After Fall Guys became the most recent game to join the freemium service, the market has grown, with some titles finding success more than others within this area of the video game space. But that doesn't mean that these games are always great, especially with the controversy surrounding them based on the model to farm more money from players.
Despite this mixture of the good and the bad, there are some free-to-play games that have become beloved gems over the years. From the multiple battle royale successes to colorful platformers that introduce new tech to gamers, there are some fun and amazing games that can even outclass their paid-for counterparts.
Deltarune
From the creator of Undertale, Toby Fox is currently working on future chapters for his follow-up title, Deltarune. Playing as teenager Kris, gamers must save the world with Susie and Ralsei and meet the strange inhabitants of the Dark World.
While the game only has two chapters so far and future chapters are currently in development, the game shows Fox's artistic flair with pixelated art that made his debut title a standout. And despite the short experience, the game still has great value and quality, even at the demo stage.
Brawlhalla
While the world waits to see if MultiVersus will dethrone and steal the crown of the mascot fighter from Super Smash Bros., fans of the beloved fighting series might want to check out Brawlhalla. The Chibi-style fighters must knock each other off the stage with a variety of moves that only platform fighting enthusiasts will recognize.
Despite being eight years old, Ubisoft has still supported the game with crossover characters and updates and it doesn't show any signs of going anywhere just yet. Who knows who else gamers will see next, but who wouldn't want to play as Snake Eyes from G.I. Joe against Negan from The Walking Dead?
Rocket League
Developed by Psyonix in 2015, Rocket League became a huge success and was soon ported to multiple consoles. Using cross-play and cross-progression, the game was created based on elements of racing and soccer, as two teams must compete to see who could score the most goals by the end of the match.
While the game had to be paid for when originally released, it moved into the free-to-play market with season passes and themed events. With new cosmetics for players to control their dream car in the stadium, no vehicle will be the same as gamers battle it out from around the world.
Fortnite
No video game has made an impact on the industry like Fortnite has. One of the biggest titles that made the battle royale games popular, players can shoot and craft their way to victory.
Despite the controversies with the game when it came to micro transactions and services on their supported systems, the game still offers colorful and fun ways to survive on the dangerous island. And with some of the best limited-time events offering free cosmetic items, it's possible to play the game without needing to buy a battle pass.
Astro's Playroom
It will nearly be two years since the PS5 was released, and while fans were able to get some free games or updates from older titles in their libraries, Astro's Playroom was unlike other tech demos. Acting as a short game, each level and power-up was based on the tech exclusive to the console.
What made Astro's Playroom great wasn't just the way it introduced everyone to the new console's tech, but that it was a gorgeous game that cost no additional money. It also helped to push Astrobot as the next big mascot character for Sony and their PlayStation brand.
Apex Legends
After the cult hit that was Titanfall 2, Respawn Entertainment would go on to create Apex Legends, their take on the popular battle royale genre. Because teamwork was such a huge focus, the game featured characters who each had their own strengths to use in the match.
It may not have the best ports compared to other cross-play titles, Apex Legends does offer a new hero for each season, which has kept it slowly growing throughout the years. And with new events introduced occasionally to give the heroes a new look, it's been a refreshing experience over and over again for their fans, especially now that there are some great characters to play in Season 13.
Pokémon Go
Niantic's hit Pokémon spin-off game teased the hopes that hardcore fans have been waiting for: a chance to encounter Pokémon in the real world. Since its massive online success that saw players getting together in the thousands, it has easily become one of the best Pokémon titles to date.
And although the game does feature microtransactions, it's easy to not spend a penny, with so many Pokémon from across the generations slowly making their way across for fans to capture. Furthermore, players were able to finally battle and transfer their monsters to other titles in the series, which is one of many hidden details that most Pokémon Go players haven't discovered yet.
Genshin Impact
Despite being exclusive for PlayStation consoles as well as PC and smart devices, Genshin Impact was unlike other free-to-play games that came before it. Playing in an open-world JRPG with cel-shaded characters, the title immediately stood out and was critically praised.
With updates featuring new lands to explore, additional gameplay features, and new characters to join anyone's party to create some unusual team combos, miHoYo has continued to build upon an already impressive game. Not many titles can be complemented with comparisons to Breath of the Wild, but with this kind of support, it certainly seems deserving of praise.
Fall Guys
Mediatonic's Fall Guys was the feel-good game that many players needed in 2020, and since its debut on the PS Plus service, it became one of the best battle royale games on the market. Instead of duking it out on an island, the game was made up of mini-games where teams or solo players must win each round to earn the crown.
It did become purchasable afterward, but like Rocket League, it too eventually joined the free-to-play train. While it only became free last month, it opened up to Xbox and Switch owners for everyone to join in the colorful and chaotic party.
Call Of Duty: Warzone
Released alongside the 2019 edition of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare, Warzone took the familiar mechanics from the likes of Fortnite and Apex and injected the gameplay that many have come to expect from the beloved first-person shooter. While the games in the series haven't been as successful as previous entries, Warzone looks set to stay, as it still sees players coming back for more.
Alongside the themed seasons, the game also saw special events that witnessed the likes of Godzilla destroying the landscapes around the island and the return of zombies. Despite some glitches, the strong gameplay and intense action that it offers just can't be paralleled by other titles.