Call of Duty rival Squad launches free PS5 alpha, Xbox version confirmed

Call of Duty fans have a new rival to check out, with the tactical shooter available to try for free on PS5 and an official Xbox release confirmed for 2027.

With Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 on the horizon, fans are gearing up for the next annual entry. But if you're after something a little different, with less emphasis on quick reflexes and more focus on tactical combat, Squad might be worth a look.

Developed by Offworld Industries and published by Secret Mode, this tactical military shooter is available to try for free right now through its PS5 alpha. You can sign up now.

What is Squad and how can you play the free PS5 alpha?

You can sign up for the PS5 Squad alpha test for free that goes live on October 16 and ends on October 25, 2026. You will need a PlayStation Plus subscription to access its multiplayer alpha test.

“Squad drops 100 players onto real-world terrain for tactical combat at full scale. Infantry push forward under armour cover, helicopters ferry troops to the front line, and logistics crews keep the whole operation supplied,” reads the description of the game.

“Squad leader calls the plan, riflemen hold the line, medics keep you in the fight, and pilots and crewmen get you where you need to be. The squad that talks and moves as one is the squad that takes the objective. Communicate, Coordinate, Conquer.”

The limited-time Squad PS5 alpha will include one large map, Gorodok. Players must face off in an intense battle to claim and hold a strategic railway line, fighting as either the Armed Forces of Ukraine or the People’s Liberation Army (which may or may not have something to do with the “People’s Champion”, The Rock).

READ MORE: Modern Warfare 4 release time, preload, size and early access

As for the modes available in the alpha, that hasn’t been confirmed just yet, but we’ll know for sure once it goes live today. The full game will feature four modes: AAS, RAAS, Invasion and Fireteam.

What’s more, Squad will have six maps at launch, including Gorodok. The other five are Al Basrah, Fallujah, Mutaha, Narva and Yehorivka.

Along with the Armed Forces of Ukraine and the People’s Liberation Army, there will be a total of eight factions in the full game. The other six are the British Armed Forces, Middle Eastern Insurgents, Private Military Contractors, Russian Ground Forces, the United States Army and the United States Marine Corps.

Why Call of Duty fans should try Squad

As mentioned at the top of this article, Squad offers a more tactical, team-based gameplay experience. If you're growing a little tired of the fast-paced action of Call of Duty and Battlefield and fancy something with a more realistic approach, this game could be worth checking out, especially with its free PS5 alpha.

The gameplay in Squad looks much more methodical, and if you don't communicate and work together as a team, there's a good chance you'll get taken out by your opponents. Ultimately, teamwork could be the difference between winning and losing.

READ MORE: Modern Warfare 4 campaign length reveal and mission list

Is Squad coming to PC and Xbox Series X/S?

Yes! In fact, Squad has been available on Steam since September 2020. The PS5 alpha is designed to test the console version ahead of its full release. It also offers a chance to test the console experience before the game arrives on Xbox.

The full game is expected to launch on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S sometime in 2027, with crossplay planned across the available platforms.

As for Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4, it releases on Friday, October 23, on PC, PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S.