While not my first choice for games, free to play titles are decent (depending on the title) for killing a little time or playing with friends and family at a distance. It also gives a little variety on my desktop as I like having a bit of everything. I've purchased hundreds of titles on GOG and love em all, but I also have a long history in MMO's. I'm always on the lookout for more games, but it's hard to make a definitive list of free to play games that truly feel "free", in the sense that the game is open and not limiting, and that you don't need to purchase much other than cosmetic items, or perhaps an temporary XP increase item, to get anywhere. In the history of MMO's, I ultimately prefer pay to play, but that topics for another day ;)

Games that come to mind that are more or less free are Path of Exile and Guild Wars 2, but I haven't really delved into the latter even though I bought it and played it at launch. Warframe is an over-the-shoulder shooter that currenty is in beta and it's said that the game is free, while the store is merely cosmetic (not buy to win). My fiance also loves Blacklight Retribution, and while she could've paid money, she's played for the last couple years straight, nearly ever day, and reached level 40 and has never spent a dime; she's played it for hundreds of hours for free (even if buying things can give you "boosts). I also played Rift non stop up till late last year when I let my subscription run out for the first time since it came out at launch in March 2011. The free to play version is quite open, but then I got a few perks having had such a long running pay to play subscription. Free to play members may find it limiting at first, but it's not so much as some of the more common asian made or anime style MMO's (which can be severely limiting). The Secret World is also not too bad in options, but like any previously-pay-to-play MMO, it has it's drawbacks. Other titles like Star Wars The Old Republic do feel limiting in their free versions.

What free to play games do you find truly free to play that I may not have mentioned?

Also, as a side question, do you know of any other good sci-fiiish shooters other than Blacklight Retribution or Warframe that may be worth checking out (as in similar setting, not gameplay).

Thanks for reading! :) - The Witcher Enhanced Edition game code: WF4B-RLVA-PQBB-DH2B

You might give Heartstone a try.

Or Planetside 2

Thank you for the generosity. I grabbed it.

Free to play? No money? Deus Ex! -> UX7G-U2KR-6HJP-GYJ2

You actually didn't have it yet? How's that even possible? I've tried giving away my spare copies two times and I was just unable to because everyone already has it.

As for F2P suggestions... I think I've only tried three of them so far and they were all ass. :P

Well, if you enjoy MOBAs LoL and DOTA 2 are definitely great F2P titles that are not pay to win in any way. In DOTA 2 only cosmetic items require real money, same goes for LoL.

DDO, LOTRO, DC Universe Online are also truly free to play titles. I personally love Planetside 2, but i have already seen people complain about it's cash shop.

World of Tanks and World of Planes also seem to be truly free to play, but i haven't played them yet. Planetside 2 seems to be the best fit for your description. Tribes Ascend and Global Agenda are also pretty good. Just keep in mind that Global Agenda is almost dead and the population is really low, even at peak times.

Didn't the developers abandon further updates on Tribes Ascend though? Last I knew that was the case, which concerned me seeing it's specifically an online only free to play shooter. Makes me think it would've been better off as a retail sequel in the series and not an online only version. I'd hate to see it just lose it's community and just become deserted and shut down from lack of support.

Yes, it's true, unfortunately.

Not online, but the Broforce Brototype is a nod to classic Contra/Metal Slug Style platformers with local play. Four Xbox controllers = Great Coop fun.

I can confirm that LOTRO, World of Tanks and World of Warplanes are truly free to play without any need of money. With just the base game of LOTRO, you already have hundreds of hours of play ahead, and by playing you can earn turbine points that can allow you to buy the expansion (Mines of Moria, Rohan, etc...) really for free!

I think War Thunder (a Wolrd of Warplanes-like game) is truly free to play too, but I haven't played it enough to be sure.

Star Trek Online is also like that, two of my friends are top level with top-class spaceships and they never put a single cent in the game.

If you already bought Guild Wars 2 you really should be playing it.

But I'll offer something else in addition to lecturing you ;)

Stalker Online is in beta. I've decided not to play it until full release (my backlog doesn't need unfinished games as well!), but it's entirely free! You're awesome :)

(Didn't claim the key)

I was amazed the new Neverwinter game turned into a free-to-play online game, but is this game really free to play like the games this topic is about, or is it a lure and is the game essentially not enjoyable without purchases?

It is not an online game, but Gamebiz 2 is completely free. If you liked game dev tycoon but thought it was a bit shallow and too easy, then this is for you.

Hawken

is a fps shooter it has a Unreal tournament feel to it but with robots and its f2p and you don't have to spend a single cent on it. and there are elite skins for the mechs you get for free when you rank up the robots and if you want to go balls to the walls they have a custom system to make your robot look unique but will cost some money! good news is $5 can fully customize the looks of a robot :)

and there is no way to get better with paying money its only cosmetics that cost the money and again its dirt cheep as hell. Give it a shot i'm sure you would like it

And another free game its a full free game RTS classic called warzone 2100 its still being supported by the community and is amazing with all the new updates.