The Best Free-To-Play Games On The PlayStation 5 (December 2023)

Free-to-play games are enticing options on the PlayStation 5, and this category of projects has drastically shifted in recent years. With the explosive popularity of titles like Fortnite and Genshin Impact, many games are adopting a free-to-play formula.

The greatest free-to-play titles 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.

A few popular PS4 games will be included since they can be played on the PS5.

Updated December 18, 2023 by Mark Sammut: The Game Awards was not only a fun show, but it also brought another free-to-play game to the PS5 library.

Astro’s Playroom

Metascore: 83

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.

The Finals

Metascore: 81 (PC)

Although it had been coming for a while, The Finals unexpectedly launched during the Game Awards, offering PS5 owners another first-person shooter they can play for free. The multiplayer market for these types of games is oversaturated, but Embark’s title does enough to set itself apart from the crowd. Matches are presented as showcases on a competitive TV show, and the game has essentially two modes that play somewhat differently.

One of the options pits four teams against each other as they try to accumulate cash, which involves transporting money to a specific location. This comes in different flavors since The Finals offers both ranked and casual versions. While taking inspiration from popular PvP modes of the past, this take is still fairly unique for the genre, even if it has some issues that will hopefully be ironed out over the coming months. Bank it is somewhat similar, although it is a bit more of a free-for-all.

The Finals has all the potential to become a staple of the online scene, and it will hopefully be around for a long time. The combat and movement are generally fine, although players might want to tweak the settings to find a responsiveness that feels good to them. They should also try all three classes since they play very differently from each other. Along with decent gunplay, the game heavily emphasizes destructible environments, a feature that allows for a more tactical and experimental approach.

Naraka: Bladepoint

Metascore: 71 (PC)

Initially a premium product, Naraka: Bladepoint transitioned to a free-to-play model in July 2023, which happened to coincide with its PS5 launch. Battle royale games are not only a dime-a-dozen but also inescapable in the free scene, but 24 Entertainment’s title does an admirable job of distinguishing itself from its competitors. For one, the combat focuses on close-quarter fights rather than ranged battles, with the gameplay sharing more in common with character action games than first or third-person shooters. Naraka: Bladepoint‘s two maps are both gorgeous and reasonably large without venturing into excess territory.

Matches can be played solo or as part of a trios team, and both versions are enjoyable in their own right. The game also comes with a few different modes in order to keep things diverse and interesting. While players can create their own characters, Naraka also takes inspiration from hero shooters through the implementation of characters, each of which comes with unique abilities. There is even a progression system that allows players to level up their chosen hero.

Omega Strikers

Metascore: 79 (PC)

After building momentum for a couple of months, Omega Strikers finally made its full debut in April 2023, first on mobile, Switch, and PC before expanding to other consoles. Dropping players in 3v3 soccer-style contests while taking inspiration from genres like MOBAs, Omega Strikers is a gloriously over-the-top sci-fi sports romp with colorful characters, fairly quick matches, and decent depth to its core mechanics. Fundamentally, the free PS5 game is quite solid, and things are likely to continue to improve since the project has enjoyed a rather successful launch.

These smaller releases can, at times, be difficult to recommend since there is always a chance they will be dead within a few weeks’ time; fortunately, Omega Strikers has largely survived this initial storm. While PS5 numbers are not available, the game is pulling very good figures on Steam, which is typically a decent reflection of its overall popularity.

Path Of Exile

Metascore: 86 (PC)

Released for the PS4 and playable on the PS5, Path of Exile is a free-to-play RPG that is frankly too good to not be a premium product. Although players can interact and form parties, most of the game’s main content can be readily tackled solo. In fact, someone could easily treat the RPG as a single-player experience reminiscent of something like Diablo 2.

Offering an impressive range of classes, build and customization options, and great world-building, PoE is an expansive game that can stand alongside most $60+ entries in the genre. Narratively, players find themselves stuck on an island inhabited by ancient gods, whom they naturally must kill if they want to make it back to civilization.

Call Of Duty: Warzone 2.0

Metascore: 79

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.

The Sims 4

Metascore: 66

Debuting in 2014 as a premium product, EA’s The Sims 4 went free-to-play toward the end of 2022. By that point, one has to assume that if a person was interested in the social life simulator, they would have already taken the plunge; however, the game saw a resurgence following this shift.

As successful as the title has been, The Sims 4 has also garnered its share of criticism over the years, with some long-time fans viewing the sequel as a step back from its predecessors. That said, the project still has plenty of positives and the free version contains quite a bit of content, even if it does not include the expansions.

PUBG: Battlegrounds

Metascore: 72

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 who 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

Metascore: 81

Initially launching with a price tag, Fall Guys eventually went free-to-play, which was the best move the game could have made. 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 of being 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.

Brawlhalla

Metascore: N/A

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.

Super Animal Royale

Metascore: 73 (Switch)

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

Metascore: 78

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

Metascore: 89

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 pit 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

Metascore: 80

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

Metascore: 79

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.

War Thunder

Metascore: 76

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

Metascore: 81

There are only a handful of single-player role-playing games that are free, and Genshin Impact is one of the most popular free-to-play games of all time. The game is story-based and includes some multiplayer options, but it is largely intended to be played as a solo action RPG experience.

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To make Genshin Impact stand out even more from the crowd, it is an open-world game. The gameplay and freedom of exploration are phenomenal, and the game has grown exponentially since its debut. There is already a ton to do in Genshin Impact and this universe will only expand further in the future.

Honkai: Star Rail

Metascore: 80 (PC)

Sticking with HoYoverse, Honkai: Star Rail will likely appeal to most fans of Genshin Impact, although the free-to-play PS5 game is hardly a retread of the developer’s smash hit. Dipping into sci-fi territory, Honkai casts players as the Trailblazer, an agent who will find himself visiting a range of planets that each come with their own ecosystems, politics, and storylines. Naturally, the protagonists won’t be flying solo during these missions, and they will be accompanied by a couple of free characters along with a fairly robust selection of unlockables.

Similar to Genshin Impact, Honkai is a gacha game, so players will need to spin the wheel to acquire most of the characters (along with equipment). While this can be a time and money sink, the game dishes out rewards at a decent rate, and it is usually possible to play through the core content without having to invest any hard cash. HoYoVerse is also consistent with updates, so there is usually always something on the horizon to look forward to. At the moment, the campaign has three main zones/areas, all of which serve up mini-adventures. None of them are open-worlds or particularly expansive, but they provide some room for exploration.

Unlike Genshin Impact‘s real-time action, Honkai: Star Rail utilizes turn-based combat that takes inspiration from many JRPG masterpieces while still finding its own voice. Battles are visually stunning, and they tend to move at a quick pace. The system has nuances as well, especially since each character comes with unique strengths, weaknesses, and classes that need to be taken into account when forming a 4-member party.

Warframe

Metascore: 85

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.

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

Metascore: 80

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

Metascore: 80

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.

Cactus Cowboy – Plants At War

Metascore: N/A

The PS VR2 had a less-than-stellar launch in February 2023, a potential side effect of the PS5 companion piece launching at a high price. Sony will likely continue to push the hardware in the future, but the console needs to receive a significant boost in order to turn things around. At the moment, that does not appear to be happening. Anyone who picks up a PS VR2 will need to almost immediately invest further cash as the system does not have a robust selection of freebies. Cactus Cowboy – Plants At War is the exception, and it offers a respectable way to spend a couple of hours.

Betrayed by the bugs, the Cacti army is sent out to defend their home, an ambition that requires shooting a lot of enemies in the face. If it was not obvious by its silly premise, Cactus Cowboy does not take itself too seriously, at least in terms of tone and story; however, gameplay-wise, the title is more than good enough to warrant a download. A single-player experience with a story campaign, this package is charming and entertaining, making it a must-own for anyone with Sony’s virtual reality headset.

Phantasy Star Online 2: New Genesis

Metascore: N/A

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

Metascore: 85

Although initially a premium product, Rocket League eventually went free-to-play, a decision that further cemented the game as one of the industry’s most successful projects. 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.

Free-To-Play Episodes

Episodic releases are no longer as common as they were a few years ago, but the movement’s memory lingers on the PlayStation Store. Games like Life is Strange and Resident Evil Revelations 2 require a cash investment to be enjoyed in their entirety, and these releases typically have complete season packages that are a smarter purchase option than individual episodes; however, a number of these titles allow potential customers to play through their first chapters for free.

Most episodes last between 90 minutes and 2 hours, which is more than enough time for someone to decide whether they want to check out the rest of the story or not. Basically, these freebies are like long demos.

Demos

OK, demos are not the same as free PS5 games, but they do allow players to sample a sliver of content from a larger package to determine whether they might want to invest in the full title. Back during the PS1 era, Sony used to regularly include demos with games or release CDs containing a range of titles. Nowadays, this practice is no longer heavily advertised or common practice; however, it is not unusual for projects to upload demos to the PlayStation Store.

If someone is unsure whether they want to drop $60 (at a minimum) on an AAA game, they should check the store’s demos section to see if the title is part of the library. Admittedly, there is not a massive selection of options, but divisive games like Forspoken, Star Ocean: The Divine Force, Valkyrie Elysium, and Tormented Souls are part of the collection.

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:

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