The greatest free-to-play games can keep someone engaged for potentially months at no cost. Some have visuals and gameplay that compare favorably to full-priced projects; even if those titles are the exception, quite a few freebies are perfect for short play sessions. Here are some of the best free PS5 games.
Updated January 13, 2023 by Mark Sammut: Notable free-to-play games do not come out on a monthly basis, but most of these releases are designed to keep users coming back indefinitely. As such, a single project could be all somebody needs for half a year. This article has been updated to highlight a few more free PS5 games.
Astro’s Playroom
When someone picks up a PS5, the very first game they should play is Astro’s Playroom. This free title is largely designed to showcase the console’s capabilities, specifically the DualSense controller. Its status as a tech demo might not inspire confidence, but Astro’s Playroom pays loving tribute to Sony’s PlayStation while also being a pretty good 3D platformer in its own right.
Charming, gorgeous, and packed with neat references, Astro’s Playroom is close to a perfect free-to-play game. The campaign lasts roughly five hours, which is about the right length for a tech demo that also happens to be a genuine platformer.
Overwatch 2
2016’s Overwatch made an instant splash when it hit the scene, and the hero shooter maintained its moment for more than five years. For its sequel, Blizzard opted to take a different approach by producing a free-to-play title. This move garnered a mixed reception from players and critics, and the game’s launch only added fuel to this discourse. Overwatch 2’s battle pass has been especially controversial.
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Moving away from the monetary side of things, Overwatch 2 is, at its core, a fun first-person shooter with an endearing roster of characters. The shift to 5v5 battles should allow for more flexibility in team setup, although the sequel has garnered its share of criticism since its launch.
Call Of Duty: Warzone 2.0
Released less than a month following the debut of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2, Warzone 2.0 launched a new era in the lifespan of Activision’s battle royale spin-off. Some of the best free PS5 games fall within this genre, but most battle royales cannot match Call of Duty’s polish, budget, and tight gameplay. Warzone 2.0 is not a significant departure from its predecessor, and the 2022 iteration should be regarded as an evolution of what came before rather than a completely new entity.
That said, the game does switch things up in some regards. Warzone 2.0 launched with a new map called Al Mazrah, which takes inspiration from Modern Warfare 2’s arenas. DMZ is a unique mode that changes up the core gameplay loop by tasking players with collecting loot and escaping before they are gunned down by enemy players (or AI). In the battle royale mode, the Gulag has been revamped to allow for 2v2 encounters, adding an element of teamwork to proceedings.
Warzone 2.0 has not had the smoothest launch so far, but hopefully, things improve as the weeks and months pass.
MultiVersus
Player First Games is trying its hands at developing a multiplayer PvP fighter in the same vein as Super Smash Bros. and Nickelodeon All-Stars Brawl. The end result is entering Public Beta on July 26th and has been well-received so far thanks to its interesting lineup of characters, as well as its smooth and entertaining gameplay. There’s hope that the developers will focus a lot on adding new and interesting characters to the mix as they have so many mediums to draw from thanks to their support from Warner Bros.
MultiVersus has the potential to be one of the best “Smash-like” releases ever created and players are anxious to see what shows up in the near future.
Rumbleverse
There are many unique and engaging battle royale titles out there, but none are quite as unique and wildly entertaining as Rumbleverse. Players will launch themselves into a sprawling cityscape and find a wide array of available wrestling moves in order to punish their opponents and gain a knockout. There are no guns or ranged weapon in this title (aside from throwables). Instead, players will need to throw a series of furious punches at their opponents to do damage and reign supreme.
Rumbleverse is a blast to play and features some hilariously cartoony visuals that add to its goofy and over-the-top aesthetic.
PUBG: Battlegrounds
PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds was, arguably, the first great battle royale release and was responsible for helping to kickstart the genre into the massive space that it is today. There are tons of players out there that love the prospect of battle royale and many still come back to PUBG to get their fill of its unique and sometimes punishing gameplay.
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Those that want to see and experience the roots of the genre can download the title for free from the PlayStation store and load it up on their PS5. It may not be the most graphically intensive game (especially by today’s standards) but it still maintains a level of visual charm that makes it instantly recognizable for most battle royale fans.
Fall Guys
Initially launching with a price tag, Fall Guys eventually went free-to-play, which was the best move the game could have done. The battle royale genre is oversaturated, but Mediatonic’s title is a wildly different beast than the likes of Fortnite and PUBG. Rather than be a third-person shooter set in a forever shrinking map, Fall Guys consists of essentially obstacle courses. 60 players compete in a series of mini-games as they try to make the cut for the next round, with the ultimate goal to be the last jelly bean standing.
The clever premise is matched by charming visuals and a lighthearted tone that makes rounds fun regardless of whether someone survives or not. Fall Guys is accessible to all ages, and both kids and adults are likely to get a kick out of its wacky but competitive gameplay loop. The mini-games are also varied enough to ensure things do not get repetitive too quickly.
World Of Warships: Legends
Those looking to take their warfare gameplay to the high seas should definitely check out World of Warships. The free-to-play title has been going strong since 2015 and features some interesting tactical and skill-based gameplay where players use a variety of ships in a PvP format that has players battling against one another in a variety of water-logged locations. Much like World of Tanks, players will have the opportunity to pilot some real-life and inspired military vehicles.
World of Warships can be a ton of fun for players that are looking for some PvP vehicle-based combat that is different from the norm.
Rec Room
Players that are craving something a bit more social and open-ended can download the free-to-play Rec Room. This game begins in a hub-like area where players are free to explore before heading out on an adventure into a world filled to the brim with all sorts of games. There are quite a few entertaining and engaging pre-made games that players can enjoy, including things like Soccer, Paintball, Paddleball, and Bowling.
But what really makes Rec Room shine are the user-generated rooms and adventures. Here, players are free to let their imaginations run wild, creating hangout spaces or games for other users to join and enjoy. Players are free to enjoy a variety of games in 3D or even VR-based gameplay.
Brawlhalla
Super Smash Bros. might not be available outside of Nintendo’s ecosystem, but there are some other options out there for those who don’t own a Switch. Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl made its debut to a decent enough reception and will undoubtedly attract fans of Avatar: The Last Airbender, Spongebob, and company; however, over the last few years, Brawlhalla has established itself as one of the definitive Smash alternatives.
A platform fighter with a solid roster of Legends, including Rayman, Brawlhalla’s combat should be instantly recognizable for Smash alumni, although the free-to-play game is not lacking in novel features. For example, movement is a touch less restrictive in Brawlhalla. For those looking to engage in a fun platform fighter, they can do much worse than this title. As only a select few fighters are free, it might be worth investing in the “All Legends Pack” to unlock all the characters.
Splitgate
Take Halo and mix in a bit of Portal and the result would be Splitgate. Comparing something to either of those two classics is a recipe for disappointment, but Splitgate somehow makes it work, delivering a fun first-person shooter with a neat central mechanic. Focusing solely on the gunplay, Splitgate gets the basics right: its combat rewards skill, the weapons locker is diverse, and there is some balancing in place. Even without the portals, Splitgate is an above-average multiplayer shooter.
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The portals just take it up a few more notches, adding a unique strategic element to team play. While the gunplay is immediately accessible, the portals introduce a learning curve that makes repeat matches more rewarding.
Super Animal Royale
With so many battle royale games on the market, it has become difficult to get excited about any newcomer to the genre. Super Animal Royale is worth making an exception for. Played from an overhead 2D angle, Pixile Studios’ game is essentially a twin-stick shooter, albeit one that pits 64 adorable creatures against each other in vicious battles to the death.
Matches move at a blistering pace and someone could meet their demise within seconds of dropping in the park. So, don’t be fooled by the cute art, Super Animal Royale is cutthroat. Luckily, the game is fun enough to override the frustration from a quick loss.
Fortnite
Epic Games’ Fortnite has never looked better than it does on the PlayStation 5. The game offers DualSense controller support, which creates immersion like no other controller. Loading times are faster, and the game plays in a targeted 4K at 60 frames per second.
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Moreover, the split-screen multiplayer offers 60 fps support, providing an unprecedented experience for Fortnite. Fortnite continues to dominate the free-to-play scene, despite having been released way back in 2017, and that seems unlikely to change anytime in the near future.
Apex Legends
After the proliferation of Fortnite on the online forefront, developer Respawn Entertainment answered back with Apex Legends. Respawn Entertainment’s battle royale game differs from Fortnite because it’s more focused on combat and doesn’t have a building component.
Matches have a 60-player count and pits teams of three against each other, pushing coordination and communication to the forefront. Apex Legends is also a first-person shooter, setting itself apart from Fortnite. Lastly, Respawn’s game classifies itself as a Hero Shooter, as it contains various characters who cater to different play styles.
Dauntless
Dauntless tends to be regarded as the free-to-play alternative to Monster Hunter, and while Phoenix Labs’ game shares similarities with Capcom’s franchise, it also does more than enough to differentiate itself. The PS5 version delivers a fast-paced action RPG with plenty of content. Slaying Behemoths is still the main focus, however, Dauntless has steadily added new elements to diversify the gameplay. Nowadays, combat is complemented with bouts of exploration, creating a more enjoyable and long-lasted overall experience.
The gameplay loop revolves around defeating Behemoths to collect the loot necessary to craft new items, and it should be able to keep most people coming back for me. Dauntless is also quite accessible as the combat is instantly satisfying and the difficulty level is paced well, however, the mechanics have depth and need to be properly mastered once players face off against the harder Behemoths.
Smite
While it has yet to be released on current-gen consoles, Smite is available on the PlayStation 4, meaning PlayStation 5 owners can play the MOBA. From developers Hi-Rez Studios and Titan Forge Games, Smite is one of the most addicting free-to-play games on the market.
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In Smite, players control gods or goddesses from a third-person angle. With unique abilities and team-based combat, players must work together to win multiple PVP modes. It’s no wonder why Smite has dominated eSports for so long.
Enlisted
A military shooter set in World War 2, Enlisted might not look all that unique or impressive at first glance, but the free-to-play has developed nicely since its debut in early 2021. In its beta phase, Enlisted’s unique feature is that it puts players in charge of a squad or vehicle, pairing first-person gameplay with man management in the form of issuing instructions to the AI soldiers. This twist adds a distinct dimension to battles that helps set Enlisted apart from other WW2 games on the market.
Featuring more than 20 classes and a variety of maps split across five campaigns, Enlisted is still growing, with the developers frequently releasing updates and improvements. That said, this is quite a grindy game, especially for those who don’t invest in the premium packs.
Spellbreak
Ever wanted to become a battlemage in a battle royale game? Spellbreak places players in a large-scale multiplayer arena, inspiring them to unleash their inner mages by coordinating with teammates.
This game has role-playing game elements but is largely considered a battle royale game. Spellbreak plays homage to retro games like Unreal Tournament and Quake but brings enough to the table to distinguish itself. There are certainly more popular free games on the PS5, but Spellbreak is a unique alternative for those looking to add a bit of magic to their play sessions.
War Thunder
Taking its beta stage into account, War Thunder has been around for nearly a decade, although it made its official debut in 2016. Now available on nearly every console not called the Nintendo Switch, War Thunder is arguably the premium vehicular combat game on the market, and that extends beyond just free-to-play titles.
Through its wide range of modes, War Thunder offers something for just about everyone, regardless of whether they yearn for a realistic or more casual experience. Since its inception, War Thunder has blossomed into a far more ambitious title, one that seeks to capture the feel of being on a battlefield.
Genshin Impact
There are only a handful of role-playing games that are free-to-play. Genshin Impact is rapidly becoming one of the most popular free-to-play games of all time. The game is story-based, but it includes a multiplayer and single-player mode.
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To make Genshin Impact stand out even more from the crowd, it is an open-world game. The endgame has been criticized, but the gameplay and freedom of exploration are phenomenal. Genshin Impact made its way to the PlayStation 5 on April 28, 2021, and updates are constantly being released for the game. There is already a ton to do in Genshin Impact and this universe will only expand further in the future.
Knockout City
Dodgeball – that basically summarizes this project. Knockout City transitioned into a full free-to-play experience in June 2022, a decision that helped revitalize interest in the game since it had lost quite a bit of momentum since its 2021 launch. While it will probably never attract Rocket League numbers, Knockout City has a decent playerbase at the moment, and the 2022 Summer season might be the best time to jump into this title.
Injecting the basic concept of dodgeball with a healthy helping of over-the-top mayhem, Knockout City succeeds in being accessible and simultaneously deep. In matches, team compete to try and knock each other out using a variety of ball types, each of which can take a while to master.
Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodhunt
After more than a decade of inactivity in the gaming industry, the World of Darkness series has recently made a big return, producing a range of titles across a spectrum of genres. Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodhunt is the franchise’s take on battle royales, and it does an impressive job of blending that concept’s conventions with ideas unique to the franchise. For the most part, Bloodhunt sticks to the same structure as most battle royales out there: be the last vampire (or team) standing while avoiding the constantly shrinking map.
As strong as those fundamentals are, Sharkmob refreshingly opts to shake up a few things. Bloodhunt incorporates a PVE aspect that comes with an ingenious risk and reward balance. The game utilizes a clan/class system that diversifies the combat since players have access to an arsenal of progressively improving powers to complement the loot drops. These things combine to create a familiar but singular experience in an oversaturated genre that could use a touch more creativity.
Paladins
Basically the Overwatch of the free-to-play game world, Paladins is an online hero shooter that is playable on the PlayStation 4, meaning it can be booted up on the PS5. It is set in a world called “Realm,” a science-fiction fantasy universe with medieval and futuristic themes. There are two factions, meaning two teams that players can play as. The matches are goal-oriented, and the two competing teams battle it out with five players.
A wide array of game modes like Siege, Onslaught, Team Deathmatch, and Ranked give Paladins tremendous replay value. Furthermore, the Hero Shooter offers quite a bit of customization options, permitting users to adapt the characters to their preferences.
Warframe
Warframe continues to be one of the most played free-to-play games because of its abundance of content. The PlayStation 5 version was ported in November 2020. Developer Digital Extremes has pumped more content into the game post-launch than possibly any other of its type.
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The game’s structure revolves around completing quests and upgrading the Warframe armor set. With an in-game currency called Platinum, players can upgrade and customize their spaceship and trade with other players. The clan features of Warframe are exceptional.
Yu-Gi-Oh! Master Duel
Be it as a trading card game, manga, or anime, Yu-Gi-Oh! has been a fixture of pop culture for more than two decades. The license has produced plenty of games, most of which flew under the radar or were not even released in Western nations. Master Duel is Konami’s most recent attempt to perfect the formula, and it is a solid representation of the franchise.
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The free-to-play title does away with distractions like a story – this is a pure digital trading card game. Master Duel lives up to its title in the fact that it does not simplify the franchise’s mechanics; newcomers to the series might find themselves overwhelmed with the options and rules, although a tutorial that goes over the basics is included.
World Of Tanks
World of Tanks might seem similar to War Thunder on the surface, but the vehicular combat games play quite differently. While the latter is more of a sim, the former opts for an arcade-style experience. Consequently, the gameplay is quicker-paced and easier to get into, although which game is better will depend on a player’s preferences.
Featuring six game modes, World of Tanks’ loop generally involves players dropping into a large battlefield consisting of two armies. With some modes focusing on short battles, World of Tanks has a pick-up-and-play quality to it that allows the MMO to stand apart from many other entries in the genre.
Rogue Company
When it comes to multiplayer shooters, the free-to-play scene is not lacking in representatives, which might explain why Rogue Company tends to slip through the cracks. While not exactly breaking new ground, First Watch Games’ tactical shooter offers a confident and comforting experience.
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Featuring a solid roster of playable characters called Rogues, teams duke it out on a map as they attempt to complete goals. The combat is enjoyable, the visuals are colorful, and Rogue Company has personality to spare.
Destiny 2
Developer Bungie’s online-only multiplayer first-person shooter made its way to PlayStation 5 with free next-gen upgrades. The free-to-play version of Destiny 2, referred to as Destiny 2 New Light, contains most of the game’s content before Destiny 2: Shadowkeep, one of the game’s major expansions.
Destiny 2 has been free-to-play since the last video game console generation, and it continues to be a phenomenal shooter on the PS5 at no cost. Please note, Destiny 2’s free version does not contain all that much content or variety, so it is more like a sample of what to expect rather than a full, satisfying package.
Phantasy Star Online 2: New Genesis
Phantasy Star Online 2: New Genesis is not available natively on the PS5, but the PS4 version will get the job done. For close to a decade, PSO2 was restricted to Japan, but the game eventually garnered a Western release along with a new subtitle (and widespread changes). New Genesis revamps the base game to create something that feels more in line with modern MMORPGs, while still retaining the classic Phantasy Star Online rhythm and feel.
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This JRPG is a massive game that is overflowing with quests, mechanics, and lore. Real-time combat is built upon a diverse weapon system, and the game also has mechanics designed specifically to promote exploration. Unlike the original PSO2, New Genesis is open-world, and it is among the better free-to-play options to take on that subgenre. Sega’s release has a lengthy campaign, enjoyable gameplay, and good visuals, making it one of the better free MMOs on PS4 (and PS5).
Rocket League
Now that Rocket League has joined the free-to-play club, it is one of the industry’s most-played games. It’s a vehicular soccer game that has been called a blend of racing, soccer, basketball, and hockey.
With steadier framerates, playing Rocket League on PlayStation 5 might give people a competitive edge. While a native PlayStation 5 version has yet to be released, that will deter only a few from hopping into this sports phenomenon via backward compatibility.
Every Game Coming Out In 2023 (And Beyond)
Free-to-play games are just a drop in the bucket that is the PS5’s library, especially when the console’s upcoming games are taken into account. Spread across the PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and PC there are hundreds of games set to come out in the near (or far) future. For those people contemplating which titles they should spend their hard-earned cash on, these schedulers should help:
Every Video Game Release Coming Soon For PS5 And PS4 Every Video Game Release Coming Soon For Xbox Series X|S And Xbox One Every Video Game Release Coming Soon For Nintendo Switch Every Video Game Release Coming Soon For PC
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