Despite the fact that we are at the end of the PlayStation 4’s life cycle, there are still a TON of great games to be found on Sony’s popular hardware. From console exclusives to incredible indie titles, there is truly something for everyone. Among these are a selection of games that are entirely free to play. Some of these freebies are not worth your time but if you dig through the drudgery, there are a few truly spectacular experiences that won’t cost you a dime.
From Battle Royales to Looter-Shooters and even full MMOs, there are loads of free content out there. However, to avoid having to sift through some less-than-stellar games, we’ve done it for you. So put that wallet away and prepare to be amazed!
Updated April 26, 2022 by Michael Abayomi: We’ve updated this list to include two new entries. The first is a first-person shooter with a science fiction twist, while the other is a MOBA in the vein of League of Legends.
22 Splitgate
Developed by 1047 Games, Splitgate is a first-person shooter that was originally released through early access in 2019. But following a substantial revamp of its gameplay, the console versions were released in 2021 for the Xbox One and PS4, with versions for current-gen consoles expected to release sometime in 2022.
The free-to-play title borrows elements from other popular sci-fi-based shooters, most notably the ones in the Portal series, in the form of the titular wormholes that allow you to instantly jump between one point of the map to another. This means gameplay takes a more tactical spin than your typical first-person shooter.
21 Smite
While there might be no shortage of free-to-play MOBAs on the PC, the same can’t be said about consoles or the PS4 specifically. This is why a game like Smite immediately stands out to any fans of the genre.
It was published by Hi-Rez Studios and released on the PS4 in 2016. In it, you play in a team made up of gods and other mythological characters and must face off against opposing teams and their minions. The game has proven popular in eSports arenas, even receiving a nomination for eSports Game of the Year at the Golden Joysticks in 2017.
20 Destiny 2
Following the success of the original Destiny, the team at Bungie hadn’t wasted much time before churning out a sequel. Originally released as a pay-to-play game in 2017, Destiny 2 eventually went free-to-play in 2019, opening its doors to even more players.
The game continues to support a thriving community through regular updates, with The Witch Queen expansion currently slated to launch on February 22, 2022.
19 PUBG: Battlegrounds
The battle royale genre wouldn’t be where it is today if it wasn’t for PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds, also popularly known as PUBG. The game had taken the online multiplayer world by storm with its previously unheard-of 100-player matches and unique focus on survival.
And while a free-to-play mobile version has been available since 2018, the main game only recently went that route on January 12, 2022, no doubt in a bid to better compete with the host of free-to-play titles available today.
18 Genshin Impact
Genshin Impact is a free-to-play action RPG developed by Chinese-based developers, miHoYo. Its distinctly cel-shaded visuals and vast open world should immediately call to mind The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild.
But what many initially dismissed as a knockoff of that other game has quickly grown to become one of the biggest live service games currently available, grossing over $2 billion within its first year of release.
17 Rogue Company
The already crowded hero shooter genre got even rowdier with last year’s release of Rogue Company. Developed by First Watch Games and published by Hi-Rez Studios, the game has teams of four players duking it out across various maps and game modes.
It supports cross-platform play, meaning that you can play with your friends playing on other consoles or PC.
Konami’s Pro Evolution Soccer has formerly made the transition to the free-to-play model under the new title, eFootball 2022. The new game promises the same quality football simulation the older series was known for, with a very low barrier to entry.
And despite a rocky launch that saw many people poking fun at its various player likenesses and gameplay inefficiencies, the game itself appears to be here for the long haul.
15 Hitman 2
If you haven’t played the Hitman games before, you can try out a mission from Hitman 2 for free on PS4. The games are fantastic and very in-depth and detailed. You truly get to experience what it would be like to live as an assassin or superspy.
The free mission for Hitman 2 will let you travel to New Zealand as Agent 47, who is on the hunt for a mysterious shadow client. While there is only one mission unlocked, you can try to master it and accomplish more than 40 different challenges created by improvisation and experimentation.
14 Neverwinter
For those of you who love games like Runescape and World of Warcraft, you should give Neverwinter a chance. It’s one of the simplest MMORPGs to get into, and yet it still delivers tons of content, all for free.
Depending on how much time you put into the game, you might eventually run into a potential paywall, but it’s not mandatory. You’ll just have to be patient with some of the waiting times and leveling up processes. If you’re familiar with Dungeons and Dragons, you probably recognize the name as the game is based on the fictional Forgotten Realms city from D&D.
13 Fishing Planet
Fishing Planet Holding A Fish
Are you a fan of simulator games? Fishing Planet is an impressive fishing simulator, it’s extremely realistic and has great graphics. Plus, the fishes in the game are supposedly intelligent and meant to mimic the unique behavior of their species. There are over 110 types overall.
Beyond that, there are more than 17 different scenic waterways for you to choose from that all vary with their climate conditions and terrain. You can also choose between a multitude of bait and tackle bombinations and even three different fishing styles.
12 Z1 Battle Royale
Z1 Battle Royale is a free battle royale game that lets you compete against players all over the world. It is a reimagining of the original game, redesigned for the PS4. It’s popular enough that when it was first released, more than one million players tried to access it at one time and crashed the servers.
As with most free games, there are microtransactions but they’re very easy to avoid. As for the gameplay itself, it’s somewhat similar to Fortnite. It’s easy to learn how to play it, but it’s hard to become very skilled.
11 Fallout Shelter
For those of you that can’t get enough Fallout, make sure you don’t miss out on this free simulation game that’s part of the franchise. The point of the game is, as the title suggests, you’ll be in charge of managing your own underground commune and fallout shelter.
There are microtransactions, but they’re really just there to speed up wait times, so if you’re patient, you can easily avoid them. It will be your job as Overseer to make sure your citizens are protected and have all the resources they need.
10 Fortnite Battle Royale
Fortnite gameplay
Love it, or hate it, there is no denying the incredible success of Epic’s Fortnite Battle Royale. What began as a horde-mode-style game, has since added a battle royale experience which quickly became the highest-grossing free-to-play game of all time. Last year alone, the game brought in over 2.4 billion dollars.
In Fortnite, 100 players drop into a large open map, filled with guns, vehicles, and buildings to destroy/build. The goal? Be the last player, or squad left alive as the map around you slowly shrinks. Not only is Fortnite Battle Royale free, but it also supports cross-play with basically all the latest consoles, phones, and computers.
9 DC Universe Online
DC Universe Online is a dream for everyone who is a fan of the comic book source material. In it, players will create their own, original superhero or villain and battle alongside, or against, Batman, Superman, and the like. This MMO-style adventure allows you to partner up with your friends and take on dungeons, raids, and bosses featuring many of DC’s iconic characters.
Even when you hit the max level, there is a ton of post-game content to keep you invested for hours. This is one of the older games on the list, with it first appearing on the PlayStation 3 in 2011, before making the jump to PS4 in 2013. However, since then, it has continued to be updated with new content, items, and characters. This is a must-have for any DC fans out there.
8 Paladins: Champions Of The Realm
If hero-based shooters like Overwatch are more your style, Paladins from Hi-Rez Studios may be just the game to scratch that itch for free. With over 35 heroes with different load-outs and abilities to choose from, this shooter offers a lot of variety. Not only can you battle as a giant tree, or use a snakehead as a venom launcher but Paladins offers a crazy amount of customization for each hero.
Before each match, you can use special cards to buff certain abilities. Likewise, during the match, you can purchase items to assist you in battle, similar to many MOBA-type games. This game is chaotic, action-packed, and definitely worth your time.
7 Gwent
gwent cards
When The Witcher 3 was released, it was obvious this game was special. There was SO much to see and do, the amount of detail was almost overwhelming at times. Featured in the main game was a “side-game” called Gwent, which allowed you to battle cards against various NPCs. Gwent has now been released as a stand-alone title on the PS4, for free. Those familiar with The Witcher 3 version will know what to expect.
You choose a faction, build a deck, and battle other players using strategic maneuvers. This is an incredibly well-developed card game that will hook you immediately, with new modes being released regularly. The more you play, the better decks you can build, and the greater the challenges you can face!
6 Let It Die
With the overwhelming success of the Souls games, it was only natural that there would-be imitators. Let It Die borrows heavily from its far more popular predecessors but it sets itself apart with zany characters, settings, and weapons. Your character is tasked with battling to the top of the “Tower of Barbs,” a feat that has never been accomplished.
Along the way, you will meet outlandish NPCs, and discover some truly hilarious weapons like buzzsaw knuckles, a firework launcher, or a flame wand. It’s all as weird as it sounds while the flashy mayhem on display here is truly a joy to watch. Just be prepared to die…a lot.
5 The Awesome Adventures Of Captain Spirit
There are few games that have perfected storytelling like Life is Strange. This graphic-adventure-style game is more like an interactive movie, allowing players the chance to make decisions, solve puzzles, and watch their choices play out in a cinematic style. As a precursor to Life is Strange 2, The Awesome Adventures of Captain Spirit is a bite-sized adventure that bridges the gap between the two games.
You play as Chris Eriksen, a young boy who faces a tragic loss and creates a superhero persona as a coping method. Over the roughly two-hour campaign, you will follow his story while inputting your choices to alter his path. This game is perfect for those who want to relax with a great story, rather than deep gameplay mechanics.
4 Brawlhalla
.jpg?q=50&fit=crop&w=740&dpr=1.5)
Brawlhalla is classified as a platformer battle arena. However, most people will just immediately compare it to the popular Super Smash Brothers franchise. You and your friends will battle for control over a 2D map, trying to kick, punch, chop, and shoot each other over the edge.
Each legend has different abilities and plays slightly differently. There are a variety of game modes to check out and over 40 legends to unlock. You can battle with up to eight players, which makes this a fantastic game to bust out at parties.
3 Dauntless
Dauntless, though not officially released at the time of writing, is already making some big waves. Currently, in open beta, this free-to-play game is a Monster Hunter-style action-adventure. After creating your character, you are thrust into The Shattered Isles with nothing but a sword and your wits! The goal is to take down the many behemoths that roam the world and use their various parts to craft weapons and armor.
It’s a familiar formula but Dauntless’ cartoony style, fast combat, and fluid movement make it feel different than other games in this genre. The best part is it is cross-playable with PC and Xbox One, so you and your pals can tackle beasts together!
Read Next
About The Author