Who says gaming has to be expensive? Sure, most AAA projects come with hefty price tags, but there are plenty of upcoming free-to-play games that can keep you entertained in between those releases. In certain cases, these titles offer content that can rival any full-priced game, as seen with the likes of Warframe. While free games have gained a negative reputation over the years, they have also produced all-time greats.
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 the last months of 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 November 17, 2025 by Mark Sammut: We removed Where Winds Meet as the game is now available to play; furthermore, Crosswind has been removed as it is transitioning to a buy-to-play model (and the game will be called Windrose). In their place, we have added Drakantos.
Path Of Exile 2
The Biggest Upcoming Free Game That You Can Play Right Now
Path of Exile II
- Released
- December 6, 2024
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Grinding Gear Games
- Engine
- Proprietary Engine
- Multiplayer
- Online Multiplayer, Online Co-Op
- Early Access Release
- December 6, 2024
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, PC
- Genre(s)
- Action RPG, Hack and Slash, MMORPG
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.
Upcoming Role-Playing Games People Are Excited For
While plenty of RPGs have been announced for 2026 and beyond, these upcoming role-playing games are especially exciting.
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.
Drakantos
A Free Pixel MMORPG That Looks Stunning
Drakantos
- Developer(s)
- Wingeon Game Studios LLC
WHERE TO PLAY
Most free games released on console or PC tend to be full 3D adventures, and they can have a somewhat similar aesthetic. While Steam is absolutely stuffed with pixel art RPGs, there are very few of these types of indie games that not only prioritize multiplayer, but are also free-to-play. Drakantos stands out for this very reason, as it is an MMORPG with a classic visual style reminiscent of the SNES era. These sorts of projects are very hard to come by, particularly ones that are as promising as Wingeon's title.
To be clear, I'm not recommending Drakontos solely because I like the art style, as the game has plenty of other strong elements that set it apart from the crowd. The game should launch with a slew of available heroes, each of which is tailored to a unique gameplay style. Once the MMO debuts, updates will eventually come out that add new heroes, or at least that's the plan. While cooperative seems to be the main focus, Drakontos will also feature PvP.
Tom Clancy's The Division: Resurgence
Ubisoft's Free Mobile Third-Person Shooter
Tom Clancy's The Division Resurgence
- Released
- 2025
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Ubisoft
- Engine
- Unreal Engine 4
- Multiplayer
- Online Multiplayer
- Genre(s)
- Open-World, Tactical, Action, 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.
Arknights: Endfield
A Gacha Franchise Lands On PC With An Ambitious Free Game
Arknights: Endfield
- Developer(s)
- Hypergryph
WHERE TO PLAY
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.
Fate Trigger
A Free-To-Play Anime Hero Shooter Battle Royale
Fate Trigger
- Released
- 2026
WHERE TO PLAY
The world does not need another hero shooter. Why? Most of them die shortly after their honeymoon phase, and that is assuming they even manage to enjoy a few weeks of success. Still, on the rare occasion when a release manages to make a positive impact, it can have a bright future filled with YouTube clips, Twitch streams, and collaborations. A hero shooter battle royale is basically the holy grail for a developer; knock one out of the park, and you are safe.
Fate Trigger's big hook is, well, anime. To be clear, this genre is not lacking in anime shooters, but Fate Trigger seems to nail its character roster, offering "Awakeners" who look the part and, more importantly, have unique movesets that help set them apart from each other. They are not just waifu and husbando skins. The main mode is a team-based battle royale, and the gunplay is quite tactical since you must combine useful abilities with a wide arsenal of weapons and other gear. A well-balanced team also makes a big difference.
Hopefully, Fate Trigger sticks the landing and sticks around.
The Hidden Ones
Martial Arts Anime Fighter That Should Be A Blast
The Hidden Ones
- Developer(s)
- Morefun Studios
WHERE TO PLAY
- Multiplayer
- Online Co-Op, Online Multiplayer
- Platform(s)
- PC
- Genre(s)
- Fighting
Set within the universe of Hitori no Shita (aka The Outcast or Under One Person), The Hidden Ones is a martial arts fighting game that looks pretty interesting at a glance. As free-to-play arena fighters are pretty rare, this one has the potential to corner a niche market. The source material is not extremely well-known outside of China, but it is popular enough to spawn five anime seasons, so there is a desire to see this IP expanded upon. While online multiplayer will be a selling point, The Hidden Ones seems set to also include a story mode, which would be a big bonus for this type of release.
Neverness To Everness
Perhaps The Most Exciting Upcoming Free Open-World Gacha RPG
Neverness to Everness
- Developer(s)
- Hotta Studio
WHERE TO PLAY
- Engine
- Unreal Engine 5
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X and Series S, Microsoft Windows
- Genre(s)
- Action RPG, Open-World
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.
Paradise
The AI Era Is Coming, And It Will Be Free
Paradise
- ESRB
- T For Teen // Violence, Mild Language
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Ultra Games
- Multiplayer
- Online Co-Op, Online Multiplayer
- Platform(s)
- PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S
- Genre(s)
- Open-World, Action, Adventure, Simulation
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.
Vaultbreakers
A Free Extraction Action-RPG
Vaultbreakers
- Developer(s)
- BetaDwarf
WHERE TO PLAY
- Platform(s)
- PC
- Genre(s)
- Extraction, Action RPG, Looter Shooter
Vaultbreakers has been making the rounds for a while, and the game followed a playtest in February 2025 with a second set between April 9–13. Played from an isometric angle similar to old-school action-RPGs, the title incorporates extraction gameplay, with players accepting short-ish missions where they must collect loot while facing off against other users and AI enemies.
While seemingly not devoid of lore, Vaultbreakers' selling point appears to be character customization, replayability, and its range of champions (which act as classes). Unlike quite a few other upcoming free-to-play games, BetaDwarf's title is a bit more of a known quantity, and it has all the ingredients to be a memorable addition to the ARPG genre.
Karlson
A Free Game Made For Speed-Runners
Karlson
- Developer(s)
- Dani
WHERE TO PLAY
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. To be honest, very little info about the project has come out in recent years, and there is no guarantee that the full version will ever drop. Hopefully, that day comes.
Special Mention: Deadlock
Not Confirmed To Be Free-To-Play, But Valve's Hero Shooter Seems Likely To Go That Way
Deadlock
- Developer(s)
- Valve
WHERE TO PLAY
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.
Also, the Team Fortress 2 Classic mod is one of the most highly anticipated upcoming Steam releases, although that technically is not a new game.
Best Free Simulation Games On Steam
Simulation games range from relaxing life sims to high-stakes war games. Luckily, Steam's free offerings span all the genre has to offer.