Not every free game is a treasure. Red flags include: a store button that’s bigger than the play button, or a game that screams “BUY THIS” every five seconds. If you feel like you’re working a second job to unlock a basic character, run. Stick to games with transparent monetization—like the ones I listed above.
Another tip: check Steam reviews for “pay to win” warnings. The community will always tell you the truth. Trust them. And if a game asks for your phone number before you can play? Nope. Just nope.