Before the HD era, free games were nonexistent beyond getting demos on discs from magazines or other promotions. The idea of a free game in the first HD era was good, but most of these games came with a stigma attached. Even though they were technically "free," players were expected to pay in some way to enjoy them.
Years later, free-to-play games are now some of the most beloved in the industry, and many of the best ones are from Chinese and South Korean developers. Some examples include Genshin Impact, Zenless Zone Zero, and Wuthering Waves. Are there any free-to-play RPGs from Japan, which once ruled the industry? For Steam fans, the answer is yes, and these are the top ones to check out.
Persona 5: The Phantom X
Another Side Story In Tokyo
Persona5: The Phantom X
- Released
- June 26, 2025
WHERE TO PLAY
Persona 5: The Phantom X is somewhere between a sequel and a “what if” scenario. Players are a new character, codenamed Wonder, who gains powers similar to The Phantom Thieves. Corruption is blowing up around Japan again, and players must investigate these new Palaces to help ease the hearts of villains.
The gameplay is similar in Palaces and out in the real world, plus the turn-based battles return. The party can consist of story characters or ones that are won through gacha-based draws. It can be a grind, but it definitely feels like a real Persona 5 experience. It came out early in 2025 on mobile devices and Steam, and it even works rather well on the Steam Deck.
Final Fantasy 7: Ever Crisis
Remaking The Whole Thing
Final Fantasy 7: Ever Crisis
- Released
- September 7, 2023
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- 12+
- Genre(s)
- RPG
Final Fantasy 7: Ever Crisis is another remake project for Final Fantasy 7, but on a lesser scale than Final Fantasy 7 Remake and Rebirth. Also, the games within are more faithful to the original stories. Released in 2023 for mobile devices and Steam, Final Fantasy 7: Ever Crisis’s goal is to remake every Final Fantasy 7 game in the compilation, albeit through more bite-sized chunks.
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Since 2023, the game has added many scenarios through its chapter-based setups. Even though some of these games used to be action-based, like Crisis Core: Final Fantasy 7, they are all turn-based now to keep things uniform. Also, characters in battle can sport some wild costumes, which is a nice customization option. On a final note, the game works well on a Steam Deck.
Phantasy Star Online 2: New Genesis
An Ongoing MMO
Phantasy Star Online 2
- Released
- July 4, 2012
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M For Mature 17+ due to Blood, Partial Nudity, Strong Language, Violence
- Genre(s)
- MMORPG
Phantasy Star Online 2: New Genesis is the latest name based on a somewhat recent patch to modernize the gameplay. It began simply as Phantasy Star Online 2 in Japan in 2012 when it was released on PC. North America had to wait to play it until 2020, which is wild considering the first game was very popular on the Dreamcast and other systems it graced.
For the West, the Online series may be the most well-known entries in the Phantasy Star series overall. Regardless, this action RPG has great co-op options across Steam, PlayStation, and Xbox consoles. Players can gather a party and then hunt big monsters to gather loot in short-burst missions. Sadly, it doesn’t run well on the Steam Deck, as it’s just too beefy of a game.
Yu-Gi-Oh! Duel Links
Release The Dragon
Yu-Gi-Oh! Duel Links
- Released
- November 17, 2017
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- e
- Genre(s)
- Turn-Based Strategy, Digital Card Game
Gamers who have played at least one Yu-Gi-Oh! Game before probably know what they’re in for with this one. Yu-Gi-Oh! Duel Links was released in 2017 in North America, a year after Japan. Players can get it on mobile devices, Steam, and it even works on the Steam Deck.
It’s a collectible card game that follows rules set forth years ago. The object is to deplete the opponent’s HP through wildly fantastical cards. What’s great about the game is the crossover appeal between the various anime adaptations, but to get the best cards, players will have to grind or pay that sweet dough to Konami.
Bleach: Brave Souls
Play As Your Favorite Soul Reapers
Bleach: Brave Souls
- Released
- January 14, 2016
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- T For Teen Due To Blood, Language, Suggestive Themes, Use of Alcohol and Tobacco, Violence
- Genre(s)
- Beat 'Em Up
Bleach: Brave Souls first released on mobile devices in North America in 2016, a year after the game's release in Japan. PC players got to play it in 2020, and since then, there have also been console ports to make it playable on Switch, PlayStation, and Xbox systems. Even though it can run on a normal Switch, it’s not accessible on the Steam Deck, strangely.
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Port history aside, Bleach: Brave Souls plays a lot like a mobile game, with missions lasting no longer than five minutes if that. Players can unlock a plethora of heroes and villains to play as and level up from Bleach's star, Ichigo, to the more outrageous Kenpachi. It’s a hack-and-slash game without a lot of depth, but it will be fun for anime fans.
Tribe Nine
Play It Before It’s Gone
Tribe Nine
- Released
- February 19, 2025
WHERE TO PLAY
Tribe Nine has a time window attached to it, as it was released on Steam and Mobile devices on February 20, 2025. It does run on a Steam Deck, and players only have until November 27, 2025 before the service runs out. Thankfully, a lot of the painful gacha-based mechanics aren’t as intrusive anymore, thanks to the final campaign to push players into enjoying it more.
Based on a 2022 anime, Tribe Nine is based on characters getting trapped in a game that resembles a more extreme version of baseball. Players can explore the world with detailed pixelated sprites, but combat features more detailed models in action-based gameplay. Fans of Danganronpa will enjoy the art and story premise, as part of the team behind that series helped develop Tribe Nine. It’s one of 2025’s more hidden gems, even as a free-to-play game.
