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Who says you have to break the bank to play a great game on your PS5? These are the best PS5 games that are completely free to play, so long as you have the space on your console to download them. Some of these games might require a PS Plus subscription to play, so make sure you check the information when downloading them.
With so many options on the PS5, free games always seem to fill a niche. The likes of Fortnite, Apex Legends, and Genshin Impact are completely free games, but the rub is that most free games come with microtransactions, but they aren’t always necessary if you just want to play the game.
Make sure you check out our list of the best RPGS on PS5 and our list of the best action games on PS5. Without further ado, these are the best free PS5 games you can play right now:
Fortnite
Fortnite is arguably the game that popularised the Battle Royale game mode and made it available to everyone interested in playing it. Fortnite has been free since release, but there is a Battle Pass to buy which lets you get cosmetics and other things that aren’t entirely necessary to get enjoyment out of the game. Fornite has been upgraded for the PS5, making it one of the best to jump in and play if you fancy your luck in the BR. Since its launch, Fortnite has evolved beyond being a simple BR, there are different game modes, new events, in-game concerts, and so much more to do in Fortnite than just blasting your way to the last one standing.
Rocket League
If you happen to get sick of shooting people, you could instead play what might be one of the most frustratingly fun games out there. Rocket League went free-to-play in 2020 after being out for five years. As a free game, you still get the same experience as before and you can fight tooth and nail through ranked matches to earn your bragging rights. Rocket League is a fast-paced game that requires a ton of skill and no small amount of luck to master. The idea is simple; it’s cars playing football. If that sounds appealing to you, it’s one to check out if you happen to have a PS5 that needs some attention.
Destiny 2
Bungie made the entirety of Destiny 2 free-to-play back in 2019, giving everyone access to the main base game campaign, events, missions, and so much more to sink your teeth into. Destiny 2 does receive frequent updates and new expansions, but when you reach the end of the base game of Destiny 2, you will have to start paying for the expansions to access the new content. As it stands, the free-to-play parts of Destiny 2 cover the whole of that game up until the first expansion, which is a ton of content you can bash out with your friends or solo. If you want a new RPG shooter to sink hours into, Destiny 2 is the one for you.
The Sims 4
Since the Sims 4 has gone fully free-to-play, there’s never been a better time to play God in a video game. The entire base game of the Sims 4 is free, meaning you get access to all the base content for nothing. The problem is that there have been several updates and expansions since the game went free, which means you need to buy those expansion passes to access all the new content. Even though the expansions add a lot of content and new features, the base game experience of the Sims 4 is worth your time. Create yourself and some friends, build your house (using cheats to get unlimited money, of course) and then do your best to meddle in everyone’s lives.
Call of Duty Warzone
Call of Duty Warzone is CoD’s foray into the Battle Royale game mode. The maps are extremely large and the time to kill is super fast. While there is something to be said about Warzone’s simple aims, the game itself can be a bit confusing at first. Those of you who are used to Apex might be a bit lost, but Warzone still offers a solid core FPS experience. The best part is being able to team up with your friends and tackle the challenges together. The biggest downside to Warzone is the gargantuan download size it requires and the inflated size of all its patches. If you have the storage space, drop in to see how you fare.
Fall Guys
Fall Guys is a fantastically frustrating party game that you and your friends can tackle together. If you’ve ever watched TV shows like Total Wipeout or Takeshi’s Castle, then you will want to give Fall Guys a try. This game is the videogame version of those challenge shows, putting you and a huge group of other players against tough obstacle courses and other challenges. Be warned, the game is adorable and colourful, but if you’re quick to rage you might not enjoy yourself as much due to how troll-worthy the courses are, not to mention how annoying the other players can be. It’s a blast, and free, so why not give it a go next time you’re looking for something to play?
Apex Legends
Apex Legends is another game that started as a simple Battle Royale and has evolved considerably since its launch. As of 2023, Apex Legends has a new team deathmatch mode and more PVP game modes than just the Battle Royale. That said, the hero-shooter style of Apex Legends lends itself incredibly well to the BR formula, and it is arguably the best out there. The gunplay is fantastic, the movement is beyond satisfying, and the looting is streamlined and intuitive. Apex Legends is only getting better, and it receives monthly updates with new maps, Legends, and cosmetics. The best part about Apex Legends’ free-to-play model is that if you buy the Battle Pass, you can earn enough of the in-game currency to buy the next Battle Pass, which is one of the least offensive ways of handling one. If you want a team-based FPS that will challenge and reward you, Apex is the one for you and your friends.
Genshin Impact
Genshin Impact might get a bad rep for being a particularly predatory gacha game, but despite this, the base experience can be enjoyed thoroughly without paying any money at all. It’s a massive open-world RPG adventure, and it is an incredibly fun and thought-out game. The characters are excellent, the quests are engaging, and the music is phenomenal. The main way Genshin persuades you to spend money is with its new characters. To get them, you need to use an in-game currency called Primogems to pull for characters, and there is only a small per cent chance of getting them. With that said, you can earn Primogems in-game at a respectable rate, so you never have to spend any money. Do yourself a favour and dip your toe into the fantastical world of Teyvat.
There are more free games on the PS5, but these take the cake when it comes to the best. If you want to dive into any of these, they are all fairly low obligation and can be a great way to spend an evening.