Best 10 Free PS5 & PS4 Games 2025: Top Free-to-Play Picks

Published on August 25, 2025

Introduction

It’s 2025, and you just got your PS5 or PS4. You’re excited to start gaming, but let’s be honest. You don’t want to spend a fortune on your first title. That’s where free-to-play games come in. Luckily, we’ve done the hard work for you and collected 10 must-try free games for 2025. Whether you’re looking for intense shooters, squad-based action, or immersive RPG worlds, this list has something for everyone. Each game is easy to jump into, fun to master, and won’t cost you a single penny. So grab your controller, get comfy, and prepare to dive into some of the best free gaming experiences the year has to offer. Your next favorite game might just be waiting for you without touching your wallet.

1. Sky: Children of the Light

Sky: Children of the Light is an open-world social adventure created by thatgamecompany. It is available on PlayStation, Nintendo Switch, iOS, and Android. Players travel through seven realms to help others restore fallen stars. Working together is essential for making progress. The game focuses on compassion, community, and positive social interactions.

Gameplay & Experience

The game is calm, immersive, and visually stunning. It features a soothing soundtrack that fits each realm perfectly. Exploration is non-linear, which allows for freedom and self-paced play. Players can interact through gestures, candles, and shared flight, encouraging teamwork and emotional expression without relying on spoken language.

Friendship & Communication

Relationships form gradually through interactions based on consent. Playing together unlocks hidden areas. The game promotes helping each other and eliminates competition, focusing on collective benefit.

Inclusivity & Expression

Characters and spirits support diverse gender expression, fostering an inclusive and welcoming environment.

Overall Impression

Sky offers a peaceful, emotionally engaging experience that is perfect for relaxation. It encourages compassion, connection, and creativity. Although it may not be ideal for long, intense sessions, it is a beautiful and uplifting game with thoughtful design and gentle pacing.

2. Palia

Palia is a free-to-play "cozy" MMO, now available on PlayStation and Xbox, after becoming popular on PC and Nintendo Switch. It is a life-simulation MMO where players gather resources, complete tasks for townspeople, build and decorate homes, and explore a shared world with others. The game focuses on gentle, non-violent gameplay and relaxed social interaction.

Gameplay & Experience

Palia is slow-paced, calming, and low-pressure. Players engage in familiar life-sim activities like gardening, fishing, mining, cooking, and crafting. Energy management is an important aspect, with actions consuming energy that is regained through food. The game loop revolves around careful resource gathering, upgrading tools and production facilities, and completing quests for rewards. The Elderwood expansion introduces new zones, quests, and cosmetics without changing the core experience.

Platform Experience

The PlayStation version has the most cohesive controls, and the DualSense controller adds optional immersion. The PC and Switch versions have a few minor accessibility or bug issues. Menu and map interfaces are well-designed, making navigation and inventory management easy in a free-to-play setting.

Social & Community

Palia allows for casual interaction with other players, but the game’s MMO features are light. Group activities are occasional, and there’s little incentive for long-term cooperation beyond completing group objectives. In-game chat is mostly positive and functional, but players can often enjoy the game solo.

Crafting & Customization

The homestead-building system is easy to use and satisfying. It enables decoration, gardening, and crafting with timers that support slow, thoughtful pacing. While energy management and financial systems can feel limiting, they fit within the genre's standards.

Overall Impression

Palia is a friendly, easy-going MMO that shines in creating a pleasant, activity-filled world. It may feel slow or limiting to some players, and the MMO social features are restricted, but the game’s soothing pace, user-friendly interface, and charming life-sim activities make it attractive for those looking for a relaxed, non-competitive experience. While it may not suit every player, Palia stands out as a refreshing, accessible option in the MMO life-sim genre.

3. Yu-Gi-Oh! Master Duel

Yu-Gi-Oh! Master Duel is a digital version of the Yu-Gi-Oh! Trading Card Game (TCG) that strives to replicate the experience of playing on the table. Unlike Duel Links, which simplifies the rules for quicker matches and an anime-style approach, Master Duel offers a nearly one-to-one digital TCG experience. It features an extensive library of cards and complete mechanics. The game is free to play and is available on multiple platforms.

Gameplay & Experience

Master Duel focuses on strategic, skill-based play. Players can create highly customized decks by combining card pulls with a duplicate-to-CP system, allowing almost any card in the game to be crafted. Solo Mode includes tutorials, lore, and rewards, while multiplayer duels provide competitive online play. The game is fast-paced, aggressive, and depends heavily on a deep understanding of card interactions and TCG mechanics.

Card Collection & Monetization

The game has banners and rare cards, but the system is friendly for free-to-play users. Players can generate CP from duplicate cards and earn gems through challenges, Solo Mode, and the battle pass. Premium purchases mainly offer cosmetic items instead of a competitive edge, making the monetization less intrusive.

New & Experienced Player Experience

The game might feel overwhelming for beginners due to its complexity and full access to nearly all cards. However, veteran players will enjoy the authentic TCG experience. The Secret Packs and banner systems offer ways to access specialized archetypes, though they can be confusing for new players.

Visuals & Presentation

Master Duel features live-2D animations for key cards, animated summoning effects, and well-designed dueling arenas. While some anime fan service is minimal, the presentation emphasizes the excitement of the TCG without compromising gameplay quality.

Overall Impression

Yu-Gi-Oh! Master Duel is a faithful and strategic digital adaptation of the TCG, aimed at serious fans rather than newcomers. It strikes a good balance between accessibility and authenticity, providing a complete TCG experience in a digital format. While it may be daunting for beginners, it offers a rich, rewarding, and visually appealing platform for dueling enthusiasts.

4. Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodhunt

Vampire The Masquerade – Bloodhunt is a free-to-play, third-person Battle Royale set in modern-day Prague. Players assume the role of vampires from one of four clans and compete against others in fast-paced matches. Between fights, they return to a social hub called Elysium to complete quests, interact with NPCs, and customize their characters. The game combines high-mobility combat with elements from the Vampire: The Masquerade RPG series.

Gameplay & Experience

The main Battle Royale is dynamic and fluid. It features vertical movement, building scaling, sliding, and jumping, leading to intense fights similar to games like Apex Legends. Each clan has unique archetypes with special skills and passive abilities, promoting various playstyles. The weapons and a blood resonance system add to the strategy, rewarding players for feeding on mortals for passive benefits.

Map & Environment

Prague is beautifully designed, blending Gothic and modern architecture. The rain-slicked streets and rooftops invite exploration and encourage vertical combat, creating an immersive experience.

Social Hub & Live Service

Elysium acts as the social and progression center, although the quests can become repetitive and basic. The game includes a seasonal battle pass, paid cosmetics, and regular updates with new archetypes, weapons, and quests. While this hub is limited in narrative depth, it provides a space for character customization and light interaction.

Strengths & Limitations

Bloodhunt shines with its fast, smooth combat and mobility, making it engaging right away. Its unique vampire mechanics and class diversity offer strategic variety. However, it has some drawbacks, such as lackluster PvE enemies (The Entity), repetitive hub quests, and insufficient narrative depth in the social hub. Recent additions of ranked modes and duos expand gameplay options.

Overall Impression

Bloodhunt successfully merges the Battle Royale format with Vampire: The Masquerade lore, delivering a fun and action-packed experience with solid core mechanics. While it may not compete with leading games like Fortnite or Warzone, it has a unique, slower appeal for players looking for a stylish, vampire-themed competitive game with ongoing updates and customization options.

5. Zenless Zone Zero

Zenless Zone Zero is a free-to-play urban action and social game from HoYoVerse. It mixes fast-paced combat with exploration and management elements. The game takes place in the post-cataclysmic city of New Eridu. Players control “Proxies,” operatives who lead Hollow Raiders into risky pocket dimensions known as Hollows. Their goal is to harvest valuable Ether while steering clear of corruption.

Story & Setting

Players step into the shoes of siblings Belle and Wise. They operate a front video store while secretly running operations for Phaethon, their Proxy organization. The city feels vibrant, with NPCs, shops, and different events happening throughout the morning, afternoon, evening, and night. Side quests, errands, and interactions with citizens enrich the urban simulation.

Gameplay & Mechanics

• Urban Exploration: Navigate New Eridu, interact with NPCs, visit shops, and manage companions called Bangboo. They help in combat and exploration.
• Deep Dives & Combat: Players put together squads of up to three Hollow Raiders to enter Hollows and battle against Ethereals. Combat focuses on combos and includes basic attacks, special moves, EX attacks, reactive dodges, and squad switching. The combat is fast-paced but easy to pick up, with enjoyable and extravagant combos.
• Roguelite Exploration: Deep Dives involve moving Bangboo across grids, activating switches, dodging hazards, and unlocking currencies or bonuses. Corruption increases the longer you stay, adding risk and reward.
• Gacha & Progression: Master Tapes let you summon new Agents or get W-Engines for boosts. Agents can level up, be customized, and have unique skills, passives, and mission lines. You can use extra currencies and items to improve your progress, and there are several ways to grind and earn rewards.

Visuals & Presentation

New Eridu is very detailed. It has animated, charming environments, lively character designs, and voice acting. The interface, menus, and activities are polished. This makes the game easy to access, even with its layered complexity.

Content & Replayability

The game provides a lot of content. It includes daily and weekly challenges, multi-stage missions, and ongoing story updates. Almost every aspect, such as missions, exploration, and side activities, can be repeated to earn currencies or unlock items. The game aims for long-term engagement, following HoYoVerse’s commitment to ongoing content support seen in Genshin Impact and Honkai Starrail.

Strengths & Limitations

This game stands out for its fast-paced, enjoyable combat, range of activities, and appeal. Its complexity and grind-heavy progression may pose a challenge for new players, and some exploration features can seem out of place with the action. However, the game encourages curiosity, engagement, and innovative squad building.

Overall Impression

Zenless Zone Zero offers a unique and engaging experience filled with content. It combines urban exploration, strategic combat, and social simulation. While it doesn't challenge player skills to the max, it still provides an absorbing, vibrant game that players can enjoy repeatedly, whether they are casual or dedicated.

6. Fallout Shelter

Fallout Shelter is a free-to-play vault management simulation from Bethesda. It mixes post-apocalyptic strategy with some light RPG mechanics. Players take on the role of the Overseer of a Vault, which is a self-sufficient underground shelter meant to protect civilians from nuclear fallout. The game challenges you to build and manage rooms, maintain resources like food, water, and power, and keep your dwellers safe and happy.

Gameplay & Mechanics

• Vault Management: Construct rooms, assign dwellers tasks, and improve layouts to increase efficiency. Balance production with dwellers’ happiness and defense against threats like raiders, Deathclaws, and radioactive incidents.
• Simulation Elements: Dwellers can be customized, trained, and given weapons or outfits. Children inherit stats from their parents, forming family “clans” in the Vault. Dwellers earn experience and level up by working, fighting, and exploring.
• Exploration & Quests: Dwellers can be sent into the wasteland to gather resources or complete quests focused on the story. In these missions, combat is mostly automatic. The player gives little input, only assigning targets, healing, and triggering critical hits. The game features procedurally generated rooms and battles, which offer limited variety but can be enjoyable in the beginning.

Visuals & Presentation

The game has charming, stylized graphics that remind players of The Sims. It also combines elements from Fallout's well-known retro-futuristic style. The animations, room designs, and character appearances are clear, colorful, and attractive.

Progression & Replayability

• RPG Mechanics: Dwellers gain levels, get new gear, and improve their stats.
• Resource Management: Multiple in-game currencies and collectibles offer long-term goals.
• Replay Value: The game has no clear “win” state. Daily and weekly quests keep the gameplay going. Players can switch to survival mode for a greater challenge and real stakes. However, casual mode is still available for those who prefer long-term management play.

Monetization

Fallout Shelter contains optional microtransactions, including:

• Nuka-Cola for speeding up production or training
• Vault-Tec Lunchboxes with loot
• Pet carriers for quest-assisting companions

Purchases are mainly based on convenience. The $5 Vault Starter Kit can help players get a head start early in the game. Most content can be earned without spending money.

Strengths & Limitations

• Fallout Shelter excels at the basic Vault simulation. It focuses on designing layouts, improving production, and taking care of dwellers.
• Combat and quest mechanics are restricted and repetitive. There is little player interaction during battles.
• Story quests are superficial. The single-save system carries a risk of losing data. If a save file gets corrupted, it can erase all progress. This is a major worry for players who are invested in the game.

Overall Impression

Fallout Shelter is a fun and addictive experience set in the Fallout universe. It mixes resource management, light RPG elements, and quirky humor. This game works well as a "side game" rather than a primary gaming focus. However, serious players should be aware of the technical risks and limitations in its combat and quest systems. With enough updates, it could reach its full potential. For now, it’s a cautious recommendation for fans who are ready to deal with some instability.

7. Crystal of Atlan

Crystal of Atlan is a free-to-play anime-inspired MMO Action RPG that combines fast combat, diverse classes, and multiple gameplay modes. Originally released in China in 2023, it is relaunching worldwide on PC, mobile, and PlayStation 5 with improvements and broader accessibility.

Gameplay & Combat

Combat is fluid and responsive, with fast combos and impactful attacks. Players transition seamlessly between ground and aerial combat using abilities like BATK, and some skills adapt mid-air. Visual clarity, color coding, and smart camera angles keep fights readable, even during high-level encounters. Tactical elements such as dodging, interrupting, and exploiting enemy weaknesses are essential for tougher bosses.

Exploration & Quests

Players explore mines, factories, the Void Realm, and Wonderland-like areas. Adventure Mode follows the story, while co-op dungeons and the Void Realm offer higher difficulty and rare rewards. Dungeons like HexChess require strategic choices, such as selecting chess-piece buffs, and include side challenges and unique bosses.

Classes & Subclasses

Five classes launch at release:

• Berserker: Sacrifices health for a protective barrier.
• Magiblade: Precise melee attacks with magic.
• Fighter: Brawler with elemental and heavy-hitting Advanced classes.
• Gunner: Heavy ranged attacks with Heat Mode for bonus damage.
• Magister & Puppeteer: Focused on magic or mechanized abilities.

Subclasses diversify playstyle while keeping core identities intact, encouraging experimentation and mastery.

Modes & Multiplayer

• Adventure Mode: Story-driven exploration and missions.
• Co-Op Battle & HexChess: Multiplayer dungeons requiring teamwork and strategy.
• Void Realm: Challenging zones with rare rewards and complex boss mechanics.
• PVP & Ranked Matches: Solo or group competitive play.
• Challenge Mode: Waves, story challenges, and material rewards.

Monetization

Microtransactions focus on energy replenishment, starter bundles, and the Phantasium Pass, which increases daily and account energy caps, accelerates XP, and unlocks skills early. Energy limits can restrict extended play, but the game remains engaging without spending.

Overall Impression

Crystal of Atlan is a polished and engaging anime-inspired MMO Action RPG. Combat is fast, fluid, and satisfying, with clear visual feedback and tactical depth. Its classes and subclasses offer distinct playstyles, encouraging experimentation and mastery. Exploration, dungeons, and multiplayer modes provide variety, while the Void Realm and HexChess introduce challenging content that rewards strategy and coordination. Monetization and energy limits may slow progression, but the game remains enjoyable without spending. Overall, it delivers a compelling mix of action, strategy, and world-building, making it a worthwhile experience for fans of MMOs and Action RPGs alike.

8. FragPunk

FragPunk is a 5v5 hero-based shooter that, like many others, is free to play. Developed by Bad Guitar Studios, it gives off an Overwatch-like vibe but has a twist: the Shard Cards, which aim to shake up the standard gameplay.

Aesthetic and Audio

The first thing you’ll notice about FragPunk is its presentation. The arenas are well-designed, featuring multiple paths, choke points, and distinctive looks. Each map has its own identity and is visually appealing.

The heroes are unique, with different designs and cosmetic choices in the in-game store. Players can customize weapon loadouts to fit their playstyle. Each hero has voiceovers, though they can become repetitive and annoying over time. Despite this, the gunfire sounds good, and the overall presentation seems polished.

Minimal Narrative, Maximum Mayhem

Don’t expect a complex story. FragPunk keeps its narrative minimal: a group of characters meets in various locations and fights. That’s about it. However, in a hero shooter, the gameplay takes priority over the story, and FragPunk delivers in that area.

Players can jump into several modes. The basic arcade mode has attackers and defenders; attackers must plant a device while defenders try to stop them. Ranked mode follows this setup but requires players to reach level 30 to unlock it. Additional modes include Outbreak and rotating modes, currently set to Team Deathmatch. There should be plenty of content, at least theoretically.

Shard Cards and Gunplay

The Shard Cards are what make FragPunk stand out. At the start of each round, players vote to activate cards that provide buffs or penalties, like bulletproof heads or oversized heads. These can change gameplay in unique ways. With about 100 cards available, they can significantly influence how matches play out.

The gunplay is solid. Assault rifles, LMGs, and other weapons handle well, with minimal recoil for most guns. The low TTK (Time To Kill) keeps the action intense, which makes matches feel fast-paced and chaotic. Players can effectively use cover, flank, and take advantage of the environment. Early on, finding matches was easy with short wait times.

Player Base and Monetization

Sadly, the player count has dropped. Finding a full lobby has been impossible at times, leaving matches unplayable. This is especially frustrating in Ranked mode, where progress is locked until reaching level 30.

The free-to-play model relies heavily on monetization. The in-game store emphasizes cosmetic items, Shard Card packs, and a two-tier Season Pass at a high price. While these purchases are optional, the aggressive approach can be off-putting. Voiceovers, achievements, and constant prompts to spend money only add to the frustration.

Overall Impression

If you can secure a match, FragPunk offers fun moments with its fast-paced shooter mechanics and Shard Card elements. The arenas are well-crafted, and the gunplay feels responsive, with the cards adding some strategic depth.

However, ongoing voiceover repetition, aggressive monetization, and a shrinking player base lessen the overall experience. The game provides short-term enjoyment, but long-term appeal seems limited. With many free-to-play shooters available, FragPunk struggles to stand out and keep players engaged.

9. Rogue Company

It’s often forgotten that things we call cliché are only cliché because they work so well. Rogue Company borrows liberally from other IPs—ping systems like Apex Legends, weapon shops like CS:GO, and gliders like Fortnite—yet it does so with such swagger that it’s hard not to enjoy. First Watch’s approach is brazen, confident, and fun.

Aesthetic and Presentation

Rogue Company looks great. The maps are compact but well designed, funnelling players into central action zones that keep matches short and hectic. From a burning cargo ship to a high-class mansion or shipping yard, each locale feels purposeful even if familiar.

The Rogues themselves have distinct appearances, abilities, and loadouts. The cosmetic store is present, with outfits, wingsuits, gun skins, and emotes available for purchase. Voiceovers are consistent, though they can be repetitive, and the gunfire feedback is satisfying and clear.

Fast-Paced Team Play

The primary mode, Demolition, has one team defending a bomb and the other arming it. Matches are short, intense, and reliant on teamwork. Each Rogue is viable solo or in squads, and abilities allow for creative plays, from Vy’s toxic barrels to Glitch’s disruption skills.

Movement is responsive, and mechanics like dodge-rolling, revives, and cover traversal reward skill and awareness. Ping systems, shop interactions aboard the plane, and secondary weapons add layers of strategy without slowing the pace.

Abilities and Rogues

Rogues each have unique gadgets and abilities, with a balance between offensive, defensive, and supportive roles. Some overlap exists (several abilities reveal enemies), but each character has a clear role. Players will quickly find favorites, whether it’s Vy and her area denial barrels or Dima’s grenade launcher.

Maps and Modes

Rogue Company’s seven maps are compact, offering cover, sniper positions, zip-lines, and chokepoints that encourage fast, tactical action. While none are revolutionary, they are functional, polished, and visually appealing.

Cross-play ensures matches are easy to find, and as more maps, Rogues, weapons, and modes are added, the game has strong potential to expand.

Monetization

The in-game shop and Ultimate Founder’s Bundle provide cosmetic options and early access to Rogues. Battle Passes are promised, and the game does push the store aggressively, though none of it is mandatory to enjoy the core gameplay.

Overall Impression

Rogue Company doesn’t reinvent the wheel, but it executes existing ideas with confidence. Fast-paced gunplay, a solid roster of characters, well-designed maps, and reliable servers make it instantly enjoyable. It’s highly accessible, addictive, and fun, with enough depth to keep players engaged.

If you’re looking for a polished, free-to-play third-person shooter with strong fundamentals, Rogue Company is worth a look. Its mix of borrowed mechanics and clever execution makes it one of the most effortlessly fun shooters to hit the market in recent memory.

10. Enlisted

Enlisted is a squad-based online shooter set in World War II. It features large battles that include infantry, vehicles, and aircraft. The game takes inspiration from the Battlefield series and other WWII shooters. However, it stands out with its in-depth squad management, ongoing progression, and a range of campaigns across multiple war theaters.

Graphics and Visuals

Enlisted has two graphical modes: Performance (high FPS) and Visual (better visuals). Both modes are well-optimized for Xbox Series X, showing only minor FPS drops and detailed environments. The maps are immersive, ranging from beaches to cargo ships and mansions, though some larger maps may feel empty or underused. There are occasional visual glitches, but ongoing patches indicate that improvements are on the way.

Sound Design

The sound design in Enlisted is exceptional. Guns sound authentic, explosions resonate, and environmental audio adds to battlefield immersion. Each shot feels impactful, helping players feel present in the chaos of war.

Gameplay Mechanics

Players begin each round with squads deployed from landing craft or other starting points. They can control individual soldiers, utilize vehicles, or engage in squad-level combat.

Combat emphasizes strategy, including using cover, flanking routes, and coordinated attacks. A.I. companions can help, though their pathing and targeting behavior is inconsistent, sometimes requiring player intervention. Airplanes provide strong firepower but can dominate maps if counterplay is limited.

Squad management is a deep system, allowing upgrades for weapons, abilities, and soldier classes, though the complexity can feel overwhelming for new players.

Overall Impression

Enlisted is an engaging squad-based shooter that successfully combines strategic squad management with large-scale WWII combat. Its graphics, sound, and immersive gameplay make it enjoyable, though AI inconsistencies, overly complex progression, and air combat balance issues slightly hinder the experience. DarkFlow Software’s ongoing support ensures the game will continue to improve, making Enlisted a solid pick for fans of tactical, team-based shooters.