How to Get Dakar Desert Rally Free
Want Dakar Desert Rally free — or at least much cheaper — without breaking any rules? Here are legitimate routes only: sales, giveaways and platform deals — no piracy, no cracks.
Written by Marcus Reed
Lead Editor — Rally & Off-Road Games
Does it ever go free?
Yes. Racing and off-road games regularly appear in store giveaways, free weekends and subscription catalogues. Publishers use these promotions to bring new players in, which means a game like this rotates through free and heavily discounted offers more often than you might expect. The trick is knowing where to look and being ready to grab it when it appears.
Epic & Steam giveaways
Watch the Epic Games Store's weekly free game slot, where a rotating selection of titles is given away to keep — once you claim a game there, it's yours permanently. On Steam, keep an eye out for free-weekend events, which let you play the full game free for a limited time, often alongside a big discount if you decide to buy. Titles in this genre cycle through both stores periodically, so it's worth checking regularly during sale seasons.
Demos & trials
Check the official store pages for a demo or trial build. A demo lets you test the handling, navigation and performance on your own hardware before spending anything — useful for a game with a steep learning curve and demanding stages. If there's a trial, it's the lowest-risk way to find out whether the rally-raid style is for you.
Sales & bundles
Seasonal sales across Steam, Epic, the PlayStation Store and the Microsoft Store routinely cut the price sharply — sometimes by 70% or more. Bundle stores occasionally include the game too, packaging it with others at a deep discount. If 'free' isn't on offer right now, a big sale is usually the next best thing, and they come around several times a year.
Subscriptions
Keep an eye on console and PC subscription catalogues. Included titles change over time, and the game may appear as part of a service you already pay for — effectively free to play for as long as it stays in the library. It's always worth checking the current catalogue before buying outright.
FAQ
Is Dakar Desert Rally free to play?+
No, it's a paid game — but it frequently appears in giveaways, free weekends, deep sales and subscription services, all of which are legal ways to play it free or very cheaply.
Where's the safest place to buy it cheap?+
Official storefronts — Steam, Epic, the PlayStation Store and the Microsoft Store — during seasonal sales are the safest and cheapest legitimate options.
Are cracked or 'free download' sites safe?+
No. They're illegal and a common source of malware. Stick to the legitimate routes above. Before you commit, check the system requirements and read our review. Back to the hub.