There’s a lot to look forward to this year for PlayStation players, such as the long-awaited arrival of Grand Theft Auto VI, among other major releases. This will follow some exciting games that have already dropped on PS5 as well, from the acclaimed sequel Resident Evil Requiem to the surprise indie hit Mina the Hollower.
Meanwhile, for gamers on a budget, Sony offers a variety of game demos that can be played for free. There are literally hundreds to choose from, and players won’t even need a PS Plus subscription to check them out. It might be difficult to know where to begin, but a list of four of the better recent releases can be seen below to use as a starting point. Each of these titles will have its full game release later in the year, but players can dive in right now with the free demos.
The Alighieri Circle: Dante’s Bloodline
Planned Release Date: Sep. 10, 2026
This game, The Alighieri Circle: Dante’s Bloodline, has players taking on the role of Gabriele Alighieri, a man forced to navigate one nightmare between two different worlds. Every 33 years, the barrier between reality and Hell fades, leaving Gabriele caught in the middle. One world will have players exploring the halls of an Italian manor, while the other sees them crossing the threshold into a distorted reflection of the infernal depths. A psychological thriller, the game does not have any combat elements, as it relies more on tension, atmosphere, exploration, and storytelling.
Duskfade
Planned Release Date: Aug. 13, 2026
A 3D action platformer, Duskfade involves jumping, swinging, and slashing through a fantastic fantasy world as Zirian, a warrior accompanied by his mechanical Cuckoo. Zirian is set to save his sister from a mysterious Clock Tower that has cast the world into eternal darkness. Paying homage to classic action platformers from years past, Duskfade blends dynamic platforming action with fast-paced combat.
Gurei
Planned Release Date: Jul. 23, 2026
Described by its own developers as an “unforgiving” game, Gurei is an action title that will have players taking on challenging bosses. Play as Rei, a human spirit tasked with defeating various mythical threats known as the Kami to obtain their special powers. These bosses can be fought in any order that the player decides, though there’s a dynamic difficulty system that will change each enemy’s strength based on the chosen path. To succeed, gamers need to master Gurei‘s sword attacks, dodges, and other abilities.
Woodo
Planned Release Date: TBA
Tiny Monks Tales’ Woodo is like a 3D coloring book with added interaction. It’s designed to be very cozy, offering relaxing puzzles brought to life with handcrafted wooden dioramas. It may be especially enjoyable for gamers who “never forgot how to be a child,” per the developers. The demo comes with two full dioramas to assemble along with a glimpse into the story of the wholesome world of Woodo.
Check out the above demos and much more for free by downloading them from the PS Store.
- Released
-
2026
- Developer(s)
-
Tiny Monks Tales
- Publisher(s)
-
Daedalic Entertainment
- Number of Players
-
Single-player
- Steam Deck Compatibility
-
Unknown