Best Free Games for Xbox Series X / S
The latest update to the Xbox Insider Program removes the Xbox Live Gold requirement for Xbox Free Games (F2P) for users participating in the Xbox Insider Skip Ahead Alpha and Alpha Channel. This change will be rolled out to other Xbox Insider tiers in the coming weeks, and hopefully everyone else shortly thereafter.
This will be a huge boon for players – after all, the game is n’t really free if you have to pay a subscription fee to play it online. It will also update Microsoft with Nintendo and Sony, allowing players to access multiplayer modes in F2P games without subscribing to the respective online services.
To help you prepare for this change, we’ve compiled a list of 10 great F2P games for Xbox One and Xbox Series X / S. We focus on games that are completely free to download – content that you can play all (or more) part) without having to pay for large blocks of content. We’ve excluded games that “play for free” or require payment to unlock most of the game, so you won’t see Destiny 2 or Killer Instinct on this list.
However, while all of the games on our list are free to download and play, most include some form of in-game monetization, such as bonus characters, “Battle Passes” that unlock new cosmetic items as you level up, or – in some crates – loot boxes containing randomized rewards. However, these purchases are not required to play.
Apex legends
Apex Legends is a team-based battle royale first-person shooter set in the Titanfall universe. While most battle royale games launch players on an equal footing, Apex Legends includes a set of unique heroes with special abilities that give each player a slightly different opportunity in battle. The game also popularized the “ping” system, in which your in-game character communicates important information to his squadmates – such as the location of weapons or approaching enemies – making it easier to play without voice chat.
Call of Duty: Warzone
Another multiplayer battle royale game, this time based on the widely popular Call of Duty franchise. Unlike other Call of Duty games, Warzone offers 150-player matches on a huge map that includes elements of the multiplayer arenas from previous Call of Duty games. Players compete to be the last surviving fighter using the weapons and tactical gear that Call of Duty is famous for.
Fearless
Dauntless is about fighting huge monsters known as “hippos”, killing them and transforming them into armor and weapons that will help you fight larger monsters … wash away the blood and repeat. It’s a simple concept, but the loop can be highly addictive (as evidenced by the widely popular Monster Hunter series from which Dauntless is taken ).
Fortnite
We’ve reviewed a few free Battle Royale games so far, but none are as popular as Fortnite. The competitive third-person shooter modes are the most popular, but there are also creative and co-op modes to try out … and digital concerts to watch. Movie studios, as you know, even earlier than anywhere else, debuted in games with new movie trailers. In all fairness, Fortnite is more of a platform than a game at this point, and you can try it for free if you haven’t already.
Neverwinter
Neverwinter is an MMORPG based on the Neverwinter Dungeons & Dragons setting (see picture). All game content is free; you can roll a new character and level up until the end of the game without spending a dime. Players choose between eight classes and thirteen races – all taken directly from the D&D board game. There are drow, tieflings, dragonborn, and many more. Fans of big modern MMOs like Final Fantasy XIV , The Elder Scrolls Online or World of Warcraft, as well as longtime D&D players, will find plenty of entertainment.
The path of exile
Path of Exile is an RPG full of choices. The game features 19 specialized character classes, over 1,325 passive skills to unlock, and many unique weapons and armor to collect and customize. You can play the game’s storyline and explore its world online with friends or alone, and there are recurring special events and challenges to keep you busy while you create the perfect character.
Phantasy Star Online 2
Microsoft helped Sega finally bring Phantasy Star Online 2 to Western audiences in 2020 – nearly 8 years after its initial launch in Japan. Like the original PSO, PSO 2 is an online RPG where you collect loot and slay hordes of monsters with your friends. While Phantasy Star Online 2 shows its age in some places, it is fun to play and has content to enjoy for over eight years. Some progress will even carry over to the next game in the series, Phantasy Star Online 2: New Genesis , which will be released later in 2021.
Roblox
Roblox is not so much a game as a platform for making games. Players can create their own video games using the tools and resources available in Roblox and share their creations online. The range of content available is huge – Roblox has recreated almost every popular video game genre.
Rocket league
In Rocket League, two teams try to score goals by ramming, flipping and driving their RC cars into a giant soccer ball. Yes, it’s as cool and chaotic as it sounds. What’s more, the game supports cross-play, so Xbox players can team up or challenge friends on PlayStation 4 or 5, Switch, and PC.
Warframe
Warframe is another free MMO, but it stands out from the competition with its vibrant sci-fi theme, acrobatic gameplay, and a wide variety of content. There are dozens of unique Warframes to unlock and customize, many planets to explore, several factions to interact with, and several storylines to experience – some of them are truly incredible. The game also receives regular free updates, which often add entirely new gameplay elements. It’s an action-packed game, but Digital Extremes has several guides for new players looking to try out the game.