If you’ve been hunting for fresh reasons to fire up your PlayStation 5, the PlayStation Store has just dropped three generous free demos that deserve your attention. What’s more, you don’t need a PlayStation Plus subscription to access them—these sit separately from PlayStation Plus’ Game Trials feature, meaning anyone with a PS5 can jump in at no cost. Whether you’re after narrative-driven exploration, tactical RPG combat, or something entirely different, there’s genuinely something here for everyone.
The standout offering among this latest batch is undoubtedly Tides of Tomorrow, an upcoming narrative adventure that blends post-apocalyptic survival with exploration in ways that’ll remind fans of both Fallout and Subnautica. Developed by Digixart and published by THQ Nordic, the game immerses you in a flooded world where civilisation has essentially crumbled. The premise is haunting: a deadly disease called Plastemia threatens to wipe out all living things, and you’re forced to navigate this collapsing world with nothing but your wits and determination.
What sets Tides of Tomorrow apart isn’t just the atmospheric setting—it’s how the game structures player interaction. You’ll trade with characters, sail through treacherous waters, and explore the remnants of what once was. But here’s the clever bit: the game incorporates “story links” that show you the echoes of what other players have done, potentially influencing your own decisions without ever forcing your hand. The demo itself runs for approximately 40 minutes and serves as a solid introduction to the game’s core mechanics before the full release arrives on 22 April.
Three free PS5 demos showcase diverse gaming experiences
For those who lean towards RPG territory, Nitro Gen Omega from DESTINYbit is likely to scratch that particular itch. This sandbox tactical RPG wraps itself in anime aesthetics and challenges you to assemble a crew, customise your Mech, and lead them through cinematic turn-based battles across a world dominated by rogue AI. The depth here is genuine—you’re not just moving pieces around a board; the bonds you forge with your crew members directly influence who survives and who falls in combat.
The game world itself is substantial, giving you an open landscape to traverse where you’ll encounter settlements, machine lairs, story-driven quests, and unexpected events that keep gameplay feeling fresh. DESTINYbit has emphasised that progression matters, allowing you to customise your fleet to match your playstyle. Whether you prefer lightning-fast, agile strikes or devastating heavy-hitting assaults, the mechanics support both approaches. It’s the kind of game that rewards experimentation and strategic thinking.
Then there’s Kamikaze Strike: FPV Drone, which takes a more action-oriented approach. This fast-paced title puts you in control of First-Person View drones, tasking you with navigating treacherous missions where you’ll dodge incoming fire, sneak past electronic jammers, and ultimately crash-land into enemy territory with purpose. The developers have included a variety of drones, each with distinct flight characteristics and different explosive payloads to experiment with.
What’s particularly interesting about Kamikaze Strike is the heavy emphasis on customisation. You’re not locked into one approach—upgrading and fine-tuning your drone fleet lets you adapt to different mission types and personal preferences. That said, it’s worth noting that player ratings on PS5 are decidedly split between five stars and one star, suggesting this is very much a “love it or hate it” experience depending on what you’re looking for from a drone-based action game.
In an era where new game releases command premium prices and gaming budgets stretch thinner by the year, these free demos represent genuine value. They give you a proper window into what each game offers before you commit your cash. That 40-minute Tides of Tomorrow demo alone could be the deciding factor between purchasing the full game and moving on to something else. Same goes for testing whether Nitro Gen Omega’s turn-based combat clicks with you, or whether Kamikaze Strike’s FPV gameplay feels as satisfying as it sounds.
If you’ve got a PS5 and some spare time this week, head to the PlayStation Store and grab these three demos. There’s no risk involved, and you might just discover your next gaming obsession—or at the very least, you’ll get a solid few hours of entertainment before deciding whether to take the plunge on any of the full releases.