5 Best Free-to-Play Games on Xbox Series X/S (2022)

With video games becoming more and more expensive with each passing year, it's always a relief to spot something that's either cheap or completely free of charge. And to be fair, the Xbox Series X/S has a number of quality freebies these days, all of which appeal to each and every gamer, regardless of genre preference. Double up and benefit from the Xbox Games With Gold package, of course, and you're guaranteed an endless stream of free content for life.

At the time of writing, there are tons of free-to-play games stocked up over on the Microsoft Store. So, if you're wanting to give your wallet a well-deserved break, then be sure to pick these five essentials up while you still can. Because, knowing how spontaneous the carousel that is the Microsoft Store can be, you might find that, come tomorrow, they won't be around to claim anymore. No pressure!

5. Destiny 2

Destiny 2 is the follow-up chapter to Bungee's critically acclaimed MMORPG. As of this moment, players can indulge in its content without having to fork over any money whatsoever, making it a complete game with no sly add-ons to weigh it down. That said, there are a number of shortcuts users can take to help bypass the grind, though they do come with a price. Although not strictly pay-to-win, there are some advantages to spending a little extra on better gear and loot.

Join over a million players in an intergalactic nexus of action-packed worlds, a chain of locations that house countless alien species and mythical beings. As a Guardian, you must embrace the power of Light and drive back a looming threat known as the Darkness. Being a bastion of hope for humanity, you will need to do all in your power to stop the network from collapsing and, in turn, restore balance to a war-torn world.

4. Hello Neighbor 2

Don't let the cartoon visuals fool you into thinking this is a happy-go-lucky Pixar tale. The simple fact is, Hello Neighbor is a survival horror series, and a pretty darn scary one at that. Although coined as a stealth-based experience, its adrenaline-fueled gameplay is anything but calm and collected. Its second chapter, Hello Neighbor 2, is on the same wavelength, only with a harsher focus on open-world exploration.

Hello Neighbor 2 puts you in the world of Raven Brooks, a relatively quiet town where each and every neighbor has something to hide. As an investigative journalist, you must explore the open-world playground and uncover the plethora of mysteries the town keeps buried. Of course, how you tackle the AI-driven world is entirely up to you, as you'll come to learn when traversing its jam-packed borders.

3. Asphalt 9: Legends

The multi-award-winning racing series is back with Asphalt 9: Legends, a free-to-play arcade game that takes lifelike gameplay mechanics to a whole new level. As an up-and-coming driver, you will compete in over 150 tracks that take you all over the globe. From the dusty canyons of the American wilderness, to the snow-soaked mountaintops of the Himalayas, you will enrol in numerous daring feats in a bid for perks and game-changing rewards.

Asphalt 9 is strewn with a treasure trove of award-winning elements, many of which have helped define the racing genre. And now, players can enjoy all there is to see and experience with a free copy for Xbox Series X/S. Whether you're braving the roads as a solo traveller or going head-to-head with the wide open multiplayer world, chances are you'll find something to come back for here.

2. Fortnite

To this very day, Fortnite remains at the apex of best free-to-play games on all major platforms. It makes sense, seeing as it's forever receiving weekly updates and quests for players to indulge in. Like a sacred fruit that never goes sour, it's ripe and surprisingly lofty, and we honestly can't get enough of it. But that's just us, a few among a million or more battle royale-loving gamers.

For those who have yet to sink some hours into Epic Games' global phenomenon, then the good news is, well, there isn't that much to learn. In a nutshell, it's a battle royale game that sees 100 players launched into an action-packed island. The last one standing, of course, reaps copious amounts of perks and loot. With weekly quests and seasons to bolster it, it becomes an all-round time consumer, though one you'll find yourself coming back to day in, day out.

1. Tell Me Why

From the creators of Life is Strange comes a brand new story-driven tale with a surprising amount of heart and vigor. Similar to previous works, Tell Me Why lets you play the cards you dealt, occasionally giving you the opportunity to shuffle the deck and rearrange the layout. Choices, of course, being the primary aspect of the game, make it a rich and immersive experience that is tailored only by the way you play and respond.

Tell Me Why follows the journey of two siblings as they make a return to their rural Alaskan town. On the hunt for the missing pieces that connected their childhood years together, the two join forces to recall their darkest memories, as well as the cruel moments that helped shape their future selves. These episodic memoirs are currently available in a three part series for free on Xbox Series X/S.

So, what's your take? Do you agree with our top five? Are there any freebies we should know about? Let us know over on our socials here or down in the comments below.