7 Best Free Games to Play on Sony PS5

Video game consoles are expensive. To take home a PlayStation 5, you’ll need to pay $450 for the minimum entry fee. While there was probably at least one game that made you buy the system in the first place, the other games on the market are expensive, with many of them costing $70 at checkout.

And the game you bought with the system – even if it’s a super long game like Horizon Forbidden West, Assassin’s Creed Valhalla or Metaphor: ReFantazio – will eventually feel old enough that you’ll want something new. But you don’t have to drop another wad of money to find something fun right away.

This is where free games come into play. There are tons of them. Many of them are still pretty forgotten, but there are a few gems that are worth the time invested. Most of these games offer in-game purchases in the form of additional characters, outfits and feature enhancements, although the best free games allow you to play and enjoy a lot without spending a dime.

Here are our favorite free games for PlayStation 5 right now.

(Editor’s Note: All of the games on this list are traditional “Web2” games with no crypto elements. However, if you’re looking for a compelling crypto game for PS5, From the net just launched in Early Access and could be a future contender for this list.)

Astro’s Playroom

In the past, gaming consoles often came with a pack-in game to make the purchase a few hundred dollars sweeter. That’s not usually the case anymore, but Sony has included a free game with its latest console that you won’t want to miss.

Astro’s Playroom is a small but fun game that highlights the capabilities of the PlayStation 5 and the DualSense controller, showcasing features like resistance triggers and haptic feedback. But more than that, it’s also a fun, cute little game that takes you through the history of the PlayStation.

If you like it, developer team Asobi recently released a full-fledged game in the same vein called Astro Bot, which received generally rave reviews. Astro’s Playroom is also a complete package – you don’t have to buy anything extra here, even if you want to.

The finale

The Finals is an online multiplayer first-person shooter whose action is a kind of virtual tournament. Teams of three players go onto a map, often themed after a city or a specific environment, and are tasked with conquering, for example, a point in the locale.

The highlight, however, is that almost everything on the map is destructible. If there is someone on the other side of a wall you want to penetrate, just throw a grenade and start shooting. Of course, this can also apply to you. It brings a new kind of creativity to an often tired genre.

Fortnite

Sure, everyone and their little brother plays Fortnite. But there’s a reason for that. Take it from someone who has resisted the hype for a few years and now plays it at least three nights a week. It helps if you have a sibling or a few friends to play with, but a competitive spirit goes a long way too.

Fortnite isn’t just a battle royale shooter: it’s a constantly evolving game. Weapons rotate in and out every few months, and there are exciting ways to get around the map like Spider-Man Gloves, Iron Man Boots, Cyberpunk Swords, and Attack on Titan Omni-Gear to keep things varied . Weapons and cars are moddable, new modes appear regularly, and there’s also bonus content like the Fortnite Festival, Rocket Racing, and tons of user-created ways to play the game.

Genshin Impact

Sure, your friends with Nintendo Switch consoles might enjoy The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom. But if you have a PlayStation, the next best thing is Genshin Impact, a free-to-play, anime-style action RPG that emphasizes exploration. The game has hundreds of hours of content, including a special campaign that you can play yourself.

Path of Exile

Path of Exile is an isometric always online action game in the style of the Diablo series. There are many ways to spend money on this if you want, but you can also finish the campaign without spending a cent if you want. The game features an intimidatingly large skill tree, giving you almost limitless options if you enjoy tinkering with character classes and builds.

The Sims 4

However, not every game has to include guns, swords and fighting. Launched a few years ago, The Sims 4 is a free-to-play game available on a variety of consoles and platforms. The base game offers everything it offered upon release, allowing you to enjoy your digital life without spending anything. If you like it, EA offers plenty of extras, from expansions that add important features to item packs that just add new furniture.

Warframe

Warframe is a difficult game to explain. In its simplest form, it is a third-person action RPG with stealth elements. But since its release, the game has received massive support from its developer, with updates that have added tons of knowledge to consume and explore. The game features extensive customization options for your Warframe – essentially a biomechanical ninja suit – and fun combat mechanics, including a fan-favorite sprint move.

Edited by Andrew Hayward