Summary
The once-popular practice of releasing playable demos for upcoming or recently released games has been revitalized in the past few years. Many developers are now prioritizing these moves to give players a taste of what’s to come in the full versions. While this is a welcome development, it is still not a widespread practice in the industry, so there is room for improvement. More studios should consider joining this trend, especially given the constant price increases for full versions.
Typically, playable demos don’t offer much in terms of game length, so players can usually expect about an hour or two of gameplay when downloading demos from the PS Store. Below, players will find a list of some of the best demo versions available as free downloads in the “Demos” section of the PS Store. Note that some demos might be deactivated in the future,like the recentStellar Bladedemo, but once claimed, fans will be able to download them at any time from their library.
Final Fantasy 7 Rebirthis currently one of the highest-rated releases of this year and probably doesn’t need much introduction. As the second part of theFinal Fantasy 7story, Rebirth places iconic characters front and center, delivering one of the most engrossing and emotional experiences in the RPG genre in a very long time.
This demo includes theopening section of the Nibelheim episodeand lets fans play through the Junon open area to experience the world map, combat, and exploration elements of the gameplay. Despite a rather hefty download of almost 50 GB, players probably won’t regret it, as the game’s astounding visuals alone are more than worth it.
Enotria: The Last Songis an upcoming soulslike game with a bright and distinct visual style inspired by Italian folklore. The game’s colorful masks, costumes, music, and dances create a special mood while exploring its stunning locations in search of new treasures and secrets. On top of that,Enotriabrings several innovations to the genre, such as switchable and customizable loadouts, allowing players to change perks, armor, and weapons with the press of a button.
The developers ofEnotria: The Last Songare generous with the amount of content the demo offers: players can expect about six to seven hours of gameplay, including several bosses to defeat, perks to unlock, and weapons to try out. Be warned, though, that theEnotriademo will be available only until July 30th — one and a half months before the full game’s launch.
3Street Fighter 6
Stylish And Energetic, With Refined And Innovative Mechanics
Street Fighter 6is a game that appeals not only to fans of the series and the fighting genre but also to newcomers. With its outstanding presentation, music that sets the right tone, and spectacular character design, there is so much to see and do in the game. Not to mention its innovative features like the customizable in-depth character creatorand the World Tour mode, full of discoveries and free-roam adventures.
The good thing is that theStreet Fighter 6demo provides just that: a taste of the game’s various modes, including the World Tour, and a tease of its refined combat mechanics with available characters such as Ryu and Luke.
Prince of Persia: The Lost Crownhas emerged as a sudden gem in the iconic series and one of the most stylish platformers in recent years. Staying true to the series' hallmarks while delivering its own experience with a perfect mix of breathtaking traversal and precise combat,The Lost Crownis agreat entry point for new players.
The Lost Crowndemo might not offer the most content, clocking in at about one hour of gameplay, but it provides everything fans need to decide on purchasing the full game. From story beats and an introduction to the main cast of characters to demonstrating how to use time-manipulating powers on a grand scale, thisPrince of Persiais as beautiful as it is hard to put down.
Scarlet Nexusmight not be the most well-known game here, but it shouldn’t be overlooked. This action RPG is set in a unique futuristic world where extraordinary psionics fight against mysterious “Others” that rain from the sky. Aside from the original setting and premise, players can expect a robust combat system, anime-stylized visuals, and a riveting story told through two different perspectives.
In the story demo, players can experience the beginning ofScarlet Nexus' story, playing as either of the two main characters. The game’s prologue is quite intense, featuring action-packed gameplay sequences, environment exploration, and narrative cutscenes,ensuring players are in for a thrilling ride.
Tekken 8is one of the most impressive entries in this thirty-year-old franchise, pushing the boundaries of what is possible in the fighting game genre. Featuring a diverse character roster, outstanding visuals, and tons of style,Tekken 8is likely to surpass fans' expectations when they launch the demo.
The demo is particularly generous. Fans can play as one offour available characters(Jin Kazama, Kazuya Mishima, Paul Phoenix, and Nina Williams) across five different modes, experiencing the robust hand-to-hand combat mechanics to their fullest. The clashes are more aggressive than ever, with head-spinning combos that can be hard to master. However, with practice, players can fully appreciate the depth of the combat system.
Immortals Fenyx Risingis an action-adventure inspired by the latestLegend of Zeldatitles. It offers colorful, vibrant graphics and ahuge open world of Ancient Greecefull of legendary monsters and discoveries. In the demo, players will get a taste of everything the full package has to offer, from combat with Fenyx’s godlike abilities to quests and puzzle-solving, which is a real emphasis here.
TheImmortals Fenyx Risingdemo is a standalone story set on a special archipelago, completely separate from the main game, so one’s progress won’t carry over to the final game. See it as a pleasant distraction, a vertical slice of the full product that could be just enough to help fans decide whether they’re interested in getting more.
Resident Evil 4 Remakeis arguably one of the best games in the entire franchise, and those who are still in doubt might wish to check out the Chainsaw demo. In this brief demo, Leon Kennedy finds himself in a Spanish village where every resident has suddenly turned evil and is trying to kill him. Then, the titular Chainsaw guy arrives, bringing the heat of the battle to an entirely new level.
While this demo is pretty short, and many players will probably finish it in about half an hour, there’s no reason not to replay it. Fans can enjoyResident Evil 4 Remake’s tight and intense combat system,try out new weapons, and search for every secret this small village holds.
Dragon Quest 11 S: Echoes of an Elusive Age - Definitive Editionis an enormous game, easily offering about 100 hours of gameplay, and its demo matches its huge scope. Unlike the traditional one or two hours, this demo offers about seven to eight hours of gameplay, introducing players to the title’s key characters, narrative beats, combat, and several starting locations. What’s even better is that this huge demo is a very modest download of just 10 GB.
By the time players beat this demo, they will most likely be hooked by this charming RPG and its story and will want more. Fans shouldn’t deny themselves the pleasure of experiencing one of the highest-rated RPGs of the past few years, full of memorable and emotional moments.
Final Fantasy 16is a cinematic action RPG filled with memorable characters, narrative cutscenes, and over-the-topKaiju (known as Eikons)boss battles. This demo offers just a taste of the full experience. Players will experience the first hour of the full game, playing as a younger Clive through events that shape his life. Additionally, to give players a chance to try out the brilliant combat system at its full potential, the developers have also included a much later portion of the game in the demo.
Final Fantasy 16’s greatest strengths — its visuals, music, and combat — are all evident in this exciting demo. Plus, progress in the demo will carry over to the full game, which is always a great feature.
