Feb 28, 2020 First introduced on Mac in 2014, Total War: Empire is the fifth installment in the Total War series, which, as a whole, comes recommended. The turn-based strategy game was released for Windows in 2009. Before purchasing the game, just check the Mac App Store for compatibility with your Mac, since some older machines aren't supported. The title is the debut production of Wildcard studio, founded by former Microsoft Game Studios employee Jesse Rapczak, and was created for PCs and eighth generation consoles. Read More » The Sims 3 Complete Collection Download MAC and PC.
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.
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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.
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. 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.
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While it’s pretty hard to find some worthwhile free games for Mac, it doesn’t mean that there is no free game for Mac. It just means the number is very low. However, the case of Free RPGs is different.
Just like we did in the Strategy Games for Mac, most of the titles are available via Steam. If you have Steam installed on your Mac, it will be easy to download and play these games. That said, here are some of the best role-playing games for Mac. Let’s begin.
Free RPG Games for Mac
1. Dota 2
One of the most-played game on Steam, Dota 2 is one of the best RPG titles for Mac. The game never keeps you bored, since there’s a lot to discover. You can become one of the Dota 2 heroes and keep exploring the world while combating with others. It’s a skill-based game, since there are no in-app purchases for talent or extra perks. You can choose the role and start playing. You are going to love the enhanced graphics and the big user-base that Dota 2 boasts.
System Requirements: Intel Dual Core, 4GB RAM, NVIDIA 320M, Radeon HD 2400 or Intel HD 3000 or higher, 15GB Storage space
2. Shakes and Fidget
If you are looking for a fun-filled, fantasy RPG, Shakes and Fidget should be your first stop. With a user-base of more than 50 Million, you will love its online battles too. Even when we keep the humor aside, the game offers a bunch of options like customizable characters, thousands of collectibles and hundreds of quests you can achieve. The game gives you a feel of being inside a comic book, which is great for role-playing. The title is comparatively newer, too.
System Requirements: Intel Pentium, 1GB RAM, 100MB Storage space
3. Tactical Monsters Rumble Arena
It’s been just four months since Tactical Monsters Rumble Arena was released. In the meantime, this game has become a superb choice of players across the globe. In this RPG, you have to use your strategy as well as tactical combat. Thanks to multiple playing modes, you can get your hands on real-time battles as well as normal missions. You have almost full control over monsters, who happen to have unique skills to. You are the winner if you know how to deal with them.
System Requirements: Intel Core 2 Duo, 512MB RAM, 512MB Video Memory, 500MB Storage space
4. The Lord of the Rings Online
The Lord of the Rings Online is one of the most popular MMORPGs for Mac, since thousands of players play this wonderful title. The game is awesome if you know anything about the popular series by JRR Tolkien. You can explore the Middle Earth and craft the perfect hero the land deserves. There are more than 105 ways to customize your hero, which is great. It also offers options like PvP battles and online arenas. It’s all about fun, and you get one visual treat too.
System Requirements: 2.0GHz Intel i5, 2GB RAM, Intel HD3000 or better, 25 GB Storage space
Check Out The Lord of the Rings Online
5. Spiral Knights
Spiral Knights calls itself a co-operative adventure, for a good reason. You have to team up with the knights who are stranded in an alien planet. The plot progresses as you explore this amazing planet and what stays under the seen surface. While the character customization isn’t the best, your Knight gets to compete with others in this game. Of course, the core of Spiral Knights is in multiplayer combat, and you should not miss that.
System Requirements: 1.3GHz Processor, 1GB RAM, 64MB Video Memory, 700MB Storage space
6. GuildWars 2
GuildWars 2 is another massively multiplayer online RPG for Mac devices out there. It’s definitely more than a simple multiplayer game, thanks to the wonderful community it has got. Released back in 2012, GuildWars 2 has been the favorite of those who need a real-life role-playing gaming experience. There are various races in the game, and you — if you are a beginner — surely need some catching up. It offers multiple modes such as the PvP one.
System Requirements: Intel Core i5 or better, 4GB RAM, 50GB Storage space, GeForce 320MATI, Radeon HD 6630M, Intel HD 3000 or better.
7. Trove
Trove is an open-world, action-based role-playing game that you can play on Mac. It lets you explore a world that isn’t restricted to earth. As the hero character, Trove wants you to rescue the multiverse from threats as well. There are different classes like Knights, Pirates and a lot of realms you can explore. Trove also comes with a bunch of world-building and strategy-based elements. You can take care of loots, build more stuff and get rich on the way.
System Requirements: Core i5, 1GB RAM, Intel HD 4000, 1GB Storage space
8. SMITE
With more than 25 Million players on the board, SMITE brings an awesome combination of role-playing and action. If you know the ancient mythology — Thor from Norse, for instance —, you will love the storyline of this title. You can choose one of the mythological characters as well as their skills. The game is fast-paced, in addition to the collectible and open-combat arena. You can get into the battleground and win if you want to move on. SMITE gets regularly updated too.
System Requirements: Core 2 Duo, 2GB RAM, 512MB Video Memory, 10GB Storage Space
9. SAS: Zombie Assault 4
Released in 2017, SAS: Zombie Assault 4 is one of the high-end action RPGs for Mac. When a virus outbreak has turned almost every human into zombies, you can take up the role of the savior and fight them. The title offers three roles you can play. Of course, SAS: Zombie Assault 4 is more about the action and combat, but its RPG-like upgrades and features are unbeatable. Fast-paced gameplay and collectibles and loot support and some reasons why people love this RPG.
System Requirements: 2GHz Processor, 1GB RAM, OpenGL Graphics, 512MB Storage space
10. Gaytective
Here’s a different title from the role-playing game category. In this game, you take up the role of a detective. Wait, you are not going to solve any murders. On the other hand, the detective has to talk to some people and tell if they are homosexual. The title comes with the retro outlook and some cool dialogues with others as well as the lady who hired you. Gaytective is all about interaction and dialogues, but it’s a small game. You should check this if you’re looking for pure fun.
System Requirements: Nothing specified, it’s a small game, works perfectly on 2015-late MacBook Air
Best Games To Play For Free On Mac
11. Pixel Dungeon
Just to clarify, we are talking about Pixel Dungeon for Desktop, which is available for Windows, macOS, and Linux. You can enjoy the same awesome gameplay that you used to get in Android. One of the best RPGs for Android, Pixel Dungeon is noted for the pixel-art and simple interface. You can choose a character, who will be exploring the dungeon and killing all the bad stuff on the way. There are also some collectibles you get in the long run.
System Requirements: Nothing specified, Pixel Dungeon is really minimal
12. Realm of the Mad God
At the first look, Realm of the Mad God is a simple pixel-art-based game. However, it has some of the coolest gameplay. In case you did not know, it’s one of the MMORPGs as well. You can focus on action and battle, but there are always some RPG elements in the game. The game also features some options like looting and team-up battles. But, what really matters is whether your character is powerful enough to take up all those challenges.
System Requirements: Intel Core Duo or later, 1GB RAM, 100MB Storage space
13. RuneScape
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RuneScape is a free-to-play, fantasy-based MMORPG available for Mac and other platforms. Once you have downloaded the client and have created an account, the adventure starts. It also happens to be the most popular free MMORPG. RuneScape also comes with a huge-enough community, where thousands are online. Unlike many of the RPGs we listed, RuneScape is pretty huge and there is a lot to explore. It starts at the island of Ashdale and explores further.
System Requirements: It varies depending on the detail level. High Details require i5/i7, 4GB RAM and NVIDIA or ATI Radeon dedicated graphics
14. Clicker Heroes
Clicker Heroes is an impressive casual clicker game with some great RPG elements in it. All you do is clicking with your mouse, but there are different characters and enemies to choose from. Clicker Heroes also comes with some great strategy stuff and a visually-pleasing design. You can also keep hiring different heroes who have better skills to offer. Altogether, although not completely an RPG, Clicker Heroes is one of the superb choices for Mac.
System Requirements: Intel Core Duo, 512MB RAM, 90MB Storage
Best Fps Games For Mac Free
15. MINDNIGHT
Best Games For Mac Os Free
With this popular online multiplayer, we end our list of the best free RPG games for Mac. MINDNIGHT works by assigning you a random role — either a Hacker or Agents. The idea is to defeat the other so that you can succeed. The best part about MINDNIGHT is that it offers a lot of things like communication systems and hi-tech stuff. Please note that MINDNIGHT is set in a distant future, where your cyberpunk dreams come true. It is a highly-addictive title too.
System Requirements: Dual Core Processor, 1GB RAM, 512MB Graphics, 120MB Space
Wrapping Up: RPG Games for Mac
Most of the above-mentioned RPGs offer online PvP mode, which is great. Also, some of them are a combo of RPG, Strategy and action gaming so that you don’t get bored. We have also tried to include games that are completely free, instead of those with thousands of in-app purchases. Still, if you think we missed some great free RPG, do let us know via comments.