Look, we live in an a gaming age where developers and publishers love to do nothing more than put microtransactions at every possible point and make you pay to “get the good stuff.” It’s annoying, it’s mean-spirited, it’s greedy, and it sucks! Thankfully, not everyone follows that path. So, here are some free-to-play titles that often do have microtransactions, but they aren’t necessary to actually play and enjoy the game.
#10 – Roblox
Yes, we know that Roblox is not for everyone! However, there’s a reason why 90+ million people play it a day, according to official stats. That’s because it’s a free-to-play title that has plenty to do; you just need to go and find it all.
If you want further proof about how the game is “addicting,” you need only look up what has been happening with the gardening title within it that grew, pun intended, to such heights that it broke all-time gaming records with its player counts!
And yes, there ARE microtransactions in the game, and the dev team wants you to use them but you don’t have to, and many don’t.
#9 – Counter-Strike 2
There’s nothing wrong with a simple game that does exactly one thing incredibly well, and people keep playing it forever as a result. That game is Counter-Strike 2. Or, more specifically, it’s the franchise that has been growing and evolving for some time now, but you get the point.
This FPS is as simple as it can be in goal, but can be mind-bloggingly deep when it comes to strategy. You and your allies will be put on a map and told to go get the other team. That’s it. It’s pure FPS multiplayer goodness, and it’s all free! So go load up and get to taking out your foes!
#8 – Genshin Impact
Don’t give us that look. Yes, we know that Genshin Impact is a gacha title, and one that has made a TON of money since it was first released. We also know that the game uses the “lure” of certain “aesthetically-pleasing” characters to get you to spend money on it so you can get those characters. However, you don’t need to do so to enjoy the game.
Instead, you can just go and play the entire thing for free and get a deep RPG experience as a result. You’ll assemble a team, travel the world, fight monsters, do quests, and more. The game is constantly growing and evolving, and one dive into it will show you why it’s so popular.
#7 – Fall Guys
Admittedly, Fall Guys: Ultimate Knockout wasn’t free to play at first. That was actually a more recent event that happened. However, that just means you’ll be able to partake in the hilarity and insanity of all that happens in the Blunderdome.
Here, you’ll become a “Bean” and have to take on various obstacle courses in the hopes of getting the crown. The problem? The courses are difficult in your “bean form,” and there are plenty of other players who are trying to get the crown, too! You must be smart and use all your wits and skills to take them out and be the winner!
It’s not easy, but it can be done, and be done for free!
#6 – Rocket League
Arguably one of the best examples of free-to-play titles out there that have endured long past whenever it “should’ve died out,” Rocket League is another game with the most simple of premises: It’s soccer but with high-speed cars.
Yep, that’s it. That’s all. You’ll play with others and attempt to get the ball into the net, while also driving your car like a madman and attempting to stop your opponents from scoring first. Pretty simple, right?
The game has been updated for many years, and it keeps getting cool decals, car models, and more for you to get. Yet, you don’t need to pay a dime to “get the edge,” because the only way to “get that edge” is to simply be the better driver.
#5 – Apex Legends
When Apex Legends first came out in 2019, no one knew that this title would blow up the gaming space. One of the reasons for that was the team behind it, Respawn Entertainment, just shadow-dropped the game on us all. Full stop. They released it, and players have been enjoying it ever since.
You’ll pick a character from a large roster and then team up with other players across a wide variety of modes to see who can come out on top. Part of the game’s charm is the constant updates and new modes to enjoy. It almost always feels fresh, and they’re always pulling something new to keep players engaged. What’s not to love?
#4 – Warframe
While many of the free-to-play titles we’ve shown you have been epic multiplayer games, you could argue that many don’t have a certain “depth” to them, especially in the story department. Warframe is the antithesis of that statement.
The game flings you into a sci-fi future where you become one of the Tenno, alien cyborg-like beings who must help stop a war that’s engulfing the galaxy. Each Tenno is different, and they can wield hundreds of weapons to make them the best thing on the battlefield.
With impressive graphics, deep gameplay, an ever-growing character roster, and a moving story, you’ll see why people have been playing this game for over a decade when you take the dive yourself.
#3 – Marvel Rivals
It was inevitable that we talk about Marvel Rivals, as this game has arguably been the most popular free-to-play title since its beta in 2024. The game takes the Marvel Comics multiverse and slams it together to bring different versions of classic characters to life, while also making an intense team shooter experience that no one can deny is fun.
Whether you want to play as classic characters like Iron Man, Magneto, Black Widow, Storm, or someone more niche and fan-favorite like Luna Snow, Squirrel Girl, Blade, or someone in between, you have plenty of options!
#2 – League of Legends
In many ways, League of Legends is one of those “enduring presences” that will be around for so long that you’ll forget when it first started. Riot Games took the MOBA world by storm with this game, and while there are many who are “masters at it” and can crush you without doing much, there’s still plenty of room for new players to come in and see what they’re made of.
It’s not just about picking one of the “legends” from the massive roster; it’s about working together with your team to ensure victory for everyone! The universe is as deep as you want it to be, so don’t be afraid to see how far things go!
#1 – Fortnite
Yep. There was only one true way to end this list, and that was with Fortnite. The title from Epic Games didn’t start the battle royale genre; in fact, it straight-up stole from the one who did, but it did perfect it in a way that has kept people coming for years.
The rules of the main game are simple. One hundred people are dropped onto an island, and only the last one standing gets the chicken dinner! Simple, right? Except, with so many people shooting at you, things can get truly buck wild.
That goes double when you remember that the “hook” of this game is all the skins of fan-favorite characters and even real-life people! So, pick your favorite skin and go to work!
