Neverwinter

Made by Cryptic Studios (the developer that brought us City of Heroes and Star Trek Online), this action-based MMORPG is set in the city of Neverwinter. By combining the popular Forgotten Realms backdrop, Dungeons & Dragons 4th Edition rules, and the free-to-play model, the description alone is enough to get a certain subset of fantasy enthusiasts frothing.
Aimed at tackling the World of Warcraft market and the Elder Scrolls market at the same time, this free-to-play MMO has you teaming up with up to four other people to explore a beloved setting. All of the main content is available completely free of charge, but you can buy in-game currency for real money — anywhere from $5 to $200 at a shot. And in some ways, the game actually reminds me of another licensed free-to-play MMO over on the PS4.

Killer Instinct

ULTRA COMBO! This classic fighting franchise has finally returned to the limelight, and this time it’s a free-to-play release exclusive to the Xbox One. Originally developed by Double Helix, its acquisition by Amazon left the dev team unable to offer continued support. Instead, the folks at Iron Galaxy stepped in, and now season two of Killer Instinct is available.
Without dropping one red cent, you get to play as a rotating cast of free fighters, and you can slowly unlock more content from playing the game. Alternatively, you can buy in-game currency with real money to speed up the unlocking process, or simply buy an entire season worth of content for 40 bucks. It’s a pretty solid deal — especially compared with the traditional Capcom-style pricing model that fighting games have been burdened with in the past.

Happy Wars

If fighting games and fantasy RPGs are a bit too serious for your tastes, consider downloading Happy Wars instead. This colorful and cartoony multiplayer game allows for both co-op and competitive gameplay both online and off. Sit down with your family, and enjoy four-player split-screen mode as you work your way through this goofy and joyous world.
Of course, the game is happy to take your money if you want quick access to “happy cards,” support items, and parts for character customization. The in-game currency is sold in packs ranging from $2 to $40, but beware. Since this game is clearly aimed at kids, you need to lock down your purchase settings before handing over the controller. The last thing you want is a bunch of unintended purchases showing up on your bill.

Pinball FX2

If you like pinball, Zen Studios has a treat for you. With Pinball FX2, you can play dozens of tables featuring some of your favorite franchises. From South Park to Star Wars to The Walking Dead, Pinball FX2 sports an incredible amount of variety, and rewards skilled play with a superb leaderboard system. And if you know other pinball enthusiasts, you can compete asynchronously against each other for the top spot.
When you download the core client, you automatically get access to the Sorcerer’s Lair table for free. If you only have a passing interest in pinball, this table is more than enough to satiate your desires. If you’re a hardcore pinball fanatic, you can choose to buy single tables or combo packs à la carte. For example, The Walking Dead table is $3, and the Avengers Chronicles four-pack is just $10. Now that everything is delivered digitally, collecting pinball tables is actually an incredibly affordable hobby these days.

Powerstar Golf

Up for a few holes of golf? Take a look at Powerstar Golf  from Zoë Mode, and you’ll find a stylish golf game with a lot to offer. As you play, you can unlock new clubs and balls to improve your stats, and turn your character into a real pro. This persistent golfing experience tracks how well you’re doing, and easily allows you to challenge your friends to beat your score at any time. If you’ve got a competitive streak and a penchant for golf,Powerstar Golf is exactly what you’re looking for.
For free, you get access to a hole from every course. You can play as much as you like, earn experience points, and unlock new persistent gear. However, you’re going to need to pony up some cash if you want to do much more than dabble with the mechanics. You can buy any of four courses for $6 a pop, or you can invest $20 for the “full game unlock” combo pack. There has been plenty of criticism aimed at the lackluster free-to-play aspects of this game, but if you enjoy the core gameplay, it’s well worth the investment in the paid content.

Project Spark

If you’ve ever wanted to build your own video game before, you need to check out Project Spark. This free-to-play title from Microsoft Studios gives you the power to create your own gameplay experiences, and download the bizarre and incredible creations of other people. Much like LittleBigPlanet and Minecraft, this game is all about creating new things, and sharing them with the world.
Without spending money, your options are pretty limited. You can earn in-game currency by playing and creating, but by all accounts that process is very slow. For $40, you can invest in a starter pack that offers a substantial amount of variety, but you’ll probably still run into paywalls here and there. Microsoft sells “Spark tokens” in chunks ranging from $5 to $100, so don’t be surprised when the game leans on you pretty hard for an influx of cash.

Warframe

Looking for something a bit more traditional? This multiplayer third-person shooter from Digital Extremes is worth checking out. Join up with a team of friends, and blast and hack away at the enemies to your heart’s content. This sci-fi shooter has earned acclaim on the PC and PS4 since 2013, and now Xbox One owners can enjoy the game as well.
Warframe does allow you to sink anywhere from $5 to $150 at a time on in-game currency, but don’t feel like any of that is required. You can play the game without spending a dime, and thoroughly enjoy yourself the entire time. Offering $150 chunks of currency definitely feels a little gross, but it comes with the territory. Game devs just can’t stop themselves from catering to the whales among us.

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