It’s not every day that such a controversial game makes a comeback. Available for free trial on PS5 since January 28, 2026, Fallout 76 benefits from a surprisingly short free window: only Sony players have until February 4 to test it, one day less than on other platforms.
Released in 2018 in a catastrophic state, Bethesda’s online game seemed destined for oblivion. And yet, here it is again, in a revised, optimized and enriched version. If you thought you knew Fallout 76, you might be in for a surprise. Because this time, the trial is much more than a free demo: it is an invitation to reconsider a title that many had buried too quickly.
Has Fallout 76 really changed in 8 years?
It’s hard to imagine today to what extent the launch of Fallout 76 was disappointing: omnipresent bugs, unstable servers, absence of NPCs… Both the press and the players had taken down the game. But in eight years, Bethesda has evolved the title with major updates.
The game now offers a denser world, voiced characters, more immersive storytelling and much livelier multiplayer content. The studio has also deployed several free expansions and revised its progression system, to the point that evaluations on Steam and the PS Store are now generally positive.
Free Tier Hides Massive Content
Unlike many limited demos, this trial provides access to the entire base game. No major restrictions block exploration, main quests, events, or multiplayer. The game is open, with no limitation on progression, as long as the offer is active.
And if you feel like it, you can even play it with several friends. An important detail: all your data and progress are kept if you decide to purchase after the trial. In short, it’s a real opportunity to judge on the spot.
Who should really take advantage of this PS5 offer?
This offer targets several audiences at the same time. First the curious: those who have never tried the Fallout adventure, and for whom this essay can serve as an introduction. Then the skeptics, who had perhaps given up after the criticisms of 2018, and could discover a very different game.
But it’s also a chance for long-time fans of the license, waiting for Fallout 5, to immerse themselves again in the radioactive universe of Appalachia. Because despite its chaotic past, Fallout 76 has become a generous multiplayer sandbox, less scripted but more organic. Downloading is simple, via the PlayStation Store. But time is running out: after February 4, you will have to pay to continue.