The thing about grinding games are particular; either you love and enjoy them or hate them. It depends on your choice and what types of games you play. Some loot-based games are executed extremely well and very appealing, and some are total knock-offs. But today, we will talk about only the best free grinding games to play in 2022.
We have gone through a massive list of all loot-based grinding games and made our list of the best 20 best grinding games.
What is a Grinding Game?
Before we start the list, let’s know what a grinding game is. Nowadays, grinding gameplay is reasonably common in RPG games. In a grinding game, the players have to use their in-game characters to battle against low-level demons or monsters to achieve the same result or build up their skill and obtain limited gold or rewards.
For being so repetitive, some gamers find grinding games boring and lose interest. But fortunately, they considered these matters and are trying to make grinding games more exciting than they are now.
What Is The Difference Between Grinding And Farming?
To put it simply, farming games are those where the players go to dungeons or similar places like that to get certain gold/ rewards or items guaranteed to be found to max out the character.
On the other hand, grinding players do the same but have to get rare items hard to get on a massive level. It may take minutes to several hours to find the rare item you need to complete the mission. You can see why people often lose interest in grinding games.
Best Grinding Games to Play
Here are our top picks of the best loot-based grinding game that you can play.
1. World of Warcraft (Paid)
- Platform: PC
- Genre: MMO
- Developer: Blizzard
World of Warcraft, in short, WoW is considered the king of all grinding games. It is one of the most popular loot grinding games of 2020 that has expanded over the years. The best thing about WoW is that it is exciting to play, has a good storyline and your grinding efforts are well rewarded.
The game reaches a maximum level of 120 maximum. Though it takes a lot of time to achieve the highest level, World of Warcraft is fun because most boring things can run in the background while enjoying the gameplay. And the fun doesn’t stop when you reach the max level, and you can grind even after getting level 120. The game offers a free trial. After that, you can try for their one month, three months, or six months subscription.
2. PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds (Free)
- Platform: Windows, Playstation 4, Xbox One iOS, and Android.
- Genre: MMORPG, Survival shooter.
- Developer: PUBG Corporation
PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds, commonly known as PUBG, is the best free loot-based game to play in 2022. PUBG and PUBG Mobile have become a global phenomenon after the release in 2016. The game is popular among teens a lot.
This free to play multiplayer RPG features different maps where you find loot to equip your characters and fight to survive. The last man standing wins the Chicken Dinner. You can play PUBG in solo mode or by building a squad of two to four players. The game offers amazing graphics, a wide range of player skins, and a huge arsenal of weapons that lies all around the map.
The game also offers different loot events and other leagues to make PUBG more interesting. Every year PUBG competitions are held internationally. PUBG is a free game that you can download to play on Windows, Playstation 4, Xbox One iOS, and Android.
3. Warframe (Free)
- Platform: PC, PlayStation, Xbox.
- Genre: Third-Person Shooter
- Developer: Digital Extremes
Warframe is one of the best free grinding games of 2020. You can spend hundreds of hours playing this thrilling game. This free to play loot game offers many features other than just roaming for loot. For example, your character can do acrobatic stunts like vaulting, jumping, and running.
The game is set in space. You are Bruce Lee on steroids in space! It has a massive weapon arsenal, adventureful space maps, new characters, and rewards that you get by completing missions. You can also obtain cosmic items and different rare items. You can play the game in a PvP environment with your friends or other players online.
4. Destiny 2 (Free)
- Platform: PC, Xbox, and PlayStation.
- Genre: FPS
- Developer: Bungie
Destiny 2 has all the elements of an MMORPG game and a first-person shooter experience combined in it. A lot is going on with the loot-based shooter game Destiny 2. Like other popular games, Destiny 2 has PvE and PvP mode to play. The player can choose to play with the game environment or against other players on the internet.
The game features different missions, tasks, enemy fights, and many more. The game is free to play and one of the best action-loot games. You can play the game online on your PC, Xbox, and Playstation. Join the massive universe of the gun blazing, action-packed world of Destiny 2.
5. Diablo III (Paid)
- Platform: PC, PlayStation, Xbox.
- Genre: Action Role-playing game
- Developer: Blizzard
Diablo III is the best single-player grinding game that you can play on PC, Xbox, and Playstation. The developer of the game is Blizzard, who has perfected their dungeon and dragon crawlers over time. So you can expect that Diablo III will be one of the best grinding RPG games on the internet.
The Diablo series consists of many sweet rewards for the players, and you can continuously grind for more and more loot. The story of Diablo III is fantastic. The game is adventurous, and despite being a grinding game, it is exciting to play.
The game is available for USD 39.99 from the Blizzard shop. You can have a free trial before purchasing the whole game. You will need Minimum Window 7 and a dual-core processor with 2 GB of RAM to play it on your Windows PC. It also requires a live internet connection to play.
6. Path of Exile (Free)
- Platform: PC and Xbox.
- Genre: Action RPG
- Developer: Grinding Gear Games.
Path of Exile is brought to you by Grinding Gear Games. This free to play action RPG is similar to Diablo II in gameplay. The game has a decent storyline, and the gameplay is also exciting. It is an action game, so there is no cut short in fighting and use of weapons.
Path of Exile is set in a fantasy kingdom where you are part of a group that seeks treasures and loots. You have to sneak in treasuries, fight against the King’s army, solve mysteries, and whatnot. There are lots of events and leagues going on. You can participate in them too. I guarantee you will not find Path of Exile boring. You can play the game online for free. It is supported on Windows PC and Xbox.
7. Runescape (Free)
- Platform: Windows OS, Mac, Linux, iOS, and Android
- Genre: MMORPG
- Developer: Jagex
Runescape is one of the best and most popular grinding games online. It is a cross-platform MMORPG game that you can play on almost every device. It supports Windows OS, Mac, Linux, iOS, and Android. You can enjoy the game for free, with no hidden charges or anything of that sort.
This famous online grinding game has thousands of hours of fun and excitement. There is always something to do on Runescape. It features 27 unique skills, lots of adventurous quests, missions, and plenty of boss fights.
The skills in this game are easy to gain, and those skills will boost your grinding level. The game progresses slowly, ensuring 100+ hours of adventure, fun, and enjoyment. You get to grind for rewards in many ways, e.g., loots, mining, fishing, or produce items to trade.
The game also published a new version of it called Old School mode. The world of Gielinor will never let you get bored in the game.
8. Fallout Shelter (Free)
- Platform: Windows PC, PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo, iOS, and Android.
- Genre: Simulation
- Developer: Bethesda
Fallout Shelter is one of the Loot Based Best Free Grinding Games online. The game is similar to some clicker or idle games that you might have played before. But here, you are tasked with different tasks, and you cannot just sit and watch. You have to make decisions and complete scenarios to get rewards. You can say it is more of a life-based simulator game.
On Fallout Shelter, you have to plan out for the food, jobs, treatment, and other shelter residents’ commodities. A lot of things will depend on your steps and may grant you points or rewards.
The game is available for Windows PC, PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo, iOS, and Android. You can download the game and play it without paying anything. There are options for in-game purchases if you want to.
9. The Division (Paid)
- Platform: Window, PS4, and Xbox One.
- Genre: Action RPG
- Developer: Massive Entertainment
The Division is a great Action RPG grinding game that you can buy for the money. This excellent game features thrilling battles, mesmerizing gunfights, and extraordinary graphics. You will be sucked into the world of The Division when you start playing it.
The game is set in a world that has been hit by a pandemic. After that, most of humanity is wiped out. Only a few remain. It is your duty as a Special Agent from SHD (Strategic Homeland Division) to help the remaining people to survive the harsh world. You have to protect them, task them with different jobs, and manage your crew. You must have a strong will, sharp investigative ability, and intelligence to complete all the game scenarios.
10. Monster Hunter World (Paid)
- Platform: Windows PC, Playstation 4, and Xbox One.
- Genre: Action RPG
- Developer: Capcom
Monster Hunter World can be crowned as one of the best PC grinding games on Steam of 2020. This action-packed role-playing game raises the bar as a loot-based game. The game has a unique storyline with plot twists. You can enjoy the game on Windows OS, Playstation 4, and Xbox One.
The player takes the role of a hunter to help the Research Commission. The hunters have to fight against monsters, collect samples, and discover new worlds. You get rewards for completing tasks assigned by the Research Commission.
11. Minecraft (Free)
- Platform: Online, Windows, Playstation, Android, and Xbox One.
- Genre: Sandbox, Survival.
- Developer: Mojang
Minecraft is the best free loot grind game that you can think of. This sandbox survival game features simple yet exciting gameplay. Minecraft is a 3D sandbox game where you have no specific goals. You can do whatever you want. But to gain in-game loot or items, you have to mine for them. You can mine for diamonds, building materials, foods, and other rare items.
Minecraft is one of the most popular free survival loot games that you can play in 2022. The popularity of this game is increasing every day. The infinite virtual world is your playground. Go on quests, build houses or other things, and whatnot. You can play the game in single-player mode or with your friends. If you have not played Minecraft yet, then give it a try.
12. Elite Dangerous (Paid)
- Platform: Windows, Mac, PS4, and Xbox One.
- Genre: Sci-fi Simulation
- Developer: Frontier Developments
Elite Dangerous is a premium sci-fi simulation game that is set in the far universe. There are gunfights, missions, discoveries, mission planning, and many more in Elite Dangerous. In the 34th century, humans have conquered vast space. But they still face resistance from aliens as well as humans.
The players can assume control of a starship and discover the Milky Way’s space’s vast expanse. The game features realistic science simulations and more than enough action sequences. You can play the game on Windows, Mac, PS4, and Xbox One. You can have a free trial before purchasing the game.
13. Borderlands 3 (Paid)
- Platform: Windows, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox X series.
- Genre: Action RPG
- Developer: Gearbox Software
The entire Borderlands franchise is filled with excitement and great gameplay. Borderlands 3 is no exception. This amazing FPS strategy game is one of the best loot games you can play. The game features gunfights, hand-to-hand combat, and all other elements to keep it exciting.
You can enjoy the game on Windows, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox X series. The game will cost you around 20 USD to purchase.
14. Torchlight III (Paid)
- Platform: Windows, Playstation, and Xbox One.
- Genre: Hack and Slash
- Developer: Echtra, Inc.
Torchlight III is another amazing online grinding game to play in 2022. The game is a hack and slash style game with fantastic loot and a great cover story. You can grind for loots, fight against other players, and the AI to gain rewards and coins. There are different heroes to choose from and build your army. After completing the game, you can continue to play in NG+ play mode to gather more loot.
It is one of the famous grinding games on steam 2020 that you can purchase for USD 20.99. You can play the game on PC and Playstation. I am sure you will enjoy this amazing single-player grinding game.
15. Nioh 2 Loot Based Best Free Grinding Games
- Platform: Windows, Ps4, and PS5.
- Genre: Action RPG
- Developer: Team Ninja.
Nioh 2 is one of the Best Free Grinding Game with awesome loot initially released for Playstation in March 2020. The game is an action role-playing game with unique features. The game is the sequel to Nioh, another best grinding match of 2017.
In Nioh 2, players can design their skins or characters. Different characters have different powers and weaknesses. The players are also equipped with other powerful weapons. They can update the weapons from in-game rewards. The players can gain points by completing missions, treasure hunting, and defeating the enemies.
You can now play Nioh 2 on your PS4 and PS5. It is also available for Windows OS. The game will cost $39.99 from the Playstation Store.
16. Darksiders 2
- Platform: Windows, Nintendo, PS3, PS4, Wii U, Xbox 360, and Xbox One.
- Genre: Action role-playing
- Developer: Vigil Games.
Darksiders 2 is a fantastic grinding game to play. Though the game is still old, it is one of the popular action RPGs out there. The players take the role of one of the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse, Death. Darksiders 2 is an RPG hack and slash game. The game features combats, weapons, puzzle-solving, and quests.
You can play the game on almost every console. Darksiders 2 is supported on Windows, Nintendo, PS3, PS4, Wii U, Xbox 360, and Xbox One. You can get this adventurous single-player game for just $2.49.
17. The Incredible Adventures of Van Helsing III
- Platform: Windows, Mac, PS4, and Xbox One.
- Genre: Action Adventure
- Developer: Neocore Games.
The Incredible Adventures of Van Helsing III is the successor of The Incredible Adventures of Van Helsing series. The game is a simple action MMORPG with lots of lots and fun. Here the players take the role of famous vampire hunter Van Helsing. They have to destroy all types of vampires to protect the city after the civil war was over in Borgovia. The game features a fantastic story. There are different classes that you can choose to play as. As the game progresses, you become more powerful and level up. You can play this best grinding game on Windows, Mac, PS4, and Xbox One.
18. Grim Dawn
- Platform: Windows, PS4, and Xbox One.
- Genre: Indie, Action RPG.
- Developer: Crate Entertainment.
Grim Dawn is an indie loot game to play on your PC. The game is a fun RPG to play on your own or with friends. In the game, you choose one character to play as. Your skills develop as you level up in the game. You have to defeat minions and mini creatures to gain loot from them. The loots help you to upgrade your skin, weapons, shields, and other in-game elements. Get the game from Steam for only USD 8.49.
19. Divinity: Original Sin II
- Platform: Windows and Xbox One.
- Genre: Adventure, RPG, Strategy
- Developer: Larian Studios
Divinity: Original Sin II is an epic RPG strategy game that offers amazing graphics, a superb storyline, and exciting gameplay. The experience of playing as giant, powerful monsters is just unique. You can choose from different classes of heroes to role play as. You are tasked with dungeon crawling, defeating giants, and protecting the city. Monsters drop loot and rewards, the player has to collect them to level up.
You can purchase the game from Steam for only USD 44.99. The game developers hold different tournaments and special quests that you can take part in.
20. Titan Quest
- Platform: Windows, PS4, and Xbox One.
- Genre: Hack and Slash, RPG
- Developer: Iron Lore Entertainment
Titan Quest is an action hack and slashes video game set in ancient Greece, Egypt, and the Silk road. It is a unique RPG loot game that features indie style gameplay with a fantastic back story. The game develops slowly and unravels different elements of the game. This action RPG can be played in single-player mode or with up to 6 players in co-op mode. There are different quests and maps to explore. You will surely enjoy playing Titan Quest.
Final Thoughts
Grinding games have no connection with grinding wheat to turn it into flour! Instead, it means loot-based games where you complete specific tasks to gain rewards and points. The best loot-based grinding games have their own set of fun. If you try any of the games from the list, you will understand what I’m trying to say.
Comment down which of the best free grinding games is your favorite. Enjoy!
