Sony features several full-scale RPGs that don’t require PlayStation Plus. Many are available for free download and offer a range of experiences, from action-packed combat to relaxing exploration and strategy. Games like Genshin Impact, Warframe, and Honkai: Star Rail have a native PS5 version running at 4K/60 fps, with near-instant fast travel thanks to the SSD.
After playing these titles nightly, I found they look as good as many $70 games. And PlayStation’s spending-limit tools make it easy to enjoy the grind without surprise charges.
Below are some of the top free RPGs for PS5 with immersive worlds and regular content drops.
Genshin Impact
If you enjoy wide-open worlds and dynamic elemental combat, Genshin Impact is a great place to start. With 4K textures and teleport points that load almost instantly, you spend more time exploring and less time waiting.
When you draw a bow, the trigger pushes back gently; elemental explosions rumble through subtle vibrations. These cues make fights more intuitive without cluttering the screen. Moreover, every six weeks, new regions or story content arrive, yet every part of the map stays playable without you having to spend a dime.
Honkai: Star Rail
For turn-based tactics in a sci-fi setting, Honkai: Star Rail delivers a focused, bite-sized RPG experience. The 4K/60 fps on PS5 lets you enjoy sharp visuals and smooth animations in every battle.
You get “daily crystals” just for logging in, which lets you pull for new characters at a steady pace without paying. Also, each run takes only a few minutes, which is perfect if you want to hop in for a quick session between other tasks.
Phantasy Star Online 2: New Genesis
SEGA’s MMO, hit PlayStation in the West in 2022. Phantasy Star Online 2: New Genesis blends fast-paced combat with online world exploration.
Instead of traditional menu-driven skills, fights feel closer to a game like Devil May Cry—responsive dodges, combos, and real-time aiming. PS5 teams up with PC and Xbox players, so you’ll always find a full party for raids or urgent quests.
Additionally, all purchasable items are for appearance only. To get stronger gear, you have to play and earn it.
Warframe
Warframe remains one of PS5’s best free picks for co-op looter-shooter action that never stops evolving. Digital Extremes rebuilt its decade-old looter-shooter for PS5. The entire world looks sharper, and loading times dropped from nearly a minute on PS4 to just a few seconds on PS5.
Each weapon class has a different trigger resistance, heavy shotguns feel heavier to pull than pistols. And it locks 60 fps even during large missions with dozens of players.
Path of Exile 2 (Early Access)
If deep skill trees and endless loot hunts are your thing, Path of Exile 2’s Early Access build is a no-brainer. Grinding Gear Games promises the final release will remain free, with only cosmetics behind a paywall.
PS5 runs the game at 60 fps in Performance Mode, and the interface scales well on TV. Massive customization lets you shape any build you like with twelve new character classes and hundreds of passive-skill points.
With these six titles loaded, your PS5 will deliver hundreds of hours of role-playing, raids, loot grinds, and open-world exploration. Discover More Free Games on PlayStation 4
Under-the-radar RPGs and upcoming releases
A wave of new free RPGs is coming to PS5 soon. A few simple settings changes (like capping your PlayStation Store wallet) will keep every session both fun and budget-safe.
Blue Protocol: Star Resonance
Bandai Namco’s anime MMO was recently resurrected and confirmed for a Western PS5 launch in 2025. The relaunch adds a new “Star Resonance” combat system and promises full cross-play at 60 fps.
Tower of Fantasy
Already live on PlayStation, this shared-world sci-fi RPG drops players into vast wastelands and underwater biomes. Sony’s store page lists Tower of Fantasy are free to play and seasonal updates add new areas, tools, and events for free as well.
Zenless Zone Zero
HoYoverse’s urban action RPG lets you test its roguelike “Hollow” dungeons. Version 2.0, which arrives June 6, promised new characters and missions.
Wuthering Waves
Kuro Games debuted January 2, 2025 and rolled out a new region with full 4K support. Early previews praise its characters and combat system with air-dash movement and rhythmic parry system.
Granblue Fantasy: Relink Lite Demo
The full Granblue Fantasy: Relink Lite Demo costs money, but the “Lite” edition stays free. It lets you grind as many four-player boss hunts as you want, which is perfect for testing before buying.
Why PS5 is the best place for free RPGs
The PS5’s hardware makes these free games feel like big-budget titles:
- Native 4K and 60 fps: Genshin’s PS5 edition upgrades to 4K, and loading points drop to a couple of seconds. None of this was possible on PS4.
- Advanced visuals: Warframe’s entire world got a PS5 texture remaster, yet runs at 60 fps during heavy missions.
- DualSense haptics: In Genshin’s fishing minigame, the trigger tightens as the fish fights. In Warframe, Lotus’ voice plays through the speaker and trigger pull changes with each weapon.
The built-in spending limits also let you cap spending beforehand. Under Settings › Family Management, you can cap a child’s monthly wallet to anything from $0 to $300. By default, it’s zero until you raise it. So you can enjoy these free RPGs on PS5 for hundreds of hours without worrying about your wallet.