Summary
There are many free games available for the Xbox, most of which can be downloaded through the Xbox store. However, some of these games are less than polished, being developed and published bysmall game companies. However, occasionally a behemoth publisher such as Microsoft makes a game available for free, which tends to be more polished.
Free games for Xbox owners from Microsoft include some classicpuzzle games, which are great for casual play. There are also some great full games available. These tend to be older games or cut-down versions of full-price titles, but not always. Offerings change, so it is worth checking to see which free Microsoft games are available on Xbox regularly.
1Microsoft Treasure Hunt
Uncover Underground Riches
Microsoft Treasure Huntis a completely free-to-play game available to all Xbox players. It was inspired by the ancientMicrosoft Minesweepergame. InTreasure Hunt, the player explores and uncovers underground labyrinths to find weapons, tools, and, of course, treasure. If the player is careful and doesn’t miss the clues, they can also unlock treasure-rich bonus levels.
This is a cross-platform game, and all game progress is synced across any platform the title is played on. There are online leaderboards that display the top scores of players as well, through the Xbox app, for players who sign in using their Microsoft account.
2Microsoft Jigsaw
A Classic Jigsaw Experience
Some people love jigsaw puzzles. Since they were invented in the 1760s, they have been a popular, relaxing way to pass the time. However, much of the pleasure of doing a jigsaw puzzle is in the tactile experience of handling and sorting the pieces. So, how does a digital version of a jigsaw compare?
Microsoft Jigsawis a free-to-play Xbox game that tries to emulate the classic Jigsaw experience. Sure, it lacks in some ways because the player cannot hold or sort the pieces. However, it does a good job of immersing the player in a similar fashion to a physical jigsaw. A cool feature of the Xbox version of this game is themultiplayer mode, with multiple people helping to solve the same jigsaw.
3Microsoft Mahjong
A Timeless Pattern Matching Game
The human brain is basically a complex pattern recognition machine. Perhaps this is why games likeMahjongare so popular. They play to humankind’s natural talents.Microsoft Mahjongis a completely free game that all Xbox owners can play. It includes 40 classicMahjongpuzzles.
Players can take part in daily online challenges, as well as experience different gameplay modes, some of which are unique to the Microsoft version ofMahjong. Online achievements are enabled, and the player can share these with their friends.Microsoft Mahjongis perfect for people new toMahjong, and advanced experts as well.
4Microsoft Solitaire Collection
A New Take On An Ancient Microsoft Game
Starting with Windows 3.0 in 1990, Microsoft included theSolitairecard game as part of the operating installation. Most people who have used a Windows PC will have tried outSolitaireat least a few times.
TheMicrosoft Solitaire Collectionis a fun, up-to-date take on this Microsoft classic. It has all of the features of the traditional WindowsSolitairegame but with improvements. It is free to play for Xbox owners and offers both theKlondikeandSpider Solitaireversions as well. There are also 75 online achievements to unlock and share with friends.
The originalCrackdowngame is free for Xbox owners to play. This is an older game, released in 2007, but a good one. The player takes on the role of an Agent that has been biologically enhanced, which grants them certain special abilities. They are then tasked with taking down a group of crime lords.
Crackdowntakes a non-linear format and allows the player to approach taking down the crime lords in whichever way they choose. They are not forced into a rigid campaign. There are several activities the player will need to undertake to achieve their goals, and this includes street racing, scavenger hunting, and, of course, combat. Overall,Crackdownis an excellent, freely available game that Xbox players can enjoy.
Thesixth game in the Halo franchise,Halo Infinite’s multiplayer component is available for free to Xbox players. Master Chief is back for this installment, which sees players battling the Banished, a mercenary organization that inhabits the world of Zeta Halo.
The fact that this game’s multiplayer is free makes it a no-brainer for all Xbox owners. Even if the player has not been a fan of theHalofranchise, it is worth picking this title up, as it provides many hours of excellent gameplay with friends. It deserves a spot here for this fact alone.
