PlayStation is a fantastic hub of some of the video games industry’s most beloved exclusives, as well as a popular, tiered subscription service via PS Plus. That said, there is a wealth of free-to-play PlayStation games that don’t require PS Plus for access to them.
PS Plus presents compelling arguments for why users should opt into free games on a regular basis. But, between games like Where Winds Meet, skate., and Palia, PlayStation’s suite of free-to-play games is likely to have something to suit almost everyone’s tastes—with or without PS Plus.
Where Winds Meet
Developed by Everstone Studio, Published by NetEase Games
Blending quite a few eclectic gameplay genres, Where Winds Meet defines itself as a Wuxia open-world action-adventure RPG. In essence, Where Winds Meet’s combat, visuals, and open world have had fans comparing it to games like Elden Ring, Naraka: Bladepoint, and Black Myth: Wukong.
It isn’t quite Soulslike combat, which has undoubtedly been a style of gameplay that the industry has leaned toward lately, but studios leaning away from a Souls-style now is a sign that hack-’n-slash and other means of action may be on the rise once more.
Where Winds Meet
- Released
-
November 14, 2025
- ESRB
-
Teen / Use of Alcohol, Violence, In-Game Purchases (Includes Random Items), Users Interact
- Developer(s)
-
Everstone Studio
- Publisher(s)
-
NetEase, Inc.
- Engine
-
Proprietary
- Multiplayer
-
Online Multiplayer, Online Co-Op
Marvel Rivals
Developed and Published by NetEase Games
If you’re a fan of PlayStation, Marvel, and competitive hero shooters, few games will be more captivating than Marvel Rivals. Plus, there have been multiple PlayStation-exclusive Marvel Rivals skins to enjoy, with the potential for more to come in the future. Meanwhile, fans can enjoy playing as the newly added Gambit and Rogue, who follow a highly anticipated Daredevil and will be succeeded next month by Deadpool.
Infinity Nikki
Developed by Papergames, Published by Papergames, Fearless, and Infold Games
The fifth installment in the Nikki series, Infinity Nikki is engrossing in its dress-up features that then bleed into subsequent gameplay mechanics. Gacha plays a role in the acquisition of certain clothing items, although such indulgences are not necessary, and playing completely free is possible with the numerous outfits available.
Infinity Nikki
- Released
-
December 5, 2024
- ESRB
-
T For Teen // Blood, Violence
- Developer(s)
-
Papergames, Infold Games
- Publisher(s)
-
Papergames, Infold Games, Fearless
- Engine
-
Unreal Engine 5
Honkai: Star Rail
Developed by miHoYo, Published by miHoYo, Nijigen Games, 3T Online, and HoYoverse
In miHoYo’s free-to-play role-playing gacha game Honkai: Star Rail, a lot of the fun comes from assembling teams and kits. And, if painstakingly contemplating whether to invest in Genshin Impact, Honkai: Star Rail, or Zenless Zone Zero (all of which are free to play), there is a ton of room to explore what parts of each game fans might prefer before they settle on their gacha game of choice, as they’re all quite distinct.
Honkai: Star Rail
9/10
- Released
-
April 26, 2023
- ESRB
-
Teen / Fantasy Violence, Mild Suggestive Themes, Simulated Gambling, In-Game Purchases (Includes Random Items), Users Interact
- Developer(s)
-
HoYoverse (Formerly miHoYo)
- Publisher(s)
-
HoYoverse (Formerly miHoYo)
- Engine
-
Unity
Fortnite
Developed and Published by Epic Games
Like many free-to-play multiplayer games, Fortnite’s revenue stream largely comes from prolific battle passes and microtransactions. Fortnite has grown far beyond its humble beginnings, though, and to indulge in its free-to-play content is to be immersed in a video game sphere that is unlike any other in the industry’s modern landscape, complete with concerts and many other epic events.
Plus, there’s enough meat on Fortnite’s bones via battle royale gameplay.
Fortnite
- Released
-
September 26, 2017
- ESRB
-
T for Teen – Diverse Content: Discretion Advised, In-Game Purchases, Users Interact
- Engine
-
Unreal Engine 5
Wuthering Waves
Developed and Published by Kuro Games
Wuthering Waves is technically one of the ‘newer’ free-to-play open-world gacha games of its ilk and, like those that came before it, it excels in different areas than its spiritual predecessors. For example, combat is arguably a crowning achievement in Wuthering Waves, and the fact that it’s a newer game with less content than others may either leave players feeling like there isn’t much to look forward to or that they won’t have a severe case of FOMO diving into it.
Wuthering Waves
- Released
-
May 22, 2024
- ESRB
-
T For Teen // Suggestive Themes, Violence
- Developer(s)
-
Kuro Games
- Publisher(s)
-
Kuro Games
- Engine
-
Unreal Engine 4
- Multiplayer
-
Online Multiplayer
skate.
Developed by Full Circle, Published by EA
Skate 4—officially stylized as “skate.”—might not be heralded as skateboarding’s most inventive or polished entry, but its niche in the free-to-play realm with microtransactions is, if nothing else, an interesting choice. Plus, anyone who wouldn’t inherently be allured by the genre can give it a try for free and see how they like it before turning their attention to other, more fully fleshed-out skateboarding games like Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 + 4.
skate.
- Released
-
September 16, 2025
- ESRB
-
Teen / Crude Humor, Lyrics, Mild Violence, In-Game Purchases, Users Interact
- Developer(s)
-
Full Circle
- Engine
-
Frostbite
- Multiplayer
-
Online Multiplayer, Online Co-Op
- Cross-Platform Play
-
Yes – All Platforms
- Cross Save
-
Yes
Astro’s Playroom
Developed by Japan Studio, Published by Sony Interactive Entertainment
Fans who adore PlayStation exclusives, particularly the whimsical PlayStation product placement and Game of the Year 2024-winner Astro Bot, would be remiss not to check out Astro’s Playroom. Pre-loaded on PS5, there’s no better amuse-bouche before playing Astro Bot than exploring its free predecessor.
Astro’s Playroom
- Released
-
November 12, 2020
- ESRB
-
E10+ For Everyone 10+ due to Fantasy Violence
- Developer(s)
-
Team Asobi
- Publisher(s)
-
Sony
Palia
Developed and Published by Singularity 6
Eschewing myriad free-to-play gacha games, Palia is a free-to-play fantasy life sim MMO game. Engaging almost wholly in activities related to resource gathering and crafting, players are free to enjoy seasonal progression systems in Palia’s cozy life sim.
Palia
- Released
-
August 10, 2023
- ESRB
-
E10+ For Everyone 10+ Due To Alcohol Reference, Fantasy Violence, Mild Language, Mild Suggestive Themes, Use of Tobacco
- Developer(s)
-
Singularity 6, Inc.
- Publisher(s)
-
Singularity 6, Inc.
- Engine
-
Unreal Engine 4
Naraka: Bladepoint
Developed by 24 Entertainment, Published by NetEase Games Montreal
Naraka: Bladepoint turns the battle royale genre on its head. Far more strategic and complex than any Soulslike game’s combat, Naraka: Bladepoint shines as a free-to-play Wuxia action game with competitive PvP gameplay.
NARAKA: BLADEPOINT
8/10
- Released
-
August 11, 2021
- ESRB
-
T For Teen due to Violence
- Developer(s)
-
24 Entertainment, Thunder Fire Universe X Studio
- Publisher(s)
-
NetEase Games Montréal
- Engine
-
Unity