I've been a PlayStation Plus subscriber for a long time and a member since its launch in 2022. I usually try to take advantage of all the benefits that come with it, including the "free" monthly games and catalog, and I particularly love the Classics catalog as well. One feature that I've always thought was a great idea is also one that I literally never use, even though I know it would probably be beneficial. I'm speaking of the timed Game Trials for , which allow you to test out new games before actually making the purchase.

Personally, I tend to only buy games that I know I am going to play, but I've never actually taken advantage of the Game Trials feature to make absolutely sure I like something first. After recently making full game purchases that I somewhat regret, I think it's time I start using this feature whenever possible before grabbing a new game. Just because a game is popular doesn't necessarily mean it's something you will enjoy, but PS Plus Game Trials offer a really convenient way to avoid buyer's remorse.

How Game Trials Work On PS Plus

PS Plus Can Test Out Portions Of A Game Before Buying

PS Plus are able to play time-limited game trials and sample a portion of select PS5 and PS4 titles before purchasing. These trials typically last up to two hours, though some trials can be either shorter or longer. The timer will be active only while the game is actually running, but you need to make sure you quit to pause your trial. Progress made during these trials, including trophies and saved data, carries over if you decide to buy the full game. This feature makes it convenient to continue where you left off without losing trophy progression.

You need to quit and exit a game if you are playing a timed trial for the timer to stop; setting your PS5 in Rest Mode doesn't seem to pause the countdown.

Sony actually requires developers to provide trials for new games that are priced above a certain price to be made available within three months of release. Trial availability and length will vary, so it's advisable to check the PlayStation Store regularly for updates on current offerings. Currently, there are over 160 PS4 and PS5 games available for limited-time trials, with a ton of top-tier games, from Baldur's Gate 3 to NBA 2K25 to Unicorn Overlord and much more in between.

Why You Should Take Advantage Of Game Trials On PS Plus

There Are A Wide Range Of Games To Test Out Before Buying

Game trials on PS Plus provide a smarter way to make decisions about what games you buy. With the growing cost of new releases, being able to sample a title before buying helps ensure you're spending money on something you genuinely enjoy. These trials let you get a taste of gameplay mechanics and other critical factors that trailers, reviews, and hype simply can't for. There's nothing quite like playing a game for yourself. Also, because your progress carries over, there's no wasted time, and if you don't like the game, you just saved yourself some money.

There are some incredible games available for temporary trials. The aforementioned Baldur's Gate 3 is an obvious example, but you can also try games like Stellar Blade, RollerCoaster Tycoon Adventures Deluxe, Persona 3 Reload, and Mortal Kombat 1. Even the infamous The Lord of the Rings: Gollum is available if you want to finally see for yourself if the horrible reviews it received were justified.

Game trials offer a chance to broaden your gaming horizons, which is a big reason why I'm now starting to check them out. I finally took the time to play Metaphor ReFantazio to see if it lives up to the hype (spoiler alert: it does). Trials can help you decide if you actually enjoy the gameplay, and help you cut through the marketing noise to see what a game truly offers.

With a constantly updated library and reasonable trial lengths, there’s no real downside to taking a few hours to test a game if you already have a PlayStation Plus hip. I might have been sleeping on game trials until now, but there's no reason you should make the same mistake.