The way things are going, you pretty much won't need to buy a multiplayer shooter ever again. A new class of free-to-play shooter that's as good as if not better than the paid competition is making traditional shooters look like highway robbery. Before you consider opening up your wallet and shelling out $40 to $60 for a new multiplayer shooter, take these top five F2Ps for a spin first.

1. Team Fortress 2

What is it? A colorful class-based FPS with memorable characters and a ton of hats.

How does it play? There's a reason why TF2 is still vibrant nearly five years after it was launched as countless other shooters have flooded the market. It's polished, balanced, unique, and a whole lotta fun.

What's it really cost? Nothing. All nine characters are playable free, and all items that affect gameplay can be earned in random drops -- and due to extraordinary balance, those items don't give a significant advantage.