The last few years have seen the free-to-play model take off as it has expanded with more diverse and excellent games. Many popular titles are free to download and play, meaning a PS Plus subscription is unnecessary. Therefore, you can play games like Fortnite, Apex Legends, and Warframe free to see the fuss.

Most free games are multiplayer online battle royale games, but this isn't always the case. Hence, a few excellent multiplayer options on PS5 are free to play, but there's more to it. This top ten list contains the best PlayStation 5 games that don't require any form of payment to download and play.

10. Knockout City

A little bit of a knockout is what Knockout City brings. The PS4 version of the self-described dodgebrawler combines multiplayer deathmatches with a retro-futuristic aesthetic. Your goal is to throw balls at your opponents to get them out with two hits, but you can also catch them and give your throws more spin.

All this results in a fast-paced, traditional competitive experience that is simple to grasp but extremely difficult to master. Add in various ball types with distinct characteristics, and you have a dangerously addictive arcade sports experience.

9. Dauntless

Dauntless adapts the Monster Hunter formula and makes it free to play. That implies you'll get an action role-playing game focused on taking down strong beasts solo or cooperatively. You go on hunts, bring the resources you've gathered back to the hub, craft better gear, and then repeat the process in an addictive loop. 

This is an engaging experience with a lot to offer, including various weapons to master and an endless supply of monsters to fend off. The PS5 version offers the best console experience thanks to updated visuals, increased framerate, and support for DualSense feedback.

8. Rogue Company

Rogue Company is a simple third-person shooter to satisfy your cooperative shootouts needs. This more realistic free-to-play game from Hi-Rez Studios focuses on squad-based matches for up to 12 players. The same developers make it as SMITE and Paladins.

You will play objective-based rounds and tactical skirmishes while in control of Rogues, each with unique abilities, earning experience points and in-game money to level up and unlock better gear. It's worth trying out because it's reasonably simple and has good third-person action.

7. Genshin Impact

Genshin Impact made an estimated $2 billion in revenue in its first year, evolving into a cultural icon. The PS5 version of this wildly popular RPG, also available on mobile devices, has vibrant visuals and a quick refresh rate that truly realizes developer MiHoYo's vision.

Those not drawn into its gacha trap may complain about its expensive microtransactions and high investment requirements. However, this is undoubtedly a signature service game with a sizable and devoted fanbase.

6. Warframe

Warframe is now unquestionably among the most popular free-to-play games in the industry, even though it took several years to get there. The sci-fi action RPG's creator, Digital Extremes, has made it a true behemoth. 

Warframe offers an enormous amount of content to savor, from co-op missions to full-on open-world exploration. Even though Warframe can be challenging for brand-new players, those who join the Tenno ranks are in for a galaxy's worth of adventure.

5. Kid A Mnesia: Exhibition

Always innovative, Radiohead set the bar high. They sort of invented some of the digital space and art that the majority of the world presently occupies and uses. Kid A Mnesia: The Exhibition goes beyond what is typically considered to be a game. However, it's definitely worthwhile to check out this interactive experience.

Whether you like Radiohead or not, this virtual journey through the band's music and visuals is a singular, unsettling journey through the obscure. We highly recommend giving it a try because it is also only a few hours long, completely free, and unlike anything else on the PS5. Who knows, maybe we'll see Thom Yorke's skin in Fortnite one day.

4. Yu-Gi-Oh! Master Duel

You will likely enjoy Master Duel if you like the Yu-Gi-Oh trading card game. This attractively designed digital rendition of the card game you know and love allows you to compete against other duelists in complimentary online matches.

Additionally, it supports cross-play and cross-progression, allowing you to play with people on any platform and transfer your progress to different devices. With more than 10,000 cards included, you can reassemble your real-world decks and test them in various tournaments. Although it's obviously a game for fans, it also has tutorials for those who have never played Yu-Gi-Oh.

3. Destiny 2

There's no denying that Destiny 2 is challenging to master if you've never played Bungie's online shooter before. Still, it continues to be at the top of the heap regarding gunplay. It is still Destiny 2, for better or worse, showcasing smooth performance, striking visuals, and the best gunplay on the consoles. 

However, if you dig in, you'll discover a wealth of thought-provoking material. It's a game that occasionally feels like it's going to burst with campaigns, cooperative missions, and competitive multiplayer. The action mentioned above is the thread that binds everything together.

2. Fall Guys

What if there was a platformer allowing up to 60 players to engage in simultaneous competition through chaotic obstacle courses? Fall Guys is a cracking online multiplayer madhouse, so this ridiculous idea is brilliant. As a jelly bean-shaped klutz, you compete against many other players in a series of randomly selected stages with various platformer obstacles.

The winner will be determined by a method of elimination, and success rewards you with lots of fantastic costumes and bragging rights. This hilarious game is suitable for players of all ages, whether you play alone or with friends. The best part? It's entirely free!

1. Astro's Playroom

Astro's Playroom is a model pack-in and one of the best games for the system. This PS5 short-form platformer introduced the capabilities of the DualSense controller. It was inspired by Team Asobi's critically acclaimed PSVR platformer Astro Bot Rescue Mission, first featured in The Playroom VR. 

You can literally feel the colorful world of the adorable character Astro at your fingertips as you explore it! This includes the feeling of ice on your fingertips and rain hitting the hero's hard, steel exterior. All of this would be enough to create a truly memorable experience, but the game also serves as a history lesson. Therefore, it examines many of the most notable events in the history of the PlayStation. Simply put, every PS5 owner must play this incredible 4-5 hour adventure.

On the PlayStation 5, there are appealing options for free-to-play games. Yet, in recent years, they underwent a significant change. Many games are switching to a free-to-play model in response to the exploding popularity of games like Fortnite and Genshin Impact. Thus, free-to-play games are here to stay.

Which PlayStation 5 free-to-play game is your favorite? Which games should also be included?

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