Free to Play

From massively multiplayer role playing games to first person shooters and everything in between, there exists a free to play (F2P) title. F2P is an interesting and potentially dangerous concept. Interesting because, hey, I am cheap and I like free stuff, but could be dangerous based on some predatory tactics some publishers use. F2P is typically a freeware game where there is no fees to play the game up front. Just download and away you go. There is usually specific content or game mechanics that are locked behind a "paywall" where you need to open your wallet. Want this cute red dress for your avatar? $2.99. Is it taking waaaayyyy to long to level up your character? XP boost $5.99. Now I mean in the Capitalist society we live in, nothing is for free. It only makes sense they need to bring in money somehow to pay workers, keep the lights on, make shareholders happy etc. It's just that some companies do it right, while others are really tricking you into a "free to play" model where you will spend more money than if they sold it to you for $70.

I've played tons!!! And tons!!! Of free to play games. I mean Steam has a whole Library dedicated to them. Some are great, super fun, pay options are balanced, others uhh not so much. One game that I think has a really well done F2P model is Path of Exile (PoE). PoE is an isometric action role playing game heavily inspired by Diablo. Actually some fans have dubbed it the spiritual successor to Diablo II. The developer Grinding Gear Games gives you the entire game for free. They also continuously add new content and expansions to the game at no additional cost. The only paid items are cosmetic in nature and should not give you an advantage above other players who decided not to spend. So a more ethical way of building in microtransactions into your title. My personal preference is if the game is free to play, and it's a well done game that I am enjoying I will spend money. I have spent real world money on PoE because they gave me a fun experience and I want to support the game and devs.

One game I used to play, that I do not think does a great job was Heroes and Generals. To be fair I haven't played this game in years so it may be different now, but I will base this on my experience at the time. This game was a massive multiplayer WWII shooter where you can take the role on the battlefield or control the war in HQ as a general. Really interesting concept as it combines FPS and RTS. The gameplay was okay, not the greatest shooter by any means, but what really killed this game was the free to play model. Everything cost money. If you wanted to change the name of your character it cost money. It was brutal. They also made the grind so difficult that to progress at all you would have to either play this game full-time; like quit your job and divorce your spouse, or pay the subscription for boosted xp. I think I have something like 50 hours logged in that game and I only unlocked a handful of weapons and gadgets. I wanted the MP40 so badly I grinded for hours. It just became a chore. It stopped being fun and isn't that why we buy games to begin with? To have fun?

But enough negativity. I wanted to finish this article with some of the free to play games I have personally enjoyed. Maybe you will too:

-Path of Exile - Action RPG

-Enlisted - WWII Themed FPS

-Star Wars The Old Republic - MMORPG

-Lord of the Rings Online - MMORPG

-Paladins - Hero Shooter

-Warframe - Action RPG

-Destiny 2 - Action RPG

-Multiverse - Brawler

Honourable mention goes to Operation Harsh Doorstop if you looking for a free alternative to Squad or Arma. I haven't played enough or play enough Milsims to fully endorse it.

Hope you enjoyed the read on free to play. Stay safe out there gamers.

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