Genre: MMORPG | Developer: ArenaNet | Platform: PC | Release Date: August 28, 2012 | Model: Free2Play
What is Guild Wars 2? Guild Wars 2 is an MMORPG developed by ArenaNet set in the fantasy world of Tyria. Guild Wars 2 relies on regular story updates to introduce new areas and rewards to the game.
Every 2 months, Guild Wars 2 receives a content update, along with events and smaller innovations in between. In 2021, the third major expansion “End of Dragons” is set to be released, which will bring the continent of Cantha known from Guild Wars 1 and a complete setting change to an Asian-inspired world.
How free is it really? Guild Wars 2 originally launched as a Buy-to-Play game. Players had to purchase the base version once and could then experience the entire world. Nearly 3 years after release, the base game became Free2Play.
One can explore the old world without any issues, bring characters to the max level, and even fully equip them. The PvP content in the form of arenas and server-versus-server can also be accessed by free players.
However, there are expansions that need to be purchased for full access. The latest areas, special features like gliding or mounts, the ninth class Revenant, and raids are all tied to the two expansions Heart of Thorns and Path of Fire. Players only need to buy Path of Fire for around 30 Euros, and the other expansion is included automatically.
A legendary weapon like this Darkness is part of the endgame content in Guild Wars 2. However, free-to-play players can at least access some of these weapons.
Then there are regular content patches in the form of the “Living World”. These are automatically unlocked for free as long as one logs in when they are fresh. An episode is released every 2-3 months, and the current episode can be obtained for free until the next episode is released.
After that, players pay Gemstones, which can be purchased for real money or exchanged for in-game currency.
Additionally, there is a shop that offers some quality-of-life items and various cosmetic content.
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Who is Guild Wars 2 suitable for? If you are looking for an exciting and action-packed MMORPG that you can play alone and with friends, this is the right place for you. Guild Wars 2 currently offers many free contents that can keep you occupied for several hundred or thousand hours.
The only downside is the expansions and old content patches that need to be purchased if you want the complete gaming experience.
Warframe
Genre: Loot Shooter, MMO | Developer: Digital Extremes | Platform: PC, PS4, Xbox One, Switch | Release Date: March 25, 2013 | Model: Free2Play
You embody “Tenno”, warriors from a past golden age, who awaken from millennia of exile to find the solar system in chaos and decay.
Fortunately, as a Tenno, you have access to the titular Warframes. These are cool space ninjas with superpowers and weapons. You will carve your way alone or with up to three players through closed areas and large, open worlds.
There you will find new loot and can unlock or upgrade additional Warframe suits and better weapons. Warframe also places a strong emphasis on crafting and fine-tuning your equipment.
Additionally, there is an extremely cool story that has been continuously developed for years and introduces you deeper into the highly original world of Warframe and its bizarre inhabitants.
The Free2Play Model of Warframe
How free is it really? Warframe is rightly considered one of the fairest Free2Play games. Everything that is available for real money can also be unlocked in-game. Even the real money currency can be obtained through trading with players.
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If you grind and farm a lot, you can get everything you can buy in the shop. Warframe can be played completely without spending real money, and all updates are always free.
The only limit is the slots for additional Warframes and weapons. These can only be obtained with the real money currency Platinum, which you either buy or trade for valuable items with other players.
However, there is already some Platinum given to you at the start, so you can get quite far without spending real money.
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Extremely many customization options for your characters
Contra
The game is anything but beginner-friendly – rather complex
If you don’t like grinding, you won’t be happy in Warframe
The bizarre, dark sci-fi setting is not to everyone’s taste
Who is Warframe suitable for? If you are a fan of science fiction and fast action, you should take a look at Warframe. Additionally, the game is a delight for anyone who enjoys tweaking their builds and achieving optimal combinations of gear and effects.
Warframe is anything but a watered-down casual game for a quick play session. And those who enjoy spending time lovingly decorating their spaceship with pets and decorations will also find happiness here.
What is Hearthstone?Hearthstone is an online card game set in the world of Blizzard’s World of Warcraft. The basic principle of the game is similar to the popular trading card ancestor Magic: The Gathering. Your summoned creatures and effects all have a Warcraft reference.
Additionally, you choose your deck based on your hero. The hero corresponds to a class from WoW, such as Warrior, Paladin, or Warlock. With the “Shadows of the Outlands” expansion, a Demon Hunter, a completely new class was introduced, which will appeal to both newcomers and veterans.
Your hero has a unique ability and allows the use of special cards that only that type may use.
Hearthstone is regularly updated, bringing completely new game modes, cards, and effects. There are also story scenarios where you engage in solo PvE against AI opponents and experience a narrative. The card game is also suitable for beginners, but you should keep a few things in mind.
The Free2Play Model of Hearthstone
How free is it really? Hearthstone can be played for free on PC and mobile devices. Real money is only necessary if you want a different, cosmetic version of one of the heroes.
Do you see the correct move to defeat the opponent in this turn?
The rest, such as new card packs and scenarios, can be purchased with either real money or in-game currency. However, scenarios can be quite expensive in in-game currency and require a lot of grind.
Impatient players or those with little time will likely opt for real money rather than spending days farming gold to earn four-digit amounts for complete scenarios.
Anyone who absolutely wants to have “all current cards” will probably turn to the cash shop.
Those who limit themselves to a few decks can earn them for free by regularly completing quests in the game. You can obtain a new free card pack every two days, which then contains 5 cards.
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Much grind needed if you don’t want to spend real money
Difficult entry because a large pool of cards is needed
Who is Hearthstone suitable for? If you are already a fan of Magic and also love Warcraft, you can’t go wrong here. Hearthstone is a colorful, fun game that should appeal to even those who have no knowledge of WoW. The sophisticated gameplay mechanics and humorous cards are suitable for all genre fans.
If you’re also a WoW fan, you can look forward to plenty of Easter eggs and references from your favorite setting.
Star Wars: The Old Republic (SWTOR)
Genre: MMORPG | Developer: BioWare | Platform: PC | Release Date: December 20, 2011 | Model: Free2Play
What is Star Wars: The Old Republic?SWTOR once revolutionized quest design in MMORPGs by linking fully voiced quests with BioWare’s storytelling.
The online role-playing game revolves around a large conflict in the Old Republic of the Star Wars setting, thousands of years before Episode I.
You play either on the side of the Republic or with the old Sith Empire. In true MMORPG fashion, you quest through the main story and then experience raids and tough instances as well as PvP in the endgame.
The story has been continued over the years. After conflicts with strange aliens and rogue Sith, as well as the Hutt cartel or the threat that impacted both the Republic and the Empire, the story was continued at the end of 2019. At the end of 2021, SWTOR will celebrate its 10th anniversary and could announce further content then.
Even in 2021, it is worth taking a look at the MMORPG, as MeinMMO author and MMO expert Alexander Leitsch emphasizes in the FYNG article.
The gameplay of SWTOR is classic MMORPG fare with a tab-targeting system like World of Warcraft.
In SWTOR you can shoot with blasters and rely on the popular lightsabers. A huge fun for all Star Wars fans.
The Free2Play Model of SWTOR
How free is it really? Star Wars: The Old Republic has been free for a long time, but it is playable with limitations. There are three account types: pure Free2Play players, preferred players, and subscribers.
Subscribers have access to all aspects of the game, but still pay their fees.
Those who have had a subscription or purchased real money items are preferred players and have only slight restrictions, including limited access to endgame content.
Pure Free2Play accounts that have never paid anything before can also play the game and the story, but they have significant limits on inventory, skill bars, endgame content, and cosmetic options.
However, you can permanently unlock upgrades for your preferred account through microtransactions and come close to a subscription.
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Who is SWTOR suitable for? If you love Star Wars and appreciate the untouched setting of the Old Republic, you will have fun here. The quests are excellently staged by the storytelling experts at BioWare and voiced by high-quality actors.
The atmosphere and the story are a major plus point of SWTOR. Additionally, there is classic MMORPG gameplay that should appeal to fans of WoW and similar games.
Unturned
Genre: Survival-MMO | Developer: Smartly Dress Games | Platform: PC | Release Date: July 7, 2017 | Model: Free2Play
What is Unturned? Unturned is a zombie survival game with a low-poly look, similar to that of Minecraft.
In a world infested with zombies, you need to find resources, weapons, clothing, and food, as well as protect yourself against the zombies.
However, you are not alone. Play on a server or together with friends. Any player can betray you, so you should trust no one. The gameplay mechanics are similar to those of the zombie MMO DayZ.
On 5 official maps and one community-created map, building a base is also one of your options in the game, just like completing quests you receive from NPCs. You can even build or find vehicles and use them as mobile fortresses, such as cars or entire aircraft carriers.
Unturned also receives regular updates, and the game world is continuously expanded.
The Free2Play Model of Unturned
How free is it really? Unturned can be downloaded and played for free via Steam. You don’t have to spend real money to fully enjoy the zombie-infested world.
However, there is a shop in the form of the Steam store. There you can buy whole packages of items, skins, or resources. Individual weapons and equipment can also be purchased. In the mystery boxes, you can additionally receive random loot, which can even have mythical status.
So, if you don’t feel like exploring the world for hours to get moderate equipment, you can also spend a few euros in the shop. However, those who enjoy discovering will get far without spending real money.
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Who is Unturned suitable for? All survival fans who are not put off by the blocky look can take a look at Unturned. There is something for everyone here, whether it’s collecting resources, building a base, exploring the maps, or fighting against zombies and other players.
Even Minecraft fans looking for a bit of variety will find what they are looking for here. Especially with friends, Unturned is worth a look.
