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10 Free-To-Play Games Worth Playing

10 Free-To-Play Games Worth Playing

So you bought an Xbox One or Playstation 4, huh? But now you don’t have any games to play for either. It’s going to be a long summer and fall if you don’t start finding some games to play in the meantime. While you are waiting for all the big name developers to drop their biggest and best on you at Christmas time, check into some other of these free-to-play games that are out there to help fill the void left by the absence of games for your brand-new system. These are just a few of our favorites and there are a ton more out there. There is literally something for every style and type of gamer. So in no particular order, here are ten FTP titles worth checking out.

One Button Bob

One Button Bob

This game may not be the best FTP out there. Hell, it definitely doesn’t have the best graphics in the world. But what it lacks in flash it makes up for in the sheer frustration this game will cause you every time you try to move up the leaderboard. As the name suggests, you can manipulate everything in the game with–you guessed it–one button. But don’t be fooled. This game will completely piss you off if you are one of the uber-competitive types out there. Think of it as Pitfall , mixed with a little Uncharted and a whole lot of rage-inducing gameplay. Buy not the Flappy Bird kind of rage.

Star Conflict

Star Conflict

I don’t know about you but there have been a great many times that I was watching Star Wars or playing Mass Effect and thought to myself, “What I wouldn’t give to get locked into an epic space fleet battle just once.” Well, my wait has ended. Star Conflict gives you the ability to create your space ship and outfit it as you see fit. Then you take her out for a spin and lay waste to your enemies in epic space battles. My favorite thing is that during the battle phases, you really feel like you are actually in a space battle. There are lasers flying all over the place and other ships exploding all around. It’s an intense and awesome thing to get into.

Barkley Shut Up and Jam: Gaiden

Barkley Shut Up and Jam: Gaiden

If you ever played the original Shut Up and Jam on SNES, it was pretty bad. And that failure alone is what makes this game so much more awesome. Gaiden starts off with Charles Barkley unleashing a dunk that kills a ton of people in a nuclear-style explosion. In the wake of this feat, other famous NBA ballers start getting hunted down and killed and you have to build up a team and try and get to the bottom of it all. This turn based, quippy romp of epically ridiculous proportions will leave you laughing and upset all at the same time. And the cameos of well-known NBA pros from yesteryear are enough to keep you playing again and again.

Fallen Earth

Fallen Earth

For those of you who have been waiting for another installment of Fallout , you might want to give Fallen Earth a go while you wait. I mean, that is if there is ever actually going to be another Fallout title. But even if there isn’t, Fallen Earth is a pretty solid replacement. It may not be as polished as Fallout but it definitely has the substance to keep you playing. You have to craft your own weapons from resources that you find. And depending on how you build up your gear, it can actually help of hinder you. For example, while heavier armor may increase your defensive capability, you will never be able to use stealth because your heavy ass armor is too loud. So you have to be very careful in what manner you play this one. Who knows, this may be the closest thing to another Fallout that any of us will see until the actual apocalypse happens.

Vindictus

Vindictus

Do you like Skyrim ? What about games like A Wolf Among Us ? If you answered yes to either or both of these questions then you should probably check out Vindictus . It seamlessly blends the concept of episodic content with high fantasy RPG flair and gameplay. It’s pretty simple really. You choose one of seven characters available at the game’s start. Then you take them through a series of episodes within a much larger story. You can level up your attributes as well as upgrade your weapons and armor. Using a skill-based leveling system, Vindictus combines all the stuff you would want in a fantasy brawler-RPG and strains out most of the crap you don’t. The episodic model in FTP/RPGs is a new thing and I honestly hope that the console world grabs onto this concept really soon.

Marvel Heroes

Marvel Heroes

After playing the first iterations of DC Unverse Online , I was hoping and praying that there would be a Marvel Universe title and finally that has come to pass. Marvel Heroes did the one thing that DCUO didn’t. They brought Diablo style gameplay into the online MMORPG genre of branded super-hero games. And honestly, I am totally okay with the fact that I can’t create my own character. I want to use Iron Man or the Hulk or Captain America. I don’t want to spend hours creating my own character before I even get to play. I want to use heroes that I know and love and Marvel Heroes lets me do just that. So thanks for the good times DCUO , but you have effectively been replaced.

Trackmania

Trackmania

This game series has been around since 2004. Now for all you race fans out there that would like to try something a little different than your usual fare of Gran Turismo and Forza games, check this one out. First and foremost, you can build your own tracks–not just for you to race on, but to be published online so that everyone can race on them. This game is not a cheesy knock-off or wannabe sim game. It combines solid driving mechanics with the ability to be in control of the tracks you race on. It’s an absolute gem of a game for any racing game fan and is definitely worth looking into. The best part is that no matter what your skill level or style of racing, there are cars and tracks from you. Some are seriously crafted racing standards while other more closely resemble a roller coaster. So if you need a new racing fix, this could be it.

Hawken

Hawken

I know what you’re thinking. Mech games are boring and only a few gamers really ever play them. Well, while that may be mostly true, Hawken is one game you should definitely check out. The pacing of this game is seriously quick. There’s not a lot of time for planning an execution like other mech titles. You get it and get the job done and do it before the other guy does. Besides that, if you are into upgrades and customization, there’s quite a bit for you here as well. At its core it is a first-person shooter. But you set your mech up for whatever your style of play is. And there is no shortage of weapons, gear and upgrades in this game. So suit up, load up, level up and get to killin’!

Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon: Phantoms

Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon: Phantoms

It’s no secret to anyone that knows me that I love the Ghost Recon series of games. From console to PC and back again, I am fairly certain I have played them all. So when I heard that Ubisoft was putting out a free-to-play online version of Ghost Recon , I was in. Phantoms feels fresh and new while remaining solidly grounded in a time-tested framework that allows you solid gameplay and great server connection during play. In the beginning, you simply choose a class and get moving. As you go, you can unlock weapons and gear and upgrade them. The best part is that you have to use solid tactics and memorize the maps or your opponents will mop the floor with you time and time again.

Team Fortress 2

Team Fortress 2

This game has been around a while. But that doesn’t mean it’s old or outdated. Constant updates and upgrades to gameplay have kept this Valve title alive and kicking. One of the best parts about this game is that, unlike others, you don’t have to purchase anything involving weapons to get the full experience. Sure, you can plus up your wardrobe in game but you won’t have to spend a dime to keep up with everyone else playing. It’s class-based so you can start with the style of play that suits you and then upgrade your character from there. You can even make money playing TF2 . Throughout the game you can create items and then sell them for some in-game coin. And your mom probably told you that you’d never be able to make any money playing video games. Well now’s your chance to prove her wrong and play an awesome team-shooter title in the process.

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