6 free shooters with plenty of MMO elements are presented to you in this article. The games are free-to-play and primarily financed through an in-game shop. This can quickly raise the suspicion of pay-to-win. We have ensured that skill, not the wallet, decides, and we present you the best free shooters. For a quick game or as a main game: A download is always worthwhile, and you won’t have to reach for your wallet.
6. Planetside 2: Size matters
The battles in Planetside 2 remind of the old Halo matches: In a spacesuit and with a heavy weapon, you fight for one of 3 factions. You are supported by armored vehicles, aircraft, and turrets. Goal: Capture control points and bases.
Therefore, Planetside 2 is strongly reminiscent of the Battlefield series in terms of gameplay mechanics. However, there is a crucial difference: The fight never ends. Once you’ve captured all the bases, the enemy is surely already back at the first one and reclaiming it. This creates a continuous cycle without end. Caution: Addiction risk. You can choose between 3 factions, each featuring typical classes such as medics or light assault units.
To the official website of Planetside 2 and play for free
Conclusion: Planetside 2 offers a great gaming experience with huge PvP battles and atmospheric graphics. All gameplay-relevant items can be obtained without real money, allowing you to immediately join the battle in one of many areas. A must for fans of the Battlefield series! By the way, Planetside 2 is also set to be released on PlayStation 4 soon.
5. Defiance: Game based on the series!
Based on the series of the same name, Defiance is a true MMO shooter in the Borderlands style. Compared to other shooters, you have time to explore the world and you are not rushing from fight to fight. If you don’t want to spend money on Destiny, you should definitely download Defiance!
The online shooter from Trion Worlds, Defiance, is connected to the sci-fi series. It features a great story that is even better understood if you follow the series of the same name. The game world closely resembles Borderlands or Fallout. Graphically, Defiance looks like Borderlands, although some textures appear muddy. However, this is balanced out by good gameplay and a wide selection of weapons and vehicles. You can for example place insect eggs on your opponent, play the classic healer, or mow down the masses of monsters with a minigun.
To the official website of Defiance and play for free
Conclusion: The free shooter Defiance is a lot of fun in connection with the series. The stories complement each other and are creatively implemented in the game through appealing gameplay. The graphics are nice to look at but are designed for larger battles, which is why some details had to be sacrificed. However, there is a large selection of weapons, numerous story missions, dynamic events, and a freely explorable world, differentiating the game from classic “fight-to-fight” games like Planetside. The game also offers a free-to-play version for PlayStation 3.
4. Firefall: Finally a finished game on the market
The shooter Firefall had a long history and many changes to the concept right from the start. Nevertheless, Firefall has become an exciting shooter MMO that impresses with an open world and nice graphics.
Firefall has succeeded and was finally released in the summer of 2014. After a long beta phase, players can look forward to an open game world. While some quests take you into instanced areas, this does not disturb and even adds extra fun. The open-world atmosphere is supported by graphics that beautifully depict the infected Copacabana in Rio and contribute to the storytelling. Whether in first or third person view, it’s all about killing monsters, running around, collecting ores – the typical life of an MMO player.
To the official website of Firefall and play for free
Conclusion: The long development time of Firefall has done the game good. Especially the open game world is impressive, and at the launch of the game, it was also densely populated. The gameplay here also resembles the offline shooter Borderlands. With real money, you can achieve success faster in crafting or obtain permanent mounts. Fortunately, there’s no pay-to-win!
3. Warframe: Coop shooter with katana
If the enemies in Warframe get too close, they can be easily dealt with using a katana. However, the free co-op shooter captivates not only for that.
As a ninja unit, the katana is not just a gimmick in Warframe, but a fundamental weapon in the fight for justice. The story around Warframe is only provisional, but it helps to understand why you need to execute the aliens. The game has gone through some changes but feels like a fully-fledged free-to-play experience that can engage players for hours with detailed graphics and a comprehensive upgrade system. By the way, don’t expect a rigid shooter: Warframe invites you to dynamic battles, where the term ninja includes the acrobatic feats you associate with the name.
To the official website of Warframe and play for free
Conclusion: The somewhat shallow plot does not prevent you from falling victim to the berserk fury in Warframe. From a distance, you shoot with your weapon, in close combat you dodge and decapitate masses of opponents with the katana … ninja style. In various game modes, you play together in co-op with your friends. Warframe is therefore a must-have title for co-op fans! It is also referred to by many as the Destiny for PC.
2. War Thunder: Strategy on the battlefield
“I hear thunder but there’s no rain” – that’s not entirely true, in War Thunder it rains, and indeed artillery and other large-caliber shells from the sky. While futuristic space ships were previously steered in free shooters, in War Thunder you either fly an airplane or ride on tank tracks.
As a direct competitor to World of Tanks, War Thunder is an MMO war simulation. Together with other enthusiastic tank drivers, you don’t just fight on land but also in the air, which requires even more strategic thinking. But strategy is not the only requirement: If you want to efficiently take out your opponent, especially in an airplane, you should fully exploit your skills. Only with daring maneuvers can you get behind enemies and take them out deliberately. The different types of aircraft all have different characteristics and can be further improved through upgrades. War Thunder is free and, like almost every free-to-play game, comes with an item shop. However, this does not provide any game-deciding advantages.
To the official website of War Thunder and play for free
Conclusion: War Thunder is different from Planetside 2 or Firefall. It doesn’t take place in the future, but in the past, set during World War II, the shooter spectacle emphasizes strategy and realism. Downloading War Thunder doesn’t mean pay-to-win, but rather a very good free-to-play shooter.
1. World of Tanks: Rolling through the mud on treads
The most successful free-to-play game on this list is World of Tanks. Similar to War Thunder, in World of Tanks, you don’t control a crazed space ninja, but rely on massive steel and the firepower of your cannon.
World of Tanks delights, especially with thrilling battles that take place on huge maps. However, at a high level, it can sometimes be a bit slow: Whoever shows up first will be ruthlessly shot down. Strategy and a good advance are the key to victory. Once you have won, you can spend your earned points on a better team or a stronger weapon. What we particularly like: Every tank has its purpose. The smaller ones are used for reconnaissance and are harder to hit, while the larger tanks provide pure destruction. MMO roles in a different way.
To the official website of World of Tanks and play for free
Conclusion: World of Tanks put the third-person tactic shooter genre in motion… or rather, on the treads. As a free-to-play, it has an in-game shop, but here too it doesn’t bring any game-deciding advantages. Therefore, the tank simulation is recommended for everyone who doesn’t want to hold a weapon but would rather sit in one.
All the games presented here have special features. For a lot of strategy and somewhat more leisurely action, we recommend the two tank games World of Tanks and War Thunder. If you prefer fast-paced and sprawling battles, don’t miss Warframe. Firefall is more for explorers: The worlds are vast and invite you for extensive walks in a spacesuit. We also enjoyed the connection between video game and series in Defiance. Here, sci-fi fans especially get their money’s worth. In contrast to the PvE-heavy title Defiance stands Planetside 2. Here the player gets good old PvP home cooking with huge areas and endless battles.
Each game is worth downloading. You don’t have to pay anything, and there’s no pay-to-win in these games!
