Not a lot of cash to build your PS5 collection? That’s not a problem.
So, you’ve finally managed to acquire a PS5 — now it’s just an issue of finding games to play. While different paid titles are all over, you might want to relax with something free to play if your budget is a little tight. So, we’ve rounded up the best PS5 games that can be played for free. There are a lot of shooters and cross-play games, but everyone can find something they’ll want to check out. Some are even being updated to take advantage of the DualSense haptic feedback and adaptive triggers.
Jump to:
- Astro’s Playroom
- Apex Legends
- Call of Duty: Warzone
- Dauntless
- Destiny 2
- Fortnite
- Genshin Impact
- Rocket League
- Warframe
Astro’s Playroom
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lu5VXrEqgco?modestbranding=0&html5=1&rel=0&autoplay=0&wmode=opaque&loop=0&controls=1&autohide=0&showinfo=0&theme=dark&color=red&enablejsapi=1]
Astro’s Playroom is a charming adventure title that takes players down a nostalgic trip of PlayStation hardware while showcasing the different advanced features of the DualSense controller. Best of all? It’s entirely free and comes preinstalled with your PS5.
Apex Legends
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ZpLbriJXvM?modestbranding=0&html5=1&rel=0&autoplay=0&wmode=opaque&loop=0&controls=1&autohide=0&showinfo=0&theme=dark&color=red&enablejsapi=1]
With Apex Legends, Respawn Entertainment took the lessons learned from two Titanfall games and carried it forward into a battle royale. Smooth first-person combat is mixed up with special character-based abilities, so the balance of what your team can do makes or breaks your chances at victory. New seasons are still being added, bringing additional characters, changes to the map, and more.
Apex Legends
Free at PlayStation
Respawn Entertainment’s first-person combat transitions beautifully to battle royale. Pick your favorite characters from a wide cast and compete in a fast-changing, team-based tournament where only one crew can become Legends.
Call of Duty: Warzone
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=62EFiBrUhEI?modestbranding=0&html5=1&rel=0&autoplay=0&wmode=opaque&loop=0&controls=1&autohide=0&showinfo=0&theme=dark&color=red&enablejsapi=1]
Call of Duty: Warzone is one of the biggest free-to-play battle royale games around, with 150-player matches available. You can hop in solo or with some friends, thanks to full cross-play support. Verdansk and Rebirth provide different experiences, but either way, you can expect frenetic action. The latest big updates for Call of Duty: Warzone bring together weapons and gear from Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War. Meanwhile, Raven Software is working on a new map and comprehensive anti-cheat system.
Call of Duty: Warzone
Free at PlayStation
This ongoing Call of Duty experience allows players to jump in and experience the latest guns and Operators. You can earn rewards through free items sprinkled into the Battle Pass, so you don’t have to pay anything to unlock neat cosmetics.
Dauntless
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zsRwq4SE7mA?modestbranding=0&html5=1&rel=0&autoplay=0&wmode=opaque&loop=0&controls=1&autohide=0&showinfo=0&theme=dark&color=red&enablejsapi=1]
Have you ever wanted to play Monster Hunter but in a bright, cartoon-like atmosphere? That’s where Dauntless comes in. You and your team of Slayers hunt down different Behemoths, with cross-play ensuring platforms aren’t a dividing factor. Upgrade your gear with newly crafted weapons and armor while working together.
Dauntless
Free at PlayStation
As a Slayer, take down the Behemoths threatening the world. Join guilds, use your rewards to craft new equipment, and enjoy this expansive free-to-play action RPG.
Destiny 2
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0-VAnh7r-_8?modestbranding=0&html5=1&rel=0&autoplay=0&wmode=opaque&loop=0&controls=1&autohide=0&showinfo=0&theme=dark&color=red&enablejsapi=1]
Destiny 2 is such an expansive shooter from Bungie that it borders on being an MMO at this point. As Guardians, defend the Last City on Earth against the Darkness and other threats. New expansions aren’t available for free, but the base version, referred to as New Light, allows you to try out Destiny 2’s Forsaken content and figure out if it’s your style of game.
Destiny 2: New Light
Free at PlayStation
Interested in seeing just what Destiny 2 is all about? You can try some free missions and side content included in the “New Light” base version. See the story of Forsaken through to its conclusion and get revenge for a dear friend.
Fortnite
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zp5kgIGJ72Y?modestbranding=0&html5=1&rel=0&autoplay=0&wmode=opaque&loop=0&controls=1&autohide=0&showinfo=0&theme=dark&color=red&enablejsapi=1]
Fortnite barely even warrants an introduction. It’s ingrained into popular culture at a level few other games can match. Crossover characters like Kratos from God of War or Marvel superheroes are added on a limited basis, and huge events shake up the map. Fortnite isn’t just battle royale — it’s a cultural icon.
Fortnite
Free at PlayStation
While you’ll be limited to the more basic skins and emotes, Fortnite doesn’t require you to spend anything if you just want to have fun trying to become the victor in 100-player battle royale matches.
Genshin Impact
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vv_JnSwFp0A?modestbranding=0&html5=1&rel=0&autoplay=0&wmode=opaque&loop=0&controls=1&autohide=0&showinfo=0&theme=dark&color=red&enablejsapi=1]
Genshin Impact has rapidly risen to become one of the best free PS5 games, with free content and new events constantly being added alongside a massive cast of characters to try and collect.
Genshin Impact
Free at PlayStation
You might not be able to get the characters you want easily, but if you’re okay rolling the dice on unlocks, you never need to spend a penny to enjoy the adventurous world of Genshin Impact.
Rocket League
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7InQ1ZhAEVk?modestbranding=0&html5=1&rel=0&autoplay=0&wmode=opaque&loop=0&controls=1&autohide=0&showinfo=0&theme=dark&color=red&enablejsapi=1]
Rocket League continues to grow with new seasons bringing constant updates for players to enjoy. The game also received an update allowing it to run at 120 FPS on PS5.
Rocket League
Free at PlayStation
It’s soccer meets cars. Rocket League is easy to understand but difficult to master, making it the perfect free game to try out if you’re looking for a multiplayer game where you don’t feel pressured to spend money.
Warframe
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8FDPBr-hyN4?modestbranding=0&html5=1&rel=0&autoplay=0&wmode=opaque&loop=0&controls=1&autohide=0&showinfo=0&theme=dark&color=red&enablejsapi=1]
Warframe places you in the role of Tenno, high-tech warriors who operate different Warframes. While it started small, this completely free-to-play sci-fi adventure has grown quite a bit thanks to Digital Extremes and is often considered a great alternative to Destiny 2.
Warframe
Free at PlayStation
Warframe isn’t your traditional looter-shooter, but its dedicated audience has grown tremendously over the past few years. That’s helped by the fact the entire game is free-to-play.
Have fun!
No matter what you choose to grab, there’s tons of fun to be had without spending anything. These expansive free-to-play games don’t demand extra cash to get hundreds of hours of fun, and there are always new events or content coming. If you haven’t got a new console yet, don’t despair — PS5 restocks are constantly happening, so while supply is limited, your chances of grabbing one will only go up as time goes on.
Load up
PlayStation Store Gift Card
- From $10 at Amazon
- From $10 at Best Buy
- From $10 at GameStop
Easy to stock up
PlayStation gift cards are an easy way to grab currency for games, add-ons, themes, and more on the PlayStation Store. They also come in a wide variety of denominations, and you can stock for microtransactions in free PS5 games.
