It’s the run-up to Christmas and we’re all trying to save a few pennies, but the new-game itch must be scratched.
Luckily, there’s a fantastic range of free PS5 games to sink your teeth into that deliver just as much fun as the latest new releases.
There’s a massive variety of games so there should be plenty to keep you occupied, no matter your tastes, and here are our top picks you need to get downloaded.
Best free PS5 games: A top 5 list
Fortnite
If you’re not a big multiplayer person, before you click away in disgust, stop a moment and consider this: Fortnite was released in 2017 (seven years ago) and on this day (November 22, 2024) it has over 1.3 million online users. That many people can’t be completely wrong.
Fortnite’s cornerstone is its Battle Royale mode where 100 players are dropped into an arena and must scavenge for loot, build shelter, avoid the storm, and be the last player standing. It’s an extremely easy game to get started with because the store is purely cosmetic and it has dodged around any ‘pay-to-win’ trappings that put players on different levels. If you jump into a game for the first time, aside from not knowing the coolest dances, you’ll have access to the same in-game tools (guns) as others.
There are so many people invested in Fortnite that you’ll never have to worry about waiting for a game to fill up, there are tons of resources online to learn how to play and improve, and above everything? It’s just really good fun.
Genshin Impact
A free-to-play action RPG with an iconic anime style, Genshin Impact took the world by storm in 2020. It features a huge open world, a deeply compelling single player storyline, and a fun and engaging elemental battle system.
Supported by gacha elements, it’s still completely possible to play Genshin as a purely free-to-play player, and you will still benefit from the frequent updates and added content to boot. The gorgeous look of the game’s environment and intricately designed characters are popular with fans, but its the backstory, plot, and engaging characterisation that keeps people coming back.
The fact that Genshin Impact is free to play is pretty astonishing, frankly. There are hundreds of hours of story and gameplay for players to engage with and while there are some daily limits, it’s nowhere near as restrictive as some f2p games are, and you can play for several hours a day before hitting a cap.
Astro’s Playroom
Astro’s Playroom is a free game that shipped with the PlayStation 5 and is a masterclass in using the DualSense. It’s a short but sweet platformer that pays homage to PlayStation history with quick wit and fun levels.
It will only take most people three to four hours to finish this game, but it’s still unquestionably one of the best free PS5 games out there. The graphics are polished and bright and it’s all round a good time no matter how old you are.
If you find yourself finishing it and wishing for more, it might be time to add Astro Bot to your list for Santa.
Rocket League
While it hasn’t always been free to play, Rocket League is now one of the go-to free options. The premise of the game really is very silly – play soccer in a race car – but as soon as you get behind the wheel it’s easy to recognise how fun it is. For such an absurd premise, it executes on it extremely well.
Games of Rocket League are extremely fast paced and short, making it a fantastic option for busy folks who want to drop in for a casual half an hour before getting on with something. It’s an ideal lunchtime game for the work-from-home crowd.
You also do not need to care about soccer to enjoy Rocket League. It takes the basic idea of a ball and nets, and throws out the rest of the rules. It would be hard to work out the offisde rule for a race car anyway.
The Sims 4
Did you know you can play the basic instalment in the incredibly popular life-sim for free? Well, now you do. While it doesn’t include the myriad options added by all the many expansions, The Sims 4 still includes the classic series’ core gameplay loop.
Design your perfect Sim, model it off yourself, your crush, your worst enemy, anyone you like, or make someone up from scratch. Mold their face, choose their clothes, craft their personality, then create a place for them to live.
Mansion, two-up two-down, trailer, shed, creepy murder basement – the world is your oyster and the only limit is your creativity (well, and the items available in the base game…but within those constraints, you can build anything!). After that, it’s up to you to keep your Sim alive and thriving.
The Sims 4 is truly a game where the only limit is your own imagination. Challenge yourself to have 100 babies, build themed lots with secret dungeons, try and max out all the skills on a single Sim, go from rags to riches.
You can make your own fun for many hours with The Sims 4. And then when you’re craving a little bit more, there are many expansion packs to enhance your experience (these aren’t free but can definitely be worthwhile), with more regularly being released.
Final Word
There are absolutely tons of incredible free to play PS5 games, this is just a small handful of the best free PS5 games that cover as wide a range as possible.
If you’re looking for some cool PlayStation 5 games to add to your Christmas wishlist, check out our roundup of some of the best PS5 games and this list of PS4 games that are still worth your time in 2024.
