40 Best Upcoming Free To Play Games of 2023

Free to play games are great for many different reasons, some of which include being easily accessible to large audiences due to no financial barrier, and typically a good output of new content. Many of the industry’s biggest games year after year are free to play titles such as Fortnite and Apex Legends. That said, the future of free to play games is looking bright, so here’s our top ten free games set to release in 2023.

#40 Marvel Snap

Platform: PC
Release Date: August 22, 2023

Steam

What good is a card game if you can’t play it with friends or against rivals? In Marvel Snap, you’ll get to build a deck full of iconic characters and locations from the Marvel Comics Universe, then take it to task by fighting those online. The challenge will always be there whether you play against random people or those you know. You’ll need to use your deck to the fullest to come out on top. The flow of the whole battle can be changed on a single card, so you’ll want to make sure it’s your card that does it! Get new cards, and then see how they fair against your opponents! The game is constantly updating, so there are always new things to add and foes to battle.

#39 Pineapple on pizza

Platform: PC
Release Date: March 28, 2023

Steam

Given how costly everything is nowadays, it’s understandable that you might want to enjoy a short but sweet experience that doesn’t cost a dime. To that end, Pineapple On Pizza is the game for you to scratch that itch.

In the game, which lasts only about ten minutes, you’ll head to a dance party on an island. But you’re not going to take part in the dancing. Instead, you’re going to try and break up this party and be the “pineapple on pizza” that you were born to be.

It might sound odd at first, but once you dive into the game, you’ll see the potential.

#38 Blue Protocol

Platform: PC PS5 XSX|S
Release Date: 2023

Blue Protocol follows a protagonist trying to uncover the truth behind their origins. As it turns out, you’re somehow connected to the survival of your entire planet. Players interested in another anime-style and vivid MMORPG may want to keep tabs on this one. While details might be a little light and a launch window of being at some point this year, players can likely expect the typical tropes of an MMORPG. There are bound to be plenty of environments to explore, enemies to fight, and quests to take on from NPCs you meet along the way.

#37 Harry Potter: Magic Awakened

Platform: PC
Release Date: 2023

Harry Potter: Magic Awakened is an upcoming collectible card game. In this title, players will get tossed into the magical wizarding world ten years after the Battle of Hogwarts. This was the event where Harry Potter managed to gain a legendary victory in defeating Lord Voldemort. Now, we’re taking the role of a new first-year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. While Voldermort may no longer be a problem, other mysterious events are taking place. Prepare for a new thrilling adventure as you attempt to find a missing first-year, Ivy Warrington. 

#36 Path of Exile 2

Platform: PC PS5 XSX|S
Release Date: 2023

Path of Exile has been a massive hit over the years and continues to see support with new thrilling updates. However, we do have a sequel that will come in the form of another campaign for players. This new seven-act storyline won’t replace Path of Exile but will be added in for players that wish to continue their journey. In addition, players will get a new skill system, classes, and various improvements compared to the original installment release. We’re still waiting on just when we might get our hands on this sequel, but it does look like we’ll see a beta launch first which means the full launch could still be a ways off. 

#35 The Finals

Platform: PC PS5 XSX|S
Release Date: 2023

The Finals is an upcoming PvP multiplayer shooter game. It’s a title that throws players into a fictional combat game show. Of course, you’re just a player looking to take advantage of this opportunity to make some big bucks by gunning down your opponents across various environments. But to make things more chaotic, this is not just a shooter that focuses on just taking out your opponents. Instead, the environments are entirely destructible, so you’ll want to make use of bringing down buildings and bridges or blasting your way through a wall when the opportunity calls for it.

#34 Block N Load 2

Platform: PC
Release Date: 2023

If you enjoyed the first Block N Load, prepare for its sequel. This is a multiplayer shooter game where the focus is not only on fighting off enemies but using an in-game building system to construct defenses or means to reach new areas. Make up different buildings, place traps, and get ready to unleash chaos when an enemy player comes roaming in. With the sequel, we’re tossed 1,000 years into the future, where you’ll have new blocks and weapons at your disposal.

#33 Ashfall

Platform: PC
Release Date: TBA 2023

AI is quite a popular topic, and Ashfall shows what would happen if it gained control of our nukes. It results in a massive nuclear attack to wipe out humanity. When the debris finally settles, those that survive are left with nothing more than ruins of a once prosperous civilization. Players are forced to try and survive the new world in this game. This means scavenging for items, making weapons, and fighting off whatever foe pops up. Can you survive the different human factions, mutated beasts, and robots roaming these barren wastelands?

#32 SCP: Event Classified

Platform: PC
Release Date: Q3, 2023

SCP: Event Classified is an upcoming FPS horror game. Players are tossed into a strange facility with up to 120 total players. Depending on the role you’re given, there are objectives you’ll have to complete. For some, these could be objectives relatively easy with the help of another player or role. But it’s a fight for survival, and while you could aid another, they might very well stab you in the back. Developers also highlight replayability with the map shuffle, bringing out different items, anomalies that will appear in the map, and even relationships between certain roles. Currently, the game is in early access, but it should launch at some point this year for those who might not be able to gain access to the early access playtests. 

#31 Soulframe

Platform: PC
Release Date: 2023

Soulframe is a new MMO coming from the creators of the beloved Warframe title. Given how popular that game is, and how long it’s lasted, you know that Digital Extremes can get the job done and deliver a long-lasting experience.

But what does this new game have to offer fans? That is what is shrouded in mystery. Because the game has only gotten small teases of what it is.

We know that it’ll be a more “grounded” title, and that it’ll have a more focused combat system based around melee attacks. Everything else we’ll just have to wait for more information on.

#30 Pinball FX

Platform: PC PS4 Xbox One PS5 XSX|S
Release Date: February 16, 2023

Who doesn’t love pinball? If you don’t, you need to get out more and actually live a little.

Regardless, if you are hankering for the old-school kind of pinball games that you grew up on, get Pinball FX. They have recreated 100 classic pinball machines digitally so that you can play the titles you tried to get a high score on before.

But that’s not all! You can decorate a special game room so that you can feel like you’re a kid again or an adult living out a dream. That dream being you can live unabashedly and enjoy pinball whenever you want.

#29 Star Wars: Hunters

Platform: Switch
Release Date: 2023

Conflict typically only happens between empires and their rebellions in a certain galaxy far, far away. But in Star Wars: Hunters, you will have conflicts for a much more basic reason: entertainment.

In the game, you’ll be part of an entertainment series called “Hunters of the Outer Rim.” It’s one of the most popular things around, and it’s your job to pick the character you can use to lead your team to victory!

You’ll be anything from soldiers to bounty hunters, to Jedi and Sith. There are numerous ways to play. So take to the battlefield and see if you can come out on top.

#28 ARC Raiders

Platform: PC PS5 XSX|S
Release Date: 2023

When all you can do is resist, you won’t stop until you’re wiped out. In ARC Raiders, you’ll be part of a group that is constantly attacked by enemies from space. You’ll have a brief warning of their arrival and must do all you can to take them out before they return the favor.

Only through teamwork will you be able to survive, and just as important, the enemy Arcs are going to be adapting to what you do and trying to beat you with every wave they throw your way.

Scavenge all you can to give your crew a better chance, and be ready for when the next battle starts!

#27 Warlander

Platform: PC PS5 XSX|S
Release Date: January 24, 2023

There are many medieval games out there for you to try. But what ones can you think of that have you going full-on crazy to try and win a battle? If you can’t think of one, you should look at Warlander. At first, the game seems like nothing more than a medieval fighting game, but it’s so much more.

You’ll be able to use incredible abilities to wipe out foes, even channeling the power of the gods! If that’s not enough for you, there are robots in the game you can control!

Additionally, there will be 100 players on the map, so you’ll need to keep your head on a swivel so you’re not caught off guard by what your rivals do.

#26 The First Descendant

Platform: PC PS4 Xbox One PS5 XSX|S
Release Date: August 2023

Want a top-notch-looking shooter that’ll give you variety while also giving you unique boss fights to do? The First Descendant puts you in a world where you play characters known as Descendants. Each is unique, so pick the one that best suits you.

Then, through the power of co-op, team up with your friends and see if you can bring down the monsters invading your world and trying to wipe out humanity.

Your Descendant can be outfitted with all kinds of weapons and abilities, so don’t be afraid to tweak things so you can see what they can do!

Are you ready to jump into the action?

#25 Wayfinder

Platform: PC PS4 Xbox One PS5 XSX|S
Release Date:2023

What happens when the world you know and love are shattered, and chaos is lurking in every corner? Simple, you must rise alongside your friends and take everything back!

In Wayfinder, you’ll experience an MMO where you can create your own path and build up your character how you please. Team up with friends to face the numerous challenges of this corrupted world and see if you can bring things back to the way they were.

You decide where to go, who to fight, want to do next, etc. So make the adventure that you want, and see where it takes you and those who are with you!

#24 Honkai: Star Rail

Platform: PC
Release Date: April 26, 2023

The latest entry in the HoYoVerse will have you on the edge of your seat as you span the universe looking for more planets to explore, companions to meet, and more! So get ready for Honkai: Star Rail!

This intense Space RPG will continue the journey of past games and helps you unravel some of the series greater mysteries as you go on countless adventures! There’s a large galaxy to explore within the title, so go to each world that you find and see if it holds something for you to do.

You never know who you might meet, or how they’ll affect the story, so be on your guard!

#23 UFL

Platform: PS4 Xbox One PS5 XSX|S
Release Date: 2023

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.

#22 VEILED EXPERTS

Platform: PC
Release Date: May 19, 2023

If you’re looking for a high-octane competitive shooter, be on the lookout for VEILED EXPERTS. The game lets you pick an operative with a special set of skills, then sends you into battles where you must complete certain objectives.

But how you complete them and get around the map is entirely up to you. You’ll have numerous options available to you, and you can alter the environment as you need to to have a better chance of getting the job done.

So try out the operatives, see what strategies you can do, and then come out on top! Good luck, you’re going to need it.

#21 Sheepy: A Short Adventure

Platform: PC
Release Date: 2023

Have you ever wondered what it would be like if your favorite plushie or stuffed animal came to life and what it would be like to interact with them?

Well, Sheepy: A Short Adventure is a variation of that concept. The title is based on a plushie named Sheepy, who must wander through a weird world that was forgotten long ago. How did Sheepy get there? What does Sheepy have to do to get out? How many times are we going to say Sheepy in this description?

Some of these questions will be answered once you play the game for yourself!

#20 Landfall Archives

Platform: PC
Release Date: March 31, 2023

One of the sad realities of video game development is that not everything you design, create, and so on will get released to the public. Sometimes you start in one direction and then move into another mid-production. Or a game gets scrapped so you can work on another title with more potential.

Landfall Archives is a unique take on that concept as you’ll descend into an “archive” and get to play every title that the titular Landfall and his crew attempted to make but never released.

You’ll find previous versions of eventually made games and others that never got out in any form. So why not head into the archives and see what awaits you?

#19 Pineapple on pizza

Platform: PC
Release Date: March 28, 2023

Nope. NOPE! Pineapple doesn’t belong on pizza, and nothing you tell us will convince us otherwise! After all, it’s not a real topping for a beautiful thing like pizza!

Oh, we’re not talking about actual pizza? We’re talking about a game called Pineapple on pizza? Okay.

The point of the game is simple. There’s a party going on, and you need to ruin it. That’s it. That’s all. You can play the game in about ten minutes, so it’s not much of a commitment. So if you’re looking for a simple yet unique title to dive into to kill some time? Here you go!

#18 Maximum Football

Platform: PC PS4 Xbox One PS5 XSX|S
Release Date: 2023

Are you ready to take things to the gridiron and prove why you’re among the best out there? Maximum Football will let you be the coach of a college or pro team, and it’s your job to lead them to victory no matter what.

On the field, you’ll call the plays, help your team score touchdowns, stop the rival’s offense, and more. Then, off the field, you’ll slowly build up the squad of your dreams to crush anyone who stands across you on the field.

Will you be able to lead your team to victory? What strategies will you use to get the win? Jump in, coach, and find out.

#17 ALARA Prime

Platform: PC
Release Date: 2023

There are plenty of multiplayer shooters out there, but ALARA Prime attempts to do something different by giving you different ways of thinking about gameplay and different modes to play in.

In the title, you’ll be part of a team of four and have to achieve various goals. Each squad member will choose the class they want to be, so pick one that fits your playstyle.

Then, dive into modes like “Transmission,” where one team will defend an uplink module, and the other two teams will attempt to kill them and take it over!

There’s plenty of strategy to be had here, so dive in and see where it takes you!

#16 Warhaven

Platform: PC
Release Date: 2023

Why fight everyone alone when you can have a team helping you?

In Warhaven, the battles here are large in scope, as two teams of 16 players will do battle on massive battlefields where both sword and sorcery are at play. You’ll pick the kind of fighter you want to be and do your best to turn the tide of battle in your favor.

If that’s not enough, you can even transform into beings known as Immortals to further help your side.

Each fight will be intense, and you’ll want to work with your squad to come out on top! So, are you ready for war?

#15 Omega Strikers

Platform: PC PS4 Xbox One XSX|S PS5 Switch
Release Date: April 27, 2023

What do you get when you mix air hockey with super-powered beings? You get Omega Strikers!

In the game, you’ll pick and control three powered people on your side of the field. Then, you’ll go against another player with their own batch of heroes and attempt to defeat them in air hockey-style combat! Use your characters’ abilities to protect your goal, take out other characters, or take a shot at the goal!

Be careful! Your characters can get knocked out, leaving you vulnerable. Plus, even when you score a goal, you must have a certain amount of points above your opponent to win! So get in the game and see who wins!

#14 The Murder of Sonic the Hedgehog

Platform: PC
Release Date: March 31, 2023

Wait, SEGA killed Sonic The Hedgehog? They must not want any money from him anymore!

Ok, it’s not really like that. The Murder of Sonic the Hedgehog is a “parody” game SEGA released on April Fool’s Day. In fact, it’s free-to-play and many people have enjoyed what they did.

Basically, Amy Rose held a birthday party on the Mirage Express with the theme of a murder mystery. Care to guess who the victim is in this scenario? Exactly, Sonic. So now you have to figure out who killed him and whether things are more literal than they appear.

Do you think you can solve the caper?

#13 Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodhunt

Platform: XSX|S
Release Date: 2023

Are you ready to stalk the night in style and take down those who would lay claim to your territory? In Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodhunt, you’ll become a vampire in Prague and team up with others to take other groups of vampires down.

The city streets and the rooftops will be your battleground. Wield the weapons of man or the vampiric powers given to you to ravage your foes until they can’t stand anymore.

Plus, you can feast on civilians who happen to be nearby and boost your powers further! So are you ready to become the best of the vampires? Or will you be another victim on another vampire’s path to glory?

#12 My Hero: Ultra Rumble

Platform: PC PS4 Xbox One Switch
Release Date: 2023

Whether you love the manga or the anime, you know what it means to go “Plus Ultra!” In My Hero: Ultra Rumble, you’ll get that opportunity while playing as one of your favorite Pro-Heroes or the villains they battle against.

Specifically, the game is a battle royal title composed of 3-man teams. You’ll choose the characters you want to play as, team up with other players, and then try to eliminate everyone else.

How you use your Quirks is vital to your victory. Don’t just rush in, as that might lead to a quick exit. So work with your squad and be the best heroes or villains on the field!

#11 Genshin Impact

Platform: Switch
Release Date: September 2023

You must be doing something wrong if you haven’t heard about Genshin Impact by now. Even if you haven’t played it or wanted to play it before, you definitely have seen its characters or heard people talking about it at some point.

What the game is about is almost irrelevant. You play as “The Traveler,” who is separated from their twin in a war-filled world. Now you must travel the lands searching for your sibling while also fighting off opposing forces.

But the real reason the game has made billions is that it’s a gacha game where you can summon waifus of all kinds to fight beside you. You’re welcome.

#10 UFL

For fans of football/soccer I’m sure UFL will be a great game to sink time into. FIFA is consistently one of the highest paid games of the year every single year despite it also having some rough monetization practices. UFL shouldn’t have too much difficulty in gathering an audience, and with consistent content updates player’s will hopefully stick around as well. For people who aren’t fans of sports games there isn’t much UFL will offer you, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t still great to see a new football game.

#9 Predecessor

Predecessor is looking to offer Multiplayer Online Battle Arena (MOBA) fans a unique experience. Where most of the genre uses a top down camera angle that provides a clear look at all/most of the battlefield, Predecessor is going to be a third person experience. People who aren’t crazy about other MOBA games like League of Legends or Pokemon Unite might have a better opinion of Predecessor for this reason. EAch match has 10 players who are then split into two teams, each player operating one of the many heroes the game has to offer. With each hero having different playstyles and abilities there’s a certain strategic aspect of the game with how your team is structured.

#8 Deadhaus Sonata

Where most free games are about the enjoyment of the experience and gameplay, Deadhaus Sonata is aimed as a narrative action RPG. From the creator of Legacy of Kain and Eternal Darkness, you play as a member in the army of the dead. With up to 6 player co-op functionality, you and your friends can ravage the lands of the living as you explore the narrative laid out in front of you. Be careful though, the choices you make during your adventures can have permanent effects on the world at large, and your character itself. With long lasting consequences Deadhaus Sonata solidifies its goal of being a story driven game.

#7 Tom Clancy’s The Division: Heartland

The Division: Heartland is the newest installment in the series of The Division games and it will be free to play unlike its predecessors. You’ll take on the role of a Division operative and fight back against other players to save the town of SIlver Creek. It’s described as a survival based multiplayer shooter but seems to have some form of narrative incorporated as you’ll be working to solve the mysteries in this small town. Fans of The Division should certainly keep Heartland on their radar. It takes everything from the original two games that fans love but is adding a new setting and more of a gameplay first style of experience.

#6 Overprime

Overprime is a team-based strategy game where the goal of each match is to destroy the opposing team’s bases. With various different characters that are aligned with different classes, how you structure your team can help decide your fate. You have to cooperate with your teammates and take into consideration each player’s abilities and weaknesses to best plot your path. With large maps and high speed movements the tides of battle can turn in an instant, so a well balanced team will be the key to winning.

#5 XDefiant

XDefiant is another free to play shooter coming from Ubisoft but it seems a bit more interesting than The Division: Heartland. It’s a fast paced arena based shooter which might not be the most original concept on the market, but I find them to be much more enjoyable than the slower paced, over the shoulder, cover shooters. We don’t have a lot of details on the game yet, but you’re supposed to be able to customize loadouts and partake in specialized factions to help add a more competitive and personal style to the game.

#4 HypeSquad

HypeSquad grabbed my attention immediately by not being another free to play shooter. Instead, HypeSquad is a close quarters fighting game. With a variety of weapons and augmentations available for you to use you’re able to customize your fighting style in a way that suits your own strengths.The action the game provides is non-stop as well. You’re placed on a squad with two other players and have to survive until the end of the match against 19 other squads. The maps are large but not so large that you would have long periods of time without facing another enemy. Players who have experienced Naraka: Bladepoint should be familiar with what HypeSquad is offering.

#3 Stormgate

Real-time strategy games may not be for everyone, but a free to play entry in the genre certainly piques my interest. The game sees you facing off against hordes of alien invaders. It has a lot of different game modes for you to experiment with. You can try playing against AI enemies, take a chance in a competitive PvP match, or work together with other players in a variety of different co-op focused modes. The different classes for each faction offer a lot of different ways to execute your strategies. And if you’re not finding quite what you’re looking for then Stormgate also has an editor mode on offer that will allow you to craft the game you envision.

#2 Genshin Impact

Genshin Impact is still slated to release on the Nintendo Switch so we’ve added the game on here. However, you can still play this game on other platforms right now. The free to play action RPG has worked up a massive reputation in its time on PC and PlayStation. It offers a beautiful world and a large quantity of different characters for you to unlock. The magic based combat system has been a hit with players but the different characters offer different play styles so you can work to find one that works the best for you. It also has one of the fastest turnarounds for new content, characters, events, and cosmetics out of almost any free game on the market. Needless to say, Genshin Impact landing on Nintendo Switch consoles is going to be a huge get for fans who can now take the game with them on the go.

#1 Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2 exists alongside the original Path of Exile. It brings a new large story to the table for fans of the first game but also incorporates new systems for skills, classes, and more. There’s been twenty years that have passed in ame between Path of Exile 2 and the original story and much has changed, such as the 19 different class types you can choose to play as for the campaign. Otherwise the gameplay style should be familiar for those who have played the original game. A dark fantasy styled action RPG where you can play online alongside or against other players. Path of Exile is one of the best free to play RPGs on PC and the sequel looks to be improving on everything that made the original an instant classic.