Video game consoles are expensive. To take home a PlayStation 5, you’re looking at $450 for the minimum point of entry. While there was probably at least one game that led you to buy the system in the first place, the other games out there are expensive, with many of them ringing up at $70 at the register.
And that game you bought with the system—even if it’s a super-long game like Horizon Forbidden West, Assassin’s Creed Valhalla, or Metaphor: ReFantazio—is eventually going to feel old enough that you want something new. But you don’t have to drop another bundle of cash to find something fun to play right away.
That’s where free-to-play games come in. There are tons of them out there. Lots of them are still pretty forgettable, but there are a few gems out there that are worth the time they ask you to invest. Most of these games offer in-game purchases in the form of additional characters, outfits, and feature expansions, though the best freebies give you plenty to play and enjoy without spending a dime.
Here are our favorite free games on PlayStation 5 right now.
(Editor’s note: All of the games on this list are traditional “Web2” games with no crypto elements. However, if you’re looking for a compelling crypto game on PS5, Off the Grid just launched in early access and could be a future contender for this list.)
