive host of unique encounters, boss battles, and events along the way. And if that’s not enough, the game’s custom mode allows hardcore players to mix and match various crazy-run modifiers.
Expand to see if your Mac run it
Demand Level: Medium
System Requirements: OS 10.9.5, 2 GHz Processor, 4 GB RAM, 256 MB Video RAM capable of OpenGL 3.0+ support, 1 GB hard drive space.
Katana ZERO
Mac Release date: 2019Free Online Games For Mac
MacOS developer: Askiisoft
Metascore: 83
Katana ZERO is a brutal and fast-paced action platformer from developer Askiisoft and features stylish pixel art and instant death combat. While it does tell a satisfying story, Katana ZERO shines because of its intense combat. Prepare to slash, dash, dodge and even manipulate time to destroy your enemies.While clearly inspired by indies such as Hotline Miami or Monaco, Katana ZERO uses that same tried and true formula to deliver a gaming experience that is at a whole new level. With thoughtfully-designed levels and flexible combat abilities , this is a game you will probably finish more than once.
Expand to see if your Mac run it
Demand Level: Medium
System Requirements: OS 10.11, Intel Core i5 Processor, 4 GB RAM, Intel HD Graphics 530, 200 MB hard drive space.
Total War: Three Kingdoms
Mac Release date: 2019
MacOS developer: Feral Interactive
Metascore: 85
The Total War franchise continues its quest across time and the globe, this time stopping in ancient China. Fans can expect the same tried-and-true mixture of turn-based strategy and real-time battles as they set out to become emperor.
Become one of 12 legendary warlords and build up your armies, technology, and economy through research, politics, and conquest. Do you have what it takes to create the next dynasty? If not, at least you’ll get to experience the best visuals and gameplay the series has seen yet.
Expand to see if your Mac run it
Demand Level: High
System Requirements: 10.14.4 64-bit processor, 2 GHz Intel Core i5 Processor, 8 GB RAM, 2 GB Nvidia 680MX, 2 GB AMD R9 M290, 1.5 GB Intel Iris Graphics 540 or better, 52 GB hard drive space.
Tropico 6
Mac Release date: 2019MacOS developer: Limbic Entertainment
Metascore: 78
For the first time in the Tropico series, you’ll be in full charge of multiple islands, offering all new challenges as you attempt to lead a life of luxury while keeping your citizens happy with…less.
Tropico 6 keeps the series fresh by adding completely new infrastructure and transportation options, a revised research system that focuses on politics (steal what you can’t create), and the timely return of election speeches. “Address the people and make promises that you can’t possibly keep.” It’s pretty easy to get away with it, we’ve learned.
Expand to see if your Mac run it
Demand Level: Medium
System Requirements: OS 10.14, a 64-bit processor, 3 GHz Intel Core i5 Processor, 8 GB RAM, Shader 5 compliant GPU with 2 GB RAM, AMD Radeon Rx560 Pro or better, 16 GB hard drive space.
Subnautica: Below Zero
Mac Release date: 2019MacOS developer: Unknown Worlds Entertainment
Metascore: NA
Currently available through Steam Early Access, Below Zero takes the undersea exploration of Subnautica and moves it to the Arctic region of planet 4546B. Your job is to study alien artifacts, but when disaster strikes and you’re cut off from your supply ship it’s up to you to craft equipment, scavenge for food and resources, and construct the shelters needed to survive.Of course, the fun is in the exploration, as Subnautica: Below Zero recreates a beautiful and massive undersea world for you to discover. Just remember, plenty of danger lurks in the beauteous depths.
Expand to see if your Mac run it
Demand Level: Medium
System Requirements: A 64-bit processor, OS 10.11, Intel Core i5 Processor, 8 GB RAM, Intel Iris Pro 650 or better, 15 GB hard drive space.
Call of Duty: Black Ops 3
Mac Release date: 2019Developer: Treyarch
MacOS developer: Aspyr Media
Metascore: 73
Black Ops 3 takes us 40 years further into the future to a world ravaged by climate change and unchecked technologies. The games features a four-player campaign mode with features such as cybernetic enhancements, a one-shot-kill “realistic” difficulty mode, and an unlockable “nightmare” mode featuring a new narrative and plenty of zombies.If you’re more into multiplayer, there are plenty of enhancements and new features on that side, as well. And even better, you can purchase the Multiplayer Starter Pack if that’s all you’re interested in.
One more thing… This confirms Aspyr‘s relationship with Activition is still alive and well (and hopefully will result in newer Call of Duty games on Mac!).
Expand to see if your Mac run it
Demand Level: Medium
System Requirements: OS 10.13.6, 2.3 GHz Intel Core i5 Processor, 8 GB RAM, 2 GB ATI Radeon M295X, 150 GB hard drive space.
Dawn of Man
Mac Release date: 2019MacOS developer: Madruga Works
Metascore: 74
If your complaint about sims/city builders is that they don’t start quite early enough, you’ll want to check out Dawn of Man. You’ll start with a settlement of ancient humans in the stone age and fight for survival by learning to hunt, farm, craft weapons/tools, stand up to the environment, and evolve to make it into the iron age.That covers around 10,000 years of prehistory, but the needs will be familiar to sim fans: keep your people fed, sheltered, and safe from the elements and attacks while leading them towards the future.
Expand to see if your Mac run it
Demand Level: Medium
System Requirements: OS 10.11, 2 GHz Dual Core Processor, 4 GB RAM, 1 GB Video RAM, 2 GB hard drive space.
Tannenberg
Mac Release date: 2019MacOS developer: Blackmill Games
Metascore: 69
The battles on the eastern front of WWI are regarded as some of the most brutal in history, so prepare for some intense batlles in this multiplayer shooter from the developers of Verdun. Up to 64 players can engage via four-man squads on six massive maps that provide an impressive amount of tactical freedom.
Over 50 historically accurate weapons are available to the game’s Russian, Roumanian, Austro-Hungarian, German and Bulgarian troops, including the horrors of gas warfare. Tannenberg is definitely not for those who prefer dance moves and llamas in their multiplayer games.
Expand to see if your Mac run it
Demand Level: Medium
System Requirements: OS 10.11, 3.3 GHz Intel Core i5 Processor, 4 GB RAM, Geforce GTX 960M / Radeon HD 7750 or higher, 2GB video card memory, 8 GB hard drive space.
DUSK
Mac Release date: 2019MacOS developer: New Blood Interactive
Metascore: 69
Do you miss games like the original Doom, Quake, and even Redneck Rampage? New Blood Interactive did, too, and that’s why they’ve given us DUSK, a retro first-person shooter that features shooting and bleeding in ways we haven’t since the 1990s.DUSK gives you three distinctive campaign modes in which you’ll fight mystical backwater cultists, possessed militants and more, and plenty of ways to fight them, too: “…sickles, swords, crossbows, rifles, dual-wielded and double-barreled shotguns and incredibly necessary grenade and rocket launchers.” Of course, there’s arena multiplayer, too. It’s the ‘90s you remember.
Expand to see if your Mac run it
Demand Level: Medium
System Requirements: OS 10.11, 2.2 GHz Dual Core Processor, 2 GB RAM, 512 MB Video RAM, 2 GB hard drive space.
DiRT 4
Mac Release date: 2019Developer: Codemasters
MacOS developer: Feral Interactive
![Best free games for android Best free games for android](https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RUNoz_pZdrg/WiVeBjZvNRI/AAAAAAAADYU/q5w6N4tud_0MaQY03AoL_RlsWe0GGVURwCLcBGAs/s1600/top%2B10%2Bpc%2Bgame.jpg)
Metascore: 78
Pavement? Pavement is for grandmas and bus drivers. If you really want to experience the thrill of racing you need DiRT 4. This latest entry in the rally racing series provides over 50 cars to drive as you tear across thrilling tracks in Australia, Spain, Wales, and more. Each and every one of them looking and running great thanks to Feral Interactive‘s top-notch Mac port.And with the new system called Your Stage, players can generate a countless number of unique stages with the press of a button. It’s even smart enough to generate routes based on your skill level. Career mode and daily, weekly, and month-long challenges will keep you racing for quite some time.
Expand to see if your Mac run it
Demand Level: Medium
System Requirements: A 64-bit processor, OS 10.14.5, 1.8 GHz Intel Core i5 Processor, 8 GB RAM, 1 GB NVIDIA GeForce GT 650M, 2 GB AMD Radeon R9 M290, Intel Iris Pro 5200 or better, 38 GB hard drive space.
Imperator: Rome
Mac Release date: 2019MacOS developer: Paradox Development Studio
Metascore: 81
Mac gamers have access to a new form of empire building now that Paradox Interactive has released Imperator Rome. This grand strategy title stretches across the ancient Mediterranean to provide players the chance to shape Western Civilization as they see fit.Manage diverse populations, build up your military, choose your type of government, and invest in technologies that will help find your place amongst Alexander, Hannibal, Caesar, and other great rulers from the classical era. The deluxe edition includes additional army and ship models, on-map monuments, game events, and more.
Expand to see if your Mac run it
Demand Level: Medium
System Requirements: A 64-bit processor and operating system, OS 10.14, Intel Core i5 Processor, 8 GB RAM, 2GB Video RAM AMD Radeon R9 M380.
Rise of Industry
Mac Release date: 2019MacOS developer: Dapper Penguin Studios
Metascore: 67
Rise of Industry is a complex strategic tycoon game that puts you in the shoes of an early 20th-century industrialist. It’s up to you, then, to supply goods and services to your towns and villages in an effort to help your chosen industry rise.Heavily inspired by classics such as Transport Tycoon, Anno, and Factorio, Rise of Industry will let you build and manage an empire in a procedurally generated world. Gameplay is broken into two modes: career and sandbox. In either mode, you’ll have to deal with things like permits, supply and demand, trade, and the very worst aspect of running a business: customers.
Expand to see if your Mac run it
Demand Level: Medium
System Requirements: A 64-bit processor and operating system, OS 10.14, 3.0 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo Processor, 4 GB RAM, 512 MB NVIDIA GeForce GTX 260 or ATI Radeon HD 5670 (does not support Intel Integrated graphics cards), 1 GB hard drive space.
Grab Thimbleweed Park for free on the Epic Games Store!
Usually $19.99, you can get this excellent adventure game for free:
Filter by name | 2019 Best Mac Games | Filter by genre | Status | Free games only? |
---|---|---|---|---|
Oxygen Not Included | Oxygen Not Included Available on Early Access, Oxygen Not Included is a space-colony simulation from the creators of Don't Starve and Mark of the Ninja. You’ll need to research the technology to combat hostile aliens, develop infrastructure, keep the colonists happy and sane, and—as is implied by the title—continue to provide the resources necessary for survival. With some careful planning (and a little luck), you may just help your colony thrive in this hostile environment. Available on Early Access | Simulation | Confirmed | |
Frostpunk | Frostpunk Frostpunk is a city-building survival game set in a late 1880s where rampant snowstorms and frost led to the death of millions. You are amongst of a group of survivors—workers and engineers—who managed to locate a heat generator and are using to build a new city. You’ll need to harvest coal, wood, steel and food in this harsh environment in order to survive, but also keep your workers motivated and productive. The MacOS version of Frostpunk was about to be released when a critical bug was found. Hopefully, developer 11 bit studios is close to finding a fix and releasing Frostpunk on Mac soon. Confirmed | Strategy | Confirmed | |
Shadow of the Tomb Raider | Shadow of the Tomb Raider It would seem that in the countless Tomb Raider games we’ve played, we’ve yet to witness the moment when Lara Croft “becomes” the tomb raider. Well, that’s exactly what we’ll get to do when Shadow of the Tomb Raider is released for Mac by Feral Interactive. This latest entry in the series reboot finds Lara saving the world from a Mayan apocalypse, and she’ll need to survive a massive, deadly jungle to do it. Of course, there will be tombs, as well, along with deep, underwater tunnels and even an underground city. Confirmed | Action | Confirmed | No |
Life is Strange 2 | Life is Strange 2 A tragic accident forces two brothers on the run. Pursued by the police and dealing with powers they don’t fully understand, Sean and Daniel Diaz attempt to flee from Seattle to their father’s hometown in Mexico. Although the characters from the much-heralded original Life is Strange are gone, the overall tone and gameplay mechanics remain in this sequel. As Sean, you will be forced to make difficult decisions that not only affect your quest, but also the lives of those around you. Confirmed | Adventure | Confirmed | Yes |
In the Valley of Gods | In the Valley of Gods There was a point not too long ago where it seemed every adventure game was set in either Egypt or Atlantis. If you miss those days, In the Valley of Gods returns us to a 1920s Egypt in the form of a first-person adventure. Playing as Rashida, you will explore an ancient valley in hopes of discovering an archaeological find that will restore your disgraced name. But does fame and fortune await you, or death? Fans of Firewatch will definitely want to keep their eye on this latest game from developer Campo Santo. Confirmed | Adventure | Confirmed | No |
Overland | Overland The apocalypse has come and gone, and now it’s up to you and a squad of survivors to carve out a life in what remains of North America. Or, more accurately, in what remains of a procedurally generated North America.This strategy game from Finji features randomly generated levels filled with difficult choices for you to make. Will you be able to make the right decisions on how to acquire and utilize fuel supplies, weapons, and more as you embark on your post-apocalyptic road trip? Find out when the game is released for Mac later this year. Confirmed | Strategy | Confirmed | No |
System Shock | System Shock System Shock is getting a series reboot from Nightdive Studios and they promise to maintain everything gamers loved about the original action/adventure game while providing a modern feel to attract a newer audience. This remastered version has the blessing of Warren Spector and Paul Neurath, both of whom were involved with the game’s original release back in 1994. The question is whether you’re ready to experience the horrors of awakening from a coma in a research facility now beset with mutants and mindless cyborgs. Confirmed | Shooter | Confirmed | No |
Wargroove | Wargroove Already shadow released for Mac in beta form, Wargroove is lovingly aimed directly towards fans of the early Fire Emblem and Advance Wars games. With support for up to four players, Wargroove pits you against other factions in retro, turn-based combat. In addition to the campaign mode, Wargroove includes an in-game editor that allows players to create their own maps, cut-scenes and campaigns to share online. Whether you want to create your own story or just change the game’s rules, Wargroove gives you complete control. Available in Beta | Strategy | Beta | No |
Outer Wilds | Outer Wilds Outer Wilds, the first ever game funded on Fig.co, is unique-looking open-world exploration game about a solar system trapped in an endless time loop. The game features fully simulated planets you'll need to explore in your search for answers. Problem is, you have only 20 minutes before your planet is destroyed. Similar to the cult-classic Zelda Majora's Mask, you'll need to use what you learn from every playthrough to eventually save the universe. Outer Wilds has been delayed beyond its planned 2018 release, but it looks to be worth the wait for adventure gamers. Confirmed | Adventure | Confirmed | No |
Age of Wonders: Planetfall | Age of Wonders: Planetfall This next entry in Triumph Studios’ Age of Wonders series takes its signature empire building and turn-based combat into outer space for the first time. The premise holds true to previous entries, however, as you’ll find yourself in a fallen galactic empire from which you must emerge to build a better future for your people. Whether you prefer the deep single-player campaign or the online, hotseat or asynchronous multiplayer options, you’ll have to decide whether to ride conquest, diplomacy, or “doomsday technologies” to victory. Confirmed | Strategy | Confirmed | No |
Warcraft 3: Reforged | Warcraft 3: Reforged Azeroth will be reborn when Warcraft 3: Reforged is released later this year. A re-imagining of 2002’s real-time strategy Warcraft 3: Reign of Chaos, Reforged will feature new visuals, a social component for multiplayer matchmaking, and plenty more. Orcs, humans, night elves and the undead will battle through vast campaigns with over four hours of reshot cut-scenes. Warcraft 3: Reforged offers over 60 single-player missions in which combatants and strategists can re-experience the fall of Lordaeron, the rise of the Lich King, and more. Microsoft office for mac 2018 activator. Confirmed | Strategy | Confirmed | No |
Team Sonic Racing | Team Sonic Racing We may not yet know much about Apple’s newly announced Apple Arcade, but we do know that Team Sonic Racing will be amongst the games available. This arcade racer lets you choose from 15 Sonic characters as you speed through intense, multiplayer tracks. Customize and upgrade your cars, pick up and use 14 offensive and defensive power-ups, and try to beat up to 11 other racers. Various multiplayer racing options will be available—including online and local co-op for team racing—as well as an adventure mode to introduce you to the characters and their abilities. Confirmed | Racing | Confirmed | No |
Fortnite: Save the World | Fortnite: Save the World Believe it or not, Fortnite Battle Royal is just one mode in the Fornite package, the other being Save the World. Unlike the PvP action of Fortnite: Battle Royal, Save the World is the co-op, sandbox survival mode of Fortnite. Billed as a cross between Minecraft and Left 4 Dead, Save the World tasks players with working together to explore the environment, scavenge materials, craft weapons, and build forts to help fight off waves of monsters. Fortnite is available now via paid early-access, with the official release for all platforms scheduled for this year. Confirmed | Shooter | Confirmed | No |
Phoenix Point | Phoenix Point Phoenix Point is a new strategy game from the creators of the original XCOM. And like the XCOM reboot, Phoenix Point will offer tons of customization through soldier development and weapon research/modification. Battles will take place in procedural, destructive environments spread across a large number of diverse missions. Backer builds (alpha) are available now, allowing you to get some practice in before the game’s official Mac release later this year. Confirmed | Strategy | Confirmed | No |
Griftlands | Griftlands This rather unique sci-fi RPG is coming to us from Klei Entertainment, and as is implied by the title, Griftlands will have you negotiating money, loyalty and your own morality as you seek to make your fortune within the game’s flowing economy. A full cast of characters are available for you to control and set up as companions. These characters will also engage in turn-based combat where the goal is to subdue, not kill, them. Kind of a refreshing approach these days, really. Killing people can lead to mechanical repercussions down the road, and NPCs remember what you did to them in the past.” Confirmed | Role-Playing | Confirmed | No |
Native MacOS support
Obviously, the game has to run natively on macOS; no Wine, Parallels or Bootcamp needed.
Hype level
Here’s where we get more subjective, but rest assured each of these games has something very important going for it. It could be a much-anticipated sequel to a popular Mac game, it could be the developer’s name/pedigree, or it could be that we just really like the concept.
Regardless of the reason, we’re buying into the hype for each of these titles and agree they should be on your radar.
Confirmed Mac version
It’s always tempting to hype games that could, mayble, make it to MacOS. If a developer has always supported MacOS for all of its previous games, it should support MacOS for its latest game too, right? Not always.
For that reason, we prefer not to get your hopes up and only cover games that have been officially announced for Mac or directly confirmed to Mac Gamer HQ via email.
There’s an awful lot to consider here, we know, but that’s a good thing. Whether you were waiting for a new entry in your favorite genre or looking to branch out into something different, the new Mac games of 2019 will give you plenty of options. Go ahead and get hyped for a few long-awaited sequels, get ready to dig into a few games that your Windows-using friends are already playing, or get something completely new when it becomes available.If you are enjoying (or waiting for) a new game that we didn’t cover here, be sure to let us know. We’re always on the lookout for the next big game!
Disclaimer: Some of the links above are affiliate links, which means that if you choose to make a purchase, I will earn a commission (this is how we pay the bills). This commission comes at no additional cost to you.
We pick our favorite free Mac games including shooters, strategy games and more
Lately, gamers get suspicious every time they hear about a free game on Mac. This is because “free” doesn’t always mean free.
Microtransactions are increasingly destroying games that would otherwise be great, forcing you to pay for more levels and characters, or worse, for power-ups and better gear that actually provide a gameplay advantage.
As such, we decided to focus on games that are either 100% free or are at least free-to-play (F2P) games that can actually be enjoyed for free.
With that in mind, we played through and evaluated a slew of games, and we’ve put together this updated list with the best free games for Mac.
Of course, if you’re happy to just buy your games, feel free to check out our comprehensive list of the 100 Best Mac games available today. For the freebies, read on.
Game | ★ Best Overall | Best for MacBook | Best Value |
Genre | Battle Royale | Strategy | Shooter |
Release date | 2017 | 2015 | 2012 |
Metascore | |||
Our rating | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
Requirements | ⚠️ Fairly Demanding | ✅ Not Demanding | ⚠️ Fairly Demanding |
Check Price |
The Rest of the Best:
Spelunky | 0 A.D. | Heroes of the Storm| Team Fortress 2 | Lord of the Rings Online | League of Legends | Cave Story| Hearthstone| Paladins | Brawlhalla| Dwarf Fortress| Brawlhalla| Diki Diki Literature Club!| OpenTTD | SuperTuxKart | Fistful of Frags | The Battle for Wesnoth | Canabalt
How We Decide
Finding the best games is a nice start but what good are they if their Mac versions suck?
Sometimes a great game on Windows can suffer from extremely poor MacOS performance, or even worse, a broken Mac version. That’s why testing these games on Mac hardware is critical for us.
In this list, you’ll only find games that are both great and have proper MacOS support. You can read all about how we test MacOS performance below.
1. Fortnite
Mac Release date: 2017
MacOS developer: Epic Games
Genre: Online Shooter
Metascore: 81
Fortnite: Battle Royale is the free PvP mode of Fortnite. You and up to 99 opponents are dropped on a giant map where you must find weapons, shields, and resources to help you remain the last player (or squad) standing. With the multitude of weapon types and shelter options available, Fortnite: Battle Royale accommodates pretty much all survival strategies.You can’t just hide and hope for the best, however; the longer you survive, the tighter the playing area becomes, forcing you to engage in combat instead of finding some remote area in which to camp. And as you’d expect from one of the finestcompetitive online games for Mac, the competition can be brutal.
Those willing to pay will be able to unlock more cool skins and other cosmetic items. But other than that, everyone gets access to the full game!
Verdict: This is a generous free-to-play game.
Benchmark results (in FPS):
2013 MacBook Pro
2016 MacBook Pro
2014 27-inch iMac
Expand to see if your Mac run it
Testing Conditions: We tested the game using the Low Quality Preset, 100% 3D Resolution, V-Sync Off and 1280×800 resolution:
Can your Mac run it? Fortnite used to be very demanding. Even our 2016 MacBook Pro couldn’t pass the 30 FPS mark (which is the absolute minimum for a fast-paced online shooter). However, the Mac performance of the game has improved a lot and the game is now playable on more machines.
Any bugs you should be aware of? Not exactly a bug, but be aware that performance is terrible as soon as your character jumps from the bus. This is also improving but not entirely gone yet. Be patient and wait until performance improves and FPS stabilize.
Verdict: Somewhat Demanding
System Requirements: OS 10.12.6 and a machine that supports Metal, 2.4 GHz Intel Core i3 Processor, 4 GB RAM, Intel HD 4000 or better.
2. Starcraft 2
Mac Release date: 2015
MacOS developer: Blizzard
Genre: Strategy
Metascore: 88
Developed byBlizzard, Starcraft 2 is a real-time strategy game that shouldn’t need an introduction.
Sequel to the critically-acclaimed Starcraft, Starcraft 2 features the most intense, fast-paced and well-oiled gameplay you’ll ever see in a real-time strategy game. And on top of that, the game continues the infamous war between the three races from the original game: Protoss, Terran, or Zerg.
Starcraft 2 was already a must-buy when it was $59.99, but now that the game offers an extremely generous free-to-play version, you owe it yourself to try it. The free-to-play version of Starcraft 2 gives you the complete Wings of Liberty campaign, ranked and unranked Multiplayer, and every co-op commander available.
And if you ever want even more Starcraft 2, you can pay to unlock more single-player campaigns, special skins, new co-op commanders and more.
Verdict: This is a generous free-to-play game.
Benchmark results (in FPS):
2013 MacBook Pro
2016 MacBook Pro
2014 27-inch iMac
Expand to see if your Mac run it
Testing Conditions: We tested the game using Medium Graphics quality, Low Texture quality, V-sync off, and 1280×800 resolution.
Verdict: Not Demanding
System Requirements:OS 10.11, Intel Core 2 Duo Processor, 4 GB RAM, NVIDIA GeForce GT 330M or ATI Radeon HD 4670 or better, 30 GB hard drive space.
3. Counter-Strike: Global Offensive
Mac Release date: 2012
MacOS developer: Valve
Genre: Shooter
Metascore: 83
Counter-Strike practically gave birth to the competitive FPS scene and is responsible for most of the LAN parties that took place in the 90s. That was a long time ago, but Counter-Strike has managed to evolve over time and successfully remain relevant.
In 2012, Counter-Strike: Global Offensive was released and it expanded upon the team-based gameplay it pioneered 19 years earlier. CS: GO featured new maps, characters, weapons, and delivered updated versions of the classic CS content. Enough to become once again one of the most played games on Steam in the planet.
CS: GO is still praised for it’s extremely accurate and solid mechanics, but now that the game is free-to-play and includes Danger Zone, a brand-new battle royale mode, CS: GO is a must for anyone remotely interested in shooters.
Verdict: This is a generous free-to-play game.
Benchmark results (in FPS):
2013 MacBook Pro
2016 MacBook Pro
2014 27-inch iMac
Expand to see if your Mac run it
Testing conditions:
We tested the game using Medium Graphics quality, Anti-aliasing and V-sync off, and 1280×800 vs. 1650×1050 resolutions.
Results:
Demand Level: Low
System Requirements: OS 10.11, 2GHz Intel Core Duo Processor, 2 GB RAM, ATI Radeon HD 2400, NVidia 8600M graphics or better, 15 GB hard drive space.
Grab Thimbleweed Park for free on the Epic Games Store!
Usually $19.99, you can get this excellent adventure game for free:
4. Lord of the Rings Online
Mac Release date: 2008
MacOS developer: Turbine Inc
Genre: MMORPG
Metascore: 86
There are so many good F2P MMOs out there it can be hard to figure out where to start. If you’re in that situation, why not begin your adventure in the amazing universe of Middle-Earth with Lord of the Rings online?
Developed by Turbine, LotRO follows the story from the books and movies and gives free access to almost everything the game has to offer. The only differences with the paid version are the two character slots (as opposed to five), the fact you cannot send money through the in-game system, and the lack of “destiny points”. But trust me, those small limitations are easy to forget considering LotRO is one of the higher-quality MMOs available.
Lord of the Rings Online isn’t just for fans of Tolkien’s work, it’s for anyone who loves the classic MMO formula (such as World of Warcraft’s) but prefers to not have to pay for it. The amount of fun you can have with this game without paying a dime is outrageous, making it one of the finest free online Mac games available.
Verdict: This is a generous free-to-play game.
Benchmark results (in FPS):
2013 MacBook Pro
2016 MacBook Pro
2014 27-inch iMac
5. Hearthstone
Mac Release date: 2014
MacOS developer: Blizzard
Genre: Collectible Card Game
Metascore: 84
There aren’t many companies that can deliver as high-quality free games as Valve, but one that certainly can is Blizzard. We already featured two of their games, yet here we are again with Hearthstone—a digital collectible card game based on the popular Warcraft universe. If you don’t get into card games, don’t skip ahead just yet…this one is widely praised by players no matter previous feelings towards the genre.
Hearthstone is much simpler than you would imagine. In every match, you pull three or four cards (depending on who goes first) out of your customized deck of 30 cards. There are different card types (weapons, spells and minions), but the objective is clear: empty your opponent’s health before he does the same to you.
Hearthstone is a great game—free or paid. It’s easy for new players to get into but offers enough depth to keep you hooked. It also benefits from frequent, free expansions to refresh the available cards, and its light system requirements make it one of the top free games you can easily play on your MacBook.
Verdict: This is a generous free-to-play game.
Benchmark results (in FPS):
2013 MacBook Pro
2016 MacBook Pro
2014 27-inch iMac
Expand to see if your Mac run it
Testing Conditions: We tested the game using Medium quality and 1280×800 resolution.
Verdict: Not Demanding
System Requirements: OS 10.9, 2.4 GHz Intel Core Dual Processor, 2 GB RAM, GeForce 9600/130/Quadro FX 5600, Radeon HD 5870, or Intel HD 4000 with 512 MB of dedicated memory, 15 GB hard drive space.
6. Paladins
Mac Release date: 2018
MacOS developer: Hi-Rez Studios
Genre: Shooter
Metascore: 83
Upset that Overwatch is sorely missing on Mac? This may be the answer. In Hi-Rez Studios’ Paladins, players choose a champion from four possible categories: front line, damage, support and flank.
Paladins clearly drew inspiration from Team Fortress 2, and some have called it an Overwatch clone, but this game stands up on its own. Paladins has a lot to offer, including a wide variety of game modes to battle through, such as siege, team deathmatch, survival, and co-op.
And unlike Overwatch, champions have abilities that can be enhanced via cards which provide cooldown reductions, health bonuses, etc. In addition, in-game currency obtained by killing enemies and winning battles can be used to purchase even greater bonuses.
You’ll need to pay to get access to all of the available champions, but the free options are more than enough to get you started.
Verdict: This is a generous free-to-play game.
Benchmark results (in FPS):
2013 MacBook Pro
2016 MacBook Pro
2014 27-inch iMac
Expand to see if your Mac run it
Testing Conditions: We tested the game using the Medium settings, 2X Anti-Aliasing, Vertical Sync Off and 1280×800 resolution:
Can your Mac run it? Testing Paladins was an extremely pleasant surprise. The game ran great on all machines, and even in the heat of battle, it ran at an acceptable speed on our older MacBook Pro. If you have a MacBook from 2013 onwards, you should be able to run it.
Any bugs you should be aware of? The game ran smoothly and the experience for us was bug-free.
Verdict: Fairly Demanding
System Requirements: OS 10.10, 2.4 GHz Core 2 Duo Processor, 2 GB RAM, ATI Radeon 3870, Nvidia GeForce 8800 GT or higher, 10 GB hard drive space.
7. Spelunky
Mac Release date: 2008
MacOS developer: Derek Yu
Genre: Platformer
Metascore: 90
Spelunky—an indie action-adventure game created by Derek Yu—has you controlling an unnamed adventurer, known as the Spelunker. Your aim is to explore the underground tunnels and gather as much treasure as possible while avoiding the traps and enemies filling the tunnels.
The gameplay is straightforward: whip or jump on enemies; pick up items; or use bombs and ropes to further explore the caves. Levels are randomly generated, and you only get one life (if you die, you have to start from the beginning). Although this sounds like it’d make the game frustrating, it actually gives each run a unique feeling.
A good match for fans of 2D platformers who want to reminisce and remember the good old days of Castlevania, Spelunky offers plenty of great, free entertainment (yes, this game is completely free from start to finish).
Verdict: This is a truly (100%) free game.
System Requirements: OS 10.9, 2.0 GHz Intel Dual Core Processor, 2 GB RAM, NVIDIA GeForce 320M, Intel HD 3000, 20 GB hard drive space.
8. 0 A.D.
Mac Release date: 2010 (still in active development)
MacOS developer: Wildfire Games
Genre: Strategy
Here’s another game that’s completely free from start to finish. This open-source real-time strategy game comes from Wildfire Games, a group of volunteer game developers from around the globe who are obviously big fans of Age of Empires 2.
As you’d expect from an RTS game, you’ll spend time gathering resources, developing and advancing technologies, and defending yourself from attacks while launching campaigns on others. Although 0 A.D. is set in a fictional time, the game is rooted in reality. The randomly generated battle maps are based upon real geography of the ancient world, as are the detailed units, buildings, and technologies.
If you’re a developer, you’re invited to contribute to the game’s growth. If you’re not, you can still get creative with the game’s map editor. It’s all free no matter how you get involved with 0 A.D., so dig in and get history started off right. And if you really like it, consider contributing to the game’s development.
Verdict: This is a truly (100%) free game.
System Requirements: OS 10.7, 2006 or later Intel-based Mac.
9. Heroes of the Storm
Mac Release date: 2015
MacOS developer: Blizzard
Genre: MOBA
Metascore: 86
Considered a League of Legends challenger with a greater focus on team play, Heroes of the Storm is another game from Blizzard.
Fans of Warcraft, Diablo, Starcraft and other Blizzard titles will be particularly excited to soo their favorite heroes take part in 5 vs 5 battles, either against the AI or against human players in ranked and unranked matches. And on top of creating a solid MOBA geared towards more casual players, Blizzard keeps rolling new game modes, events, and new Heroes to keep you coming back for more.
There are around 80 heroes to rotate through, and if you find one you really like you can purchase permanent access to him/her/it through in-game currency or microtransactions. Speaking of that, microtransactions are otherwise relegated to hero customizations and mount purchases. In other words, you won’t need to pay anything to fully enjoy the game.
Verdict: A generous free-to-play game.
System Requirements:OS 10.11, Intel Core 2 Duo Processor, 4 GB RAM, NVIDIA GeForce GT 330M or ATI Radeon HD 4670, 20 GB hard drive space.
10. Team Fortress 2
Mac Release date: 2007
MacOS developer: Valve
Genre: Shooter
Metascore: 92
Originally released back in 2008, we still cannot talk about the best free games for Mac without mentioning Team Fortress 2.
TF2 is a team-based FPS developed by Valve. Players choose a character from the multiple classes available, then join one of two teams and battle in a variety of game modes such as capture the flag and king of the hill. Its fan base remains faithful due to its art direction, gameplay, and humor, making Team Fortress 2 one of the top rated games of all time. Plus, find the right team and Team Fortress 2 becomes an excellent cooperative multiplayer game for Mac.
Fans of online first-person shooters will get into this one quickly, and remain active thanks to the game’s strong sense of community and the high production values typical of Valve. Purchases are relegated to unique weapons, outfits, and such, so they’re certainly not necessary to stay involved.
Verdict: A generous free-to-play game.
System Requirements:OS 10.5.8, 1.7 GHz Processor, 1 GB RAM, NVIDIA GeForce 8 or higher, ATI X1600 or higher, Intel HD 3000 or higher, 15 GB hard drive space.
11. League of Legends
Mac Release date: 2017
MacOS developer: Epic Games
Genre: Online Shooter
Metascore: 81
In League of Legends, you assume the role of a “champion” with unique abilities, weaknesses, and strengths.
In the most popular game mode, you have to destroy the opposing team’s nexus which lies at the heart of a guarded base. Battles last around 20 to 60 minutes, with your Champions starting out at a very low level. They gain experience throughout the match and—equally important—they earn gold that can be used to buy in-game items to increase their powers and abilities.
You have over 100 champions at your disposal, and you can spend money to purchase them (as well as multi-game boosts) straight-away. Beyond that, microtransactions are relegated largely to cosmetic items.
League of Legends remains one the most popular and successful Multiplayer Online Battle Arenas (MOBA) available, but be warned, this is a complex and highly competitive game, and the community is known for being particularly harsh towards newbies.
Verdict: This is a generous free-to-play game.
System Requirements:OS 10.5.8, 1.7 GHz Processor, 1 GB RAM, NVIDIA GeForce 8 or higher, ATI X1600 or higher, Intel HD 3000 or higher, 15 GB hard drive space.
12. Cave Story
Mac Release date: 2011
MacOS developer: Pixel Studios
Genre: Platformer
You’ve certainly heard of Cave Story—and you’ve maybe even played one of its console or Steam iterations—but did you know this Metroidvania style 2D platformer started as a “free time” project for developer Daisuke “Pixel” Amaya? It took him five years to develop the game, and it became one of the first Indie gaming successes.
Cave Story quickly gained traction because of its great story and solid gameplay. You start as an amnesiac who wakes up in (you got it) a cave, and as per usual when you find yourself alone and without memories in a cave, you quickly learn you’ll have to fight a crazy doctor who plans to conquer the world.
The enhanced version called Cave Story+ is available pretty much everywhere, but the original Cave Story is still available for free.
Verdict: This is a truly (100%) free game.
System Requirements:OS 10.5.8, 1.7 GHz Processor, 1 GB RAM, NVIDIA GeForce 8 or higher, ATI X1600 or higher, Intel HD 3000 or higher, 15 GB hard drive space.
13. Dwarf Fortress
Mac Release date: 2006
MacOS developer: Tarn Adams, Zach Adams
Genre: Strategy
Dwarf Fortress is part construction, part management, part roguelike, and part text-based. Yes, text-based.
A typical Dwarf Fortress game involves a randomly generated world in which you indirectly control a group of dwarves in an attempt to build an underground fortress. Without much direction (the game has no objectives) and text-based graphics, this game is hard. But that’s also Dwarf Fortress’ charm. Once you figure out how everything works, building that fortress becomes an addiction.
Also, part of Dwarf Fortress’s fame comes from the fact it’s a two-member project that survives solely on donations.
Dwarf Fortress is a good option for folks who appreciate a good challenge (it’s famous for its difficulty and complexity) and who don’t need high-end graphics to enjoy a good gaming session. You can also feel good about yourself for supporting the indie movement.
Cool Games For Macbook Pro
Verdict: This is a truly (100%) free game.
System Requirements:OS 10.3, 512 MB RAM, 100MB of hard drive space.
14. Brawlhalla
Mac Release date: 2017
MacOS developer: Blue Mammoth Games
Genre: Fighting
Here’s another game that promises “No Pay to Win. No Pay to Play. No hidden fees. No monthly costs. No paywalls. And it’s going to stay that way forever.” Sound good?
Brawlhalla is a 2D platformer fighting game along the lines of Super Smash Bros., only with many more gameplay options (you have to have something to compensate for the loss of Ike, I guess). There are online ranked 1v1 and 2v2, online 4 player free-for-all, online 8 player free-for-all and 4v4. Locally, you’ve got free-for-all, custom teams, and a single player tournament.
And if the gameplay options don’t keep things fresh, the multitude of weapons and power-ups available during the brawls will certainly keep things moving along. If you do want to pay, you can unlock all of the characters or you can get different outfits for them. But if you decide to keep your money to yourself, it won’t stop you from winning.
Verdict: This is a generous free-to-play game.
System Requirements: OS 10.7, 1 GB RAM, 400 MB hard drive space.
15. Doki Doki Literature Club!
Mac Release date: 2017
MacOS developer: Team Salvato
Genre: Visual Novel
Metascore: 78
Terrified by the concept of joining a book club? Then this game’s for you. A visual novel by Team Salvato, Doki Doki Literature Club is actually a psychological horror game in disguise.
It starts out innocently enough, with your character joining a high school literary club. There’s a poem writing mechanic you can use to flirt with the various girls in the club, and there’s a lot of dialogue to click through. But things turn dark very quickly and you’ll soon find that Doki Doki Literature Club is not really about finding your one true love through books.
The game breaks the fourth wall quite a bit, creating a wholly meta experience that’s effective even if you’ve never played a dating sim before. Be prepared for the disturbing content…and plenty of restarts. You’ll need to play through the game a few times to get the ending that won’t put you off high school clubs forever.
Verdict: This is a generous free-to-play game.
System Requirements: OS 10.9, 1.8 GHz Dual Core Processor, 4 GB RAM, 350 MB hard drive space.
16. OpenTTD
Mac Release date: 2004
MacOS developer: OpenTTD Team
Genre: Simulation
Remember Transport Tycoon Deluxe? It was a business simulation game released back in 1995, so if you were too young or just missed it, its spirit lives on with this open source remake.
Like its inspiration, the point of Open TTD is to make money by transporting people and cargo via planes, trains, automobiles, and boats. Each time you successfully move an object from point A to point B you’ll get income that can be used to build better methods of transportation. All this takes place between 1950 and 2050, giving you plenty of different technologies to develop and utilize.
Of course, technology has changed quite a bit since 1995, and Open TTD has taken advantage of that by expanding the game with larger maps, an enhanced UI, multi-language support, custom AI, and plenty more. Even better, Open TTD features online and local multiplayer with up to 255 players! And although updated, the game does retain its original visual charm.
Verdict: This is a truly (100%) free game.
17. SuperTuxKart
Mac Release date: 2006
MacOS developer: Steve and Oliver Baker
Genre: Racing
We gave you a Super Smash Bros.-style game earlier, so why not include some Super Mario Kart love as well? SuperTuxKart is a kart racer with several racing modes for single and multiplayer action, as well as plenty of characters to obtain and use.
Of course, what really matters in games such as this are the tracks. There are 21 to unlock within the game’s story (it involves a kidnapping and a race-to-save-your-friend element if you must know), but with the open source model, there are plenty more to download via add-ons.
SuperTuxKart has some pretty impressive, colorful racing environments that are fun to drive through. Fans of open source gaming will also get a kick out of seeing the mascots from other titles making their appearance here. Overall, SuperTuxKart offers a great deal of arcade racing fun.
Verdict: This is a truly (100%) free game.
System Requirements: 2.8 GHz Intel Core i3 Processor, 1 GB RAM, NVIDIA GeForce 470 GTX, AMD Radeon 6870 HD or Intel HD Graphics 3000 or better, 700 MB hard drive space.
18. Fistful of Frags
Mac Release date: 2014
MacOS developer: Fistful of Frags Team
Genre: Shooter
Born as a mod for the Source engine, Fistful of Frags is a deathmatch game set in the Wild West. It has your basic options such as teamplay, versus and elimination modes, but separates itself with some unique mechanics.
For example, it has a dual wield weapon system with double dynamic crosshairs, and you can even throw your weapons as projectiles when all else fails. And speaking of weapons, the historical guns available to you are slower to use than modern first-person deathmatch games, but they’re still quite powerful. It also forces you to play things a little more realistically than when you’re using tasers, bazookas and flak cannons. The more skilled you become with your guns, the more you’ll be rewarded.
Even better? You won’t have to pay a dime to play Fistful of Frags; no microtransactions exist within the game. Use the money to buy some whiskey, if you’re of age, as the game seems to focus on that quite heavily.
Verdict: This is a truly (100%) free Quicken 2018 deluxe for mac. game.
System Requirements: OS 10.7, 1.7 GHz Processor, 1 GB RAM, NVIDIA GeForce 8, ATI X1600, Intel HD 3000 or higher, 3 GB hard drive space.
19. The Battle for Wesnoth
Mac Release date: 2008
MacOS developer: David White
Genre: Strategy
The Battle for Wesnoth is an open source, turn-based strategy game featuring turn-based battles on a hex grid that will take you back to the ‘90s visually.
The Battle for Wesnoth features 16 single-player campaigns and 46 multiplayer maps (online and hot seat) over which more than 200 units will battle. The game has developed a large, dedicated fanbase due to the quality and quantity of content, the engaging gameplay, and the fact that it’s free (not to mention its Tolkienesque setting).
That community has, in turn, contributed a ton of user-made content ranging from new campaigns and factions to artwork.
Verdict: This is a generous free-to-play game.
System Requirements:OS 10.8, 2 GHz Dual Core Processor, 2 GB RAM, 800 MB hard drive space.
20. Canabalt
Mac Release date: 2009
MacOS developer: Adam Atomic and Danny B
Genre: Action
Sometimes you want to play a game with just one button. We get that, and that’s why we offer up Canabalt. This endless runner has been released on everything from iOS to the Commodore 64 (wait…what?), and it offers plenty of frenetic fun on Mac.
Basically, you’re a dude running from some sort of threat. We’ve all been there, right? In Canabalt, this involves running/jumping across rooftops as you dodge various obstacles along the way. Unlike in real life, you get faster as you progress, increasing the challenge.
And unlike many endless runners available, the environments in Canabalt are procedurally generated. This means the game is more about skill than memorization, and it greatly increases the replay value. If you’re looking for a free way to kill some time on your Mac, Canabalt is it.
Verdict: This is a truly (100%) free game.
Normally, we test the MacOS performance of all our featured games and share the results with you. This time, as these are all free (and most have low system requirements), we decided to focus on our Top 3.
We performed our tests on these machines:
iMac (5K, 27-inch, Late 2014)
3.5 GHz Intel Core i5, 8 GB RAM, AMD Radeon R9 M290X (2GB)
MacBook Pro (13-inch, Late 2013)
2.4 GHz Intel Core i5, 8 GB RAM, Intel Iris 5100 (1.5GB)
MacBook Pro (13-inch, Late 2016):
2.0 GHz Intel Core i5, 8 GB RAM, Intel Iris Graphics 540 (1.5GB)
Best Free Games For Mac 2018
Game | Requirements | 2013 MBP FPS | 2016 MBP FPS | 2014 iMac FPS |
---|---|---|---|---|
Fornite | Medium | 23.4 FPS Borderline | 47.1 FPS Playable | 96.5 FPS Smooth |
Starcraft 2 | Low | 33.8 FPS Playable | 70.1 FPS Smooth | 115.9 FPS Smooth |
CS: GO | Low | 34 FPS Playable | 50.9 FPS Playable | 79.8 FPS Smooth |
Expand to see how to interpret these results
For your reference, this is how we describe the different levels of performance (in frames per second):
Below 20 FPS | Unplayable | Laggy gameplay, full of stutters and slowdowns. |
20-30 FPS | Borderline | Can be Ok in slow paced games. Still, not optimal. |
30-45 FPS | Playable | Acceptable for most (most gaming consoles do this). |
45-60 FPS | Smooth | Fluid gameplay, with no perceivable stutters. |
60+ FPS | Very Smooth | For hardcore and professional players, a luxury for most. |
We usually aim for 30 FPS, because 30 FPS is enough to guarantee a smooth and fluid experience. This YouTube video does a great job at showing the differences between 30 FPS VS 60 FPS.
Why test games at 1280×800 instead of 1080p? Keep in mind that most of us have MacBooks that are not meant to be game machines. We prefer to stick to 12080×800 to give older Macs a chance (that said, our Performance reviews do include tests at 1080p.
In a nutshell:
The best MMORPG for MacBook owners is The Lord of the Rings Online whereas the most demanding MMORPG on Mac is Final Fantasy Online.
The Competition: Even more Free Mac games to download
This is a very big list we’ve put together for you, but not big enough to cover everything. As more games are made available for free in an effort to draw gamers into their community, there’s more we have to look at.
As such, here’s a list of games that didn’t quite crack our top 20 but are good enough to get a recommendation from us
Games | Games | Our take | Demand Level | Free games only? |
---|---|---|---|---|
Wild Terra Online Free-to-Play | Wild Terra Online | A hardcore sandbox RPG, the world of Wild Terra Online is created completely by the players. As with some previous games on the list, you improve your skills by using them, learning to craft all the things you’ll need to survive. Difficult and grindy but rewarding, Wild Terra Online allows you to create the character you want and do what you will as long as you survive. Metascore | Not demanding | No |
RPG MO Free-to-Play | RPG MO | A retro style MMORPG, RPG MO is for fans of RuneScape and Ultima Online. Another open-world sandbox MMO, RPG MO is known for its player-made economy and being truly free-to-play. You’ll have the usual grind, but you also get a house and pets for relaxing. And with modest system requirements, RPG MO is great for throwback fans with older and mid-range machines. Metascore | Not demanding | Yes |
WAKFU Free-to-Play | WAKFU | Another game featuring a player-driven economy, WAKFU is also known for its beautiful anime style, its turn-based tactical combat, and its unique class system. You’ll also have the usual crafting, quests, dungeons and battles you’d expect in a MMORPG. A unique and fun anime MMO, WAKFU suffers as some others do from a small user base, making a player-built world difficult to maintain. Metascore | Not demanding | Yes |
Planetshift Free-to-Play | Planetshift | Planeshift is a completely free 3D MMORPG set, inside a giant stalactite attached to the roof of an even more giant cave. Containing all the classic RPG elements, Planeshift, like several others in this list, allows you to chart your own path as you explore the world of Yliakum. Metascore | Not demanding | Yes |
Ryzom Free-to-Play | Ryzom | Another free and open source MMORPG, though with subscriptions available, Ryzom is set in a science fiction/fantasy world and features a classless system and a world that responds to your actions. Another persistent 3D world MMO, the developers are also very open about seeking input from players to help in the game’s development. Metascore | Not demanding | Yes |
Puzzle Pirates Free-to-Play | Puzzle Pirates | Looking for something a little more casual and less focused on RPG elements? Puzzle Pirates may be what you’re looking for. You’ll be a pirate progressing through the game by solving various puzzles and mini-games. Don’t be deceived by a cartoony look and some casual-looking puzzles, this isn’t a kids or mobile game. With single & multiplayer, including cooperative multiplayer, Puzzle Pirates is a different take on the MMO. Metascore | Not demanding | Yes |
Champions of Regnum free-to-play | champions of regnum | this is the epitome of a japanese grinding mmorpg. after starting out and getting to level 10 or so, the quests fade out and the only thing left to do is wait for special events like realm vs realm battles, or pay for boosts from the online store to help level-up and grab a mount for traveling speed. the beauty of regnum is the singular focus on pvp combat. there is no crafting, no raiding, and almost no high-level content. learning to battle at end game (level 60+warmaster) is the key to regnum. metascore | not demanding | yes |
we know that game fandom is subjective. we all have our own filters that lead us to a specific genre or title, but there’s a lot of commonality in those filters. here’s what we used to determine which games should be included here and where they should rank.
native
you’d be surprised how many top games for macos lists feature windows-only games. not here. each and every one of the games mentioned here is officially supported on macos and does not require bootcamp or wine.
mac performance
having said that, we haven’t specifically tested each game on multiple mac systems. because all of these games can be freely downloaded and tested, we didn’t feel the need to benchmark. check our comments on each game, however, to see which of them are prone to lags or will work well on older mac systems.
critical acclaim
we know that our opinions are not the only ones that matter. to keep this guide as relevant as possible, we only considered proven games with positive reviews from both professional reviewers and average gamers.
pricing: how much are these mac games really?
as we mentioned before, there’s a distinction between free and free-to-play (f2p). both are included here, but check our designations to see which are really free and which require microtransactions of various sorts.
great games are available at any cost. and although there are features and options in $60 titles that you’ll rarely find for free, we continue to be amazed by how much entertainment you can get out of a game that won’t cost you a dime to play. we had a lot of fun learning about and playing these games, and we hope you will, too.
as you check them out, we only have two requests for you. first, be sure to tell us about any great mac free games we missed. and second, if you can, send some financial love to the developers.
game development is a hard road to travel, and these people deserve to be rewarded.
disclaimer: some of the links above are affiliate links, which means that if you choose to make a purchase, i will earn a commission (this is how we pay the bills). this commission comes at no additional cost to you.
;=''>free-to-playthe beauty of regnum is the singular focus on pvp combat. there is no crafting, no raiding, and almost no high-level content. learning to battle at end game (level 60+warmaster) is the key to regnum.
metascore
we know that game fandom is subjective. we all have our own filters that lead us to a specific genre or title, but there’s a lot of commonality in those filters. here’s what we used to determine which games should be included here and where they should rank.
native
you’d be surprised how many top games for macos lists feature windows-only games. not here. each and every one of the games mentioned here is officially supported on macos and does not require bootcamp or wine.
mac performance
having said that, we haven’t specifically tested each game on multiple mac systems. because all of these games can be freely downloaded and tested, we didn’t feel the need to benchmark. check our comments on each game, however, to see which of them are prone to lags or will work well on older mac systems.
critical acclaim
we know that our opinions are not the only ones that matter. to keep this guide as relevant as possible, we only considered proven games with positive reviews from both professional reviewers and average gamers.
pricing: how much are these mac games really?
as we mentioned before, there’s a distinction between free and free-to-play (f2p). both are included here, but check our designations to see which are really free and which require microtransactions of various sorts.
great games are available at any cost. and although there are features and options in $60 titles that you’ll rarely find for free, we continue to be amazed by how much entertainment you can get out of a game that won’t cost you a dime to play. we had a lot of fun learning about and playing these games, and we hope you will, too.
as you check them out, we only have two requests for you. first, be sure to tell us about any great mac free games we missed. and second, if you can, send some financial love to the developers.
game development is a hard road to travel, and these people deserve to be rewarded.
disclaimer: some of the links above are affiliate links, which means that if you choose to make a purchase, i will earn a commission (this is how we pay the bills). this commission comes at no additional cost to you.
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