Nothing is free on these games, though well aware this means game play fueled w/ads. However, I've been playing repeatedly for a week & cannot get beyond level 109 plus no outings to gain more lives to play AND games are given time limits so you have no choice but to watch repeated ads to only find out you cannot get past that level. Upgrading to a premium membership merely removes some ads & of absolutely no benefit to player. Miss the days when you could actually purchase the entire game.