Free-to-play games come in many shapes and sizes. Battle royales and hero shooters are probably the most oversaturated in this day and age, but genres like MOBAs and MMOs are not going away anytime soon. The latter tend to have a few big names that dominate the scene, but they occasionally welcome new properties that manage to survive beyond a year or two.
Free open-world games are not extremely common, with most examples falling squarely in the MMORPG sphere. Simply put, these sorts of projects are huge investments for developers and publishers, so they rarely go the free-to-start route unless they are specifically focusing on multiplayer. Still, not every MMO is open-world, and the ones that do qualify cover a wide range of quality. What are the best free-to-play open-world games?
Updated February 21, 2025 by Mark Sammut: As all the major free open-world games have been covered already, a section dedicated to premium titles with demos on Steam has been added. While the full versions are not free-to-play, these demos give players a chance to make an informed choice on whether they want to spend their cash.
The rankings are loose and not based solely on quality. For instance, a recently released project might take the top spot so it receives more exposure.
1 Genshin Impact
Gorgeous World, Fun Combat, And Constantly Evolving Story
Genshin Impact
- Released
- September 28, 2020
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- HoYoverse (Formerly miHoYo)
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, PC, iOS, Android
- Genre(s)
- RPG, Action, Adventure, Gacha, Open-World
- Accessible Party-Based Action Combat
- Stylish Anime Visuals
- Multiple Regions
- Gacha Mechanics Are An Acquired Taste
Genshin Impact was a massive success right out of the gate, and miHoYo has done a good job of maintaining the game's momentum. Set in the beautiful world of Teyvat, the action RPG allows players to build teams of four characters that they can swap in battle, and the campaign's harder challenges require a balanced party filled with fighters who complement each other.
Genshin Impact: What To Do First In Fontaine
Genshin Impact welcomes another new region, and along with it comes tons of new quests, mechanics, characters, weapons, and new materials to grind for
Combat is generally the main focus, but the game encourages exploration as well. Genshin Impact launched with a reasonably large open-world, and subsequent updates introduced new regions to expand the map. Although the end-game can be frustrating for non-paying users, the main story is quite accessible by free-to-play standards, provided someone tolerates Genshin's gacha system.
2 Unturned
Awesome Zombie Sandbox (That Is Nothing Like Minecraft)
Unturned
- Released
- July 7, 2014
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Smartly Dressed Games
- Platform(s)
- PC, PS4, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S
- Genre(s)
- Survival
- How Long To Beat
- 50 Hours
- Good Survival Mechanics
- Great Multiplayer Option
Launching in 2014 and still going strong, Unturned has enjoyed a long and healthy life. Largely revolving around survival, the game has a few notable things that have helped heighten its popularity. For one, most modern PCs should be able to run Unturned since it really does not require powerful specs. Obviously, its "free" price tag does not hurt, especially since the game can generally be enjoyed without requiring monetary investment. The community is also active and fairly welcoming, and this extends to the modding scene.
Although not much of a looker compared to plenty of modern open-world games, Unturned's voxel art style actually sets it apart from most of the genre's survival offerings since they tend to lean into realistic visuals. Sure, Minecraft is an exception, but Unturned is closer in gameplay and tone to something like DayZ.
3 Infinity Nikki
Explore, Change Outfits, Fish, And Just Have A Relaxing Time
Infinity Nikki
- Released
- December 5, 2024
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Papergames, Infold Games
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, PC, Mobile, Android, iOS
- Genre(s)
- Adventure, Open-World, Dress-Up, RPG
- Gorgeous Visuals
- Clothes, So Many Clothes
- Relaxing Slow-Paced Rhythm
- Forgettable Main Story
For some reason, a few publishers decided that the first week of December 2024 was the perfect time to drop some freebies. Delta Force, Marvel Rivals, and UFL all launched around roughly the same time, and while they all have their positives, they are not open-world, so they do not suit this discussion. However, Infinity Nikki also debuted during this month, taking the gaming world by storm in the process. While the franchise has been around for a while and experienced success in the mobile market, the 2024 release served as the gateway entry for most people, particularly ones who prefer to game on console or PC. Infinity Nikki is also by far the most ambitious project in the series so far, bringing to life a genuinely stunning world defined by whimsy. As far as escapist fantasies are concerned, this title is among the best in the free-to-play scene.
Infinity Nikki: 8 Beginner Tips For Free-to-Play
For those taking the free-to-play approach in Infinity Nikki, here are some helpful tips and tricks to keep in mind.
As Nikki, players are dragged to Miraland, a realm with lush green fields, impressive environments, and plenty of NPCs who love to chat. Infinity Nikki has a few major selling points that set it apart from other open-world projects. For one, combat is not the focus and is barely relevant, with even battles being quite hands-off and stress-free. Secondly and more importantly, Nikki loves a good dress-up, and she will be unlocking a lot of outfits throughout her journey. Some of these are acquired naturally through the story, but most are locked behind a gacha system. Finally, Infinity Nikki handles exploration quite well, often hiding decent surprises for players who are willing to go off the beaten path.
4 Throne And Liberty
A Large-Scale MMORPG Inspired By The Genre's Classics
Throne and Liberty
- Released
- October 1, 2024
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- NCSoft
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, PC
- Genre(s)
- MMORPG
- Animal Transformations
- Expansive Scale
- Classic MMORPG Structure
Even if they might not always hit the mark, the launch of a new MMO is always exciting since they promise potentially years' worth of content. Throne and Liberty has been available in some corners of the world for a while, but its (free) Western debut landed on October 1, 2024; currently, NCSoft's project is in a decent and exciting state, showing more than enough promise to suggest it will be around for a long time.
Throne And Liberty: Beginner Mistakes To Avoid
New players to Throne and Liberty would do well to avoid the following mistakes.
Now, Throne and Liberty is very much designed to be a classic-style MMORPG, which means a heavy focus on multiplayer combat and guilds. Consequently, this game requires players to get social and is somewhat hard to recommend to those who mostly want to be lone wolves.
More importantly for the topic of free open-world games, the map is segmented into zones like traditional MMOs. While open enough, Throne and Liberty is not a sandbox and players will mostly be working their way through each area rather than just exploring the entire map freely. While not for everyone, the game has plenty of positives, including impressive visuals, fun traversal, a mix-and-match class system, and decent combat. Customization is decent too.
5 Once Human
An Impressive Survival Open-World Game With Co-Op Support
Once Human
- Released
- July 9, 2024
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Starry Studio
- Genre(s)
- Survival, Shooter, Open-World
- Deep Survival & Crafting Mechanics
- Fun Monster Designs
- Creature Collection
- Combat Is Let Down By Easy Enemies
- Performance Can Be Frustrating
- Server System Could Be Better
Once Human is an ambitious hodgepodge of mechanics that is set in a large sandbox. While far from flawless, Starry Studio's project can be a lot of fun, regardless if it is played solo or with a few friends. Due to an alien substance known as Stardust, Earth has fallen in dark, apocalyptic times, leaving behind a corrupted hellscape overrun with twisted mutants that once were humans (or something else entirely).
Once Human: How To Level Up Fast
Looking to level up your character and Battle Pass in Once Human? Here are some of the best methods to level up fast!
Along with following a story that explores the group responsible for this situation, Once Human is primarily an open-world survival game with third-person shooter gameplay and a fun creature-collection system. Players must collect resources, craft shelter and tools, fight monsters, and even collect them so they can help out.
Although not too unique, the open-world benefits from pretty good visuals and creative monster designs that reward exploration. The crafting and building aspects are arguably Once Human's strongest feature, and they are both relatively deep. The gunplay is decent too, even if enemies do not put up much of a fight.
6 Warframe
Blend Of Linear And Open Areas Done Extremely Well
Warframe
- Released
- March 25, 2013
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Digital Extremes
- Platform(s)
- PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series S, Xbox Series X, Switch
- Genre(s)
- Third-Person Shooter
- Great Combat
- Gorgeous Visuals
- Slow Start
Destiny 2 and Warframe have somewhat similar takes on open-worlds. For the most part, the games focus on missions set in fairly self-contained areas; however, players can visit open locations that are designed to be explored freely, and they contain stuff like missions. Basically, they are expansive hub areas, and they are not immediately available. New players will have to work their way through a somewhat lengthy tutorial/opening section before gaining access to these landscapes. Still, they are worth the effort and add a great deal of content to the overall experience.
Unlike Destiny 2's limited free-to-play options, Warframe is quite accessible and does not punish players for not investing cash. The campaign can still be a grind, but the combat and lore are both good enough to keep things interesting. If someone is looking to immediately play an open-world project, Warframe is not the best pick; however, those who are fine with an open-world being one piece of an overall great puzzle should check out this freebie.
7 RuneScape
An Eternal Classic
RuneScape
- Released
- January 4, 2001
WHERE TO PLAY
- Classic MMORPG
- Packed With Content
- Dated Visuals & Gameplay
Somehow, RuneScape is still thriving more than two decades following its debut. The MMORPG was one of the first of its kind on the market, and while hundreds of other games have shown up to take its place, precious few have had the longevity and appeal of RuneScape.
The RPG's calling card is its progression system that allows players to gain experience points through the execution of skills. It makes most actions feel purposeful, even if the combat itself is quite simplistic. The open-world offers a surprising amount of variety, although the free version does come with its share of restrictions that reduce the overall enjoyment of the experience.
8 Guild Wars 2
A Staple Of The Online RPG Scene
Guild Wars 2
- Released
- August 28, 2012
WHERE TO PLAY
- A Viable Single-Player Option
- Really Friendly To Free Players
In 2015, Guild Wars 2 went free-to-play, instantly making it one of the best free open-world games. While expansions need to be purchased, the unpaid version of Guild Wars 2 includes plenty of content since it allows players to experience the base game.
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There are a couple of restrictions regarding exploration (for instance, free accounts are limited to starter maps until their character reaches level 10), but players can mostly travel Central Tyria to their heart's content. Guild Wars 2's expansions are generally worth it, but newcomers can try the free version to see if they want to eventually invest in the game.
9 Sky: Children Of The Light
A Relaxing Community-Focused Experience
Sky: Children of the Light
- Released
- July 18, 2019
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Thatgamecompany
- Genre(s)
- RPG, Adventure, Indie Games
- Stressfree
- Community
- Revolves Around Grinding
Thegamecompany has earned its immaculate reputation. Journey is rightfully hailed as one of the greatest games of all time, and the developer followed up that masterpiece by crafting an expansive MMORPG built around creating connections. Rather than focusing on combat, Sky: Children of the Light is all about exploration and socializing, two elements that should be treated as inseparable. Now, technically, the game can be enjoyed solo, and players can spend weeks flying through this kingdom's various regions in search of winged lights. However, the process is way more fun with a couple of companions.
Sky is not immediately a fully open experience, and players will need to gradually unlock different areas as they work through the campaign (which does not have much of a story). However, they will eventually have all the realms available to them, and at that point, Sky essentially becomes a standard open-world with regions rather than one continuous map.
10 Crackdown
An Overpowered Romp In An Open-World With Great Verticality
Crackdown
- Released
- February 20, 2007
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Realtime Worlds
- Platform(s)
- Xbox 360
- Genre(s)
- Action-Adventure, Open-World
- How Long To Beat
- 11 Hours
- Simple, Sandbox Fun
- Overpowered Protagonist
- Somewhat Repetitive
Although initially premium products, Crackdown and its sequel are both free on the Xbox Store, and the games are backward compatible with the Xbox One and Series X/S. While the second entry has its positives, the original Crackdown is generally regarded as the franchise's peak since it was a fresh experience at the time of its release. Cast as an agent tasked with taking down three gangs, players rampage their way through Pacific City as they slowly but surely transform into overpowered superheroes.
Crackdown utilizes a skill-based progression system that rewards experience orbs depending on the player's actions; basically, the more somebody uses a skill, the more proficient they become at it. This creates a satisfying and rewarding gameplay loop that ensures players never feel static. As the project debuted in 2007, Pacific City is a fairly quaint open-world by modern standards, although it works well as a sandbox to facilitate absolute mayhem.
Crackdown 2 is also available to download and contains another sandbox for players to act out their power fantasies. The sequel is nowhere near as highly regarded as its predecessor, but it is still a fine free option for Xbox owners.