Sony and Microsoft want you to believe that you have to spend $70 to play a good game, but the truth is, there are plenty of great games available for free thanks to in-app payments and sample versions of full games. Quality across mobile, PC, and consoles has never been higher, making it easy to find free games to enjoy without breaking the bank. However, many free-to-play games are designed to make you spend money, so it’s important to be aware of where the game may try to upsell you. One way to play games for free without microtransactions is to explore open-source classics like Civ2clone or mods for games like Doom II, which can provide endless hours of entertainment. Additionally, platforms like itch.io offer a treasure trove of indie gems, demos, and prototypes for free or at a “name your price” rate. Blizzard’s Overwatch 2 is another option for a high-quality free game, with a battle pass system that allows players to earn rewards and skins without spending money. EA’s Apex Legends is also a popular choice for a free battle royale game with fast-paced action and a variety of characters to choose from. Overall, there are many great free games available on various platforms, so don’t feel pressured to spend money to enjoy gaming.
