You need PlayStation Plus to play most of the PlayStation games in online multiplayer, but some free-to-play games don’t require you to be subscribed to PS Plus.
The main reason is that most of these games are multiplayer, so it would defeat the purpose of having a free-to-play online game if you have to pay to play online. With that said, subscribing to any of the tiers of PS Plus that Sony has introduced is definitely worth it.
On the cheapest option, you’ll be able to play online the games you already bought that have a multiplayer aspect, along with getting free games every month for you to try out.
At the higher tiers of the subscription, you will be able to revisit and discover the classics of the PlayStation library.
Here are some of the best games that you can play online without PS Plus.
Apex Legends
This action-packed battle royale lets you choose from a list of eccentric and fun characters to fight against 99 other players and be the last one standing.
Once you’ve chosen your hero character, the game throws you into a huge map with up to two teammates, where you’ll have to loot weapons and fight your way to victory.
What sets this game apart from other battle royales besides the faster-paced maneuvers and sci-fi aesthetic is the fact that each character has a different set of abilities that can change your gameplay experience drastically.
The best part? It is free-to-play, and you’re able to connect with your friends without the need for a PS Plus subscription.
Warframe
Warframe is one of the best free gaming experiences in the market, comparable to fully priced, triple-A titles. Since the game relies on multiplayer, you don’t need PS Plus to play with friends.
Warframe is an adrenaline-pumping third-person shooter in which you take the role of a mechanized warrior to bring peace to civilization at war.
The level design is fantastic, and surprisingly, some of those levels are procedurally generated. Explore the world in this looter shooter full of action with your friends in both PVE and PVP.
If that weren’t enough, the resolution in newer systems is fantastic, not to mention the fact that the PlayStation 5 makes full use of the adaptive triggers in Warframe.
Fortnite
Fortnite is one of the most popular battle royale games ever made. However, a question that often jumps on people’s heads when they hear that Fortnite is free is if you need PS Plus to play Fortnite.
Thankfully, Fortnite doesn’t require PS Plus to play online, so you can head over to whatever store from your preferred system and download the game.
This third-person shooter features many events that span the likes of Hollywood blockbusters, such as crossovers with the Avengers and Star Wars, as well as in the genre of music with concerts from talented artists.
New content is added and changed every season, making this game one of the hardest to stay away from.
Brawlhalla
Brawlhalla is a free-to-play 2D fighting game reminiscent of Super Smash Bros. with a variety of different characters. The local and online multiplayer can be one-on-one or free-for-all brawls with several players.
There are over 50 characters and a handful that you can play for free that change every week, allowing you to change things up and see what you like best.
The fact that Brawlhalla is free and doesn’t require PS Plus is only part of the reason why it is so popular. Its popularity is mainly because its colorful and addicting gameplay is the closest anyone has ever gotten to capturing the Super Smash Bros. experience.
Warzone
Call of Duty carries the amazing gunplay it is known for to the world of battle royales. Warzone brings more players to the table with 150 player matches, some modes even adding up to 200 players.
This is no small feat by any means, especially considering the maps’ size and level of detail. Another interesting addition is that players that die are no longer just spectating.
Instead, they are brought to the Gulag, where they’ll have another chance to respawn if they can take another opponent in combat. The more realistic aesthetic of Warzone is also pretty attractive to those of us who’ve gotten used to the more colorful landscapes of Fortnite or Apex Legends.
Smite
Smite is a multiplayer online battle arena game, MOBA for short, that focuses on strategy and action. You play as a god is one of many different pantheons to choose from.
With over a hundred gods available and all of them with special powers and weapons, it can be a bit intimidating at first. However, finding a play style that fits you is part of the fun in this competitive third-person brawl.
Not only that, but the game modes Smite provides are all fun in their own right. There are new gods, and other mythical beings added, and the player base is still going strong with no sight of slowing down.
Rocket League
Rocket League is a strange love letter for lovers of car racing and soccer. In this soccer-based vehicular combat game, you can have plenty of fun with friends, as it’s a pretty popular title.
Not only is the game free-to-play and able to be played online without a PS Plus subscription, but it’s also crossplay between consoles and PC. So it doesn’t matter what system your friends play with. You can all play together in dozens of different arenas to choose from.
Paladins
Paladins is a team-based online multiplayer game that is often compared to Overwatch. This hero shooter, however, has plenty of cards up its sleeve.
It takes place in Realm, a fantastic world that features several game modes, such as Siege, King of the Hill, Team Deathmatch, and the like. Not only that, but it also has a battle royale version for those who love the genre.
Neverwinter
Neverwinter is everything a Dungeons & Dragons fan can expect out of an MMORPG based on the popular tabletop RPG. Armies of the undead have overtaken the Forgotten Realms, and it is up to you to help the innocents to take back what was once theirs. Neverwinter is a stand-alone title that offers plenty of opportunities for you to create, grow, and customize your character.
The world is ripe for exploring and slaying mythical creatures. Not only that, but Neverwinter is unique in the ways it generates user-specific content like quests and environments.
Dauntless
Dauntless is a free-to-play online multiplayer game set after a cataclysmic event in the Shattered Isles. You assume the role of a Slayer, a warrior with the job of slaying Behemoths, monstrous creatures that have invaded the isles. The gameplay is reminiscent of Monster Hunter, with many ideas and mechanics shared between both games.
Each creature has an elemental affinity that will make them strong or weak against certain weapons. Since you’ll be fighting many of these creatures, you’ll have to switch your gear and weapons depending on the situation. Dauntless is one of those rare and wonderful games that allow you to crossplay with other platforms.
Star Trek Online
Star Trek Online offers a free gaming experience without a PS Plus subscription. Taking place after the events of Star Trek: Nemesis, players will be tasked with defending the United Federation of Planets against the Borg in a war.The world is vast and has plenty of content to enjoy considering the countless expansions the game has had during its lifetime. Star Trek Online is a must for every fan of the series.
DC Universe Online
DC Universe Online is a great addition to the free-to-play market as it scratches an itch that not many games can. While there are great superhero games such as Spider-Man, the Arkham series, and the few strays here and there such as inFamous and Prototype, superheroes have been surprisingly absent in the MMORPG genre.
DC Online fixes this by giving you the chance to create your own superhero with your own set of superpowers, skills, background, and appearance.
Not only is DC Online a breath of fresh air in the MMORPG atmosphere, but it has dozens of great episodic pieces of content and continues to add more with seasonal events.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do You Need PS Plus To Play Minecraft Online?
While Minecraft can be played solo, you do need to have PlayStation Plus to play Minecraft with your friends. For some, the Minecraft experience can’t be complete without interacting with other players, so if you have the game or are thinking about buying it, keep in mind that PS Plus is definitely worth it.
Can You Play GTA Online Without PS Plus?
Rockstar sometimes offers free trials where they’ll grant access to GTA Online for those without a PS Plus subscription, but those are limited-timed events that can occur sporadically. To play GTA Online, you do need a PS Plus membership.
Is The PS Plus Membership For All Accounts?
Yes, you can use all of the features on other accounts as long as you set and activate a primary account. You do so by going to Settings, PlayStation Network/Account Management.
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