Mac Gamer HQ picks its favorite shooters, including worthy free FPS games for Mac
- Free Games On Steam That Are Good
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Sometimes you just want to shoot something. Or lots of somethings. Fortunately, First-Person Shooters (FPS) allow us to do that from the comfort of our homes.
And while MacOS may not have all the latest and greatest shooters, we’ve always had a fine selection to choose from. We last did a rundown of the top Mac FPS games 6 months ago, so it’s definitely time to take another look.
If you’ve got an itchy trigger finger, we have something here for you whether you’re looking for a graphics-intensive, realistic shooter for your iMac or a casual shoot-’em-up for your older Macbook.
And we’ll throw in a couple of curveballs (sorry, it’s Spring Training) that stretch the genre and maybe your idea of what a shooter can be.
Looking for something less shooty? We also have a list of the 100 Best Mac games in all the best categories.
Game | ★ Best Overall | Best for MacBook | Best Value |
Genre | Co-op | Competitive | Battle Royale |
Release date | 2012 | 2012 | 2017 |
Metascore | |||
Our rating | ★★★★★ Full Review | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ Full review |
Requirements | ✅ Not Demanding | ✅ Not Demanding | ⚠️ Fairly Demanding |
Check Price |
The rest of the best:
BioShock Infinite | Paladins| Superhot | Dying Light | Insurgency | Metro 2033 Redux | Left 4 Dead 2
Last updated: September 4, 2018
After reviewing our Top 10 games, we decided to replace three of them with games that are a little more recent and/or have better reviews. Also, we completely overhauled the Competition section to make it more useful and focused more on the actual Mac performance of games and benchmark results.
Real-world MacOS tests
This is what makes our Top 10 guides unique. We tested every single game featured below on at least these three Macs.
Remember, all of our results are on Frames per Second (our MacOS performance section explains what they mean). This is the overview of our tests:
Borderlands 2
Mac Release date: 2012MacOS developer: Aspyr Media
Metascore: 89
We previously had Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel as our pick from this series. So what happened? Over time it’s become clear that Borderlands 2 is the king of this series, with perhaps the perfect blend of shooting and looting. That’s probably why it has 12,000 concurrent players a month compared to the Pre-Sequel’s 1,100 players.
The Borderlands series is known for its winning formula of mixing FPS gameplay with RPG mechanics, and Borderlands 2 just got it all right. Here, you will kill and loot, and gain experience points and skills. Enough features to keep you busy in the enormous world that is entirely at your disposal. The game also supports up to 4-players co-op, and needless to say, the experience is much more fun with friends.
One more thing… Borderlands 2 is also beautiful, with a graphic novel style that ages well. Luckily, Aspyr did such a terrific job with the game’s Mac version that most will be able to experience it, including gamers with older MacBook Pros.
Borderlands 2 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 settings, 2X Anisotropic Filtering, FXAA, and 1280×800 resolution:
Can your Mac run it? Taking into account that even our 2013 13-inch MacBook Pro handled the game just fine, most Macs from 2013 onwards should be able to handle it.
Any bugs you should be aware of? The game sometimes crashes on the start menu. To avoid that problem, just launch a game as soon as you enter the open menu.
Verdict: Not Demanding
System Requirements: OS 10.8.5, 2.4 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo Processor, 4 GB RAM, 256 MB ATI Radeon HD 2600 / NVidia Geforce 8800/ Intel HD 3000 or better, 13 GB hard drive space.
Deus Ex: Mankind Divided
Mac Release date: 2017
MacOS developer: Feral Interactive
Metascore: 83
The latest entry in this venerable franchise replaces the previous installment, Deus Ex: Human Revolution, which easily earned a place on the list thanks to its innovative approach that allows you to play the way you want. You like stealth, play stealthy, you like frontal assaults, you can do that too. In Deus Ex, you can use the RPG-like system of augmentations to gradually evolve your character to suit your playing style.
While Feral Interactive had to delay it while waiting for Metal 2, once it arrived it easily took its place as one of the best and most innovative shooters on the platform. With a deep story continuing from the last (and previous) installments, beautiful graphics and replayability thanks to the augmentation system, Deus Ex: Mankind Divided was worth the wait.
One more thing… The main thing holding it back from the first place is the hefty system requirements; all that beauty comes at a cost and our results from our test machines make it clear you’ll need a fairly recent machine for a satisfying gaming experience.
Mankind Divided 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 Preset, 2X Anisotropic Filtering, V-Sync Off, and 1280×800 resolution:
Can your Mac run it? As you can see from these results, this is one tough game to run. It looks great but you’ll need a high-end machine to enjoy it. Make sure your Mac meets the very strict system requirements before purchasing it.
Any bugs you should be aware of? If your Mac can handle it, you should encounter a bug-free experience.
Verdict: Very Demanding
System Requirements: OS 10.13.1, 3 GHz Intel Core i5 Processor, 8 GB RAM, 2GBAMD R9 M290 or better, 67 GB hard drive space.
Deus Ex: Mankind Divided
Our Score ★★★★☆
Our Review 〉
Counter-Strike: Global Offensive
Mac Release date: 2012
MacOS developer: Valve
Metascore: 83
Valve has more than its share of games on this list, and Counter-Strike: Global Offensive is probably the best. I’ll forgive you if you don’t recognize the title, as you mostly see it as CS: GO because people don’t want to waste time typing it, they just want to get into the action.
CS: GO is an online tactical first-person shooter and features classic content from the original Counter-Strike, such as revamped versions of classic maps, as well as brand new maps, characters, and game modes.
The game offers the most competitive online Multiplayer out there, including professionals playing on the eSports circuit. CS:GO features cross-platform Multiplayer between Windows and macOS, and if you’re worried that after six years players might have moved on to something newer, fear not. CS: GO is the second most played title on Steam after Playerunknown’s Battlegrounds (I know, I know).
One more thing… Be warned though, CS:GO’s Multiplayer is ruthless, filled with players with thousands of hours, and requires much practice to master. On the other hand, it runs great on MacOS, even on our 2013 MBP test machine. Valve knows how to take care of a Mac port.
CS: GO 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 settings, 2x MSAA, 2X Anisotropic Filtering, V-Sync Off, and 1280×800 resolution:
Can your Mac run it? As you can see from these results, our 2013 13-inch MacBook Pro did just fine, squeezing a comfortable 37 FPS. Most Macs from 2012 onwards should be able to handle it, including those with integrated graphics.
Any bugs you should be aware of? No bugs were encountered during our tests.
Verdict: Not Demanding
System Requirements: OS 10.6.6, 2 GHz Intel Core Duo Processor, 2 GB RAM, ATI Radeon HD 2400 or better / NVidia 8600M or better, 15 GB hard drive space.
Fortnite
Mac Release date: 2017
MacOS developer: Epic Games
Metascore: 81
Battle Royale games are all the vogue now, and Fortnite from Epic Games is one of the most popular. While technically a third person rather than a first-person shooter, it is nonetheless the hottest shooter right now, so we thought it deserved to be on our list. That’s right, we’ll bend the rules if a game’s good enough.
Free-to-play, Fortnite: Battle Royale puts you in the middle of 100 player PvP battles on a large map where in addition to killing or being killed you gather resources to build shelters and collect weapons and ammo to, again, kill everyone else.
Featuring solo and team modes, Fortnite presses all the traditional shooter buttons. If you’re looking to give that whole Battle Royale thing a try, Fortnite is the game for you.
One more thing… Mac gamers were disappointed when PUBG skipped macOS but luckily Fortnite happened. The Mac version of the game was released on day one, and even if performance isn’t great, it continues to improve with every update.
Fortnite 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 settings, 100% 3D Resolution, V-Sync Off and 1280×800 resolution:
Can your Mac run it? Fortnite is quite demanding. Even our 2016 MacBook Pro couldn’t manage 30 FPS (the absolute minimum required for a fast-paced online shooter). The Mac performance of the game keeps improving with every new update, but performance is low.
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. Be patient and wait a few minutes until performance improves and FPS stabilize.
Verdict: Very 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.
Fortnite: Battle Royale
Our Score ★★★★☆
Our Review 〉
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BioShock Infinite
Mac Release date: 2013
MacOS developer: Aspyr Media
Metascore: 94
BioShock Infinite, like the others in the series, is a hell of an experience and an obvious choice.
Also ported by Aspyr, BioShock Infinite is a single-player game, driven by an amazing story. The story takes place in an unforgettable universe (the flying city of Columbia) that could only be matched by the original BioShock’s city of Rapture. I won’t spoil the story for you, but I can tell you the ending alone is one of the finest I’ve ever seen.
Best gaming headset for macbook air. While the story alone could put BioShock Infinite in any Top 10 list out there, the game’s gameplay and graphics are almost as good as the story. The shooting mechanics are solid and the graphics are nothing short of impressive. At some points, I had to stop and just absorb the breathtaking vistas Columbia had to offer.
One more thing… Infinite was a graphically intensive game when it was first released, and now that it’s a few years old, it’s playable on a wide variety of machines, including older MacBooks.
BioShock Infinite 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 Preset and 1280×800 resolution:
Can your Mac run it? Bioshock Infinite is somewhat demanding, but that’s not surprising because, well, the game looks pretty good. If you’re willing to play at the lowest settings, you should be able to run it at comfortable FPS even on older MacBook Pros.
Any bugs you should be aware of? This is yet another fine Mac port from Aspyr. We never encountered any bugs during our tests.
Verdict: Fairly Demanding
System Requirements: OS 10.8, 2.2 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo Processor, 4 GB RAM, 512 MB ATI Radeon HD 3870 / NVidia Geforce 640M / Intel HD4000 graphics card or better, 30 GB hard drive space.
Paladins
Mac Release date: 2018
MacOS developer: Hi-Rez Studios
Metascore: 83
Set in a fantasy universe that contains both modern weapons and magical elements, Paladins has quickly become one of the most popular multiplayer shooters around. Featuring a unique blend of fantasy and modern weaponry, Paladins shines because it has two things that are rarely found together: Free-to-play and excellent gameplay.
Paladins also includes deck-building elements which you can use to customize your character in a variety of ways and an upgrade system like those found in MOBAs. Ultimately, Paladins is an action-packed game that is fun from the first second you play it. Without a doubt one of the best free shooter games for Mac.
One more thing… Paladins is a great choice for those looking for a free-to-play team-based shooter with low system requirements. Plus, this is as close to Overwatch as we’ve got on the Mac right now.
Paladins 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.
SUPERHOT
Mac Release date: 2016
MacOS developer: Superhot Team
Metascore: 82
By now you may be wondering if there are other new shooters for Mac. Yes, there are, and Superhot is almost certainly the most innovative. In addition to not looking like the other FPS games for Mac on the list, Superhot doesn’t play like the others either.
In Superhot, you face waves of enemies and time only moves when you do, allowing you to plan your strategy for staying alive. Think bullet-time from The Matrix with minimalist but still stylish graphics and you’ll have some idea of what you’ll face. There is no story, health regeneration or ammo drops here, only tight gameplay meshed into an original take on the FPS genre.
One more thing… Praised for its innovative look and gameplay, Superhot’s minimalist graphics also mean it can play on a wide variety of Macs, with great performance even on our 2013 MBP.
Superhot 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-End Graphics Preset and 1280×800 resolution:
Can your Mac run it? Superhot is not a demanding game and runs fine even on our 5-year old MBP. Notice that frames per second are capped at 60 FPS. That explains why our newer machines could squeeze (much) more FPS from this game.
Any bugs you should be aware of? The experience for us was bug-free.
Verdict: Not Demanding
System Requirements: OS 10.8, 2.4 GHz Intel Processor, 8 GB RAM, 1 GB graphics card or better, 5 GB hard drive space.
Dying Light
Mac Release date: 2016
MacOS developer: Techland
Metascore: 87
An open-world, action survival game which again stretches the definition of shooter, if you want to kill zombies & use parkour, Dying Light is for you.
Set in a city devastated by a mysterious epidemic, you spend your days exploring a dangerous and open city, scavenging for supplies and crafting weapons. With your parkour skills you can explore and travel wherever you want; verticality is an important feature, you’ll want to think in three dimensions.
The fun begins at night when the zombies and other mysterious and worse enemies go on the attack, forcing you to use those weapons and skills to survive until dawn. Featuring single player, multiplayer and four-player cooperative modes, Dying Light more than fills your need for a zombie apocalypse shooter.
One more thing… While this a demanding game, it always worked great, even on our lower end test machine. That said, you’ll still want a fairly hearty Mac to fully enjoy it.
Dying Light 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, all effects set to On and 1280×800 resolution:
Can your Mac run it? Dying Light is a demanding game. The size of the game world, the quantity of zombies, buildings, and objects, it’s not surprising this game requires some decent horsepower to run. Stay away from it unless you have at least a recent MacBook Pro.
Any bugs you should be aware of? Testing Dying Light was a real treat. Sometimes games can be tricky when tested on older machines. In this case, the ran worked just fine on all of our machines, including the much too old 2013 MBP.
Verdict: Fairly Demanding
System Requirements: OS 10.12.1, 3.2 GHz Intel Core i5 Processor, 4 GB RAM, AMD Radeon R9 M370X with 2 GB VRAM, 40 GB hard drive space.
Insurgency
Mac Release date: 2014
MacOS developer: New World Interactive
Metascore: 74
From New World Interactive, Insurgency features modern, close-quarters, tactical combat. In contrast to the usual shoot everything that moves FPS, Insurgency focuses on teamwork in order to capture key strongholds and destroy enemy supplies. Featuring forty realistic weapons, nine multiplayer and five cooperative multiplayer modes, and sixteen maps playable in day and night combat, you won’t run out of options any time soon.
Insurgency is known for being brutally difficult, but in a realistic way; aside from possible single-shot death, the HUD provides no ammunition count, health info, or even a crosshair to help you aim. Weapons and communication behave realistically, and as you gather supplies and upgrade weapons you’ll be heavier, move slower and get tired. And despite its difficulty, Insurgency remains incredibly popular.
One more thing… This being another game using Valve’s Source engine, the Mac version is solid and ran surprisingly well on all our machines. We did encounter a few funky bugs (such as soldiers gliding around without moving their legs), but they were all harmless.
Insurgency 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 MSAA Anti-Aliasing, 2X Anisotropic, and 1280×800 resolution:
Can your Mac run it? Insurgency is one of the games than delivered the most FPS. Taking into account it can do close to 35 FPS on our 2013 MacBook Pro, this game should run fine on most Macs from the past 5 years.
Any bugs you should be aware of? We did encounter some strange bugs and odd warnings but they were all completely harmless and never caused any real problem.
Verdict: Not Demanding
System Requirements: OS 10.6.6, 2 GHz Intel Core i3 Processor, 4 GB RAM, ATI Radeon HD 2400 or better / NVIDIA 8600M or better, 10 GB hard drive space.
Metro 2033 Redux
Mac Release date: 2014
MacOS developer: 4A Games
Metascore: 90
The Metro series was infamous for its beautiful graphics and punishing performance. In fact, Metro: Last Light, which made our last list, was so demanding it was often used to benchmark gaming machines. Enhanced several years ago with improved graphics and enhanced gameplay, Metro 2033 Redux looks as good as it plays.
Developed by Ukrainian developer 4A Games, Metro 2033 Redux is a single player shooter that puts you in the middle of a post-apocalyptic Moscow. As the name of the game suggests, most of the story takes place inside the metro system, with occasional missions above ground. 2033’s universe is scary, desolate and immersive. And the game’s stealth mechanics are the perfect feature to go along with it.
If you want to take a break from the fast-paced Multiplayer shooters that dominate the market, Metro 2033 is just what you need.
One more thing… We went into our tests expecting the game to crush our 13-inch MacBook Pros. But the game performed great on all three of our test machines. Considering the level of detail and great graphics overall, that’s impressive.
Metro 2033 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 Quality Settings, SSAA set to 0.5X, Anisotropic Filtering 4X, V-Sync Off and the 1280×800 resolution:
Can your Mac run it? Famous for its demanding and beautiful graphics, Metro 2033 Redux isn’t that difficult to run anymore. Even our 2013 MBP did fine.
Be very careful with these settings. Resolution can’t be changed and is blocked at 2560×1600. The only way to alter that is to change SSAA to 0.5X (to divide the resolution by 2) or 0.25X (to divide it by 4).
Verdict: Fairly Demanding
System Requirements: OS 10.10, Intel Dual Core Processor, 2 GB RAM, Intel HD3000 graphics card or better, 400 MB hard drive space.
Left 4 Dead 2
Mac Release date: 2009
MacOS developer: Valve
Metascore: 89
Left 4 Dead 2 is yet another game from Valve and the sequel of the fan-favorite Left 4 Dead. One could argue that too many Valve games made it to this list, but truth is, they all bring something completely different to the table. And Left 4 Dead 2 is no exception.
The game puts you and 3 other friends in a world full of zombies where you are forced to work as a team. Each level will make you cross zombie-infested areas in order to reach a safe zone, all while doing your best to survive the hundreds of hideous creatures the game will throw at you. L4D2 will throw zombies at you in great numbers, but also tougher monsters to keep you on your toes.
Left 4 Dead 2 is the perfect example of a successful sequel and more proof that age doesn’t equal obsolescence. Now almost ten years old, Left 4 Dead 2 still has a large user base, beating out Call of Duty: WWII Multiplayer!
One more thing… Left 4 Dead 2 offers by far the best performance in our list. Granted, it may be the oldest game in here, but to manage 70 FPS on our lower-end MacBook is nothing short of impressive.
Left 4 Dead 2 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 settings, Anisotropic 2X, V-Sync off, Anti-Aliasing off, and the 1280×800 resolution:
Can your Mac run it? This is an extremely light game to run. Our 2013 MBP did great and I wouldn’t be surprised if much older machines could play it just fine. If you were looking for a “MacBook FPS”, this is it.
Any bugs you should be aware of? The experience for us was bug-free.
Verdict: Not Demanding
System Requirements: OS, 10.7, 2 GHz Intel Core Processor, 2 GB RAM, ATI Radeon 2400 or higher / NVIDIA 8600M / Intel HD Graphics 3000 graphics card or better, 13 GB hard drive space.
We had a hard time limiting the best FPS for Mac to a Top 10 list, so we decided to honor the games that didn’t quite make the cut but were close.
These games are all high-quality and I would recommend them in a heartbeat. And as an added bonus, we included a few worhty free FPS Mac games:
Games | Games | Our take | Demand Level | Free games only? |
---|---|---|---|---|
Team Fortress 2 ✅ Not demanding | Team Fortress 2 | Another Valve creation, TF2 is a team-based shooter. After choosing a character, you join one of two teams and battle in a variety of game modes including capture the flag and king of the hill. The graphics style is cartoonish and the gameplay squad-oriented. You will need a solid, balanced team to succeed. Overall, people love it for its art direction, gameplay, humor, and strong community. And Team Fortress 2 is still among the most played games on Steam and one of the best free fps games for mac. Metascore | Not demanding | Yes |
Modern Warfare 3 ✅ Not demanding | Modern Warfare 3 | Modern Warfare 3 is the latest game in the series available on Mac, so that means that it's the best looking and most feature-packed CoD on Mac. Modern Warfare 3 also offers cross-platform multiplayer between Windows and MacOS on Steam. Modern Warfare 3 offers a big-budget story, a co-op mode and the fast-paced multiplayer most people buy the game for. And there’s still a good sized player community for that multiplayer gaming. Also it ran amazing on all of our test machines. Metascore | Not demanding | No |
Shadow Warrior ✅ Not demanding | Shadow Warrior | A remake of the classic game of swordplay and shooting, Shadow Warrior is known for both its violence and its humor. In addition to a full complement of guns, Shadow Warrior has you fighting with your shogun’s sword, fighting hordes of enemies, human and demonic, without firing a shot. You also have magical abilities when physical weapons just won’t cut it. With a solid story, humor that is essential to the game, and modest system requirements, Shadow Warrior is a worthy remake of a classic FPS. Metascore | Not demanding | No |
Metro: Last Light Redux ✅ Not demanding | Metro: Last Light Redux | The sequel to Metro 2033, Last Light is more of that same post-apocalyptic goodness. A story-driven shooter like its predecessor, this version also includes all the DLC and additional gameplay improvements. Again taking place largely in the Moscow Metro, Metro: Last Light picks up the story from Metro 2033 and features the same beautiful, atmospheric settings, horror elements and difficult to kill monsters. One of the best FPS series on the Mac, both Metro titles are worth your time and money. Metascore | Not demanding | No |
Wolfenstein: Enemy Territory ✅ Not demanding | Wolfenstein: Enemy Territory | Wolfenstein, free, multiplayer. Do I need to say anything more? Ok, a little. Play as Axis or Allies in team-based multiplayer combat where you need to cooperate to complete objectives while leveling up your character. Working with your team, utilizing each person’s abilities is the only way you’ll succeed. With five player classes to choose from, six official maps (and quite a few more from the community) and support for up to 32 players at once, Enemy Territory is your ticket for a free fps for mac set in WWII. Metascore | Not demanding | Yes |
Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel ⚠️ Fairly Demanding | Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel | A fun game for fans and non-fans alike, the Pre-Sequel to our list winner takes place between the 1st two installments and offers all the gameplay of Borderlands 2 in a new environment and with a new story. In this installment, you’re on the moon Elpis to shoot tons of bad guys with much less gravity. The gliding around is fun as soon as you realize how far you actually can go. Places that would otherwise be inaccessible are now available. But pay attention to your oxygen level. Metascore | Fairly Demanding | No |
Killing Floor ⚠️ Fairly Demanding | Killing Floor | Looking for your zombie/monster-killing to be set in England in a cooperative survival environment? Killing Floor has it all: a 6-player co-op survival FPS with offline single player and cross-platform multiplayer that remains popular eight years after its release. Sent in after a secret military experiment goes awry, your job is to kill all the results of this experiment, fighting wave after wave of zombie-like creatures. And unfortunately it looks like this is your only Mac option in the series. Metascore | Fairly Demanding | No |
Ravenfield ✅ Not demanding | Ravenfield | A Steam Early Access game, Ravenfield is designed to be an easy to pick up, hard to master team-vs-team shooter. A single-player military FPS, you can play as infantry, vehicle, aircraft or watercraft in battles limited in size only by your computer’s horsepower. In active development, with new additions coming regularly (most recently, parachutes!), Ravenfield has a whopping 93% positive on Steam. So don’t let the blocky graphics fool you; if you’re looking for some single-player army mayhem, Ravenfield is both affordable and easy on your machine. Metascore | Not demanding | No |
Devil Daggers ✅ Not demanding | Devil Daggers | Devil Daggers is a fast-paced game with throwback graphics but modern physics and gameplay. Featuring pixel art graphics and high-end audio, Devil Daggers is an action-packed mix of retro and modern. You’ll face increasingly large and deadly waves of demons with nothing but magic daggers and slick moves to save you. Known for its difficulty and non-stop action, you’ll also collect demonic crystals so that you can upgrade your magical daggers. Devil Daggers is single player but does let you compare your scores with others on global leaderboards. Metascore | Not demanding | No |
Verdun ✅ Not demanding | Verdun | A multiplayer FPS set in the trenches of World War I, Verdun is designed to be as realistic a depiction of trench warfare as possible. Self-described as the first realistic multiplayer FPS set during WWI, Verdun recreates the weapons, tactics, and maps of the Western Front with a focus on the 1916 battle of Verdun. Allowing you to choose from a variety of squads and several different game modes, Verdun’s unfortunately suffers from a lack of players, a problem for an online-only game. Metascore | Not demanding | No |
Day of Infamy ⚠️ Fairly Demanding | Day of Infamy | Another New World Interactive title using Valve’s Source engine, Day of Infamy features realistic combat across the battlefields of western Europe during World War II. A team-based multiplayer game focused on close-quarters combat, Day of Infamy is popular both because and in spite of its notorious difficulty. In Day of Infamy you really do have to communicate with your teammates to achieve your objectives, and a healthy modding community helps keep the game fresh. If you can deal with the difficulty, this is one of the best FPS’s out there. Metascore | Fairly Demanding | No |
Spec Ops: The Line ✅ Not demanding | Spec Ops: The Line | A 3rd person shooter, The Line’s team-based action focuses on the morality of the decisions you must make in modern combat and the psychological effects of those decisions. You lead a team of three through a mysteriously ruined Dubai, looking for Colonel John Konrad (yes, Heart of Darkness reference). As with many modern military shooters, you’ll be in an urban landscape practicing your cover and shooting skills while you work to achieve your objectives. The game features single and multiplayer, including cross-platform and coop. Metascore | Not demanding | No |
Portal 2 Best games for pc and mac. Most of the best video games are available on Mac. Some still believe there are no good games to play on Mac, but Mac gaming has come a long way ( Can a Mac be a gaming PC? Is a great read). Gaming and Mac computers haven’t always been on the best of terms. Many believe the optimal PC gaming experience comes via a Windows-based machine and won’t waste their time shelling out the. ✅ Not demanding | Portal 2 | Featuring the return of GLaDOS and the addition of a two-player cooperative mode, the sequel to Valve’s surprise hit Portal keeps everything that was great about the original and builds on it in almost every way. With separate stories for the single player and cooperative campaigns, there’s twice as much for you to explore. And while not technically a shooter, this puzzle/platformer may still be the most first person fun you can have without killing a thing. Another bonus: it will run on any Mac around today. Metascore | Not demanding | No |
7 Days to Die ⚠️ Fairly Demanding | 7 Days to Die | Just another post-apocalyptic, zombie, survival, horror, RPG, cooperative, multiplayer FPS. Really. On Steam Early Access for five years now, in 7 Days to Die you have to survive in a post-apocalyptic world by learning to craft, loot, kill, and in some modes, cooperate. With strong RPG and crafting elements, 7 Days offers a compelling blend of genres in its zombie survival wrapper. Technically in alpha though players describe it as closer to beta, concern has been the lack of updates, though it appears one is finally on the way. Metascore | Fairly Demanding | No |
Ballistic Overkill ✅ Not demanding | Ballistic Overkill | Ballistic Overkill is a classic multiplayer shooter: pick a class & gun, pick a map & game mode, start shooting. Featuring cross-platform multiplayer and designed to be easy to learn, impossible to master, Ballistic Overkill looks great and is sure to please your itchy trigger finger. With over 80 weapons available as you level up, the key to Ballistic Overkill seems to be finding servers with enough players to fill a game. This is also another great game for your older or less powerful Macs. Metascore | Not demanding | No |
Unreal Tournament ⚠️ Fairly Demanding | Unreal Tournament | Introduced with much excitement, and with a playable alpha currently available, Unreal Tournament is a community-based effort by Epic to make a new version of the classic arena shooter. Offering several tutorials to help you get started and some functioning game modes, Unreal Tournament showed promise as the return of a classic. However, since the release of Fortnite the game has languished, with no updates or information in over a year, leaving the community frustrated and parts of the game no longer working. Metascore | Fairly Demanding | Yes |
While everyone’s top ten list might be different, we strive to ensure that ours is at least a legitimate list for Mac gamers. To do that, we have a set of criteria we use for all of our games and lists:
Native support: These are Mac games, no Wine, Parallels or Bootcamp needed. They all install natively on your Mac.
MacOS performance: One of the main things we aim to provide that no one else does is a look at how these games perform on Macs. If you want to see how they run on consoles or Windows, go ahead, but we’re pretty sure that’s not why you’re here. Our games are all tested on a variety of different Macs under the exact same conditions:
iMac (5K, 27-inch, Late 2014)
3.5 GHz Intel Core i5, 8 GB RAM, AMD Radeon R9 M290X (2GB) Best external hard drive for photo storage with mac.
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)
We’ve had a lot of questions about this, but we test our games on Medium settings because we know Mac users hang onto their computers for a long time, because we can. These are all the results of our tests in Frames per Second (FPS): And for reference, this is how we interpret the results: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. Critical acclaim: We all know how subjective reviews can be, and how games can be review bombed by the public for reasons sometimes having nothing to do with the game itself. But we make sure we pick only games that have been positively received by both professional reviewers and average gamers. Pricing: We all want quality, but just like we hold onto our Macs as long as we can, we don’t have unlimited budgets for games. We always keep in mind price tags and production levels to give indies and AAA games equal chances. After all, we’re after games that are fun to play. Looks are important but fun gameplay is even more so.
If you’re into FPS games but feel that without PUBG and Overwatch there’s nothing for you on the Mac, this list should change your mind. Despite not having some of the latest and greatest shooters, there are still plenty of fun FPS games out there and this list should have at least one and probably more to suit your mood.
Whether you’re looking for high-end graphics that punish your system, a great story, something for your older Macbook and anything in between, there’s an FPS to suit your hardware and your style.
Which one is your favorite? Did we miss any you think belong on this list? Let us know in the comments section.
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. Good gaming keyboard and mouse are both mandatory!
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.
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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
Free Games On Steam That Are Good
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.
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.
Best Free Mac Games On Steam 2018
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.
Best Free Games On Steam For Mac Youtube
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 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)
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.
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