Upcoming Free Games

Gaming is expensive. Whether someone prefers consoles or PC, they will need to invest a fair amount of cash just to set up their stations. Once the hardware is ready to go, owners will need to turn to their platform’s libraries to pick up some software. Nowadays, Xbox Game Pass and PS Plus grant access to massive selections of games for monthly fees; however, most AAA titles do not debut on these subscription services. Consequently, players could find themselves regularly dropping $69.99 to experience the latest exciting projects.

Free-to-play games sound fantastic on paper and can serve as a way to keep someone entertained in between premium products. Plenty of titles showcase this model’s potential, and this selection is set to expand significantly over the coming months and years. What are the most highly-anticipated new free games announced for 2025 or beyond? At the moment, there are not all that many no-cost projects with confirmed release dates; however, several games are in the pipeline, and they could very well debut over the next few months.

Updated February 2, 2025 by Mark Sammut: As the year begins to pick up steam, more upcoming free games should start to be announced or take shape. Consequently, a title targeting a March 2025 early access debut has been added.

• Added: Seekers of Skyveil

FragPunk

Hero Shooter With Cards & Style

Hero shooters are weird. On the one hand, the genre feels overexposed and tired; conversely, there are only a small handful of viable options on the market, basically all of which fall within the free-to-play scene. New contenders do not come around often, but when they do, they rarely seem to attract all that much excitement. Marvel Rivals was the first hero shooter since Overwatch 2 to seemingly garner any significant momentum, a movement largely driven by its recognizable roster.

Still, FragPunk looks kind of great. While its initial reveal did not garner that much enthusiasm, a fairly successful open beta managed to garner some momentum in the project’s favor, hopefully setting the stage for what will prove to be a worthwhile addition to an exhausted gameplay formula. So, what sets FragPunk apart from its contemporaries? The main selling point is Shard Cards, which are assigned to teams for each round. These have a wide impact on matches, providing both advantages and disadvantages; more importantly, they shake up the routine to provide consistent variety. Rounds are short too.

Beyond that, FragPunk seems to play well, at least going by the closed beta impressions. The 12 heroes all come with unique abilities and have pretty fun designs, which is important for this type of release.

Mini Royale

A Small-Scale Battle Royale

While still popular, battle royales do kind of feel like a thing of the past. At this point, the genre is dominated by a couple of evergreen releases, and any new names seem to struggle to make a dent when they must compete against established names like Warzone or Fortnite. Many developers have tried to leave their mark by going big, but maybe they should have opted to move in the opposite direction. Mini Royale drops 50 toy soldiers into a child’s messy room and challenges them to survive. While the gameplay does not seem too far removed from the status quo, Indigoblue’s game stands out due to its whimsical premise and charming map, at least going by the one that has been shown off so far.

If done right, Mini Royale could come as a breath of fresh air in a somewhat stagnant genre. The premise should pave the way for a unique range of weapons and items that go beyond the traditional armories found in most battle royales. Beyond that, the developer has confirmed that the map will have small touches that take advantage of the core concept, including a toy train as a means of travel.

Seekers of Skyveil

Major free-to-play games are rare in general, but new MOBAs are extremely hard to come by. Most years might produce a handful of genre entries, and most of them struggle to find an audience due to the scene being dominated by a few names that have been seemingly forever by this point. Seekers of Skyveil will, hopefully, break that trend and prove to be a worthwhile and successful addition to the multiplayer market. After completing a beta test in January 2025, the game is currently targeting an early access debut in March, which should be free-to-play.

Seekers of Skyveil blends elements from MOBAs, RPGs, and extraction games, with the Steam description specifically highlighting the latter. Players get to pick a seeker and head out alongside their teammates, entering contests where they must pick up loot and make it out alive. The higher the risk, the higher the reward. PvP and PvE will both be available, which makes sense for this type of experience. While not the most hyped upcoming free game, Seekers of Skyveil could fill a niche for players looking for a different type of MOBA or extraction game.

Path Of Exile 2

Sequel To One Of The Best Free Games

Grinding Gear’s Path of Exile enjoyed its 10th anniversary in 2023, and the game is still among the best free-to-play options on the market. Presented as an alternative to Diablo, the isometric action RPG delivers stellar customization, gameplay, and a lot of content that can be enjoyed without requiring any cash investment. Path of Exile prides itself on not being pay-to-win, and the developer has generally stuck to that commitment. Now, the sequel is on the horizon, and it is shaping up to be an exciting expansion of an already beloved hack and slash dungeon crawler.

Generally, when an upcoming free project vows to deliver the stars and moon, skepticism should be the natural reaction; however, Grinding Gear’s words are backed by years of generally good work. Therefore, when Path of Exile 2‘s Steam description promotes a six-act campaign and extensive endgame content in the form of 100+ maps with unique boss fights, there is a chance that the final product might actually deliver on these promises.

On December 6, 2024, Path of Exile 2 entered early access, becoming available on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X. While the full game will be free-to-play, the early access version is not; consequently, PoE2 is still an upcoming free game.

Sonic Rumble

A Party Game With Up To 32 Players

An argument could be made that the best Sonic the Hedgehog game of the last five years is a freebie that was randomly dropped on Steam. The Murder of Sonic the Hedgehog is shockingly good and an easy recommendation for fans of the franchise, as long as they do not mind a story-driven visual novel. As that worked so well, Sega looks set to dip into the free market once again, albeit with a very different project. Sonic Rumble is a 32-player multiplayer party game that seems to take a few lessons from Fall Guys, with players competing in races and other survival-themed modes. Naturally, players will have access to a plethora of characters from across the franchise, beyond just the obvious ones like Sonic, Knuckles, and Tails.

While probably better to not get too excited until more information is revealed regarding its Western release, which seems set to not include gacha mechanics, Sonic Rumble should be a fun time. Fall Guys might no longer be at its peak popularity, but there is really nothing wrong with its core concept and gameplay loop; furthermore, Sega has the resources and the pedigree to push this peculiar multiplayer subgenre to the next level.

Madoka Magica Magia Exedra

Turn-Based JRPG

Free-to-play games tend to target as wide of an audience as possible, hoping to attract the full circle rather than just a sliver. However, that is not always the case, and projects exist that are designed with a niche audience in mind. Madoka Magica Magia Exedra seems to be one of those releases, with the turn-based RPG game being set within the Puella Magi Madoka Magica universe. While the 2011 anime is popular and has previously spawned spin-offs and cross-media productions, it is still a relatively small IP, at least compared to franchises like Dragon Ball or Naruto.

Although not synonymous with video games, this franchise has explored the industry before. There are a couple of handheld Madoka Magic games, along with a mobile title called Magia Record: Puella Magi Madoka Magica Side Story. Madoka Magica Magia Exedra seems set to be a replacement for the latter, offering a new free-to-play option that covers the entire IP rather than a specific part of it. The upcoming game seems to use gacha mechanics, allowing players to create a team of five magical girls. The turn-based combat looks fairly typical for the genre, which is not necessarily a bad thing.

Dungeon Stalkers

Blending PvP and enemy fights, Dungeon Stalkers looks set to be an ambitious blend of multiplayer and classic single-player tropes. Action Square’s game bills itself as a PvEvP dungeon crawler, which is unique since so many of these types of releases tend to be extraction shooters. While ranged weaponry appears to be part of the equation, the available footage suggests that the main focus is on melee combat, and the game will feature multiple playable characters (naturally, the eponymous “Stalkers”).

At the moment, Dungeon Stalkers‘ quality is difficult to predict. The trailers and screenshots suggest potential, although they do indicate that the release could be a bit rough around the edges. Going by the description on Steam, the game is essentially an extraction RPG, with players entering dungeons to kill monsters and acquire loot as long as they make it out alive.

Arena Breakout: Infinite

Launching a beta period in May 2024, Arena Breakout: Infinite has been gathering momentum in recent months, hopefully paving the way for a successful early access project. An extraction shooter that shares similarities with projects like Escape from Tarkov, the game aims for realism in its presentation, weapon customization, and gun feedback, which tends to be the case with these sorts of titles.

The beta version shows promise, particularly in its visuals, quality-of-life ideas, and weapon options; however, the game is fairly rough around the edges in places and does not seem to contain too many new ideas. However, betas are specifically designed to promote player feedback, so Arena Breakout could and should improve in the coming months.

Steel Hunters

Mecha Shooter

Steel Hunters looks phenomenal. By the same developer behind World of Tanks/Warships, this upcoming project is all about massive mechs engaging in battle royale-esque fights for supremacy, a concept that sounds and will hopefully be mouthwatering. Built using Unreal Engine 5, Steel Hunters‘ graphics are jaw-dropping, at least from the available footage. The mechs are detailed and showcase heavy movement that grants them a sense of weight, and their designs are also quite varied.

Wargaming is promoting Steel Hunters as a PvPvE hero extraction shooter, with players having the option to pick from a plethora of mechs (called Hunters). Set in a post-cataclysmic world, the game revolves around faction warfare, with the different groups fighting over Earth’s limited supply of resources. Players enter the battlefield in search of loot, and they also have to kill anything that moves (be it other players or AI enemies). Environmental destruction also appears to be a 2025 open beta release is on the cardsbig part of the gameplay loop, which is always fun.

With a closed beta already behind it, Steel Hunters seems to be progressing nicely, to the point that a 2025 open beta release is on the cards.

Tom Clancy’s The Division: Resurgence

Mobile Third-Person Shooter

While Ubisoft canceled Heartland, a free-to-play The Division game that was fairly hyped up for a while, the publisher seems set to release a mobile game set in the same universe. Resurgence looks to adapt the franchise’s MMO structure for Android and iOS devices, delivering similar third-person shooter gunplay, missions, exploration, and loot. Returning to New York, the setting for the first game in the series, the upcoming free game will also feature an open-world that supports both PvE and PvP content, with the latter coming courtesy of the Dark Zone. The former will include a brand-new campaign and storyline that focuses on the early days of the virus’ spread, casting players as early members of the Strategic Homeland Division.

Going on the beta footage released so far, Tom Clancy’s The Division: Resurgence looks pretty promising, especially for a mobile device. While the pre-release gameplay shows some stutter, that could be ironed out by the time the final product launches; even then, the game still looks good in its current state. The Division has kind of a weird reputation. Despite not being as talked about as some other live-service projects like Destiny 2, the franchise has been largely successful, and The Division 2 is still quite active.

Splitgate 2

An Unexpected Sequel To A Good Free-To-Play Shooter

1047 Games’ Splitgate was and still is a fun multiplayer shooter that sets itself apart from the crowd by utilizing portals (or wormholes) as a means to get around maps quickly, along with helping combat. While not one of the biggest free options on the market, the original game has a small but dedicated fanbase that has kept it alive since its 2022 official release. Still, the announcement of a sequel came somewhat out of nowhere, especially since an Alpha went live fairly quickly (on August 21, 2024, to be exact).

Even if not a lot of people had Splitgate 2 on their bingo card for 2025, the sequel is still a fairly exciting prospect since this concept has plenty of room to grow. Assuming it hits the ground running, this project could be a worthwhile addition to many players’ game cycle, particularly if they enjoy high-octane PvP shooters with a cool sci-fi twist. While the core gameplay loop should remain fairly similar to the original game, Splitgate 2 looks set to incorporate several exciting evolutions, along with a switch to Unreal Engine 5.

Paradise

The AI Era Is Coming

Love or hate it, AI is here to stay and will almost certainly become a major part of video game design moving forward. Paradise seems set to take advantage of this technology, using it to create an open-world where NPCs are more than just no-name figures with no identity beyond their set cycle. The idea is that AI will enable players to interact with NPCs in far greater detail than usual, with the latter having full lives that are automatically generated.

The concept is ambitious and could pave the way to more realistic worlds than ever before, ones that could (potentially) offer endless possibilities. Beyond this selling point, Paradise does not appear to have much of a story, at least not one that is being highlighted at the moment. Perhaps, the developers are primarily seeking to create a slice of life-type experience where players can just go about their day, enjoying unique activities as they mess about in the world.

Neverness To Everness

Open-World Gacha RPG

Hotta Studio’s Neverness To Everness has been quietly attracting hype, garnering interest due to its seemingly ambitious combination of action JRPG combat and a GTA-style open-world. It also includes gacha mechanics, which seem to be a requirement for these types of releases in this day and age. Honestly, on paper, Neverness To Everness seems almost too good to be true, especially since the developer is fairly unknown; that said, Hotta released a 13-minute gameplay showcase video that does a pretty good job of highlighting the game’s world and combat. If nothing else, this free RPG at least appears to genuinely exist and seems to be developing nicely.

Neverness To Everness is slated to debut on mobile devices, PC, and PS5, which is quite a diverse platform slate. Nowadays, iOS and Android devices are capable of running AAA-level games, even ones that are being created in Unreal Engine 5. Obviously, it is still way too early to predict whether this project will be a success or not, but the early signs are positive enough to warrant keeping an eye on Neverness To Everness. It would be cool to have another great free action JRPG that is not developed by MiHoYo.

Arknights: Endfield

Landing On PC

Debuting in 2019 on mobile devices, Arknights is nowadays well established as one of the industry’s most famous projects. It was even successful enough to warrant an anime adaptation, and the franchise looks set to continue its expansion with a spin-off game set on a new planet. Endfield Industries has taken measures to bring civilization to Talos-II, but the world and its locals have been less than welcoming. Set following a disaster that greatly hurt this movement, players step into the shoes of PFRD operatives tasked with taming the alien planet.

Arknights: Endfield looks set to be fairly different from the mainline entry. For one, the spin-off will utilize real-time strategy combat, although exact details on the system’s mechanics have yet to be provided. It is also unclear whether the game will employ gacha mechanics, although that seems likely. More importantly, Endfield will be available on PC, an ecosystem that Arknights has yet to target specifically.

Perfect New World

Boundless MMO

An Eastern MMORPG that completed an Exploratory Closed Beta Test in June 2023, Perfect New World has a ways to go before reaching completion, but Ironcore is working on implementing a wide range of changes inspired by user feedback. Cast as Soul Tamers, players will strive to find Prime, a journey that involves exploring a seemingly fairly attractive fantasy world filled with dungeons, enemies, and NPCs. Obviously, the MMORPG will support co-op/multiplayer, and PvP is also part of the overall experience and is being tweaked following the closed beta.

Perfect New World‘s combat system seems to lean into real-time hack and slash territory, with fast-paced action being the name of the game. As with most MMORPGs, players will be able to pick from a range of classes that come with their own skill trees. Although there is nothing too unique about these ideas, they could combine to create a fun addition to the free-to-play market.

Karlson

Made For Speed-Runners

Dani has two successful free games under their belt: Muck and Crab Game. Both titles focus on physics-based gameplay, and they are fairly impressive considering they largely stemmed from the mind of a single person. Dani’s next project is Karlson, a first-person shooter that heavily incorporates parkour and speed-running. The eponymous character is a prisoner who must wall-jump and blast their way through a series of levels en route to a glass of milk.

The creator’s resume and social media presence ensure Karlson would get some attention, but the game also presents a convincing case for meriting this hype. A version of the project can be downloaded for free on Itch.io, and it is quite good.

Special Mention: Deadlock

Not Confirmed To Be Free-To-Play, But Seems Likely

After roughly a year of rumors and undisclosed playtests, Valve finally acknowledged that Deadlock is a thing in August 2024. Despite having a Steam page and featuring a respectable active player count, the game is not currently available to try, with the only people playing are ones with special invitations. Furthermore, Valve has been very tight-lipped about the project, only revealing the bare minimum. Still, the available knowledge paints an exciting picture of a game that looks set to combine two popular free genres: MOBAs and hero shooters. The latter is fairly oversaturated nowadays and there is not much of a call for new representatives, but Valve certainly has the reputation and resources to craft an exception.

Now, Valve has not revealed that Deadlock will be free-to-play, so this mention is based purely on market and historical evidence. Except for Half-Life: Alyx, Valve seems to have mostly focused on free games over the last decade, at least whenever the developer decides to create something new. More importantly, Valve’s multiplayer projects tend not to be buy-to-play, and there is no reason the publisher should change course and try something different at this point. Also, Concord‘s swift termination might not encourage many publishers to go down the premium hero shooter route.