When people think of Free2Play, they think of rip-offs – but there are also good examples. Here you can find free games that are fun to play even without paying a cent.
Brawlhalla
How does it work? Brawlhalla is a free platform brawler for up to eight players. You have 53 heroes, called legends, to choose from, each with their own weapons and character stats. Nine legends are available for free every week. Before you throw yourself into the fray against other players, you can first practise in a training camp. There is the classic online ranked in 1-vs-1 or 2-vs-2, a kind of mini battle royale for four players and lots of fun modes. Basketball, Capture the Flag and many others that are great for fun rounds in between. Optionally also in split-screen co-op.
Suitable for whom? If you like fun pugilists that don’t take themselves too seriously, then you should definitely give Brawlhalla a chance. Thanks to cross-play, you can play together with people across all platforms, whether PC, console or mobile. Fresh content is regularly added to the game, and the new Season 4 is scheduled to start in August 2021.
How much do you really pay? Brawlhalla offers a Battle Pass in two versions: a free and a premium variant (10 euros). However, all rewards are cosmetics or additional missions and have no influence on your game success. You can also unlock Legends for real money, but they can also be unlocked. The complete bundle with all heroes (including all future heroes) will cost you 20 euros.
Conqueror’s Blade
How does it work? Conqueror’s Blade is a rather unique genre mix of MMO and For Honor or Mount & Blade. You are a warlord and your troops sabre and fence their way through large PvP battles. Including thick catapults and tactical castle sieges. Your goal is to collect resources, conquer territories and expand your own fortress.
Suitable for whom? If you’re in the mood for spectacular medieval battles, then take a look at Conqueror’s Blade. The game has grown quite a bit since its release and as of now (August 2021) has better player numbers than at the beginning. New seasons bring variety, currently season 8 is running with a Chinese twist.
How much do you really pay? Conqueror’s Blade offers one free and two paid Battle Pass variants. However, there is no game-relevant content that you have to pay for, you mainly get cosmetic stuff like skins.
Rocket League
How does it work? High-flyer Rocket League celebrated five years of great success as a classic Buy2Play product. Race through multiplayer arenas with cars and ram a huge ball into the opponent’s goal – simple, gripping, fun. The Rocket League community grew and grew, but in the meantime the Steam version has disappeared.
Suitable for whom? Rocket League is now available exclusively on the Epic Store as a Free2Play version. And of course you have to get involved with this change – not everyone likes it. Of course, you also need the right sporting spirit to stay on the ball in the multiplayer … in the multiplayer competitions. Sorry, I had to do that.
How much do you really pay? Like CoD: Warzone, Rocket League as a Free2Play version relies on cosmetic extras and a Battle Pass. You can buy unlock trees and all kinds of skins and goodies for real money, for example to spice up your tyres. The game-relevant areas, however, remain free of charge.
Spellbreak
How does it work? Battle Royale games are more commonplace than a breakfast egg these days, but don’t dismiss Spellbreak as a lukewarm trendy wave rider. The game takes a very cool approach of its own: you impersonate a mage and, like in Avatar: The Last Airbender, you hit your opponents with one elemental spell after another.
Suitable for whom? In terms of map design, Spellbreak can’t keep up with Fortnite or Apex Legends, but it’s still a lot of fun to play. The reason is simple: spells can be freely combined with each other, you can hurl fire, wind, poison, electricity and so on and so forth. If you like this kind of scenario, you won’t go wrong here.
How much do you really pay? Spellbreak relies on the proven Fortnite principle. All game content is free, you only pay real money for skins and other cosmetic knick-knacks. If you don’t give a damn, you play completely for free.
Destiny 2
How does it work? Destiny 2 originally appeared as a full-price shooter with paid expansions on Blizzard’s Battle.net. After developer Bungie broke away from publisher Activision, Destiny 2 switched to Steam and became Free2Play in the basic version including the first two add-ons. With several story campaigns, numerous different planets including side missions, dungeons and events, co-op strikes, raids, PvP multiplayer, PvPvE gambit and more, the shoot ’em up offers plenty of content and variety even for free.
Suitable for whom? In the game, you choose your Keeper from three different classes (Titan, Warlock, Hunter) and explore our solar system in a mysterious science-fantasy future where different alien races attack the last humans on Earth. Like other loot titles in the style of Diablo, Warframe or Borderlands, your focus here is on earning better and better equipment. If such games appeal to you and you’re up for an exciting shooter, give Destiny 2 a chance.
How much do you really pay? In Destiny 2, you mainly pay for the add-ons. The last expansion Beyond Light, for example, costs 40 euros. And the quite controversial DLC Fortress of Shadows stands at 35 euros. Before you have to think about buying these add-ons, however, you have dozens of hours of free content ahead of you. Nevertheless, if you are really loyal to Destiny 2, you will hardly be able to avoid the latest add-on in the long run. The next expansion, The Witch Queen, will be revealed on 24 August 2021.
Call of Duty: Warzone
How does it work? With Warzone, Call of Duty is giving Fortnite and Apex Legends a run for their money. Up to 150 players land on the Verdansk or Rebirth Island maps and have to fight for survival as the map becomes more and more limited. If you are shot, you first land in the so-called gulag, where you can fight your way back into the match via a duel with another player. If you complete special missions during a match, you can collect a lot of money to buy killstreaks, for example.
Suitable for whom? Warzone is suitable for Battle Royale beginners. The game dispenses with complex inventory management, but is very much in the spirit of CoD’s run&gun gameplay. Sure, you’ll only conquer first place with a lot of experience, but Warzone owes its success in part to the fact that it plays so wonderfully fast.
How much do you really pay? If you just want to play matches, you’ll be fine without spending any real money. However, you will still have to pay for the campaign and multiplayer of Modern Warfare or Black Ops: Cold War, as well as the paid portion of the Battle Pass.
Genshin Impact
How does it work? Genshin Impact places you as a hero or heroine in a Zelda-like fantasy kingdom, where you’ll be killing monsters, completing quests and recruiting lots of cool new characters. The star of the game is without a doubt the fabulous open world: behind every hill there are new secrets to discover, chests to crack, enemies to defeat. Exploring the different regions is a lot of fun.
Suitable for whom? In the first 20 hours of play, we can actually recommend Genshin Impact to every open-world fan with a soft spot for anime. But after that, things get tricky. The game’s endgame forces you into a rather exhausting grind. Farming the same dailies, weeklys and routines over and over again for a little bit of progress or important crafting materials? Only patient JRPG fans will like that.
How much do you really pay? Genshin Impact is a so-called Gacha game. In principle, you can play completely for free, but you get new characters from lootboxes – and they can be quite expensive. In principle, you get new figures with the necessary elemental talents for free for all challenges, and as is typical for Free2Play, the game overloads you with premium currency, especially at the beginning. But if you want to get hold of a specific figure in the end game, you will stumble across frustratingly low drop rates.
Dauntless
How does it work? Dauntless is the free alternative to Monster Hunter World. You hunt for powerful Behemoths alone or together and collect resources, which can then be used to craft more powerful armour and weapons for the next battle. Loot spiral ahoy!
Suitable for whom? Is Monster Hunter too complex for you, don’t want to spend any money or don’t like the visuals? Then Dauntless is the ideal alternative! The monster hunt in comic book look is, in a way, a Monster Hunter light without sacrificing game depth and ambition.
How much do you really pay? For real money, you can buy the paid portion of the Battle Pass. So you get more rewards. Overall, the purchasable benefits are limited to cosmetic items and grenades or more resources. These offer a minor advantage in the game, but are not decisive for the game, but rather intended to shorten the time. That is why we refrain from a Pay2Win rating in the test.
Crusader Kings 2
How does it work? Paradox Interactive has not only released Crusader Kings 3, but is also giving the community an additional treat: Crusader Kings 2 is now Free2Play. You impersonate a ruler in the historical Middle Ages and decide for yourself whether you want to be an earl, duke, king or emperor. The Free2Play variant contains everything you need for the first 100 hours of play: Play a stupid king with manic paranoia? No problem. Follow a murderous warlord on the crusades? Doable.
Suitable for whom? Crusader Kings 2 looks highly complex at first glance – and it is – but unlike, say, Hearts of Iron 4, you’re pretty much free to choose how tricky you want things to be. Theoretically, as a small dynasty of counts, you can also just rule for a few centuries to familiarise yourself with everything. You’ll have to bring your imagination with you, though, because the real strength of the game unfolds in your head.
What do you really pay? Crusader Kings 2 is one of the best medieval sandboxes ever. If you are interested in the scenario or strategy games in general, you can risk the download with a clear conscience. You only need the DLCs if you really want to delve into a scenario – for example, the Mongol hordes of horsemen.
Counter-Strike: Global Offensive
How does it work? For almost 20 years, Counter-Strike has dominated the multiplayer market as one of the most successful team shooters ever. In the deathmatches between CTU units and terrorists, e-sports legends were born, countless battles were fought – and at the end of 2018 came the stark change: Counter-Strike: Global Offensive suddenly becomes Free2Play, i.e. playable for free.
Suitable for whom? Hardly any other multiplayer shooter offers such skill-based deathmatch battles. Anyone who wants to master Counter-Strike has a long way to go, has to master team strategies just as much as the different guns, gadget tactics. Because the game punishes mistakes without mercy. If you like Rainbow Six: Siege, you’ll get a tough alternative here that has been part of the fixed e-sports ensemble for years, and not without reason.
How much do you really pay? For 13 euros you can buy a Prime status upgrade, which includes special cosmetic items such as weapon and item skins. You can also be matched with other Prime players via matchmaking. Apart from this bundle, other skins and cosmetics can be purchased, none of which are relevant to the game mechanics. So you can talk about fair Free2Play here.
Fortnite: Battle Royale
How does it work? The most popular Battle Royale is and remains Fortnite: Battle Royal. The shooter became a mass phenomenon in 2018, not least in German schoolyards. Epic’s fast-paced shooter adds a cool spin to the Battle Royale chase: players can mine resources and then build walls, stairs or roofs in no time at all. In this way, opponents build their own bunkers in the middle of the battle, which can be destroyed again just like the rest of the environment. Every few months, a new season starts, which adds new content to the game world or transforms it.
Suitable for whom? Don’t let the comic book look lead you astray: A good Fortnite player masters a variety of tactics to use all the weapons, gadgets and building options to their own advantage. But as a shooter beginner, you still get a pleasant start: If you fail, you just hop into the next lobby and keep building and shooting your way to the top.
How much do you really pay? Fortnite only sells skins and other cosmetic content for real money. Each season, you can purchase a special Battle Pass that unlocks new outfits, glider variants and other goodies through diligent play. None of this content affects the game balance. With its colourful, friendly graphics, Fortnite also attracts many younger players.
Apex Legends
How does it work? Apex Legends got off to an incredible cold start in 2019. On the day of the announcement, the battle royale shooter was promptly released as a full version, anyone could get started and within a month a total of 50 million players were cavorting on the Apex servers. Amazing! The multiplayer shooter is set in the same universe as Titanfall and throws 60 players into a sci-fi canyon to let them compete against each other as teams of three. Only one squad can become champion – and getting there requires tactics, the right weapons and, of course, a bit of luck.
Suitable for whom? Apex has a few special features. As in Overwatch, you select a hero with certain abilities at the beginning. Lifeline can heal, Caustic can place gas mines, Mirage can create illusion images of himself. The shooter gameplay is also extremely demanding – only true professionals hit every shot here, so there is a lot to master in Apex Legends.
How much do you really pay? Apex Legends is completely free to play. You only need real money if you want to buy special outfits for your heroes. And even those can be earned with enough patience. There are no duplicates in the loot boxes, so if you play long enough, you will unlock a considerable number of items. None of them are relevant to the game mechanics.
Dota 2, League of Legends & Heroes of the Storm
How does it work? Hey, that’s three games in one! Correct, Dota 2, League of Legends and Heroes of the Storm are all MOBAs (short for Multiplayer Online Battle Arena) with similar gameplay. Each player controls a hero from a bird’s eye view who has special abilities. The key to victory lies in clever team composition, good interaction and sophisticated tactics.
Suitable for whom? MOBAs are highly complex. You need to know your characters inside out, inevitably play as a team, keep track of each player’s roles. If you don’t know anyone to take you by the hand here, be prepared for a rough start in tandem with YouTube tutorials, because teammates often forgive few mistakes. After all, a weak link in the chain will often cost you victory. Conversely, experienced players can expect one of the most terrific team experiences in all of gaming.
How much do you really pay? In principle, you can unlock essential game content in all MOBAs. Especially new heroes. However, they cost quite a lot of in-game money at release, real-money payers get a shortcut. And since new heroes are often a tad too strong, especially in LoL, this can be annoying during this period. Overall, however, the payment model of the three MOBAs is fair; for the most part, you pay for optional skins and can enjoy the respective game for free.
Warframe
How does it work? Warframe is considered by many fans to be the better Destiny. In the sci-fi shooter from Digital Extremes, we control the Tenno, futuristic space ninjas in the eponymous Warframes. These are powerful armours with special abilities and properties. In co-op with up to four players, we fight for the fate of the universe with swords and firearms. In the distant future, the universe is controlled by the enemy Grineer, who despise the Tenno. With the big update Plains of Eidolon, the developers have even granted Warframe an open game world that you can explore freely.
Suitable for whom? Hardly any other shooter stages its action in such a groovy way as Warframe. You might have to warm up to the unusual sci-fi scenario at first, but overall the game is suitable for any genre fan who likes to push the pace as far as possible.
How much do you really pay? The in-game shop is definitely present in the game, but fair: those who want more in-game currency or better warframes can pay, the rest have to play diligently. The grind is bearable in view of the great free content updates. By the way, the Warframe plans are far from over in 2021: the new addon and a mobile version were shown at Tennocon.
Legends of Runeterra
How does it work? Legends of Runeterra is part of LoL developer Riot’s new offensive to bring more games to the people. While Valorant wants to compete with Overwatch and CS:GO, LoR is a card game like Hearthstone. What is new, however, is that you take turns action by action and do not complete your turn before it is your opponent’s turn. The turn only ends when both players have exhausted their options for action. On the next turn, the roles change: One player always takes the defensive position and the other attacks. Well-known champions from League of Legends are represented on the cards and can be levelled up.
Suitable for whom? Do you have a soft spot for LoL characters and like collectible card games? Then Legends of Runeterra is worth a try.
How much do you really pay? The game itself is of course free to play, but surprisingly no new card packs can be purchased for real money. You earn them as you play. For real money, you can only buy certain cards that you absolutely want – and only a certain number of them per week. At the moment, however, the card game has not yet been officially released, but can only be played in the open beta.
Neverwinter
How does it work? Neverwinter is a free MMORPG, sees itself as the spiritual heir of the old Neverwinter Nights classics. As a self-created character, you travel the Forgotten Realms, defeat powerful bosses together with other players, discover ever new secrets and immerse yourself in one of the longest-lasting fantasy worlds ever. The MMO is regularly supplied with new content through free expansions. At the beginning of 2020, for example, it will continue with Infernal Descent. The addon tells the prequel to the upcoming oldschool role-playing game Baldur’s Gate 3.
Suitable for whom? Neverwinter is ideal for pen&paper lovers because it is directly based on Dungeons & Dragons. The dynamic battle system is also based on D&D, but plays much more quickly than in the rather leisurely original. Victories depend not only on character values and equipment, but also on skill.
How much do you really pay? In the Free2Play MMO, microtransactions exist in the form of Zen, which you can use to purchase inventory slots, for example. However, such investments only serve to reduce the grind and save some time. You don’t get any greater game advantages for money.
Trove
How does it work? Trove is an MMO with a Minecraft look and also combines typical RPG elements like dungeons with crafting and building variety for the players. Not only do you fight in dungeons together with friends against enemies and nasty bosses, but you can also build and craft all kinds of things – even your own home. You can choose between different classes such as Knight, Gunslinger or Pirate and learn new skills such as special ninja techniques – or absurdly funny ice cream attacks.
Suitable for whom? You like Minecraft, but would like to refine the block formula with a bit more RPG-dungeon mix? Then check out Trove.
What do you really pay? Tove is completely free to play. But if you want, you can save a little time and unlock things faster via microtransactions. With the Bomber Royale mode, there is now even a Battle Royale in the game. By the way, Minecraft also has a free-to-play MMO as a mod, as well as a Harry Potter role-playing game with a brick look.
Doki Doki Literature Club!
How does it work? There are umpteen reasons why Doki Doki Literature Club! is an exotic exception on this list. For example, it is not a multiplayer experience, but a pure story game. The genre is also rarely seen in this country: a Japanese visual novel. One can hardly talk about the game’s fascination without spoiling something. And of course we don’t want to do that here.
Suitable for whom? So just this much: Doki Doki Literature Club! is played for its story, which only looks like a Japanese high school adventure game at first glance. But beware: the story deals with some really violent content that caused quite a furore. So inform yourself in advance if, for example, you are very sensitive to the portrayal of mental illness.
What do you really pay? Doki Doki Literature Club! is completely free via Steam and there are no microtransactions in the game. You can play through the entire story in a couple of hours, but it’s worth another go if you want to grasp every aspect of the narrative. There is an optional €10 DLC on Steam, but it only includes trappings like soundtrack or wallpapers.
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Quake Champions
How does it work? Quake Champions is still in Early Access, but has been free to play since 2018. The game wants to be more than a nod to the past. Sure, it revives old arena shooters like Quake or Unreal Tournament, but modernised with different heroes like in Overwatch. The result is a whimsical brawler that certainly offers playful depth and feels quite different from any other multiplayer shooter on the current market.
Suitable for whom? Quake Champions is ironically not such a perfect game for fans of the old Quake, because especially die-hard fans find the new heroes and abilities silly. The game works mainly for players who are specifically interested in this kind of marriage between the old and the new. And miss Unreal Tournament.
What do you really pay? Quake Champions is chock full of purchase options. In terms of skins and other cosmetics, it behaves like most other current Free2Play games: Game mechanically irrelevant, but nice to look at. However, as with Heroes of the Storm, you are limited in your choice of heroes. If you are ambitious and want to dominate the Ranked, you either have to live with the rotating selection of free heroes or buy the additional warriors. Since the balancing has not yet been perfected, there are sometimes big differences between the heroes. So you lose out when your opponents can choose the strongest characters, but you don’t have the unlock. Not ideal.
Path of Exile
How does it work? Path of Exile is currently Diablo’s greatest adversary. For the action role-playing game is not only also set in a gloomy fantasy world, but also strongly reminiscent of Diablo 2 in terms of gameplay. And fans sometimes love it much more than Diablo 3. A successor was recently announced, but don’t worry about your game progress: Path of Exile 2 will also include its predecessor. The excellent support from the developers, who repeatedly release large free content updates, should be emphasised. Meanwhile, there is also a long-missed German translation.
For whom is suitable? If you really want to master Path of Exile, you have to study. The highly complex skill tree allows for an infinite number of builds. A feast for role-playing fans, a challenge for newcomers who are only used to the simple system of Diablo 3. But hey, challenges spice up life.
How much do you really pay? Similar to many other Free2Play titles, Path of Exile finances itself solely through cosmetic items like skins or convenience features like chest upgrades that don’t directly affect gameplay. Characters and abilities can be unlocked for free. A very fair system. In the long run, additional inventory slots are definitely worthwhile, but the fun of the game is definitely not hidden behind a paywall.
Team Fortress 2
How does it work? The free Team Fortress 2 was created from the Half-Life mod Team Fortress Classic. In the hero shooter, players compete with nine different classes. As in Overwatch, a good team composition is just as important as good reflexes and overview.
Suitable for whom? Team Fortress 2 is colourful, loud and an endlessly fun multiplayer shooter. If you like Overwatch, check it out. Or are generally genre-savvy. 2021 is exactly the right time to start. Because an update in June fixed massive cheater and bot problems and set a player record – 14 years after release!
How much do you really pay? As usual with such Free2Play shooters, you can optionally buy skins for real money. These are purely cosmetic, in terms of gameplay Team Fortress 2 is and remains free. That even rhymes.
Star Wars: The Old Republic
How does it work? After Anthem disappointed a particularly large number of story fans, Star Wars: The Old Republic stands as the last role-playing bulwark of Bioware’s old storytelling prowess. The MMORPG has been expanded with new stories for years, will still get fresh content in 2020 and is primarily aimed at friends of really good Star Wars stories. Players can join the Empire or the Rebels, complete missions or fight in PvP.
Suitable for whom? Star Wars: The Old Republic is a story MMO. If you liked KotoR, have a soft spot for good role-playing stories or are a Star Wars fan in general, you’ll find plenty of story fodder here. Even as a solo player, by the way. Only in the end-game activities do multiplayer colleagues become important.
What do you really pay? There is a premium feature that gives users access to new content and special items. Even though the basic game and the first two add-ons are free, additional expansions must be purchased. You can have fun and enjoy the Star Wars atmosphere with Star Wars: ToR without spending any money, but you definitely have to pay for the full game experience, the complete story and the endgame.
Guild Wars 2
How does it work? 250 years after the events of Guild Wars, the online role-playing game Guild Wars 2 takes you back to Tyria. There, humans and Charr no longer wage war against each other, but fight together with the other races against the primordial dragon – this time we can therefore also slip into the role of other races. There is a story, dynamic events and PvP, which lets us compete against each other in teams on huge maps or in small PvP arenas.
Suitable for whom? Guild Wars 2 is a solid for online role-playing game fans. The world stands out pleasantly from the fantasy clutter; you’ll sink dozens of hours here.
How much do you really pay? Real money can be used to purchase cosmetic items such as armour, but Free2Play players still get a very well-rounded package.
World of Tanks & War Thunder
How does it work? Here comes the tank double pack from Eastern Europe: both World of Tanks and War Thunder stage gripping battles with thickly armed steel colossi. Both are free and both are a lot of fun. The game principle is almost identical. In Tanks from the years shortly before to some time after the Second World War, two teams fight for dominance over a map. World of Tanks relies on conventional life bars, War Thunder more on realistic hit zones.
World of Tanks makers Wargaming have developed separate games for this, World of Warplanes and World of Warships, which are also free to play.
Suitable for whom? Unsurprisingly, both games are aimed at tank fans, but you don’t have to have a Bundeswehr driving licence to play the games. A healthy portion of enthusiasm and interest in the brawny colossi is enough.
How much do you really pay? With an optional paid premium account, you earn more in-game currency in both games and unlock new tanks faster. However, both games are also very playable without a premium account.
Planetside 2
How does it work? The successful multiplayer shooter features huge maps and battles with hundreds of players. You can join either the Terran Republic, the New Conglomerate or the Vanu Sovereignty and fight for control over resources and certain sectors. Even though Planetside 2 is actually squad-based, you can participate alone. There are vehicles, classes and even skill trees for abilities, vehicles and weapons. A base building feature was also added later.
Suitable for whom? Planetside 2 is one endless battle and accordingly a feast for fans of multiplayer shooters like Battlefield 5. In its scale it stands relatively unrivalled on the field, however, you can see the years that the game has now on the hump.
How much do you really pay? The fact that you can buy upgrades sometimes leads to accusations of Pay2Win, but the improvements are relatively easy to unlock. A bigger obstacle for new players is often the steep learning curve – the video below helps you get started.
Starcraft 2
How does it work? Starcraft is not only one of the forefathers of the strategy genre and co-founder of an active e-sports scene, no, Starcraft 2 is also one of the best sequels of all time. The game offers an extensive RTS campaign and a multiplayer that has kept amateurs and professionals on their toes for 10 years. In the sci-fi war, Protoss, Zerg hordes and humans fight for supremacy. And you choose your faction.
Suitable for whom? In multiplayer, Starcraft 2 demands everything! Beginners are quickly overwhelmed by the incredible speed with which the pros string together series and unit orders. So bring patience and frustration with you if you want to learn the ropes. The campaign, however, is completely detached and interesting for story fans.
How much do you really pay? Now that’s a free firecracker. Since the end of 2017, Blizzard has made its real-time strategy hit Starcraft 2 available for free. At least a good part of it: the first campaign, Wings of Liberty, is included in the Free2Play version, as well as the complete multiplayer mode. Yes, the complete multiplayer, including all units, co-op modes and custom matches. And it gets even better, because there is no catch. There is neither an in-game shop, nor an unnecessarily drawn-out grind for Free2Play gamers. It’s only if you want to play the rest of the campaign that you’ll have to buy the game.
The Lord of the Rings Online
How does it work? Diving into the world of Tolkien’s masterpiece together with others is no problem thanks to Lord of the Rings Online (Lord of the Rings Online). Players can explore the world of Middle-earth here. Characters can be customised in detail with different classes, professions and even job titles. You can tackle missions alone or in co-op, face the nasty servants of Sauron in PvP – or play them yourself.
Suitable for whom? Lord of the Rings Online is almost as old as WoW, but still plays very well. If you feel like plunging into the world of Middle-earth with friends and want to roleplay, then give the game a chance.
How much do you really pay? VIP members receive an XP allowance and bonuses such as automatic access to all monster classes or all crafting guilds, but these are more comfort functions than game-defining features.
Paladins
How does it work? You want to play Overwatch but don’t want to or don’t have the money to buy Blizzard’s hero shooter? Maybe you’re just looking for a little variety. Then try Paladins! Perhaps you have the game from the Smite makers in mind as a cheap knock-off, but that falls short. Paladins shares many gameplay elements with Overwatch, but also brings its own ideas. Among them is a card system that allows you to improve and customise your hero within a match.
Suitable for whom? We have already mentioned the comparisons above. If you warm up to the games mentioned, you’ll also find a home in Paladins. And the player numbers on Steam are still so decent that you’ll find full matches.
How much do you really pay? Similar to MOBAs, Paladins offers Season Passes, Champion Packs, and skins to make unlocking heroes and outfits easier. However, none of this is necessary if you have enough time to grind.
Hearthstone
How does it work? For fans of competitive collectible card games, the legendary game maker also has a Free2Play fun cracker on its hands. Hearthstone is extremely easy to learn, but all the more difficult to master. Only those who build clever card decks and outsmart their opponents win. For practice, there are various solo adventures in which you compete against the AI. But the real excitement comes when you play against human opponents. With the iOS and Android versions, you can also play on the go or from the comfort of your sofa.
Suitable for whom? Hearthstone is as beginner-friendly as a card game can be. The game is just as suitable for a few rounds in the evening as for ambitious tournament careers. Of course, you should have a soft spot for the Blizzard Warcraft motifs, then you should find a lot of fun here.
How much do you really pay? Hearthstone is basically free, but you can not only earn card packs, but also buy them with real money. Paying players have a larger selection of cards for their decks more quickly and thus enjoy an advantage. In the end, however, even free decks full of standard cards are competitive.
Gwent: The Witcher Card Game
How does it work? Compared to Cyberpunk 2077, CD Projekt’s other ongoing gaming project may be living in the shadows, but Gwent: The Witcher Card Game is thriving as a valiant Hearthstone and Magic competitor. The card brawler sees itself as an adaptation of the mini-game from The Witcher 3, but with a significantly expanded ruleset, card pool and ambition. You lead your faction into battle against an enemy army on the card table and try to achieve the highest score at the end of a turn. Spells and special effects can be used to manipulate or destroy enemy units.
Suitable for whom? Gwent may not have the strategic depth of Magic: The Gathering or the mass audience of Hearthstone, but it still has a lot to offer Witcher fans. The animated cards alone are a feast for the eyes.
How much do you really pay? As with most collectible card games, you can either earn new card packs or buy them with real money. If you pump 100 euros into the game, you get a lush card pool for which other players grind much longer. At casual level, however, this is never necessary. Oh, and if you want to buy the successful single-player campaign, you’ll also have to pay money.
Magic: The Gathering Arena
How does it work? For years, our trading card expert Maurice has complained that there just isn’t a good gaming implementation of Magic: The Gathering. And then Magic: The Gathering Arena came along. The Free2Play spin-off finally creates a truly complex implementation of the trading card perennial. No other digital card game achieves such strategic depth.
Suitable for whom? Magic: The Gathering is not something you learn overnight. The game is very complex, but that’s precisely why it’s suitable for tinkerers who want to master the chess of card games. Try out a few rounds and feel free to bug our card game expert Maurice with questions for tips.
How much do you really pay? The Free2Play model is fair, but it’s definitely Pay2Win. Just like in real collectible card games, you can spend vast sums on card packs to get better cards and thus higher chances of winning. But the rate at which you earn free cards is all right. So you don’t have to pay real money to stand a chance in the arenas, as long as you spend a little more time playing for free.
Dota Underlords
How does it work? From MOBA to Auto Battler, Dota is about to grab the next popular new genre. Underlords is based on the popular mod Dota “Auto Chess”. You don’t go into battle with your heroes yourself, but buy a few powerful allies at the beginning, which you then place on a chess board in a tactically clever way. In the battle phase, your heroes automatically compete against those of your opponent. Your previously determined strategy decides between victory and defeat.
Suitable for whom? Well, if the chess principle appeals to you, it’s definitely worth taking a look at Auto Battler. Unfortunately, the number of players has dropped drastically since the release (from 200,000 to 8,000 simultaneously active players), but it should still be enough for full lobbies. Just expect a little training time.
How much do you really pay? In addition, free rewards can be earned via the battle pass. If you want to dust off all the rewards, you have to unlock the rest of the Battle Pass via real money. However, these do not bring any gameplay advantages.
