Best Free PS5 Games

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 want to adopt 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.

Updated April 6, 2025, by Mark Sammut: March ended up not featuring any notable free PS5 games, largely due to FragPunk delaying its console versions to an undisclosed point in the future. That news was a bit disappointing due to it coming out just a few days before the game was set to launch, but PlayStation 5 owners can always turn their attention to the many, many other freebies available in the store.

1

Marvel Rivals

A Marvelous Hero Shooter

Third-Person Shooter

Action

Multiplayer

Released

December 6, 2024

Developer(s)

NetEase Games

Pros & Cons

• Impressive Roster Of Heroes And Villains
• Familiar But Solid Gameplay

Hero shooters have been cold for a few years. However, the genre is still visible enough that one exciting release could turn the tide, and Marvel Rivals is shaping up to be that game. Obviously, the big-name license helps, but the presence of Spider-Man and The Hulk would not matter that much if they were trying to carry an otherwise underwhelming release. Fortunately, NetEase’s multiplayer game is built upon a strong foundation that wisely takes lessons from the best hero shooters of all time, primarily Overwatch.

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Marvel Rivals looks and plays great, offering conventional 6v6 matches that emphasize teamwork along with the three-class system. At launch, the game has three modes (Domination, Convoy, and Convergence) that are fairly typical for the genre, but they are enhanced by well-designed maps and 30+ recognizable characters who are quite well-defined.

2

Genshin Impact

Ambitious Open-World With Great Combat & Lot Of Content

RPG

Action

Adventure

Gacha

Open-World

Released

September 28, 2020

Pros & Cons

• Great Real-Time Combat
• Gorgeous World & Fun Exploration
• A Lot Of Content
• Free Characters Are Generally Enough For The Story

• Gacha Mechanics Can Be Frustrating

There are only a handful of single-player role-playing games that are free, and Genshin Impact is one of the most popular projects 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.

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.

3

Infinity Nikki

A Lovely Stroll

Adventure

Open-World

Dress-Up

RPG

Released

December 5, 2024

Developer(s)

Papergames

Pros & Cons

• Gorgeous Visuals
• Exploration Is The Priority
• So Many Great Outfits

Making the jump from mobile exclusivity to consoles and PC, Infinity Nikki is a glorious triumph and comfortably one of the best PS5 free games. Set in a beautiful open-world, Infold and Papergames’ project is a sight to behold even at the worst of times, and it runs pretty well considering its ambition and size. More importantly, the game is the definition of cozy, guiding players through a tension-free adventure that emphasizes exploration, wardrobe customization, and NPC interaction.

Regardless of whether someone is a long-time fan of the franchise or is donning their first outfit ever, Infinity Nikki should have something to offer them, as long as they are primarily craving a slow-life adventure with minimal combat and limited danger. Although it is still in its early days, Infinity Nikki seems like a free project that will be around for a long time.

4

Throne And Liberty

The Big 2024 MMORPG

Released

October 1, 2024

Developer(s)

NCSoft

Pros & Cons

• Shapeshift System
• Modern Take On Classic MMO Formula

The MMORPG genre can feel static. New entries are rare since they require such a substantial investment of time and money, all the while coming with a huge chance of failure. Not many releases succeed spectacularly, but the ones that do refuse to die and remain available in some form or another for potentially decades. Although still in its infancy, Throne and Liberty seems set to be a mainstay, offering an exciting modern take on the classic MMO formula found in titles like Lineage. Just to be crystal clear, this free PS5 game is very much a multiplayer experience, to the point that players will need to interact with others through guilds. That’s not to say Throne and Liberty does not support solo adventures, but they are not the default or extremely encouraged.

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Throne and Liberty manages a few impressive things that make it a worthwhile recommendation for both veteran and new MMO players. For one, the world is gorgeous and quite diverse, containing plenty of incredible vistas and cities. The map is essentially open-world, although it will take a while to gain access to everything. The combat comes with a bit of a learning curve, but it should eventually click; if it does not, players should try out a few different class combos as they can make a considerable difference. Finally, traversal revolves around the ability to shapeshift into various animals, a mechanic that is freeing and arguably the best part of the whole package.

5

Astro’s Playroom

A Celebration Of PlayStation’s History

Systems

Released

November 12, 2020

Developer(s)

Team Asobi

Pros & Cons

• Short But Sweet
• Tribute To PlayStation’s History

There is a perfect chance that Astro’s Playroom will be most people’s first PS5 game; after all, it comes installed on the console. Despite lasting roughly 3–4 hours, this 3D platformer is the best free PS5 game and one of the best pack-in titles ever. For the most part, Astro’s Playroom showcases the DualSense’s capabilities, with each of the four zones utilizing different gimmicks that emphasize the controller’s immersion and touch controls. Even all these years later, Team Asobi’s title arguably still makes the most impressive use of the DualSense.

Beyond functioning as a technical showcase, Astro’s Playroom is just a delightful love letter to PlayStation’s history. As players run through the vibrant and gorgeous zones, they will gradually unlock artifacts relating to a console generation and discover plenty of cute Easter Eggs. The gameplay is also pretty darn solid and goes through enough changes to remain interesting. The game even has a couple of spectacular boss fights.

6

Rocket League

The Perfect Short-Sessions Free Game

Pros & Cons

• Perfect Game For Short Play Sessions
• Awesome & Accessible Gameplay
• Can Enjoy Without Spending A Dime

Although initially a premium product, Rocket League eventually went free-to-play, a decision that further cemented it 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. On paper, this concept might sound ridiculous; in execution, it is fantastic. Arguably the best free PS5 game for quick sessions, Rocket League is the ultimate casual option, the type of game that someone can launch when they have 30 minutes to kill but no idea what to play. More often than not, they will have a fun time.

With steadier framerates, playing Rocket League on PlayStation 5 might give people a competitive edge. While a native PS5 version seems likely to never materialize, that should not deter players from giving this sports phenomenon a try via backward compatibility. It runs splendidly and looks pretty good for this sort of project.

7

Honkai: Star Rail

For Those Who Prefer Their Gacha With Turn-Based Combat

Pros & Cons

• Stylish Turn-Based Combat
• Each World Has A Well)-Defined Identity

• Gacha Mechanics Can Be Frustrating

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.

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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.

8

Smite 2

A New Era For The MOBA Genre

PS5 Release Date

January 14, 2025

Developer(s)

Titan Forge Games

ESRB

T For Teen Due To Alcohol Reference, Blood, Fantasy Violence, Mild Suggestive Themes

The sequel to 2014’s highly-successful MOBA, Smite 2 has led an uneven life so far, with the game entering open beta to a fairly divisive initial impression. In early 2025, the game made its free-to-play PS5 debut, which was a relatively big deal since Sony’s console does not have all that many native MOBAs in its library. For all its polarizing elements, Smite 2 has quite a few strengths in its favor, including a massive roster of gods and a combat system that managed to adapt its predecessor’s loop to a 3D perspective.

Now, Smite 2 is still very much a work in progress, and it has more than a few rough edges that will hopefully be removed over the coming months and years. If somebody is not a huge fan of MOBAs, they might not get too much of this sequel. Meanwhile, die-hard fans of the original title will find that Smite 2 retains quite a bit of its charm, but still has a unique identity that might or might not be for them.

9

Valorant

Riot’s Tactical Shooter Is Finally On Consoles

It took a while to happen, but Valorant finally made its PS5 debut in August 2024. Riot’s hero shooter has been a staple of the PC multiplayer scene for a few years by this point, and it is generally seen as a tactical alternative to something like Overwatch. For the most part, that is true, with the project implementing hero-shooter elements with a heavy focus on teamwork and fairly conventional gunplay.

4:07

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While obviously popular and somewhat accessible, Valorant has a pretty steep learning curve that can be off-putting at first. Players are expected to coordinate with their teammates, and people who decide to do their own thing will quickly find out that such actions are rarely rewarded. The agents are also quite diverse and require practice to master, so new players might need to spend some time trying out different characters to see which one fits them the best.

10

The Finals

Solid Gunplay & Environmental Destruction

Released

December 8, 2023

Developer(s)

Embark Studios

Pros & Cons

• Arena Destruction
• Teamwork

Although it had been coming for a while, The Finals unexpectedly launched during the 2023 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.

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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 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.

11

Warframe

Has Grown So Much Over The Last Decade

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 RPG post-launch than possibly any other of its type.

5:09

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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.

12

Naraka: Bladepoint

Battle Royale With Focus On Melee

Battle Royale

Action-Adventure

Released

August 11, 2021

Developer(s)

24 Entertainment, Thunder Fire Universe X Studio

Pros & Cons

• Great Melee Comabt For A Battle Royale
• Large Map
• Good Roster Of Playable Characters

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.

13

Path Of Exile

A Complete Isometric RPG That Is Free-Player Friendly

Released

October 23, 2013

Pros & Cons

• All-Around Fantastic Action RPG
• Very Free-Player Friendly
• Expansive Endgame
• PS5 Version Is Now Available

Released for the PS4 and ported natively to 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.

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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.

14

Call Of Duty: Warzone

COD Gunplay In A Battle Royale Setting

First-Person Shooter

Battle Royale

PS5 Release Date

November 16, 2022

Pros & Cons

• Great Twitch Gunplay
• Pretty Accessible

Call of Duty jumped on the battle royal bandwagon with Warzone, a free project that has been entering new seasons alongside the franchise’s mainline entries. As with every CoD, Warzone is either the greatest or worst game ever, depending on the person. In truth, Activision’s title is a mixed bag that shines in a few key areas. Now, technically, the first Warzone ended its run in 2023, with Warzone 2.0 becoming the franchise’s main battle royale. The latter launched in 2022 and is still going strong nowadays.

For one, Warzone is among the most polished battle royale games on the market. Due to being largely the same as the core releases, the gunplay is fast-paced and satisfying, ranking alongside Apex Legends as the genre’s best option in this area. Currently, there are various maps available, which provide a decent amount of variety. Warzone also has a couple of extra modes if someone wishes to step away from the standard and quite difficult battle royale.

15

Wuthering Waves

A Gacha RPG With Top-Notch Gameplay

Debuting on PC and mobile devices in May 2024, Wuthering Waves was not exactly “new” when it arrived on PS5. However, those extra months in the sun helped some of the original version’s rough edges, allowing for the PS5 iteration to be a notable improvement.

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For the uninitiated, Kuro Games’ project is an open-world gacha action RPG that can mostly be played in single-player. The current story will keep most people busy for roughly 20 hours or so, although it is not the most exciting or immersive campaign in existence. Wuthering Waves is simply fun to play, offering fast-paced combat that has a surprising amount of depth through different resonators, weapons, and echoes (which are, essentially, abilities). If nothing else, the game nails its movement both in and out of battle.

16

PUBG: Battlegrounds

Still A Big Name In The Battle Royale Scene

Pros & Cons

• Matches Are Still Challenging & Addictive
• PUBG Has Remained Active

PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds was, arguably, the first great battle royale release and was responsible for launching the genre into the massive space 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.

17

Fall Guys

Silly Competitive Fun

Battle Royale

Platformer

Action

Pros & Cons

• Silly Fun
• Vibrant Visuals

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.

18

Fortnite

The Definitive Battle Royale

Released

September 26, 2017

Pros & Cons

• Most Accessible Battle Royale
• Building Mechanics

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. Fortnite continues to dominate the free-to-play scene, despite having been released way back in 2017, and that seems unlikely to change anytime soon.

19

Apex Legends

Occasional Misfire Aside, Good Team-Based Battle Royale

Battle Royale

First-Person Shooter

Released

February 4, 2019

Pros & Cons

• Tight Gunplay
• Emphasizes Teamwork

• Updates Are Not Consistently Great

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 includes various characters who cater to different play styles.

20

Zenless Zone Zero

Gacha Hack & Slash Romp

Pros & Cons

• Fast-Paced & Fun Combat
• Fairly Short Stages Suitable For Quick Play Sessions
• Great Character Designs

• Gacha Mechanics Are Not For Everyone
• Repetitive, Especially When Compared To Genshin Or Honkai

July 2024’s first two weeks were jam-packed with huge free game launches. While Once Human is not on consoles at the moment, The First Descendant and Zenless Zone Zero are available on the PS5, and they are divisive in their own ways. However, the latter certainly enjoyed the more “positive” overall debut, even if it remains to be seen whether the project manages to stand alongside miHoYo’s other juggernaut IPs in the long run.

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Now, despite sharing a developer and gacha mechanics, Zenless Zone Zero is not that similar to Genshin Impact or Honkai: Star Rail. Unlike those two releases, ZZZ places far less emphasis on exploration; in fact, except for a small hub city, the game mostly consists of linear stages and battle arenas. There is no open-world like Genshin Impact or expansive cities like Honkai. To be clear, that is not meant as a criticism but only as a note to reframe expectations as, ultimately, ZZZ does its own thing.

Dropped into a post-apocalyptic hellscape, players take charge of a Proxy, who is essentially a leader who guides a team of Agents as they enter portals known as Hollows to clear them of Ethereals, which are the game’s enemies. Missions combine combat arenas and grid-style puzzles that slow down the pacing, and the latter can be divisive since they are nowhere near as enjoyable as standard fighting. Still, ZZZ showcases miHoYo’s familiarity with high-octane hack and slash combat, along with the developer’s tendency to prioritize team synergy. Unlocking and mastering different ZZZ characters will dominate most people’s time with the game.