Agreed low entry is essential for the start and long term, $10 is a sweet spot as most indie games cost that. Maybe you know add 20-30 like a good better indie in NFTs. Games with high entry seem more likely to stop getting new players.
F2P is best IMO no entry cost people will spend right away on NFTs.
Agreed a F2P would be the best option perhaps keeping them off chain until they buy in for $10 or something which would connect them to that chain could be the move there. F2P means everyone can get involved with it and that's A LOT of free marketing to push that game.