Top 10 FULL PRICED Games with RIDICULOUS Microtransactions

The “Metal Gear Solid” series has always been a consistent franchise for delivering some of the highest quality experiences in gaming. This continued with “The Phantom Pain,” as it received universal acclaim from both critics and audiences alike. That said, it still contained some egregious microtransactions which we simply can’t forgive. You could purchase something called Mother Base Coins using real-world money, coins which were used to upgrade your headquarters by building a Forward Operating Base. This in turn granted you quicker access to weapons, items, and cosmetics. Of course, you can play without these FOBs, but the concept still sourly lingers in the air, its possibilities drawing you ever near.

It wouldn’t be a modern “Call of Duty” game without some microtransactions, now, would it? “Call of Duty: WWII” seemingly put the series back in the good graces of its fans: it was well-received, and it doubled the sales of “Infinite Warfare” when comparing their first ten days. And then they implemented microtransactions. These microtransactions are fittingly named Call of Duty Points, and they allow you to purchase rare loot for the game’s multiplayer component, effectively making you better than the competition through sheer purchasing power. Now isn’t that what competitive gaming is all about?

“Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor” was one of 2014’s best titles. And then “Shadow of War” had to completely ruin the series’ reputation. “Shadow of War” was one of the first major targets of the great microtransaction fiasco of 2017, and it’s also one of its most notable examples. Epic and Legendary orcs and gear are a commodity in this game, and while you can certainly find them easily enough, you can also purchase them with gold coins (which can be bought with real money), effectively lessening the game’s difficulty. Like “The Phantom Pain,” most of this is completely unnecessary, but it’s still disappointing to see such an easy path unlocked with some extra cash.

The first two “Dead Space” games are masterpieces of the survival horror genre. Taut, dark, and scary, they were the epitome of survival horror. And then “Dead Space 3” all-but eliminated the survival aspect with the promises of God-like items if you just forked over a few extra bucks. Crafting weapons is a major aspect of the game, and the game allows you to bypass exploration in favor of simply purchasing the necessary components to craft better weapons. This completely negates the survival aspect of the game and eliminates any sort of tension, exploration, or fear. When you can simply purchase the best gun around, what could you possibly be scared of?

Leave it to Activision to completely ruin one of the most beloved multiplayer games of all time with their greedy business practices. Microtransactions went live in a December update, as players had the ability to purchase cosmetic items. The following February, players could purchase new weapons, including a full-auto 12 gauge and a .44 magnum, despite Activision promising that microtransactions would be limited to cosmetics. They also charged for the Variety Map Pack, despite most remasters coming equipped with all DLC. And to make matters worse, it was $5 MORE than it was in 2008. Talk about shooting down our nostalgia.

“Human Revolution” was one of the greatest games of the seventh generation, so fan expectation was high for its follow-up, “Mankind Divided.” To say that it squandered the goodwill would be an understatement. We’re beginning to see a pattern here – fantastic predecessor, disappointing, microtransaction-riddled sequel. “Mankind Divided” offered over a dozen microtransaction packs, which allowed you to purchase in-game credits, Praxis kits (for your augmentations), weapon packs, and chipsets. These microtransactions were completely unnecessary, with the game’s producer calling them “accelerators.” We call them greed. What happened to the good old days when you had to earn your way through a game?

EA had a tough 2017 when it came to gamer goodwill due to their greedy microtransactions. “Need for Speed” was no exception, as players noticed that “Payback’s” progression system was far harsher and more restrictive than in games past. Suddenly, it took a curiously long time to unlock upgrades, and there was always the allure of microtransactions in the sidelines should you wish to accelerate the process. The response was so toxic that EA altered the progression system, increasing the amount of REP and Bank given to players and dishing out more frequent Air Suspension in Shipments. But by that point, the damage had already been done.

“Evolve” was meant to be the next big multiplayer experience, similar to “Left 4 Dead’s” surprisingly fun and expansive versus mode. What we got instead was the shell of a good game which required you to pay double to get the full experience. The DLC and microtransactions were enough to bring the entire experience crashing down. The Season Pass cost $25 and gave you access to four unique monsters (also sold separately for $7.50), and skins. The game also forced you to purchase skins for your monsters and weapons, something which could have EASILY been made available through a progression system, similar to “Call of Duty.”

Sports games have always been ripe for the implementation of microtransactions, and while many titles have employed them in recent years, perhaps none have done so so egregiously as “NBA 2K18.” The game relies on something called Virtual Currency, which is used to purchase anything from upgraded stats to player animations (like Michael Jordan’s signature dunk) to customization options like haircuts. To make matters worse, you must first unlock the OPTION to purchase these upgrades, then actually purchase them with your currency. Accumulating currency takes forever…or you can buy it in bulk, an option which the game shamelessly throws in your face every chance it gets.

Yep, you all knew this was coming. If microtransactions weren’t seen as a problem before, “Battlefront II” sought to change that. Players noticed that the beta contained loot boxes, which gave paying players a significant advantage. Players also realized that it took dozens of hours of grinding to unlock characters and that EA had later lowered the necessary credits to unlock heroes while deceptively lowering the rewards as well. The outrage resulted in EA losing $3 billion in stock value, and it caught the attention of various government bodies who are exploring the potentially harmful practice of loot boxes, which many people consider a form of gambling.