Start of the year with a bang for PS5 players: Sony now offers four major games to download for free. And surprise, no PlayStation Plus subscription is necessary. An initiative that is timely as 2026 is already shaping up to be a pivotal year for the video game industry.
These are free demosavailable directly from the PlayStation Store. Please note, these are not limited trial versions reserved for Premium subscribers. This selection allows you to get a head start on some of the most anticipated games, with a tempting promise: your progress in the demo is preserved in the final version.
Dragon Quest VII Reimagined: a remake already playable
Among the titles offered, the most anticipated is undoubtedly Dragon Quest VII Reimaginedremake of the Square Enix classic scheduled for February 5, 2026. extended demo is available now and allows you to dive into the game world, with the guarantee that progress will be transferred to the full version.
This is a golden opportunity for JRPG fans, curious to discover the new artistic direction and gameplay adjustments. This modernized version promises to appeal to a new generation of players, while keeping the DNA of the cult game intact.
Three other free demos not to be missed
Alongside Dragon Quest, three other games also benefit from a free demo:
- Front Mission 3: Remakescheduled for the end of January, provides access to a taste of its strategic gameplay.
- The Legend of Heroes: Trails Beyond the Horizonscheduled for release on January 15, is revealed through a double demo: one focused on combat, the other on the story and characters.
- Cassette Boyscheduled for January 14, presents itself as the most promising puzzle RPG of the beginning of the year. With its endearing artistic direction, it could well be the first hidden nugget of 2026.
A Sony strategy that appeals to gamers
Sony is betting big on the accessibility and visibility of its future games. As the article reminds us: “PlayStation offers hundreds of free demos to download and try at any time.” An inclusive strategy, which allows players to try before buying, without subscription constraints.
And this model seems to please. “We don’t talk about it enough, but if you are hesitant to buy a game and a demo is available, you would be wrong not to try it,” says the author. A useful reminder at a time when the prices of AAA games continue to increase.