PS5 Gains 6 Overlooked Free Game Offerings, 2026 Releases Included

PlayStation has added a bunch of new free demos for you to download and play.

We regularly cover free games here at GAMINGbible, but once you discover the plethora of demos that are also available on PC and consoles, there’s a huge amount to check out.

This week, six new demos have been released on the PlayStation Store, giving you a taste of new and upcoming games that are coming to PlayStation 5.

Let’s dive into some of the new demos you can crack on with on PS5 this week.

Six New Demos Are Now Available On PlayStation 5

First up, we have Ariana and the Elder Codex from Idea Factory International. It’s an action platformer where you play as Ariana, a librarian possessing magical abilities, who embarks on a mission to repair the altered Seven Hero Codices.

Then there’s Under The Island, a 2D action-adventure filled with ‘90s charm. In it, you play as Nia, where you battle fierce monsters, solve clever puzzles, and explore a world alive with mystery as you race to save your new home before it’s too late.

Under The Island, Top Hat Studios

Next up, Darwin's Paradox! Tactical Octopus Action Demo is a trial version of the game shown at the Sony State of Play last week.

Utilise Darwin's various sneaky octopus skills to cleverly escape an alien-controlled industrial complex teeming with patrolling enemies and intricate puzzles.

Mina the Hollower is a game that got a bit of buzz in several Nintendo Directs. It’s made by Yacht Club Games, the same developer as the Shovel Knight series and revolves around a skilled inventor called Mina who travels to Tenebrous Isle to unlock a mystery.

Then we have Rhythm Towers, a music-driven strategy game where as members of a once-failed alien pop group, you use strategy, timing, and rhythm to defend the beat that keeps the planet alive.

Finally, there’s the demo for Planet of Lana II, the sequel to the 2023 game. This game features more complex puzzles, along with new acrobatic moves for Lana to perform, and has more diverse gameplay mechanics.

Personally, I'm quite excited for Planet of Lana II, as I enjoyed the first game. Under The Island also looks quite interesting, particularly as a retro throwback.

If you’re interested in any of these games, be sure to check out the demos that are available on the PlayStation Store.

They're all available on PS5, but some also have PS4 versions as well.