Free-to-Play
Ongoing coverage on Free-to-Play.
Latest coverage
Free Play Days – Sea of Thieves and Hell Let Loose Vietnam
Xbox is offering Free Play Days for Sea of Thieves and Hell Let Loose from September 17 to September 20. Hell Let Loose requires an Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, Premium, or Essential membership, while Sea of Thieves is available to all Xbox members on Xbox and PC.
Aniimo codes (September 2026)
This guide provides a list of active Aniimo codes for the free-to-play creature collector game, offering rewards such as glimmer, credits, growth flowers, and aniipods. It also explains how to redeem these codes within the game and troubleshooting tips for when codes may not work.
For Honor is Now Free to Keep on Ubisoft Connect
Ubisoft is offering the Standard Edition of its melee combat game For Honor for free on PC via Ubisoft Connect as part of its 40th anniversary celebration. Players can claim the game until September 28, 2026, and it will remain permanently in their library. The giveaway coincides with the launch of Year 10 Season 3: Blood Hunt.
Multiplayer creature capturing RPG Aniimo officially goes live – here’s what its monetization looks like
The multiplayer creature-capturing RPG Aniimo has officially launched as a free-to-play title, detailing its monetization strategy which includes a monthly pass, a premium battle pass track, and a cash shop utilizing Lumin Crystals. The cash shop offers cosmetic outfits, in-game currency, leveling materials, and items for capturing Aniimo, with some earnable in-game. Pawprint Studios is also offering launch bonuses for PC and console players, with a mobile version planned for September 23rd.
Free-to-play Pokemon and Palworld-like Aniimo launches to "Mixed" Steam reviews: "It's very much a…
The free-to-play creature collector Aniimo, developed by Pawprint Studio, has launched on PC and consoles to a "Mixed" reception on Steam. While praised for its cute visuals and comparisons to Palworld and Infinity Nikki, many negative reviews cite aggressive monetization, predatory gacha mechanics, and pay-to-win elements as significant drawbacks.
Here's the Aniimo release time for your region
Aniimo, a free-to-play monster-catching game developed by Pawprint Studios, is set to release on September 15 or 16 depending on the region. Preloads are already available, with the game size around 40GB. The title aims to capture a similar audience to Palworld but without the survival crafting elements.
Borderlands 4 DLC Character and Free-to-Play Weekend Attract Resurgence on Steam
Borderlands 4 is experiencing a resurgence on Steam charts, driven by the popularity of its new DLC character, Loveless the Hacker. The game is also benefiting from a free-to-play weekend.
Riders of Icarus officially returns from its sunset this fall, with closed beta scheduled for September 29
The pet-taming MMORPG Riders of Icarus is returning as Icarus Online this fall, developed by Valofe and published by GOP Co. Ltd. The free-to-play title will feature adjustments to creature types, abilities, and dungeon rewards, with a closed beta scheduled from September 29th to October 5th.
GOALS 2.0.0 Takes Free-To-Play Game Pass Football To The Next Level
The free-to-play football game GOALS has received its largest overhaul with the release of update 2.0.0. This update introduces 5v5 Ranked mode, a new tournament experience called The Trial, and hundreds of underlying changes to gameplay, matchmaking, and progression. GOALS 2.0.0 is available now on Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, and PC with full cross-platform play.
The next game by the creators of Steins;Gate is an entirely vibe-coded FPS slopfest
Mages Inc, known for the Steins;Gate visual novel series, is releasing Juggernaut, a free-to-play boomer shooter that heavily utilizes generative AI for its graphics and effects. The game's asset creation tool also uses AI, drawing criticism from some Steam users who question the studio's commitment to development.
Riot Games is considering making premium titles, says co-founder
Riot Games is exploring the development of premium, non-free-to-play titles, according to co-founder Marc Merrill. While the company has found success with free-to-play games like League of Legends and Valorant, Merrill indicated that not every game needs to be free-to-play and that the business model must fit the game's vision. This comes after the discontinuation of their fighting game 2XKO and the winding down of the Riot Forge publishing label.
Survive Together in the Strange Worlds: Once Human (F2P) Is Available Now on XBOX Series X|S With Game Pass!
The free-to-play survival shooter Once Human is now available on Xbox Series X|S and is included with Xbox Game Pass. The game features cross-play and cross-progression, with no pay-to-win mechanics. An upcoming Ocean Expansion is planned for October.
Honkai: Nexus Anima could be the free-to-play Pokémon killer
Hoyoverse's upcoming free-to-play creature collector, Honkai: Nexus Anima, was previewed at Gamescom 2026. The game features auto-battles and unique creature designs with abstract 'Aspects' like Love and Reality, differentiating it from traditional creature collectors. Concerns exist around its gacha mechanics and monetization, though the game is set to release on PC, iOS, and Android.
Riot co-founder doesn't think 2XKO was 'a mistake' but perhaps a tough sell: 'You're not just competing against games, you're competing against everything'
Riot Games co-founder Marc Merrill discussed the decision to cease future development on the fighting game 2XKO, stating it was not a mistake but a difficult market to succeed in. He explained that the game struggled to gain sustainable momentum against the overwhelming competition for player attention and time, despite its quality and innovative features. Merrill affirmed that Riot Games remains committed to taking risks and developing new titles, including an unannounced MMO.
Last Stop codes (September 2026)
This guide provides active codes for the Roblox game Last Stop, which can be redeemed for free tickets. The article explains how to redeem codes within the game and where to find more information, including the official Discord server.
Ananta developer says free GTA 6 competitor's two massive maps will offer 'anything you’d want to do in a modern city' with countless districts to explore
Ananta, a free-to-play open-world game positioned as a competitor to Grand Theft Auto 6, revealed its second massive map, Chongxiao, at Gamescom 2026. Inspired by Shanghai and Hangzhou, Chongxiao offers advanced technology and cultural experiences, complementing the more modern Nova City. The game, set to launch on PC, PlayStation 5, and mobile on January 15, 2027, will feature extensive urban gameplay, including driving, combat, and social activities.
Ananta is riding high off 'free anime GTA' comparisons, but its mess of ideas barely hold together in my…
Ananta, an upcoming free-to-play open-world RPG from NetEase Games and developer Naked Rain, attempts to blend numerous disparate ideas, leading to a lack of cohesive identity. While the game features mechanics reminiscent of Marvel's Spider-Man 2 and Grand Theft Auto 6, its execution is criticized for being derivative and barely holding together. Despite its ambitious scope and anime aesthetic, the article suggests players may not find enough substance to remain engaged long-term.
Celebrate Labor Day by playing Civilization 7 for free
Civilization 7 is available to play for free on Steam until September 10, with discounts on standard and deluxe editions also available. Despite a rocky launch and mixed player reviews, Firaxis Games has been working on updates, and a livestream discussing future content is planned for PAX.
PlayStation Store Surprise Drops Fun Free PS5 Game With Trophies
The PlayStation Store has unexpectedly released Fortress Merge, a free-to-play game for PlayStation 5 and PlayStation 4 that includes a full trophy list. Developed by TapNation and published by QubicGames, the title blends RPG, strategy, and tower defense elements and has received positive reviews on mobile platforms.
Free Play Days – EA Sports College Football 27, The Survivalists, The Lonesome Guild, and Under The Waves
Xbox is offering Free Play Days for several titles including EA Sports College Football 27, The Survivalists, The Lonesome Guild, and Under The Waves. EA Sports College Football 27 and The Survivalists have specific availability windows, with The Survivalists requiring Xbox Game Pass membership, while The Lonesome Guild and Under The Waves are available as two-hour timed trials for all Xbox members.
