These upcoming free games could prove to be something special.
Gaming is expensive. Whether someone prefers consoles or PC, they will need to invest a fair amount of cash just to set up their stations. Once the hardware is ready to go, owners will need to turn to their platform’s libraries to pick up some software. Nowadays, Xbox Game Pass and PS Plus grant access to massive selections of games for monthly fees; however, most AAA titles do not debut on these subscription services. Consequently, players could find themselves regularly dropping $69.99 to experience the latest exciting projects.
Free-to-play games sound fantastic on paper and can serve as a way to keep someone entertained in between premium products. Plenty of titles showcase this model’s potential, and this selection is set to expand significantly over the coming months and years. What are the most highly-anticipated new free games announced for 2023 or beyond? XDefiant
Ubisoft’s XDefiant seems like one of those games that should already exist in some form or another, and part of the illusion is due to its similarities to other PvP projects on the market. The FPS game brings together multiple Ubisoft franchises, categorizing them as separate factions that come with unique abilities and strengths. Once players pick a character and customize their loadout, they find themselves working alongside a team in arena-style battles set within maps inspired by the publisher’s properties.
XDefiant’s announcement did not result in too much hype since there are so many free-to-play shooters on the market; however, an open beta helped sell the game’s potential. Even if it is not an especially unique upcoming free game, XDefiant plays very well as it takes some of the best ideas from Call of Duty projects of old. Star Wars: Hunters
The Nintendo Switch does not get too many console-exclusive free games, particularly involving huge IPs like Star Wars. Hunters is a PvP arena game that blends third-person shooting with melee combat. After picking a hunter, players then form squads to face off against each other.
Star Wars: Hunters has a reasonably impressive roster of fighters, who are split into class types like Tank and Support. Rather than featuring established characters, the game utilizes original creations, although they do fit known archetypes like Rebel War Hero, Wookie Juggernaught, and Bounty Hunter.
Star Wars: Hunters had a soft launch on Android devices in 2021, but the full release is expected to happen in 2023. The Finals
Embark’s The Finals has been steadily building up momentum since its reveal, and a few beta sessions in 2023 have sent the hype into overdrive. In this team-based first-person shooter, matches pit four groups of players against each other as they try to steal cash and drop it at a waypoint. It is a fairly simple concept, but The Finals amplifies the innate chaos synonymous with online shooter fests by not only increasing the number of teams but also emphasizing destruction as a main mechanic. Players are encouraged to break down walls to create their own paths, leading to a very fun and frantic rhythm.
Although the game has yet to be experienced in its complete state, The Finals‘ October 26 open beta allowed players to get direct hands-on experience, and the reception was generally positive. The beta performed well on Steam, suggesting the game should launch with a sizable playerbase that, hopefully, will stick around for more than just the first week or two. Even though the gaming world is not lacking in free-to-play shooters, the scene has grown a touch stale in recent years and is due to receive a new big name. Off The Grid
Although not too much is known about Off the Grid’s moment-to-moment rhythm, the upcoming free game certainly has lofty goals. Despite being done to death, battle royales are still fairly popular, although new properties have struggled to find their place alongside heavyweights like Fortnite, PUBG, and Warzone 2.0. Off the Grid plans to set itself apart from the crowd by pushing its story to the forefront; yes, this will be a battle royale that emphasizes its narrative through an evolving battlefield.
