The Best Free PC, PlayStation Plus, Xbox Live Gold Games to Claim in January 2023

Everyone loves free games. Steam has a hefty collection of them, but some places offer titles for only a limited amount of time. Epic Games gives away multiple games a week. Amazon’s Prime Gaming subscription service has new titles each month. But if you’re not paying attention, you’ll lose out on a PC game you could have kept forever.

In an effort to help gamers know what’s out there to claim, we’re tracking the best free games available in a given month. While some titles are free outright, others are included as part of a subscription service. Here’s everything you can grab this month.

Free PlayStation Plus Games for January 2023

PlayStation Plus(Opens in a new window) is Sony’s online multiplayer and games subscription service. In early 2022, it rolled out new plans(Opens in a new window); prices vary depending on which tier you choose, but access starts at $9.99 per month. As part of the service, you can claim new games to keep every month, and they’re accessible as long as you have an active PlayStation Plus subscription. Subscribers who own a PS5 can also keep games from a curated selection of titles.

Claim games from your console by choosing the PlayStation Plus button on the PlayStation home screen or going through the PlayStation Network Store. Games can also be added from the PlayStation Store(Opens in a new window) website as long as Automatic Downloads(Opens in a new window) are enabled. Once this is set up, you can add games from the web store and they’ll be remotely downloaded to your console.

Axiom Verge 2 (Until Feb. 6)

In the metroidvania Axiom Verge 2, you play as a billionaire who travels to Antarctica in order to track down her missing daughter. You must upgrade your abilities in order to successfully navigate an altered version of Earth and a parallel dimension.

Fallout 76 (Until Feb. 6)

Fallout 76(Opens in a new window) is an open world multiplayer game set 25 years after nuclear war destroyed the United States. After emerging from your bomb shelter, explore the ruins of the world, complete quests, meet characters struggling to get by, and do all you can to survive. The game is updated regularly with new content.

Jedi: Fallen Order (Until Feb. 6)

The action-adventure game Jedi: Fallen Order(Opens in a new window) puts you in control of Jedi Padawan Cal Kestis in the aftermath of the great Jedi Purge. During the course of your adventure, you will use your lightsaber and force abilities to fight enemies and solve puzzles.

PlayStation Plus Collection – PS5 Only

Those who own a PlayStation 5 and subscribe to PlayStation Plus now have access to a curated collection(Opens in a new window) of PS4 games. These games can be claimed at any time and remain playable as long as there is an active subscription. The current lineup, from Sony and partner studios, includes:

• Bloodborne

• Days Gone

• Detroit: Become Human

• God of War

• Infamous Second Son

• Ratchet and Clank

• The Last Guardian

• The Last of Us Remastered

• Until Dawn

• Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End

• Batman: Arkham Knight

• Battlefield 1

• Call of Duty: Black Ops III – Zombies Chronicles Edition

• Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy

• Fallout 4

• Final Fantasy XV Royal Edition

• Monster Hunter: World

• Mortal Kombat X

• Resident Evil 7 biohazard

Free Xbox Live Gold Games for January 2023

Xbox Live Gold(Opens in a new window) is the premium subscription tier of the Xbox Live online gaming service that costs $9.99 a month or $24.99 for three months. It’s also included in the cost of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate. Among the many perks are free Xbox games every month. Claimed games can only be played as long as you have an active Xbox Live Gold subscription.

To claim your free games with an Xbox Live Gold subscription, go to the Gold section on your Xbox console or visit this page(Opens in a new window) on a computer to queue up the game for download (if you have remote installs(Opens in a new window) enabled). Games are added on the 1st and 16th of every month.

Bladed Fury (Until Jan. 15)

Set in Ancient China, Bladed Fury(Opens in a new window) focuses on an exiled princess who must save her sister and defeat her father’s killer. As a fast-paced hack and slash platformer, you will face off against many enemies on your journey, including powerful deities that can grant great power.

Iris.Fall (Until Jan. 15)

In the puzzle-based adventure game Iris.Fall(Opens in a new window), you must navigate through labyrinthian theater based around light and shadow.

Autonauts (Jan. 15 – Feb. 15)

Autonauts(Opens in a new window) is an automated farming simulator, where you must build a colony, create robots, and program them to perform various tasks.

Free Epic Games Store Games for January 2023

Epic Games gives away free titles every week; no need for a subscription. Head over to the Epic Games Store website(Opens in a new window) or open the launcher, scroll down to the Free Games section, and hit the Free Now banner on the title you want. Then, go through the process as if you were purchasing the game. You won’t be charged, and the game will appear in your games library on the Epic Games launcher.

Dishonored (Until Jan. 5)

Dishonored(Opens in a new window), billed as an immersive sim action-adventure game, lets you freely complete objectives through whatever methods you choose. In your quest for revenge, will you choose violence or stealth?

Eximius: Seize the Frontline (Until Jan. 5)

As a FPS/RTS hybrid game with squad-based combat, Eximius(Opens in a new window) offers a unique playing experience where you can build bases and manage troops from a top-down perspective, then switch to frontline combat.

Kerbal Space Program (Jan. 5 – 12)

Can you help the Kerbals make it to space? As the head of a space program for an alien world, Kerbal Space Program(Opens in a new window) tasks you with building rockets that can actually reach orbit safely.

Shadow Tactics: Aiko’s Choice

As standalone expansion to Blades of the Shogun, Aiko’s Choice(Opens in a new window) puts you in control of a deadly assassin who must use her stealth abilities to defeat her former sensei.

Free GOG Games for January 2023

GOG doesn’t have regular giveaways as some other websites do, but when there is a free game to claim, you can grab it right from the front page. Look for a banner with a free game and countdown, and click the green button to claim the game.

In between giveaways, GOG always has a small collection of free games(Opens in a new window), which mainly includes classic computer games that have been made available at no cost.

The Witcher: Enhanced Edition

GOG allows you to score a free copy of the first Witcher game if you download the GOG Galaxy desktop client(Opens in a new window). Go to the Recent view and click the giveaway button at the top of the screen. As long as you agree to let GOG send you news and offers, the game is free to claim.

Free Games Collection

You can grab any of GOG’s free games by adding them to your cart and proceeding as if it were a normal purchase. The games will then be added to your account for $0. Standouts include Beneath a Steel Sky, Shadow Warrior, Postal, and several Ultima games. Here’s the list of full games available for free:

Free Prime Gaming Games for January 2023

Prime Gaming (formerly known as Twitch Prime) is a subscription service that provides in-game loot, free games, and a selection of playable games on Amazon Luna each month. The service costs $12.99 a month with a free 30-day trial or comes included with your $139 Amazon Prime subscription. Navigate to the Prime Gaming page(Opens in a new window), select the Games tab, and select the Claim button next to the titles you want.

To play games offered by Prime Gaming, you must download the Amazon Games launcher. Click the Download and Play link that appears next to the Claim button. In the pop-up window, click the link that says Download the Amazon Games Apps (Windows) to install the launcher. Once installed, Prime Gaming titles can be claimed via the launcher.

Dishonored 2 (Until Jan. 7)

In Dishonored 2, billed as an immersive sim action-adventure game, you are free to complete objectives through whatever methods you choose. On your path to reclaim the throne, will you choose violence or stealth?

The King of Fighters 2003 (Until Jan. 7)

In this 3-on-3 tag team fighting game, you choose a leader who has access to a special move. The game is notable for introducing lead character Ash Crimson.

The Last Blade (Until Jan. 7)

Set at the end of the Japanese Edo period, The Last Blade is a fighting game that has two fighting styles, a unique combo system, and the ability to deflect attacks.

The Last Blade 2 (Until Jan. 7)

The Last Blade 2 followed on its predecessor by adding a new fighting style and creating asymmetrical strengths and weaknesses to the characters.

Metal Slug (Until Jan. 7)

The first game in the long-running series of run and gun shooters, Metal Slug has you select one of two playable characters and take on armies of enemies over the course of each mission.

Metal Slug X (Until Jan. 7)

Building off the first game, Metal Slug X adds more weapons and vehicles, and the ability to transform your character into stronger forms.

Metal Slug 3 (Until Jan. 7)

In the third game of the series, SNK added even more weapons and vehicles, while also creating branching paths for players to explore.

Real Bout Fatal Fury (Until Jan. 7)

Originally released in 1995, Real Bout simplified the control schemes compared to the other Fatal Fury games that came before.

SNK 40th Anniversary Collection (Until Jan. 7)

Featuring many of SNK’s games from the ’80s, this compilation includes Athena, Ikari Warriors, Crystalis, and more.

Twinkle Star Sprites (Until Jan. 7)

Part-shmup and part-puzzle game, Twinkle Star Sprites puts you up against other players while you take out waves of enemies and send obstacles over to your opponent.

Beat Cop (Until Feb. 1)

You are a beat cop. In order to find out who framed you for murder, you’ll need to write parking tickets, harass pedestrians, and deal with whatever situations arise on your Brooklyn beat.

Breathedge (Until Feb. 1)

Can you survive in space? Breathedge puts you in control of a stranded astronaut who must craft tools, pilot vehicles, and take control of space stations as you explore the wreckage that stranded you.

Chicken Police – Paint it RED! (Until Feb. 1)

Chicken Police is a noir adventure game with visual novel-style story telling (and some very unique art). Can you interrogate and investigate your way into solving the case?

The Evil Within 2 (Until Feb. 1)

In this survival horror game, you play as a detective who must enter a horrific simulation filled with monster in order to rescue his daughter.

Faraway 2: Jungle Escape (Until Feb. 1)

In this point and click adventure game, you must solve puzzles and navigate the terrain in order to escape the jungle.

Lawn Mowing Simulator (Until Feb. 1)

If you like cutting the lawn, you can enjoy mowing the British countryside and managing your business without leaving your home.

Mom Hid My Game (Until Feb. 1)

Your mom hid your video game console. You’ll have to solve puzzles and move objects if you want to find it again!

Free Steam Games for January 2023

Steam has many free games you can download at any time, but there are occasionally some limited-time free titles. When you find a free game, you can “buy” it on Steam like you normally would, and it will be automatically added to your library without you having to check out.

If you have a Steam Key code, you can claim the game by launching the Steam client and clicking Games Menu > Activate a Product on Steam. Follow the instructions to complete the process and get your game. You may also need to connect your Steam account with another online retailer (e.g. Humble Bundle) before you can enter the code.

Nights Into Dreams (While Supplies Last)

It turns out that Sega has a few more Steam codes to give out from its 60th-anniversary celebration. Register your email(Opens in a new window) with Sega, then claim a key for the classic console game Nights Into Dreams(Opens in a new window) in your email.

Endless Space Collection

You can get the 4X strategy game Endless Space and its Disharmony DLC directly from the developer thanks to its Games2gether(Opens in a new window) platform. Sign up for an account and open the reward page (the present icon in the top-right corner) to see your free game. Just link your Steam account to receive the free Steam key and save $10.