PlayStation drops six major free downloads which don't require PS Plus

Summer is increasingly becoming a major period of the gaming industry, and you can thankfully get a taste of some of the biggest titles for free on PlayStation right now - and you don't even need to have a PS Plus subscription.

Many gamers have become accustomed to the barrage of free games that become available each month if they're a member of one of the major subscription services like PlayStation Plus or Xbox Game Pass.

However, not everyone wants to fork up the monthly or yearly fee for games that they don't technically own - even if it gives you access to countless underrated and critically acclaimed titles.

PlayStation has done all the frugal gamers out there a solid this Summer though, as six major free downloads have become available as part of Summer Game Fest, giving you a taste of some of the year's biggest titles for no extra cost.

What games can you download for free?

As reported by GAMINGbible, six exciting game demos have become available following reveals at Summer Game Fest, including some of the most anticipated upcoming titles.

Demos have become a bit of a lost relic in the last few years, so it's great to see them make a comeback this summer, letting you try before you buy.

By far the biggest of these demo drops is the Nioh 3 Alpha, which lets you experience a short slice of Team Ninja's Souls and Ninja Gaiden hybrid before it drops in early 2026.

Nioh 3's limited-time alpha is one of the most exciting free drops to come out of Summer Game Fest (Team Ninja)

This particular demo is only available for a short period of time though and is set to expire on June 18, so make sure to give the gruelling combat a go before it expires - especially as completing the alpha unlocks a unique exclusive helmet when the game launches.

Next up is Cairn, which caught the eyes of many when it was shown of at the recent PlayStation State of Play event. It's a climbing survival game that blends last year's Jusant with the body contortion of QWOP, and it's bound to be a hit when it releases soon.

It's a particularly hardcore experience with a persistent risk of injury, and the distinct lack of any HUD or external information means you'll have to pay close attention to your character in order to make the climb successful.

Cairn's challenging climbing action will leave your hands sweaty in game and in real life (The Game Bakers)

Any horror film fans should definitely dip their toes into the gory arcade action of Terrifier: The ARTcade Game, as this pixel recreation of the films of the same name channels Streets of Rage with a bloody twist.

There are plenty of action roguelikes to choose from on the market right now, but Lost in Random: The Eternal Die might be one to consider, and its new demo presents the perfect opportunity to see what it has to offer.

As the name suggests, it's dice-based combat and upgrade system adds variety to every run, and it's release this week means that if you enjoy what the game has to offer you can go ahead and pick up up with no delay.

You might also want to try ANNIE: Last Hope, as many have already reported enjoying it's top-down voxel action. It's a classic experience that's perfect for anyone who just wants to mow down waves of monster enemies without thinking - and it's relatively cheap price gives little barrier for entry if you want to enjoy the full game.

Demos like Through the Nightmares let you give a chance to games you otherwise would have ignored (Sandman Team)

Last but certainly not least is Through The Nightmares, which is also set to release this week, making it a great choice if you like what the demo has to offer.

Developed by Sandman Team, this platformer will challenge even experienced gamers as you have to consistently change your size in order to escape the horrors of a nightmare.

Can you keep the downloads forever?

Apart from Nioh 3's alpha - which is a time-limited short slice of the upcoming game - all of the five other new demos available for free on the PlayStation store will be kept forever in your game library.

Of course, these demos only offer a short slice of their respective games, either in a section curated by the developers or through a time limit, but you can still play them as many times as you want if you're short on cash and still want to experience some of the most exciting upcoming titles.

Who knows, you might find your next favorite game in this selection - and there's a strong likelihood that you wouldn't have given it a second look without having the demo to give it a try beforehand.