The weekend is here, so it’s time to unwind and do some gaming. Phantom Blade Zero has taken the world by storm with its incredibly successful launch. It captured the interest of critics and gamers alike, racking up extraordinary reviews and quickly reaching the top of the charts on Steam. But hey, Wuxia soulslike RPGs aren’t everyone’s cup of tea. If you’re looking for something to keep you busy while you wait for Grand Theft Auto 6 to come out or just want a game to keep you busy for the weekend, we’ve got you covered.
Steam and the Epic Games Store always have a rotating list of free-to-play and free-to-keep video games, while subscription services like PlayStation Plus, Xbox Game Pass, and Amazon’s Luna offer a library of things to play (if you pay). Here’s what’s free to play this weekend and beyond (Oct. 30-Nov. 5).
11
Sorry We’re Closed
Image: à la mode games/Akupara Games
- Available on Epic Games Store until Nov. 5
- Genre: Survival, horror
- How long to beat: 7 hours
- Developer: À la mode games
If you’re into fixed-camera narrative adventures that add a dash of eccentricity and horror (think Silent Hill and Resident Evil), then Sorry We’re Closed is right up your alley. Protagonist Michelle has been cursed by a demon. As she searches for a way to break the curse and regain her freedom, she must become acquainted with the other residents on her street and use the power of the Third Eye to help them… or not.
How you navigate this story is entirely up to you. Relive it again to experience the various endings that will depend entirely on your choices throughout the game.
10
Playable Archive
Image: DarkStone Digital / DreadXP
- Available on Steam
- Genre: Horror, indie
- How long to beat: 30-60 minutes (saving is disabled)
- Developer: DarkStone Digital
Brian Clarker, creator of The Mortuary’s Assistant, was working on a Paranormal Activity game for Paramount. However, when he asked for more time to complete it, the project was canceled instead. Thankfully, Clarker was given authorization to publish the game as long as he removed any mention of the Paranormal Activity franchise. That is why players can now claim Playable Archive for free on Steam, making it a great indie horror pick for Halloween.
9
The Onion Voting Simulator 3D
Image: Onion Interactive/Global Tetrahedron
- Available on Steam
- Genre: Political Sim, satire
- How long to beat: 10 minutes
- Developer: Onion Interactive
Satirical newspaper The Onion has developed its own game: The Onion Voting Simulator 3D. It is designed to incentivize America to cast its vote in the midterm elections.
If you find it difficult to get out of the house to vote on Election Day, then The Onion Voting Simulator 3D is the right game for you. It will motivate you with alluring features like “easy access to digital voting lines,” a “fully realized middle school gym,” and a “digital room” where you can engage in all sorts of… activities, including microwaving a breakfast burrito. Sounds appealing, right?
8
Hexologic
Image: MythicOwl
- Available on Steam
- Genre: Relaxing 2D puzzle game
- How long to beat: N/A
- Developer: MythicOwl
Hexologic promises “challenging, yet rewarding puzzles” with chill music and a Sudoku-inspired play style. Hurry up and download the PC game on Steam ASAP; it’s only available for free until Oct. 31 at 1 p.m. EDT.
7
F1 25
Image: EA Sports
- Available on PlayStation Plus until Nov. 2
- Genre: Racing
- How long to beat: N/A
- Developer: Codemasters
If you’ve got PlayStation Plus, be sure to claim F1 25 before the monthly offer expires this Tuesday because, whether you’re a racing game fan or not, these action-packed games such as this are always fun with friends.
This year, EA isn’t releasing a new F1 game. Instead, it’s expanding F1 25 with the 2026 Pack, set to launch Nov. 3. This makes it the perfect time for players to claim F1 25 on PlayStation 5, especially since they also get 30% off the expansion pack when they purchase it.
6
Hunt: Showdown 1896
Image: Crytek
- Available on PlayStation Plus until Nov. 2
- Genre: Extraction-shooter
- How long to beat: N/A
- Developer: Crytek
Extraction shooters were the talk of the town last year, but they were a thing long before that. Hunt: Showdown 1896 fully launched in 2019, with an unusual premise: explore a gritty world to hunt down scary monsters, take bounties, and try to get out alive.
Even if you’re not a fan of the genre, Hunt: Showdown 1896 is worth trying; it gives the extraction mechanic a purpose, making it feel like a much more rewarding experience.
5
Earth Defense Force: World Brothers 2
Image: Bandai Namco
- Available on PlayStation Plus until Nov. 2
- Genre: Action, third-person shooter
- How long to beat: 21 hours
- Developer: Yuke’s
From bugs to UFOs and death robots, all kinds of hazards are attacking the Earth in giant form, and it’s up to players to defend it in Earth Defense Force: World Brothers 2. Be sure to invite your friends who have PlayStation Plus so they can team up with you to defend the world in World Brothers 2’s online co-op mode.
4
Dead Island 2
Image: Deep Silver/Dambuster Studios
- Available on PlayStation Plus from Nov. 3
- Genre: Action, adventure
- How long to beat: 20 hours
- Developer: Dambuster Studios
Zombies have taken over Los Angeles after a virus outbreak. It sounds bad, but at least there’s an array of guns and weird melee weapons to try out and all sorts of shenanigans to get into. It’s time to select your survivor and do your best to survive in the City of Angels.
In its 2023 review of Dead Island 2, Polygon noted that “nostalgic charms can transport you back to a simpler time, but there’s often a reason why you don’t see old friends anymore.” While it may feel dated for some, if you enjoyed the first Dead Island game, this one’s for you.
3
Tomb Raider 4-6 Remastered
Image: Aspyr
- Available on PlayStation Plus from Nov. 3
- Genre: Action, adventure
- How long to beat: 36 hours
- Developer: Aspyr
This collection of Lara Croft games includes the remastered version of Tomb Raider: The Last Revelation, Tomb Raider: Chronicles, and Tomb Raider: The Angel of Darkness. Whether this is your first experience with Lara Croft or you’re a veteran looking for a trip down memory lane, Tomb Raider 4-6 Remastered is definitely worth your time. You can pick your own experience: see the world in the original low-poly graphics or opt for the remastered version — or swap whenever you feel like it.
2
Monster Train 2
Image: Shiny Shoe
- Available on PlayStation Plus from Nov. 3
- Genre: Roguelite, deckbuilder, strategy
- How long to beat: N/A
- Developer: Shiny Shoe
We’ve gone over numerous games on this list, but there hasn’t been anything to appeal to fans of the deckbuilder genre. The time has come, as Monster Train 2 becomes available for PlayStation Plus members on Nov. 3. Monster Train 2 is a critically acclaimed roguelite deckbuilder game that has a Metacritic score of 87, an impressive feat.
Collect cards, build your deck, and take control of angels and demons to destroy menacing titans. While a run might not take too long, Monster Train 2 has incredible replayability that will get players to keep coming back for more; there are numerous collectibles to unlock, endless mode, and new challenges available every day.
