The game is not a "free-to-play" title, but there are legitimate ways to access it without a direct one-time purchase:

The game is included in the Xbox Game Pass library for both console and PC. If you have an active subscription, you can download and play it at no extra cost.

The Juggernaut Edition is a remastered version that automatically includes all previously released DLC, such as the Heartland , Daybreak , and Independence packs.