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Granted, the idea of prospecting the entire selection of “free games” doesn’t sound immediately promising. After all, you’re bound to find just as much trash as you do treasure over the course of your hunt. But that’s precisely why Game Rant is here to do it for you! Below are the ten greatest free games on the Xbox One that you can download right now. No matter what kind of gamer you are, there’s definitely a little something for everyone here.
10 Brawlhalla
When it comes to the platform brawler scene, Smash Bros. generally occupies the spotlight quite thoroughly, leaving anyone that isn’t gaming on a Nintendo platform out in the cold on a rainy night. That’s where Brawlhalla enters the picture.
With gameplay largely familiar to Smash Bros. veterans, Brawlhalla has attracted quite a following under its free to play model, which rotates a selection of “free characters” over time and allows permanent unlocks via in-game currency or microtransactions. It’s made quite a splash on the eSports scene and has continuously climbed in popularity since its worldwide release in 2017.
9 Path of Exile
Path of Exile is an ARPG in the vein of the Diablo series, with the central gameplay hook centered squarely on hacking through hordes of hostile loot pinatas. It has actually been around on PC since 2013, which means that its relatively recent migration to consoles is well polished.
Featuring six initial character classes to choose from, layered and relatively open progression systems, and an impressive wealth of loot and equipment to grind out, players yearning for a return to the heyday of hack and slash RPGs will find themselves endlessly entertained.
8 Smite
This one makes a wonderful cure for Xbox gamers afflicted with a MOBA itch that they just can’t seem to scratch. Smite is unique in the sense that all of its heroes are gods, goddesses, or other mythological beings drawn from real-world cultures and folklore.
Setting it even further apart from similar offerings is the camera angle, where most MOBA titles play from an isometric perspective typical to the RTS genre, Smite brings the player down into the action with a third-person camera set just behind the character. Add in the multiple game modes to master and a solid eSports following renders Smite a must-play for any MOBA vet.
7 Neverwinter
True to form MMORPG titles are few and far between on the Xbox One, and those that are actually free to play are even fewer. However, Neverwinter is definitely a standout offering in that sparsely populated niche, and you’ll have a hard time finding a better setting than the Forgotten Realms.
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There is, naturally, a considerable grind to overcome in order to make its microtransactions attractive investments, but most people do play MMORPGs specifically for the timesink, so this really won’t be an issue for your average player. Most anything the cash shop offers can be earned in-game, and there’s an absolute ton of content to tackle.
6 Fortnite
If you’ve had virtually any contact with the outside world over the past several years, you’re likely already at least vaguely aware of what Fortnite has to offer. But if this is your first time emerging from beneath a ten-ton rock or bomb shelter in half a decade, don’t worry, we’ll still clue you in.
Fortnite is the most popular battle royale title on the market right now, dumping up to a hundred players onto a sprawling map to shoot, build, and survive until they’re the last man (or squad) standing. And the best part about it is that it’s totally free unless you want some super snazzy cosmetics to really make your combatant pop.
5 Fallout Shelter
Though the mobile gaming racket is rife with poorly programmed “games” and microtransaction cash grabs, Fallout Shelter is actually a pretty satisfying resource management and strategy simulator that is surprisingly addictive. Cast as the Overseer of one of the infamous vaults of the Fallout universe, your task is to build, manage, and survive the best that you can.
Fallout Shelter was such a rousing success on its original iOS and Android releases that it soon saw itself ported to most major consoles, including the Xbox One. It features an impressive amount of gameplay depth, and overlooking it for its mobile origins would be a definite mistake.
4 War Thunder
If you like airplanes, tanks, and battleships, then mechanized combat simulator War Thunder is completely and totally up your alley. Though it’s a few years old at this point, it still sees regular updates and a sizable, active player base.
Playing entirely to its credit are its varying game modes, from the fun-with-guns styling of Arcade Battles to the more gritty and hardcore experience offered by Realistic and Simulator Battles, War Thunder has something to offer vehicular combat enthusiasts of all calibers.
3 Paladins
Whether you’re looking for a solid alternative to Overwatch or wanting to curiously toe your way into the Hero Shooter genre without a steep investment, Paladins is entirely worthy of your attention. Teamwork, strategy, and communication are key to success, and there are plenty of Champions with unique playstyles to master.
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Paladins is still pretty fresh on the market, having released for all major gaming platforms in mid-2018, so it’s safe to assume that plenty of content and updates are in its immediate future, meaning now is likely the best time to dive in and start developing your skills!
2 Warframe
Have you ever wished that you were a spacefaring gun ninja, fighting the evils of the universe with your own unique and radical-looking suit of biomechanical armor? Then you’ve probably played Warframe. And if not, then you definitely want to.
Warframe is a wonderful mashup of third-person shooting, stealth-action and RPG loot fests, with a high emphasis on online cooperative play. Though there is a cash shop available to keep the game running, it does a pretty fine job of avoiding hardcore pay-to-win mechanics and is entirely enjoyable without spending a single dime.
1 Apex Legends
The latest up-and-comer on the battle royale roster, Titanfall spin-off Apex Legends has been making some serious waves since its surprise release in February of 2019. Sliding in elements of hero shooters with each character possessing unique strengths and abilities, FPS veterans Respawn Entertainment really hit a home run here. And they did it for free.
As of right now, Apex Legends’ core gameplay revolves around competition between three-man squadrons, emphasizing teamwork with revolutionary communication and respawn systems that have caused other battle royale titles to sit up and start taking serious notes. Its microtransaction systems are purely cosmetic, and plenty of those neat skins, emotes, and more are up for grabs via in-game achievements and free rewards.
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