Free-to-play games used to be the worst games in the entertainment sphere, but now so many of the AAA titans have joined the fold. There’s a high-quality free-to-play game for everyone.
But there must be a way that each free-to-play game makes its revenue, and that’s where cosmetics come in. Developers put a ton of effort into battle passes and skins so players can contribute to keeping the game up and running and paying their staff.
For instance, when it comes to the Steam Community Market, Valve earns on each transaction, pulling a small fee for every skin bought and sold. This translates into large amounts of passively generated income for relevant parties.
Developers and publishers are not as reliant on the initial price tag of a game. Purchasable in-game content is massive: DLC, seasons, skins, and the like each rake in the dough. The trick is getting gamers through the door and then introducing paid content. It’s no wonder so many big-name multiplayer games are going the free-to-play route.
The competition is fierce for the best free-to-play FPS games. Here are the top contenders, ready to be installed and played at a moment’s notice.
PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds (PUBG)
PUBG caused a ruckus in the gaming community and still holds records for the most concurrent players of all time on Steam. PUBG took its sweet time turning into the F2P game we all know and love today. The original paid release dropped in 2017 and eventually transitioned to an FPS experience in Jan. 2022. Now, anyone and everyone can parachute into the battlegrounds, land in strategic locations, loot guns, ammo, and supplies—all in an effort to earn that elusive Chicken Dinner.
PUBG pits one hundred players against each other in an unforgiving firefight until only the last player or team comes out on top. PUBG isn’t the type of game where you jump in for the first time and start dominating—it takes time to grasp the mechanics, controls, and pacing. This isn’t a run-and-gun style of game like Fortnite; the slew of weapons at your disposal feature significant recoil, forcing players to take shots carefully.
The ‘gun feel’ is nothing like Call of Duty or Apex Legends. Players learn quickly that aiming down sights is mandatory—there’s no reward for shooting from the hip in PUBG. This is the PUBG allure: fights are tense and tactical in their own unique way.
Although other popular shooters have put their own spin on the battle royale genre in recent times, PUBG remains a classic that many keep coming back to.
Halo Infinite
Halo kept tons of players in the FPS genre with title after title of thrilling out-of-this-world battles. Developed by 343 Studios and published by Xbox Game Studios, Halo Infinite has arrived, free-to-play for Xbox and PC for the multiplayer (full price for the campaign portion). While many argue that the Nov. 2021 launch left much to be desired, content has slowly but surely been added as post-launch continues amidst the 2022 developer roadmap.
Despite Infinite lacking content at the initial release, the team at 343 has been working on adding new maps, modes, performance fixes, and improving the battle pass to keep players incentivized to keep playing. Infinite is a refreshing iteration of the long-standing series.
The gameplay still feels like Halo, considering new weapons and abilities being introduced with mostly positive reception. The Skewer feels extremely satisfying landing on unsuspecting enemies, while the Grappleshot makes traversing hallways and corridors an exciting new way to get around. Classics like the Energy Sword and Rocket Launcher haven’t skipped a beat. The balance between new and old hits the mark in Halo Infinite, which is a welcome sight to all generations of Halo fans.
Counter-Strike: Global Offensive
Counter-Strike spawned as a mod for Half-Life in 1999 and eventually took over the esport and FPS genre with its incredibly detailed precision and ridiculously high skill ceiling. Now, 2012’s Counter-Strike: Global Offensive still uses the same tried and true formula from the original, just available on a newer engine. And with CS2 now on its way, players will get to see the next evolution of the Counter-Strike brand totally for free.
In 2021, the estimated prize money for CS:GO tournaments stood at 21.17 million U.S. dollars, making it the online game with the highest cumulative prize pool in that year. The money is out there for players dedicated enough to go all-in on Counter-Strike.
Just keep in mind, the competition here is fierce. There are a ton of different teams all vying for that number one spot, and the amount of resources and practice required to stay at the top is insane.
Those who play the game religiously are insanely good, constantly pushing the skill ceiling that competitor shooters lack. Movement and weapon mechanics (recoil and spray) set Counter-Strike apart from others. Aside from scoped sniper rifles, Counter-Strike’s aim mechanics utilize a simple crosshair at the center of the screen to gun down enemies. No aim assist, iron sights, or anything fancy. Just aim and shoot.
If you’re a newcomer, you will have a hard time with CS:GO. It’s a rough start, but sticking with it will be incredibly rewarding. If you find yourself playing alongside a group of dedicated players, the rewards are out there for anyone with the dedication to get good.
Apex Legends
Respawn Entertainment’s free-to-play first-person shooter, Apex Legends, is a fast-paced, character-driven approach to the popular battle royale genre. The FPS gets a refreshing update every few months that brings meta-changing shifts to the title and a whole selection of new and exciting skins to get your hands on.
Since its 2019 release, Apex has evolved, introducing fresh ideas to a similar feeling battle royale foundation. Unrivaled mobility, versatility, and teamwork set Apex apart from competitor shooters. Engaging opponents in firefights feels incredibly tense; players jump, slide, and dodge bullets, hip-firing like there’s no tomorrow, all while constantly cruising around the map at high speeds.
The fighting is crisp, and the movement is mechanical and intense. You’ll likely love every minute of this F2P shooter.
Currently, there are 23 playable Legends in Apex, with each bringing something different to the table. Each Legend has its own strengths, abilities, and playstyle. It’s rewarding figuring out which Legends pair up better with one another. For instance, Valkyrie, Gibraltar, and Ash combine for superior movement, survivability, and damage output. Despite each character providing unique skill sets, Apex does a solid job of rewarding personal skills over Legends’ abilities.
VALORANT
Originally known as “The CS:GO killer”, VALORANT has taken a ton of inspiration from other FPS titles in the industry, Counter-Strike being one of them. Since then, the agent-filled title has evolved into its own exciting experience, where professionals and casual gamers alike can learn how to master the massive array of abilities available.
Fortunately, CS:GO has not been killed.
If you’ve played CS:GO, you will be all too familiar with the 5v5 combat that VALORANT offers. Instead of Terrorists and Counter-Terrorists, Agents with unique talents make up the cast of playable characters. The main game mode, Plant/Defuse, is similar to CS:GO’s bread and butter formula, but with a twist.
In addition to buying weapons, you’ll choose an Agent at the beginning of each match. Each Agent has an ability, ranging from healing allies to making walls appear out of nowhere. For instance, Reyna’s Devour allows her to consume soul orbs and heal herself, allowing her to play independently without relying on others. Or, Raze’s Paint Shell allows her to throw grenades that explode twice, causing huge damage to enemies. The ability recharges after every two kills, influencing an aggressive playstyle.
The parallels between CS:GO and VALORANT don’t stop at gameplay. Various pro CS:GO players have migrated to VALORANT over the years, seeking new challenges, greener pastures, and opportunities. There’s no shortage of big names who’ve made the switch, which speaks volumes to how well-received VALORANT has been.
Call of Duty: Warzone 2
Warzone 2 has improved upon almost all features in Call of Duty’s first installment of Warzone. This high-intensity gameplay is more than enough to get your blood pumping, as you drop into Al Mazrah to take on other players aiming to steal your loot.
The map is enormous; up to 150 players can jump into the action on one server and engage in intense firefights. Buildings are individually custom-designed, improving upon the cookie-cutter templates of competitor shooters like PUBG. Limited loot randomness and a more simplified inventory is a welcome sight. You’re rewarded for clever gameplay, positioning, and skill—not just the top-tier loot you happen to stumble across.
Battle Royale isn’t the only mode available with the free-to-play Warzone 2. DMZ, the other game mode, takes place on the same map but allows unlimited respawns. Players hop into a Tarkov-like FPS that lets players take their loot from match to match, depending on whether they survive.
Players will encounter AI combatants mixed with a few deadly player interactions in between. Grab some friends, and squad up for a rollercoaster ride in Warzone 2’s DMZ.
Destiny 2
Move over Halo, Destiny 2 is now Bungie’s flagship title. This F2P title lets player squad up, complete missions, and dive headfirst into dangerous raids. Fortunately, there’s always a ton of content coming from the Bungie developers, so you’ll likely never get bored.
Choose between Guardian classes, including the armored Titan, mystic Warlock, or swift Hunter. Unlock powerful abilities and collect unique gear to customize your character’s look and playstyle. Then, dive into various game modes: co-op Vanguard missions, player vs. player Crucible matches, or the cinematic story to experience responsive first-person shooter combat.
As previously mentioned, you’ll need to grab some friends. Having a gang to tackle endgame content like raids and complete missions will help create a memorable and enjoyable experience.
There’s a story found within Destiny 2 that features expansive histories and deep lore. In the past few years, the game has gone through significant storytelling shifts, with emphasis put on characters and the world around you. Although these stories involve expansions that are going to cost you, the core game remains free to play.
