With there so much choice for gamers — whether you play often or only every once in a while — we've given you information where to download and buy your next MacBook games. Naturally, we have referred to peer-reviews to find some of the best Mac games, alongside the top-rated free Mac games.
Before downloading a game that is going to take up quite a bit of space: Do you know if your Mac is running at peak performance? Could be worth downloading CleanMyMac X to clear out junk, old files, duplicates, and other pieces of software you no longer need.
On average, Mac users find 62GB of clutter in hard drives. Leaving you plenty of space to download a new Mac game.
Here is how you free up space for games with CleanMyMac:
- Download and launch CleanMyMac X (you can download it for free here).
- Hit Scan and wait while CleanMyMac scans Large and Old Files, Photos, Mail, iTunes, and Trash bins for junk files that can be safely removed.
- Hit Run and enjoy a whole lot more disk space and faster Mac.
In this article, we've included games from the Mac App Store and Steam. Both popular platforms, although it seems that more people downloading computer games for Mac prefer Steam. Unlike the App Store, you find out so much more about the games, can benefit from a wider range of reviews, articles, help forums and other content.
That reminds me of the good ole' days on my Power Mac 6100 with a PowerPC 610 60 MHz. Trying to remember some old games 68k compatible games I played on it. We round up the 131 best Mac games available in November 2020, from real-time strategy and RPGs to racing, shooting games and puzzles, together with links to buy at the best price - Page 10. The 20 best Mac games The Mac may not get the biggest blockbusters, but you can play many of the best indie hits on your MacBook or iMac. By Leif Johnson, Contributing Writer, Macworld. Man my Stream library went from like 200 Mac games to 30 😞 At least Blizzard updates their games, even if they won't release Overwatch, and id's are open source and 64-bit for ages. Otherwise leaning into Crossover 19 but still clunky and brittle compared to real Mac versions.
Here is our rundown of some of the best games for Mac.
Best Paid Games For Mac
1. J.U.L.I.A. Among The Stars
Developers: CBE Software
Buy it: Steam
Released: 2014
Tech specs: Mac OS X v10.7, with an Intel dual-core processor, and at least 4GB of spare memory.
Price: $19.99
Reviews: 497 - Very Positive - on Steam
In this game, you play Rachel Manners, an astrobiologist woken from cryogenic sleep en route to a new solar system. Everyone else, including the crew, are dead. Your only companion on this voyage is J.U.L.I.A., the ships Artificial Intelligence (AI). You also have control of Mobot, a droid that can examine the planets surface, solar system and support you in the ongoing mission for intelligent alien life.
Unlike other point-and-click games, the fact that you can interact with other systems and intelligences onboard the ship makes it more realistic and interactive.
As a game, J.U.L.I.A. has an interesting history. It started life as a puzzle game for iOS devices. That version has disappeared. CBE Software, the team behind this version, had an epic journey with the original publisher. But it seems as though all of the struggle was worth it, with this game well-worth paying for, especially if you're a fan of anything sci-fi related.
2. Layers of Fear
Developers: Aspyr Media
Buy it: Steam
Released: 2016
Tech specs: Mac OS X v10.10, with a 2.3GHz Intel Core i5 processor, and an Intel HD6100 or discrete graphics card with 1GB VRAM. 5GB of space is recommended.
Price: $19.99
Reviews: 11,973 - Very Positive - on Steam
Aspyr are known for transforming hugely popular A-list PC games, such as the Civilization and Call Of Duty series into equally popular Mac games. Now they've produced an original game, working together with developers in Poland, the Bloober Team. Bloober specialises in ‘psychological horror games.'
Layers of Fear takes the fairly conventional point-and-click approach. You play a painter wandering around a pretty creepy house, on a mission to complete a masterpiece. But at the same time, parts of the game throw you in at the deep end and you have to figure out what to do next. Objects point you in the right direction to figure out what to do next.
What is really clever about this game is the slow-burn atmosphere or fear. Comparable to movies and books of this genre, you are left wondering what is really going on in the house, or whether it's all in the head of the main character. For those who want lots of fast-paced action and fear, this may not be the right game. But for those wanting something more challenging, Layers of Fear is highly recommended.
3. Observer
Developers: Aspyr Media
Buy it: Steam
Released: 2016
Tech specs: macOS 10.12.6, with a 3GHz quad-core processor and a discrete GPU (2GB VRAM recommended).
Price: $29.99
Reviews: 1,431 - Very Positive - on Steam
A creative Indie release by Aspyr. Inspired by Blade Runner, with the voice of the main character Daniel Lazarski, played by Rutger Hauer. Observer is an intelligent and fun steampunk game, well worth buying and playing.
Observer is set in the year 2084, Earth devastated by war and plague, the Nanophage, with the Fifth Polish Republic in the hands of a mega-corporation, Chiron.
As Lazarski, you play an elite neural detective when you receive a strange message from his son in the dystopian slums of Krakow.
On arrival, you find a decapitated body — it may or may not be your son, so using the point-and-click controls, you are meant to search for clues. However, the game has a few tricks, such as cybernetic augmentations to enhance what you can see and detect. Another trick, known as the Dream Eater lets you probe other peoples mind. A skill you are going to need as you dive deeper into the Krakow slums.
4. Pulse
Developers: Pixel Pi Games
Buy it: Steam
Released: 2015
Tech specs: Mac OS X v10.7, with a 2.0GHz dual-core Intel processor, plus an nVidia GeForce or an ATI Radeon graphics card with 1GB VRAM
Price: $14.99
Pulse emerged thanks to support from a Kickstarter campaign, making it one of quite a few that have found a supportive audience and fans through that platform. Now you can buy it through Steam and it is becoming increasingly popular as a Mac games download.
Pulse is all about sound. Unlike most adventure games, where they rely heavily on visual cues, Pulse is set in a psychedelic world, one that forces you to use sound to get through the game. Your character is Eva, who's blind and is on a quest — something that isn't fully explained either.
As you journey through the game you will start to understand more, supported by the sort of radar-vision used by Marvel's Daredevil. It is not a highly-evolved game in the true sense of the word; some have described it as a little strange. But not unlike Monument Valley and Limbo, players are treat to an interesting and hypnotic experience.
5. The Banner Saga
Developers: Stoic
Buy it: Steam
Released: 2014
Tech specs: Mac OS X 10.7.5 or later, with 2GB RAM and 3GB available HD space
Price: $19.99
Reviews: 8,401 - Very Positive - on Steam
The Banner Saga was created by a 3-man team, and is a fantastic example of how, as an indie studio, you can make the best of your skills and resources.
Visually, players step inside a hand-drawn world, which some have described as Game of Thrones combining with Vikings and traditional Disney. A truly epic saga. You can pick from 25 characters, some human, others Varl, horned giants, and within both groups are different socio-economic groups, from warriors and leaders to craftsmen.
Decision making and combat blend smoothly together on this journey. It is a complex and in-depth caravan journey across a struggling world, where mistakes could threaten the safety of the caravan. Last thing you want to do is run out of food and supplies on the way to face down an enemy that threatens the entire survival of this civilization.
Players even have the option of completely different outcomes. File transfer en mac. Characters can die if they make the wrong choice, or can't fight as well as their foes. Alongside the gameplay, the music is as haunting and epic as the landscape, with funny and witty dialogue alongside the action.
Want something a little different than epic adventures?
6. This War of Mine
Developers: 11 Bit Studios
Buy it: Mac App Store
Released: 2014
Price: $7.95
Reviews: 4.3 stars
This War of Mine is not your traditional war game.
It is based on real-life events and experiences of war survivors. You aren't a soldier, you are a civilian trying to survive living in a city during a war. Snipers prevent you or anyone in your group from going out at night. During the day, one of you needs to go on a scavenging run throughout the city, to find supplies to look after your wounded, keep you all warm, dry and fed.
Survival is everything in this game.
It starts off in the middle of winter. Careful resource management means that wood is constantly needed, to keep everyone warm, burn for fuel and keep the shelter repaired. Various decisions and the harsh realities have a psychological impact on characters in the group, and choices need to be made that aren't always easy.
This is a game which, if you want something that gets you thinking, will keep you playing long into the cold night.
Best Free Mac Games
And if you want something free and fun, here are a handful of free Mac games well-worth playing:
1. Beneath a Steel Sky
Almost like reading a detective novel in a cyberpunk future, Beneath a Steel Sky is a retro science-fiction point-and-click adventure game from 1994. It has been re-worked to run on macOS, and although the graphics aren't great it does have real charm.
2. Cave Story
A fun, retro, somewhat pixelly 2D platform shooter game, along similar lines as Ghosts 'n Goblins or Metroid, Cave Story is cute with some solid gameplay. It includes shoot and jump mechanics, along with character and weapon evolutions and simple quests. It helps to download the English language translation patch with the game, as the original is far too confusing in Japanese.
3. Dwarf Fortress
Dwarf Fortress is a role-player game - something of a cross between a traditional computer game and a text adventure. It can be quite complex but a lot of fun, as you explore a new world and build a fortress with an army of dwarfs. Once the fortress and economy is built, you can get them to mine for minerals and build an empire.
4. Hearthstone
Collecting cards may not sound a lot of fun, but with 40 million online players it is worth diving into. Players earn cards by playing daily quests and then battling online cards in matches against other gamers (in these, you can win rare cards). It is an amazing online community of players to be a part of and although there are in-app purchases you can do an awful lot for free.
Want to get your Mac running at peak performance to ensure you can play the latest games? Download CleanMyMac X today, get your Mac as good as new.
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Some playtime is the perfect way to take a break from work and unwind. Among the wide variety of games on your Mac, free ones are often quick and convenient to play while also keeping you engaged at almost any age. From puzzles and racing to shooting and world-building, there's something to appeal to everyone. So, if you're ready for some fun, check out these best free Mac games.
1. Jigsaw Puzzles Epic
Lose yourself in over 10,000 beautiful jigsaws spanning a wide range of categories. You can also use your own photographs to create puzzles, which only adds to the fun. New puzzle packs are added frequently to keep this game feeling fresh.
Further, you can choose from 11 difficulty settings with up to 625 pieces in each puzzle. Of course, you can save your progress so that you can work on many at once. If you loved jigsaw growing up, this Mac game is a perfect way to get back to it.
Price: Free (In-app Purchases start from $0.99)
2. Head Soccer
Even if you're not a soccer fan, this free Mac game is a must-try for fun hours. The aim is to beat the opponent with different kinds of shots such as ice shot, dragon shot, etc. The controls are easy to master so that anyone can play within seconds.
Further, you can matchup with friends or global users through the game center. Choose from seven exciting modes, including Arcade, Survival, League, Head Cup, Fight Mode, Death Mode, and Tournament.
Price: Free (In-app Purchases start from $0.99)
3. Township
Ever dreamed of building a city? If yes, you will enjoy having a go at Township. Give your best effort to harvest tons of crops and correctly process them at your fully equipped facilities. Sell your goods and also trade them astutely to earn a lot of money.
Further, create a zoo by collecting animals from around the world. And once your bank abounds with plenty of dollars, start building a beautiful town. And yes, use renowned landmarks like the Statue of Liberty and Big Ben to decorate your city.
Price: Free (In-app Purchases start from $1.99)
4. Homescapes
Have fun decorating a beautiful mansion and solving puzzles along the way in this family-friendly game. There are match-3 challenges that you have to win to decorate rooms and unlock more chapters.
Channel your creativity as you decide what the house should look like and add warmth and comfort. There are intriguing characters to keep you company and even an adorable pet cat. You can invite Facebook friends to play along too.
Price: Free (In-app Purchases start from $0.99)
5. Asphalt 9: Legends
Are you ready to take on the most fearless drivers in the world? Then check out this racing adventure that's bagged innumerable accolades, including a Design Award from Apple and the Best Sports Game award from Webby.
It boasts an impressive variety of hypercars from the likes of Lamborgini, Porsche, and Ferrari. Take them for a spin and race across the most stunning locations of the world. It's also among the best free games for iPhone.
Price: Free (In-app Purchases start from $0.99)
Best Mac Games Steam
6. 2048 Game
Here's another puzzle game that will tickle your mind and keep you intrigued. It's quite straightforward to play as you have to press the arrow keys in the preferred direction like up/down/left/right to move the tiles.
When the same number matches, the tiles will merge! The aim is to get the tile with the numbers 2048 and 4096 to reach a high score. It can also be played using the trackpad and Magic Mouse for convenience.
Price: Free
7. Fishdom
Ever wished to own an aquarium? Well, this game is a good equivalent that lets you befriend fish as you solve fun match-3 puzzles to decorate tanks. You can also feed and play with the fishes like they're pets.
The unique gameplay lets you swap and match, design and decorate, and take care of the ish all at once. The graphics are top-notch and offer an immersive experience of exploring the aquatic world.
Price: Free (In-app Purchases start from $0.99)
8. World of Tanks Blitz MMO
This one's a legendary 3D shooter game that attracts a global community of 100 million players. You can battle in 7×7 format and go solo or form a squad of friends. Use a range of weapons and tactics to survive and win!
There are more than 350 combat vehicles that include historical designs as well as experimental ones. You can test your skills in 25 battle arenas, and each encounter is unpredictable to amp up the fun.
Price: Free (In-app Purchases start from $0.99)
9. Word Connect Fun!
Best Mac Games To Play
Behold the latest way to expand your vocabulary and have a ton of fun! Swipe the letters to create words to score points. When you build the hidden words, you can earn rubies. Moreover, there's no time limit, so no stress.
Further, this game guarantees hours of fun thanks to hundreds of levels aimed at improving your concentration, spelling, and vocabulary. You can ask for help from your friends and family using the share button.
Best Mac Games 2020
Price: Free (In-app Purchases start from $0.99)
10. CRIMO
Love solving mysteries and testing your logical skills? Alexa play music from local mac. Then you've got to try this addictive game that involves investigating murder cases by analyzing the clues and following the trails to solve the case!
You start with a short training in the Police Academy, from where you move on to handling murder cases in Miami and New York. Just use pure logic to crack the puzzles and get the clues. Reject the false leads and eliminate possibilities to reach your goal.
Price: Free (In-app Purchases start from $0.99)
Summing Up
So which of these free Mac games do you love the most? We would be glad to know in the comments below. And if you want to take the fun to the next level, you should also check out the best paid games on Mac.
You might want to take a peek at these posts as well:
The founder of iGeeksBlog, Dhvanesh, is an Apple aficionado, who cannot stand even a slight innuendo about Apple products. He dons the cap of editor-in-chief to make sure that articles match the quality standard before they are published.
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