If you missed a free window, Anno 1800 is a staple of seasonal sales. It regularly drops to for the base game. For that price, you get one of the most beautiful city-builders ever made, featuring:
Managing a Victorian metropolis in the Old World while simultaneously settling the tropical New World. anno-1800-free-download-pc-game-version
Unlike older RTS games, you can zoom in to see individual citizens attending a world fair or walking through your botanical gardens. If you missed a free window, Anno 1800
While the phrase is a common search term, it usually leads to a crossroads between two very different worlds: the risky "cracked" scene and the legitimate ways to play this industrial masterpiece for free. The Siren Call of "Free Downloads" Unlike older RTS games, you can zoom in
Many "free download" installers are bundled with miners or Trojans.
Ubisoft frequently hosts Free Weekends (often aligned with major updates or anniversaries). These give you access to the full base game for a few days, and your progress carries over if you decide to buy it later.
You lose access to the vibrant online community and co-op modes.