PS5 drops 3 must-play free indies to try, perfect if you're low on time

It’s a busy ol’ time for major AAA releases. Grand Theft Auto VI is on the way in just a couple of weeks' time, with many players currently enjoying recent offerings like Phantom Blade Zero, Crimson Desert: Charting The Unknown, and Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4.

Between all of these time-consuming behemoths, though, it’s nice to enjoy a bite-sized palate cleanser - and the PlayStation Store has gained three must-play indie demos that perfectly fit that bill.

You don’t need PlayStation Plus to enjoy these free tasters; they’re all available via search from the PlayStation Store.

Waltz and Jam is a uniquely styled action-platformer that oozes nostalgic charm

Flyaway Games

It was the original PlayStation that first unlocked my adoration of platformers, with Cros: Legend of the Gobbos, Crash Bandicoot, and Spyro The Dragon among some of my favourite titles. Perhaps it’s for that reason then that Waltz and Jam ooze nostalgia.

Developed by Flyway Games, the game follows soul Waltz and his dog companion Jam as they traverse their way through the afterlife in a story inspired by the seven deadly sins.

Within the game, each realm is inspired by one of those sins and while Waltz and Jam will need to dash, jump, and navigate their way to safety, they’ll also need to fend off huge threats, take down bosses, and solve environmental puzzles.

The demo is going down exceptionally well with a 4.47 rating on PlayStation and a 94 percent rating on Steam, where it was dubbed “cozy”, “incredible”, and perfect for Zelda fans.

This experience should last you one to two hours, with Waltz and Jam launching in full on December 3.

If you’re a fan of Blue Prince, this mystery-solving offering is one for you

Raw Fury

Younger me always wanted to be a part of Scooby-Doo’s Mystery Inc which perhaps explains why I’m so drawn to detective games.

The next Professor Layton instalment is almost here but if you enjoyed the likes of 2025’s Blue Prince, you might want to check out The Séance of Blake Manor in the meantime.

Developed by Spooky Doorway, The Séance of Blake Manor has just launched on PS5 after originally surfacing on PC last year.

Set in Ireland in 1897, this supernatural mystery sees you investigate the disappearance of Evelyn Deane in a remote hotel that’s “full of secrets and other-wordly occurences”.

You’ll search for clues and interrogate suspects, with a compelling narrative drawing you deeper and deeper into this experience.

The demo should take you an hour to 90 minutes to complete, featuring the first two in-game hours set within the manor’s grounds.

With a rating of 4.35 on the PlayStation Store, The Séance of Blake Manor is off to a flying start.

Get caught in the trap of “just one more round” in this arcade simulator

Playstack

What I would call ‘ a 2p machine’, you might call a coin pusher. I’m talking about the arcade machines that see you try to topple coins off a ledge, a mainstay of seaside resorts in the UK.

Raccoon: Chaos Max Edition is essentially that in-game form, as you step into the paws of a raccoon who’s desperate to clean said machines of all they have to offer.

This roguelike deckbuilder classifies itself as “a coin-pushing dopamine machine”. Players won’t solely rely on luck, also making use of special coins that can unlock powerful combos.

This demo runs for around an hour or so, with a 4.16 rating showing there’s lots to love.

With a behemoth like GTA VI on the horizon, many gamers are likely soon to find themselves short on time, so tasters like this can be a lifesaver.

Find your next indie obsession and support small-scale dev teams at a time when they’re probably finding it pretty difficult to feel seen.