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The Best Live Service Games: Top 10

Best Live Service Games

What makes a live service game good? There are several elements, including engaging gameplay and story continuation that make sense with constant and meaningful updates. All of this adds value to the game, but the most important part is fair monetisation. No matter how good a live service game is, if it is pay-to-win, players will doubtless leave in outrage. Nevertheless, there are many live service games worth playing, such as Destiny 2, Helldivers 2, and many others – all of which we will cover in this article.

10. Sea of Thieves

Sea of Thieves
Rare

Sea of Thieves launched in March 2018 for Xbox One and PC while the PS5 version came out just recently. While the core pirate experience was praised at launch, it still needed some spice and variety. Nevertheless, constant updates from Rare turned Sea of Thieves into a thriving live service game. There is so much to enjoy now, such as seasonal content drops, world-changing events, and others. You can enjoy different game modes and it is best to do it with friends.

Sea of Thieves has grown so much from smashing skeletons and seeking gold, and the monetization implemented only a year after release and only for cosmetics, makes it one of the best live service games out there.

9. League of Legends

League of Legends
Riot Games

Launched in 2009 for PC, League of Legends is a free-to-play titan of the MOBA genre. Regular updates and new champions alongside balance changes keep the gameplay pretty fresh. There is a thriving esports scene behind the game, and the monetization is nothing but pretty cosmetics and a few loot boxes people grew to love offer time. Multiple game modes will see you play for hours this immersive 5v5 arena game with numerous different champions as you rise in the ranks.

8. Genshin Impact

Genshin Impact
HoYoverse

Genshin Impact from HoYoverse took the world by storm in September 2020 when it dropped for PC, mobile, PS4, and PS5. It is a free-to-play open-world action RPG gacha game with stunning visuals, a fantastic story, and a vast pool of characters to choose from with unique backstories, playstyles, and roles.

You can switch between teams of up to four characters with unique abilities and master their elemental side to overcome enemies. Regular updates that bring new regions, characters, and story content are a sure way to keep this beautiful game alive and one of the best live service games out there.

7. Warframe

Warframe
Digital Extremes

Warframe is a free-to-play action RPG that launched in 2013 for PC and since then has remained competitive. Players control powerful Warframes, each with unique abilities, and fight alongside others in PvE missions. You can customize Warframes, weapons, and others, while regular updates introduce new story content, open worlds, Warframe classes, and more, keeping it fresh. While you will pay for some higher-tier weapons and Warframes, the game is not a pay-to-win, which makes it a great live service game.

6. Apex Legends

Apex Legends
Respawn Entertainment

Apex Legends, launched in 2019 for PC, PS4, and Xbox One. It is a free-to-play, fast-paced battle royale game. Teams of three players with unique heroes and abilities fight for survival in a large arena. The game is updated regularly and new playable characters, story content, and balance changes, keeping it fresh and playable. Monetization focuses on cosmetic items that can be bought with real money or in-game currency.

5. Valorant

Valorant
Riot Games

Valorant launched in 2020 for PC as a free-to-play tactical shooter and quickly rose to the top as a Counter-Strike enemy. Eerily similar to the tactical shooter giant, Players choose unique Agents with special abilities and work together in 5v5 matches to win rounds by planting/defusing a bomb or eliminating the opposing team. Regular updates introduce new Agents, maps, and game modes (like Spike Rush or Swiftplay) catering to both casual and competitive players. Valorant has a thriving esports scene with ranked play encouraging players to hone their skills. Monetization focuses on cosmetic weapon skins, avoiding the pay-to-win model.

4. Dead by Daylight

Dead by daylight
Behavior Interactive

Dead by Daylight is an asymmetrical horror launched in 2016 for PC, consoles, and mobile. You either play as a killer while others play as survivors trying to escape. The game thrives on different pop culture crossover bringing such infamous figures as Michael Myers, Freddy Krueger, and even Pyramid Head, among others.

Both killers and survivors have unique perks that help maintain the game balance, and while there is a battle pass it is purely cosmetic and there are no lootboxes.

3. Destiny 2

Destiny 2
Bungie

Destiny 2 is a heavily popular looter shooter released in 2017 for PC, consoles, and Stadia. Developed by Bungie, it is a free-to-play sci-fi shooter with a constantly growing dedicated player base. Players explore a vast world collecting loot and participating in PvE missions, raids, and PvP activities. The game receives constant updates and expansions and is praised for addictive gunplay, stunning visuals, and deep lore. Although it requires a little grind to level up, monetization is just for cosmetics and new DLCs.

2. Fortnite

Fortnite
Epic Games

Fortnite’s free-to-play cartoonish battle royale model skyrocketed to pop culture phenomenon status. Released in 2017, it remains a popular choice for players of all skill levels. New items, characters, and map changes keep the experience fresh, while a dedicated community is focused on creating additional game modes. While the game is free-to-play, in-game microtransactions include buying unique and rare skins and other cosmetics that don’t affect the game outcome, which makes it one of the best live service games.

1. Helldivers 2

Helldivers 2
Arrowhead Games

A critical and commercial success in 2024, Helldivers 2 is a top-down shooter for PC and PS5. Players work together in challenging missions, battling alien threats and completing tasks. Regular updates introduce new content, keeping the experience engaging. Praised for its fair monetization model, Helldivers 2 is yet again a game on the list of best live service games that avoid pay-to-win mechanics.

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