Gaming can be an expensive hobby, whether you’re buying a new console, or forking out that eye-watering $70 price tag for a new triple-A release. But it doesn’t always need to be that way, as there are a plethora of free-to-play games on the market, especially on thePlayStation 5. Free-to-play games have become all the rage in recent years, with in-game microtransactions the predominant way for studios to recoup (and profit, of course) the cost of development.
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Thankfully, most of the popular free-to-play titles, such asFortniteorApex Legends, don’t offer pay-to-win microtransactions. Instead, you’re free to spend at your own leisure on cosmetic commodities such as character skins, weapon wraps, emotes, and more. If you’ve just picked up a shiny new PlayStation 5, or you’re a long-time gamer looking for something new that won’t break the bank, here are the best free-to-play games on the PlayStation 5.
10Warframe
A Plethora Of Content To Discover
Over ten years later,Warframecontinues to be one of the best free-to-play multiplayer ARPG shooters around. This sci-fantasy game sees players take control of the Tenno, an ancient race of warriors who have awoken after centuries to find themselves at war with other factions.
Warframe features a wide array of fully customizable Warframes to choose from. Each has its own unique abilities that will allow players to fight exactly how they wish. There are also vast open worlds to explore, a plethora of different weapons to acquire, and exceptional ninja-style combat so you can jump, leap, slide, and glide your way along the battlefield.
9Disney Speedstorm
Race With Some Iconic Disney Characters
Disney Speedstorm is akart-racing gamelike no other. With high-speed circuits based on various Disney and Pixar worlds, you can pick from a wide selection of Disney characters (each one coming with their own unique abilities) and take to the tracks in a high-octane race against AI, or with friends, in various online multiplayer modes.
With new content updates released regularly, Disney Speedstorm is a constantly evolving racing game that won’t cost you a penny to play.
There aren’t exactly an abundance of free-to-play racing games on the market right now, especially not ones filled with iconic Disney characters. With new content updates released regularly, Disney Speedstorm is a constantly evolvingracing gamethat won’t cost you a penny to play.
Disney Speedstorm
8Astro’s Playroom
Tech Demos Shouldn’t Be This Good
This magical little game comes pre-installed on every PlayStation 5, so there’s no excuse for not playing it.
Astro’s Playroomis essentially a tech demo for the PS5’s DualSense controller. The aim is to showcase the capabilities and features of the controller, such as the adaptive triggers, haptic feedback, gyro controls, and more through this quirky little platformer game.
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As you make your way through four different worlds, you’ll find an abundance of PlayStation-themed Easter eggs too, celebrating Sony’s consoles through the years. Astro’s Playroom is the ultimate starter game for any PlayStation 5 owner, and not a game that you should dismiss simply because it’s free.
Astro’s Playroom
7Fall Guys
Endless Fun, Especially With Friends!
After the rise of theBattle Royale genre, developer Mediatonic opted to put a unique spin on the genre when they releasedFall Guysback in 2020. Forget the guns and violence — Fall Guys is all about making your way through a variety of zany obstacle courses to come out on top. you may jump, grab, climb, and slide your way to victory. And, as there are no complicated gameplay mechanics, almost anyone can get in on the action!
Forget the guns and violence — Fall Guys is all about making your way through a variety of zany obstacle courses to come out on top.
As Fall Guys continued to grow over the years, Mediatonic recently introduced the ability for players to create and publish their own courses. Alongside the large number of courses already available, players can now try out a wide range of fan-made creations for endless fun. Plus, with cross-play, you’re able to play with your friends on any platform.
6The Finals
A Frantic And Vibrant First-Person Shooter
This vibrant and fast-paced first-person shooter took the gaming world by storm when it was released last year.
The Finalsis a team-based game with a massively destructible environment. With colorful dynamic maps, players will need to use the environment to their advantage as they collect money and deposit it into constantly moving banks around the map.
The theme of The Finals revolves around a group of competitors in a virtual game show, which means the pressure is on to perform at your best. If you’re looking for something quick, fun, and chaotic, The Finals has become a huge hit in thefirst-person shooter genre.
The Finals
5Destiny 2
A Grind You Just Can’t Quit
If you’re a lover of games that make you work for your rewards,Destiny 2is the game for you. Developed by Bungie, this free-to-play first-person shooter is jam-packed with content. Not only is there a plethora of PvP and PvE content, but Destiny 2 also features a rich story with some of the best persistent storytelling in gaming.
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I’ll be there for you, when bullets start to fly.
As a live-service game that continues to dominate the gaming industry, players can expect a steady stream of free content updates, filled with new weapons, armor, rewards, story content, and more. There’s also a large number of planets and locations to explore and conquer — whether you opt to go into battle alone or with your friends is up to you. Either way, Destiny 2 is a game that is easy to get lost in.
4Apex Legends
Fast-Paced Chaos At Its Finest
Titanfall fans, this one’s for you.
Apex Legendsis a free-to-play Battle Royale-hero shooter. With new season updates released every 2-3 months, developer Respawn Entertainment regularly releases new Legends for fans to play as. And you don’t need to spend a penny to get them. Each Legend comes with its own unique abilities and style, and with 25 different characters to choose from at the time of writing, there’s something for everyone, no matter your playstyle.
Apex Legends has stayed as one of the most consistent and most-loved games in the Battle Royale genre.
Apex Legends has stayed as one of the most consistent and most-loved games in the Battle Royale genre. With constant balance adjustments, map changes, and massive events, there’s never a dull moment in the world of Apex Legends.
Apex Legends
3Call Of Duty: Warzone
Drop-In For Kills And Thrills
Warzonemight not have beenCall of Duty’s first swing at a Battle Royale game, but it’s certainly its best. With constant updates, new maps, modes, weapons, operators, and so much more constantly being released, Warzone has become a staple of the Battle Royale genre.
Unlike many of the other Battle Royale titles on this list, Warzone has something unique going for it. To coincide with the release of each mainline Call of Duty game, Warzone is fully integrated into the latest release. This means all of your weapons, operators, cosmetic items, and battle pass progress will be shared between the two games. The ability to switch between Multiplayer, Zombies, and Warzone, all while continuing your progress, keeps things fresh and interesting.
If you’re looking for a fast-paced, realistic Battle Royale, there’s no better game to go for than Call of Duty: Warzone.
Call of Duty: Warzone
2Genshin Impact
An Open-World RPG Of Epic Proportions
Coming in just shy of the number one spot isGenshin Impact, a powerhouse of the ARPG genre. With crossplay support across mobile, PC, and PlayStation, Genshin Impact lets players team up with their friends to discover an electrifyingly gorgeous open world, filled with mysteries and a fantasy adventure unlike any other.
With well over 67 million players each month, Genshin Impact is one of gaming’s biggest free-to-play games.
There are a massive 70+ characters currently available, each with their own unique abilities and combat styles. But the fun doesn’t stop there, as this free-to-play game still receives a steady stream of free content updates regularly. With well over 67 million players each month (according toactiveplayer), Genshin Impact is one of gaming’s biggest free-to-play titles.
Genshin Impact
More Than Just A Battle Royale
It shouldn’t come as much of a surprise to seeFortniteas the best free-to-play game on the PlayStation 5. Since its release in 2017, Epic Games has turned Fortnite into one of the biggest games of all time, and it won’t cost you a penny. Although Fortnite is best known for its hugely popular and ever-evolving Battle Royale mode, recent updates have seen the launch of LEGO Fortnite, Rocket Racing, and Fortnite Festival.
With such a wide selection of games under one title, Fortnite is undoubtedly the best free-to-play game around.
LEGO Fortnite is an open-world survival game in collaboration with the iconic toy line, while Rocket Racing comes from the team at Rocket League, bringing players a brand-new arcade racer within Fortnite. If that’s not enough for you, Fortnite Festival is a Rock Band-esque mode where you can jam to your favorite tracks. With such a wide selection of games under one title, Fortnite is undoubtedly the best free-to-play game around.
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