Can a VPN let you play region-locked games?

Every now and then, a new game will launch in one region that’s not available in others. Sometimes it’s a closed beta, other times it’s region-locked for a time, and our brains end up finding it more appealing because we can’t have it.

Still, what if you could ‘relocate’ your system to another region? What if you could convince the game’s servers you’re in an eligible location and gain access? It’s possible with the best gaming VPNs, but not as straightforward as you may think.

Here’s all you need to know about hopping the region fence and smelling the daisies on the other side - or, you know, playing region-locked games.

Before we begin: A note on terms and conditions

As with buying a game from another storefront, it’s not always worth the risk to access geolocked content.

Digital storefronts can potentially reject your access, and even ban accounts that try to move their locations around. Is playing that hot new MMORPG a few months early worth it if it means potentially losing your Steam Library?

That’s a decision for you to make, but it’s important to mention it upfront.

On PC, it’s relatively simple

If you’re on PC (or Mac), you’re in luck. Using a VPN is easy and reliable, particularly if you’re using one of the trusted options we’ve mentioned below.

Just as you can flit between different Netflix libraries with the likes of SurfShark or NordVPN, you can also log in elsewhere and potentially download something you otherwise wouldn’t be able to.

You can also access alternative storefronts, like other Steam or Epic listings unavailable in your region - just keep in mind the caveats above. In our experience, you may need to create a fresh account on those platforms that you use specifically with a VPN, like an EU account for an EU region.

What about on console?

On console, things are trickier. A VPN can’t run on your console, but you can access one by running it via your router.

Doing so only half the battle, though. You’ll need to set up a fresh account in most instances where you can link a region-specific payment card. In the UK? You might need to set up a US account, with a US payment card, and access the PlayStation Store or Xbox Store via a VPN on your router to be able to buy something that’s US-only.

Whether the juice is worth the squeeze is up to you, especially when considering that you may need to log into that specific account to play the title each time.

GamesRadar+’s VPN recommendations

These VPNs are great for gaming, but don’t expect them to play nicely with getting around console restrictions on their own - you’ll still need to jump through the hoops we covered above.

NordVPN

NordVPN will do a fantastic job of getting around geoblocks on PC and Mac, and offers the excellent NordLynx protocol to help keep speed loss to a minimum.

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ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN is affordable and powerful, getting around regional blocks with ease on PC, Mac, and mobile.

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Surfshark

Surfshark is the cheapest of our picks, and its unlimited device limit means you can run it on multiple computers with ease.

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