With Xbox Game Pass offering access to premium titles at an affordable monthly price, players might not feel there is much reason to look into the Xbox Series X/S and Xbox One's free-to-play games. These titles have a mixed reputation; while it is true that some games suffer from pay-to-win systems, there are also plenty of free releases that offer great gameplay and enough content to keep people coming back for months, if not years.
The best free Xbox games can be enjoyed regardless of whether someone invests anything besides their time. Even if that criterion is met, some games are still better than others in terms of quality and fun factor. That being said, here are the greatest free-to-play games on Xbox Series X/S and Xbox One.
Updated April 7, 2024 by Mark Sammut: 2024 has produced a couple of free Xbox games that cater to niche audiences. Difficult as it is to predict if they will still be relevant in a few months or years, games like Hawked are worth a try while they are still somewhat new.
As long as it is playable on the Xbox Series X/S, a game will be considered.
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The Finals
Metascore: 80 (PC)
The Finals
- Platform(s)
- PC , PS5 , Xbox Series X , Xbox Series S
- Released
- December 8, 2023
- Developer(s)
- Embark Studios
- Genre(s)
- FPS
The free-to-play market has many great multiplayer shooters, along with way more games defined by wasted potential and dead lobbies. While its longevity remains to be seen, The Finals does not seem to be just another flash in the pan, with the game launching to a fairly positive reception on most platforms. Like most free projects, Embark's release has plenty of room to grow and blossom into something even better, but the current version is more than solid enough to warrant a download and a try.
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The Finals frames its action around a virtual game show that has players competing against each other to earn cash. This concept is tweaked to accommodate a few modes that are fairly similar but emphasize different elements. Bank It is the best option for people who want to focus on gunplay and prefer to work alone. While this mode splits players into team, cash is earned by directly killing enemies, so there is not that much need to prioritize teamwork.
Quick Cash is the casual mode that has three teams competing over a vault, and Tournament is similar but with a more competitive edge (and a few other differences). These two modes highlight The Finals' destruction mechanic, which is really the game's main selling point. Almost everything on a stage can be destroyed in some form or another, which means a map can change drastically throughout a match.
The Sims 4
Metascore: 66
After eight years on the scene, EA officially turned The Sims 4 free-to-play in 2022. The base game is currently available on all platforms at no cost, although players interested in the DLC packs will need to buy those separately. The Sims has been around for decades, and the fourth entry is one of the more polarizing entries in the franchise.
Issues aside, The Sims 4 can still provide dozens of hours of entertainment and silliness. Although nothing amazing, the vanilla version presents an accurate representation of the overall package, allowing newcomers to the series to decide whether they want to invest in this universe.
Naraka: Bladepoint
Metascore: 71 (PC)
NARAKA: BLADEPOINT
- Platform(s)
- PC , Xbox Series X , Xbox Series S , PS5
- Released
- August 11, 2021
- Developer(s)
- 24 Entertainment , Thunder Fire Universe X Studio
- Genre(s)
- Battle Royale , Action-Adventure
Launching on PC in August 2021 before making its way to the Xbox Series X/S a year later, Naraka: Bladepoint was originally a premium product, but the game went free-to-play in July 2023. This transition breathed new life into the battle royale title, hopefully ensuring it will last for quite a few years longer. While this genre is oversaturated and dominated by a few key names, Naraka: Bladepoint offers a reasonably fresh take on the battle royale blueprint, primarily thanks to its focus on melee action rather than shooter gameplay.
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24 Entertainment took inspiration from a few different genres and concepts when crafting this release, resulting in a surprisingly refreshing experience. Naraka: Bladepoint features an assortment of heroes who each come with unique abilities, and they take a bit of practice to master. Solo runs are an option, but players can also form teams if they wish to add cooperative play. The combat takes hints from hack and slash juggernauts like Devil May Cry, making the game a great pick for people who prefer that type of system.