Top 16 Best Free-to-Play Games Across All Platforms That You Won’t Regret Playing

The landscape of “free-to-play” gaming has undergone a significant transformation. Today, some of the most notable free games on the market are also among the highest-budget and most extensively supported live-service games. These titles boast thriving communities and receive regular updates that ensure they remain fresh and engaging. While free-to-play games were once predominantly found on mobile platforms with limited diversity, today’s offerings span across PC, PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and Nintendo Switch, encompassing nearly every imaginable genre—from blockbuster shooters like Fortnite to turn-based RPGs like Honkai Star Rail, and everything in between.

Many of these games have maintained their popularity for years, providing ample content for newcomers to explore. Over time, their onboarding processes for new players have been refined, offering excellent opportunities to catch up and learn the ropes, even for those who are completely new to the experience. If you’re seeking a gaming experience without breaking the bank, these titles represent some of the best options available. For further recommendations, consider exploring our curated picks for the best free games on Steam.

Apex Legends

• Platforms: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, Mobile
• Genre: Battle royale shooter
• Developer: Respawn Entertainment
• Release Date: February 4, 2019

A spin-off from Titanfall, Apex Legends has arguably surpassed its predecessor in popularity since its explosive debut in 2019. It continues to engage both fans and newcomers with frequent updates and the introduction of new characters. In this hero-shooter, players form squads of three and battle to be the last team standing as the map gradually shrinks, forcing confrontations. Apex Legends is distinguished by its unique characters, known as Legends, each with their own well-crafted abilities, making it exciting to find a favorite. Regular updates have introduced new Legends, limited-time modes, a permanent Arena mode, and more. While a few Legends are available for free, others can be unlocked by earning in-game currency or spending real money. Players can also purchase optional cosmetics, though some special cosmetics can be earned for free during limited-time events.

Fall Guys: Ultimate Knockout

• Platforms: PlayStation 4, Windows, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S
• Genre: Battle royale, platform
• Developer: Devolver Digital, Epic Games
• Release Date: 21 June 2022

Up to 32 players compete in shows featuring battle royale-style gameplay, controlling jellybean-like figures in a 3D environment with abilities like jumping, grabbing, climbing, and diving. The goal is to qualify for subsequent rounds by completing randomly selected mini-games, which include reaching the finish line (Course Rounds), avoiding being knocked into the slime (Survival Rounds), collecting items (Hunt Rounds), using memory skills (Logic Rounds), competing against other teams (Team Rounds), and playing with one team invisible (Invisibeans Rounds). The final rounds are designed for fewer players, and the match winner is the last player standing or the first to finish. Players can customize their characters using “Kudos,” an in-game currency earned through the fame pass or events, and “Show Bucks,” a paid currency obtained via microtransactions or the fame pass. Kudos are used to buy cosmetics, while Show Bucks can purchase costumes and celebrations. Crowns, once a premium currency, now contribute to Crown Rank after the game went free-to-play in June 2022.

Call of Duty: Warzone

• Platforms: PC, PS4, PS5 Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S
• Genre: Battle royale shooter
• Developer: Activision
• Release Date: March 10, 2020

Call of Duty has been a long-standing success for Activision, and its venture into the free-to-play market has amplified its popularity. Warzone, while similar to other battle royale games, retains the distinctive look and feel of Call of Duty. Unlike most battle royale games where players are eliminated upon death, Warzone introduces a Gulag system, allowing downed players to fight for a chance to return to the game. Initially launched with Trios, Warzone has expanded to include Solos, Duos, and Squad options. Other modes such as Plunder, where players hunt for cash drops, and Resurgence, which lets players respawn as long as a squad member is alive, add variety to the gameplay. Warzone receives regular updates, including major updates that align with the latest Call of Duty campaign releases. Additionally, all cosmetics are integrated with your Call of Duty profile, allowing you to use skins like Nikki Minaj or Groot across both Warzone and standard competitive multiplayer.

Counter-Strike 2

• Platforms: PC
• Genre: Tactical FPS
• Developer: Valve
• Release Date: September 27, 2023

As the successor to one of the most iconic first-person shooters, Counter-Strike 2 had significant expectations to meet. It was designed to replace the original Counter-Strike and its semi-sequel, Counter-Strike: Global Offensive. Like its predecessors, CS2 features teams of terrorists and counter-terrorists competing in various objective-based modes. However, CS2 transitions to the Source 2 engine, offering a significant visual upgrade, enhanced performance, and improved server architecture. This engine upgrade also brings new versions of some of Counter-Strike’s most popular maps. The game is free to play, with an optional “Prime Status” upgrade for access to exclusive souvenir drops and weapon cases.

Warframe

• Platforms: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, Mobile
• Developer: Digital Extremes
• Genre: MMO shooter
• Release Date: November 15, 2013

One of the most distinctive free-to-play games on this list, Warframe is an action-oriented third-person game with parkour-platforming and stealth elements. As a member of an ancient race of warriors, you customize and pilot a biomechanical combat armor called a Warframe to fight a variety of alien races bent on destruction. This gains you levels that you can use on mods and other improvements to your warframe to take on more-complex missions. At times, Warframe resembles more of a fast-paced action game than a free-to-play MMO, which goes to show the flexibility of the genre. And while you can play and earn everything for free, you can also pay for boosts or level skips to advance your progress faster.

UFL

• Platforms: Unknown
• Genre: Sports
• Developer: Strikerz Inc.
• Release Date: 2024

If you don’t know what the UFL is, don’t worry, it’s a name associated for a different kind of football/soccer title. After all, when it comes to sports, most of the titles are associated with a league and the head of it. But due to the FIFA/EA split, and the dominance that FIFA has had over soccer games in the past, a title like UFL had to come out to try and challenge the status quo. In the game you’ll take control of a club and attempt to win games through intense but fair gameplay, so if you’re looking for an alternative soccer title to try, be on the lookout for this one.

War Thunder

• Platforms:PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One Xbox Series X|S
• Developer: Gaijin Entertainment
• Genre: Vehicular combat
• Release Date: August 15, 2013

As opposed to the fantasy and sci-fi settings of many games, War Thunder goes for hyper-realism, and its community is known for taking it seriously. The vehicular-combat game features actual vehicles from World War 1, World War 2, the Vietnam War, and other recent conflicts. It utilizes tanks, ships, aircraft and more from the United States, Britain, Japan, Germany, France, and many more, representing them with a meticulous level of precise detail. It’s so realistic, in fact, that US army tank crews used it for training during the COVID-19 pandemic. All that makes it very sim-like, but for fans of actual military hardware, it’s hard to find a better playable museum. You can play for free and earn in-game currency to unlock most of the vehicles in the game, though some premium vehicles are only available for purchase with real money.

The First Descendant

• Platforms: PC, PS4, PS5 Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S
• Genre: third-person shooter, action RPG
• Developer: NEXON Games Co., Ltd.
• Release Date: 2024

In The First Descendant, players assume the role of Descendants, individuals with unique abilities, tasked with defending humanity and the Ingris continent from invaders. The game combines strategic boss fights, engaging gunplay, and looting mechanics. Players can acquire equipment by completing scenario missions or participating in cooperative World Missions. Combat features include chain actions, grappling hooks, and a variety of colorful firearms, enabling players to develop their own distinct battle styles.

Rocket League

• Platforms: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch
• Genre: Arcade-style soccer
• Developer: Psyonix
• Release date: July 7, 2015

As it nears its 10-year milestone, Rocket League remains a premier choice for soccer enthusiasts. With its straightforward mechanics, Rocket League’s brisk five-minute matches have a knack for captivating players for hours on end—it’s all too easy to intend just one more match and inadvertently spend an entire afternoon in its grasp. Anchored by an impressive physics system, Rocket League boasts a surprisingly high skill ceiling, rewarding dedicated practice and strategic prowess with opportunities to execute daring aerial goals, precise passes, and well-timed blocks. Since its inception, Rocket League has expanded its offerings to include additional modes such as Hoops, Snow Day, Dropshot, and Rumble—each with its own unique twist—and introduced tournaments for competitive play.

For players willing to invest, Rocket League offers a paid battle pass and a rotating selection of cosmetics in its store. While playing will earn you numerous blueprints for cosmetics, you’ll need currency to craft the items they represent.

Star Wars: Hunters

• Platforms: Nintendo Switch, iOS, Android
• Genre: Action game
• Developer: Zynga, NaturalMotion
• Release Date: June 4, 2024

Conflict usually occurs between empires and rebellions in a certain galaxy far, far away. However, in Star Wars: Hunters, conflicts arise for a more straightforward reason: entertainment. In this game, you join an entertainment series called “Hunters of the Outer Rim,” one of the most popular shows around. Your task is to select a character to lead your team to victory, choosing from soldiers, bounty hunters, Jedi, and Sith. With numerous ways to play, step onto the battlefield and see if you can emerge victorious.

Honkai Star Rail

• Platforms: PC, PS5, Mobile
• Genre: RPG
• Developer: MiHoYo
• Release Date: April 26, 2023

The next installment in the HoYoverse following Genshin Impact, Honkai Star Rail, introduces a traditional turn-based RPG experience within a sci-fi setting. While its distinctive elements set it apart, it shares similar stylistic elements, particularly in its visual design and light-hearted sense of humor. Alongside open-world exploration, the game incorporates dungeon-crawling elements reminiscent of classic RPGs, ensuring prolonged player engagement over the past year. Like Genshin, Honkai utilizes a gacha system for unlocking new characters, although dedicated and patient players can progress through the game without spending money.

Crab Game

• Platforms: PC
• Genre: Battle royale/Party
• Developer: Dani
• Release Date: October 29, 2021

This indie game, inspired by the Netflix series Squid Game, features a low-fi aesthetic but effectively captures the experience of competing in children’s games with deadly stakes. Despite a cheeky Steam description claiming it’s “definitely not based on any online streaming pop culture Korean TV shows,” the inspiration is clear. Players, alongside dozens of others, are progressively eliminated through competitions like Red Light, Green Light, until only one remains. While the Netflix show is intense and grisly, Crab Game adopts a goofy, cartoonish style, making it more silly than frightening. The game is free to play, with optional cosmetic items like backpacks available for purchase.

Battle Crush

• Platforms: Steam, Nintendo Switch, Android, IOS
• Genre: Battle Royale, Arena
• Developer: 
  NCSOFT Corporation
• Release Date: Unknown

Numerous games out right now embrace the “quick rounds of gameplay” while also seeing “who can last the longest.” Battle Crush is another such title that’ll do that in 2024. The game focuses on characters that the gods chose to see who would come out on top. Once you pick your character, you’ll be thrown into matches with up to 30 people and then duke it out until only one is left. The intent is to be fast and quick, as the matches last about eight minutes. So, even if you don’t do well in one round, you might do well in the next, so don’t give up!

Overwatch 2

• Platforms: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch
• Genre: Hero shooter
• Developer: Blizzard
• Release Date: October 4, 2022

Building on the triumph of the original Overwatch, Blizzard set out to create a sequel that would introduce fresh characters, tweak certain mechanics (such as transitioning from 6v6 to 5v5 matches), and establish the foundation for an expanded array of cooperative adventures. Although the envisioned PvE component didn’t materialize as initially planned, Overwatch 2 remains an exceptional hero shooter brimming with charm. The ever-expanding roster offers a diverse range of abilities to experiment with, and as of an early 2024 update, every character can be accessed for free. While a paid battle pass provides access to cosmetics, including currency for unlocking top-tier Mythic skins, many items can still be obtained without charge.

Dauntless

• Platforms: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch
• Genre: Action-RPG
• Developer: Phoenix Labs
• Release Date: September 26, 2019

Dauntless, an action game in the vein of Monster Hunter, has you and up to five friends hunting down ferocious beasts called Behemoths. Similar to Monster Hunter, you use materials harvested from these hunts to craft better equipment and tackle even greater challenges. As a live-service game, the influx of Behemoths is continuous, allowing for endless monster hunting. Developer Phoenix Labs consistently introduces new challenges and quality-of-life updates. The game is free to play, with optional cosmetic items and temporary boosts available for purchase.

Fortnite

• Platforms: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch
• Genre: Battle royale
• Developer: Epic Games
• Release Date: July 25, 2017

Fortnite, the dominant force in the realm of free-to-play games, has evolved into a massive entity with numerous dimensions, making it challenging to encapsulate its full breadth. At its core, Fortnite is a battle royale shooter, offering gameplay with and without the unique building element that initially defined it. However, Epic Games has expanded Fortnite into a platform for live events such as concerts and has introduced additional standalone games, including a Rocket League-branded racing game, a successor to Rock Band, and a Lego-inspired sandbox game akin to Minecraft. You can explore all facets of Fortnite for free, with optional cosmetic upgrades available for purchase. Additionally, there’s a regularly rotating season pass offering cosmetics tied to crossovers with popular brands and characters from Star Wars, DC and Marvel comics, WWE, and more, which can be purchased separately.