Unleash the Excitement: Hottest Upcoming Free Games

Gaming can be quite an expensive hobby, whether one prefers consoles or PC. Setting up a gaming station requires a significant investment in hardware, and once that's done, players need to turn to their platform's libraries to pick up software. While subscription services like Xbox Game Pass and PS Plus offer access to a vast selection of games for a monthly fee, most AAA titles don't debut on these platforms. This means that players may end up spending $69.99 regularly just to experience the latest exciting projects.

Free-to-play games, on the other hand, offer a more cost-effective way to keep oneself entertained in between premium products. Many titles have showcased this model's potential, and the selection is set to expand significantly over the coming months and years. With that said, what are the most highly-anticipated new free games announced for 2023 and beyond?

Updated on May 23, 2023 by Mark Sammut, April and May 2023 have seen the release of Honkai: Star Rail, Omega Strikers, and Veiled Experts, which have all been well-received as free-to-play games. However, what does the future hold? One highly-anticipated upcoming title is Blue Protocol, developed by Bandai Namco, set for release in 2023.

Blue Protocol, an upcoming action RPG set to be published by Amazon Games, boasts an anime-style and real-time combat with a weapon-based class system. Bandai Namco's project promises customization, a vast world to explore, multiplayer gameplay, and an intricate storyline. The game has already showcased stunning visuals, entertaining hack and slash combat, and five unique classes. As an MMORPG, players can take on dungeons either solo or with a team. With previous successful titles such as Tales of Arise and Scarlet Nexus, Bandai Namco has proven their expertise in creating exciting action RPGs.

Star Wars: Hunters, a highly-anticipated game, is set to release in 2023. The game's developer is yet to be announced.

Zynga is a developer known for creating mobile games, including a PvP arena fighter available on Android, iOS, and Nintendo Switch. While there are not many console-exclusive free games for the Nintendo Switch featuring major IPs like Star Wars, Star Wars: Hunters is one such game. This PvP arena game combines third-person shooting with melee combat and requires players to form squads and battle against each other. The roster of fighters in the game includes various class types, such as Tank and Support, and features original creations rather than established characters. These characters fit known archetypes, including Rebel War Hero, Wookie Juggernaught, and Bounty Hunter. Star Wars: Hunters initially had a soft launch on Android devices in 2021, and the full release is slated for 2023.

UFL

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Strikerz Inc. is set to shake up the soccer/football gaming scene with their upcoming release, UFL. With a release date of 2023, UFL will be available on PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S platforms. While Konami's eFootball 2023 has struggled since its launch, and EA Sports FC is the next project from EA, UFL has generated significant buzz as a free-to-play game focused on fair play and skills rather than monetization. Soccer fans have been waiting for a proper alternative to FIFA, and UFL may just fill that void with its online play and commitment to fairness.

Off The Grid

Release Year/Date

2023

Developer

Gunzilla Games

Genre

Battle Royale

Platform/s

PC PS5 Xbox Series X/S

Off the Grid aims to differentiate itself from other battle royale games by prioritizing its narrative and creating an ever-changing battlefield. While battle royales have been overdone, Off the Grid strives to compete with well-established titles like Fortnite, PUBG, and Warzone 2.0. The game's chief visionary officer, Neill Blomkamp, known for directing sci-fi films like District 9 and Elysium, is leading the charge in creating a cyberpunk world that will immerse players in its story. In contrast, Tom Clancy's The Division Heartland, developed by Red Storm Entertainment, is a third-person shooter set to release in 2023.

Ubisoft is venturing into the free-to-play market with Heartland, the latest addition to The Division franchise. However, its release has faced a few delays, which may result in a loss of momentum. Despite this, The Division is a well-known property that has consistently delivered quality online-focused games, with its 2019 sequel still going strong. Heartland's gameplay details remain scarce, but it has been revealed that the game will feature a PvPvE mode, pitting 45 players against each other. NExT Studios is the developer behind this highly anticipated game, which is scheduled to release on PC in the summer of 2023.

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Synced: Off-Planet is an upcoming sci-fi Looter Shooter game that has already generated a lot of excitement since its alpha test in 2022. The game is a roguelite that features both PvP and PvE gameplay. Players will encounter Nanos, powerful humanoid creatures that come in a variety of forms, which can be used as companions during gameplay. These creatures are fun to fight against and add another layer of strategy to the game.

The playable characters, called Runners, have unique backstories and abilities, as well as special Nanos. As players can team up in groups of three, selecting Runners with complementary skills will be important for success in matches. Synced: Off-Planet will offer both multiplayer modes, such as Dead Sector Run (PvE) and Nerva Run (PvP), as well as a Solo mode.

In addition to the exciting gameplay, Synced: Off-Planet also boasts impressive graphics and an engaging storyline. The game is set to be released in early access in the summer of 2023, and we can't wait to see what the full version will offer.

Wayfinder, the upcoming action RPG from Airship Syndicate, is set to make waves in the world of free-to-play games in 2023. With a closed beta scheduled for May 10 and early access to follow later in the Summer, fans of Battle Chasers: Nightwar, Darksiders Genesis, and Ruined King have reason to be excited about this ambitious new project.

Featuring multiple playable characters, Wayfinder promises to offer a range of class-like options for players to choose from, with the added bonus of being able to switch between characters as desired. While solo play is an option, multiplayer is heavily emphasized in the game, which is even labeled as an MMO.

Set in a world overrun by the Gloom, players take on the role of a Wayfinder, tasked with bringing hope to the last remnants of humanity. Dungeons and other areas can be explored with a team, creating an exciting and immersive gameplay experience that is sure to delight fans of the genre.

Following years of development, NCSoft is set to release one of their most ambitious MMORPG projects yet with Throne and Liberty in 2023. The developer, responsible for popular titles such as Guild Wars 2 and Blade & Soul, has been working on the game for over a decade and is now gearing up for a proper release. In fact, NCSoft has even opened registration for a Korea-based closed open beta in May 2023. While details are still scarce, Throne and Liberty is expected to feature traditional quests, a weather system, and a unique mechanic that allows players to transform into animals. PvP is also likely to be a key component of the game.

Arknights: Endfield

Release Year/Date

TBA

Developer

Hypergryph

Genre

Real-Time Strategy

Platform/s

Android iOS PC

Arknights has cemented its position as one of the industry's most renowned projects since its debut on mobile devices in 2019. Its success led to an anime adaptation and now, the franchise is expanding to a new planet with a spin-off game called Arknights: Endfield. Endfield Industries is attempting to bring civilization to Talos-II, but the world and its inhabitants are proving to be hostile. Players will take on the role of PFRD operatives tasked with taming the alien planet following a disaster that severely impacted the movement.

Arknights: Endfield differs from the mainline entry in several ways. Firstly, the spin-off will utilize real-time strategy combat, although the mechanics have not been disclosed yet. It's uncertain whether the game will incorporate gacha mechanics, but it's a possibility. Most notably, Endfield will be available on PC, a platform that Arknights hasn't specifically targeted before.

Release Year/Date: TBA

Developer: Embark Studios

Genre: MMORPG

The Finals, a team-based FPS game developed by Stockholm-based developer Embark Studios, is set to launch its PC beta on March 7, 2023. Announced in 2022, The Finals will be Embark Studios' first project and is expected to be a great addition to the shooter genre. The game features four teams of three players in matches revolving around collecting and storing cash. In the available beta version, players can customize their character based on one of three builds. One of the game's standout features is that the arenas are destructible, providing players with a fair amount of options on how to approach the maps. Embark Studios' upcoming free-to-play game, Arc Raiders, is also highly anticipated. The release date for The Finals' full version, titled The First Descendant, is yet to be announced.

NEXON Games Co., Ltd. presents The First Descendant, a co-op third-person shooter game available on PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S platforms. The game is set in Ingris, a fantasy world where humanity is facing an invasion from the Vulgus, an alien threat. Players take on the roles of Descendants, each with unique abilities, to fight against the Vulgus and save humanity.

The game features separate maps for players to explore, along with co-op and story missions. Players can customize their characters using skins, weapons, and equipment, allowing them to plan their loadouts strategically. The game also includes epic boss battles to provide ultimate gaming experience. The First Descendant is a free-to-play game that guarantees hours of fun and action with friends.