الوسم: PS5

PS5 players now have the chance to try the highly anticipated upcoming Square Enix RPG, Dragon Quest VII Reimagined, for free a month before its official release. This reimagining brings back the beloved 2000 PlayStation 1 classic to modern consoles, and you won’t need a PS Plus subscription to access the demo.

Complete details about the demo are now available, and it can be downloaded from the PlayStation Store in all regions.

The demo includes the game’s beginning and concludes after the Ballymolloy storyline—the first world players will explore. Your save data can be transferred to the full game, and you’ll receive a special outfit for Maribel that will be available when the game launches.

Square Enix has confirmed that the demo will restrict character levels, vocation proficiency, and gold coins, likely to prevent farming in anticipation of the full release.

Make sure to save your progress either on your console’s hard drive or through cloud saves if you have PS Plus, and ensure your save is linked to the account you’ll use to play the full version of Dragon Quest VII Reimagined.

After the game launches on February 5, visit the “Claim Special Rewards” menu to get your free Maribel outfit.

Every week, Sony updates the PlayStation Store with new content for PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, PlayStation VR, and PlayStation Plus members. This includes fresh games, downloadable content, and various add-ons. Below is the latest global PlayStation Store update. PlayStation LifeStyle tracks these updates across key regions worldwide. Make sure to visit every Tuesday to stay informed about the weekly PlayStation Store updates through this PlayStation Store Update.

North American Update

January’s PlayStation Plus Essential Lineup:

• Core Keeper (PS5)
• Disney’s Epic Mickey Rebrushed (PS5)
• Need for Speed Unbound (PS4/PS5)

PSVR Titles:

• Truck Simulator 25: Euro Driver VR

Games for PS4 & PS5:

• 60 Minutes to Extinction: Escape Room
• Arcade Archives 2 SPACE INVADERS
• Arcade Archives 2 SPACE INVADERS PART II
• Barista Life Simulator 2026
• Bunny Rampage: History of Revenge
• Car Wash Tycoon Business Simulator
• Carnage Battle Arena
• Coloring Book
• Contrabandist: Contraband Cartel Simulator
• Criminal Cleaner Simulator
• Critical Strike Modern – SWAT Shooter Ops
• Drifties
• Furry Hearts
• Geki Yaba Runner
• Gym Business: Fitness Empire Simulator
• Heavy Duty
• Horrorillo Brainrotillo
• Hotel Simulator 2026
• Hypercar Racing
• Icenoid
• Ink & Paper: DoodleCut
• Lost Lands 5: Ice Spell
• MY WINTER DRIVE
• Parallel Hearts
• Parkour Simulator 2026
• Pixicharm – Acornflare
• Police Chase Simulator: Highway Racers Pursuit
• Primal Dinosaur Shooter – Dino Killer
• Prison Life Sim 2025 – Survival
• Puzzle Galaxy
• Real Boxing 2: Remastered
• Real Car Parking Simulator
• Reloadian
• Sniper – Shooter Squad Elite
• STREAMER SIMULATOR 2026
• Suika Sprunki Edition
• Xmas Survivors

For the next update, visit the European PlayStation Store here.

The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Special Edition, including all DLC, is currently available at a massive 75% discount for PS5 and PS4 players through a limited-time deal on the PS Store that ends soon. This popular RPG will be leaving the Holiday Sale later this week, so quick action is required.

You can get Skyrim Special Edition for just $9.99 until Thursday, January 8. This package includes the Dawnguard, Hearthfire, and Dragonborn DLCs, along with several additional add-ons and modern features such as remastered graphics, volumetric god rays, dynamic depth of field, and screen-space reflections.

If you haven’t yet experienced one of Bethesda’s most acclaimed games, now could be the perfect opportunity.

For those new to the series, Skyrim originally debuted in 2011 on PlayStation 3 and has since been re-released on nearly every platform besides mobile devices.

“Battle ancient dragons like never before. As Dragonborn, uncover their secrets and harness their power,” an official description states. “Skyrim reimagines and revolutionizes the open-world fantasy genre, creating a fully immersive virtual world open for you to explore however you wish.”

PS Plus Premium members have the option to stream Skyrim Special Edition.

PS5 and PS4 users are employing a clever strategy to snag three months’ worth of PS Plus Essential free games using just a one-month subscription. Although accessing these games requires an active membership, many players see the benefits and are taking advantage of this approach, which we find quite impressive.

The key is all about timing. Throughout the year, the first Tuesday of each month — when new Essential game lineups are released — can sometimes fall on days that allow users to claim games from the previous month, the current month, and the upcoming month, all with a single one-month subscription.

For example, in January 2026, this scenario played out, as highlighted by Reddit user maxsteel126. If you bought a one-month PS Plus Essential membership on January 5, you could have claimed December 2025’s free games. Since the January lineup then went live, you’d also be able to claim those titles.

Looking ahead, the February lineup will become available on February 3 — just two days before your subscription in this example ends — meaning you could then claim February’s free games as well. This process essentially grants access to three months’ worth of games, totaling around nine titles on average.

People are doing this mainly because, even though the games are tied to their accounts, they can’t truly access the titles without an active subscription, and most players don’t have time to enjoy all of them within a single month. As discussed in a Reddit thread, many see this as a more economical way to build their game library over time.

One Reddit user explained, “I’ve been doing similar tricks over the past year while working through my endless backlog. I pause my subscription every other month to play a couple of PS Plus titles, then resume. It’s cheaper than buying a full 12-month membership.”

Another added, “The games stay linked to your account for when you want to play them later,” which makes this method quite appealing.

Have you tried this trick yourself?

PS Plus Essential January 2026 free games have started appearing, first in Japan and Asia on Tuesday, January 6. After a month with five titles, subscribers are now getting three new games, two of which are also available on PS4.

This month’s lineup has drawn criticism from members. Subscribers can now download Need for Speed Unbound for PS5, Disney Epic Mickey: Rebrushed for both PS5 and PS4, and Core Keeper for PS5 and PS4.

The January free games will become available in other regions at noon local time on the 6th. This is also the last chance to claim December’s free titles if you haven’t already. December’s lineup included Lego Horizon Adventures (PS5), Killing Floor 3 (PS5), The Outlast Trials (PS5, PS4), Synduality Echo of Ada (PS5), and Neon White (PS5, PS4).

The start of 2026 has not been well-received for PS Plus Essential, with many members expressing disappointment. Sony previously indicated that the focus would shift to PS5 games starting this month, leading many to expect more current-gen titles. Instead, the lineup includes a remake of a 2010 game and a lesser-known 2022 title — though it’s a good game. Additionally, the complete edition of Need for Speed Unbound, which comes with DLC, is currently priced at just $12.74 on the PS Store until January 8.

The solo Chinese developer behind the unique PS5 shooter Bright Memory: Infinite has revealed plans for a new action game with an intriguing concept. Currently, the game doesn’t have an official title, release date, or platform list, but we’ve obtained in-game screenshots and a brief overview, with more details expected soon.

The mystery project is a third-person action shooter set in China during a period of chaos and disintegration of order, according to FYQD-Studio. The provided screenshots indicate a historical backdrop for the game.

Rival gangs are depicted clashing in the shadows, amid quiet spread of violence and conspiracy throughout the city streets, FYQD-Studio explained.

Development is underway, focusing on motion capture and refining art assets. Below are some of the in-game images:

Insert screenshot here

Given that FYQD-Studio is a solo developer, it’s likely the game will be released first on PC, with subsequent availability on other platforms including consoles, similar to Bright Memory: Infinite. That 2022 PS5 title received mixed reviews from critics but developed a dedicated fanbase and more favorable responses from players.

The visuals evoke a vibe reminiscent of The Order 1886, but there’s hope that FYQD-Studio’s new project will perform better than Ready at Dawn’s failed PS4 exclusive, which I personally enjoyed.

The much-anticipated 2026 PS5 RPG, The Blood of Dawnwalker, has just dropped a new teaser along with its main theme and cover art. Since its announcement, the game has been on our radar, and developers Rebel Wolves, along with publisher Bandai Namco Entertainment, have confirmed that it remains on schedule for release in 2026.

If The Blood of Dawnwalker feels reminiscent of The Witcher, it’s because the team behind it includes former CD Projekt RED developers. However, Dawnwalker introduces a fresh storyline that differentiates it from The Witcher universe.

Set in 14th-century Europe, the game explores a time of relentless warfare and devastating plagues, with the Black Death sweeping through the land. During this period of vulnerability, vampires emerge from the shadows, seizing their chance to gain independence and wield newfound power that they’ve been denied for centuries.

Below, you’ll find a story teaser, followed by the main theme and a special New Year’s development diary:

[Embedded videos as per original content]

The cover art stands out impressively, in my opinion.

Are you excited about stepping into the shoes of Coen, the Dawnwalker, who is human by day and vampire by night? I definitely can’t wait to play!

A recent update from Lionsgate indicates that the PlayStation 5 may soon feature AAA games based on some of its most popular movie franchises.

During a recent Lionsgate earnings call (H/T TweakTown), Adam Fogelson, Chairman of the Motion Picture Group, revealed that the company is exploring the development of AAA titles rooted in its film properties. Notably, he pointed out upcoming projects based on the acclaimed Keanu Reeves-led John Wick series and the long-standing horror franchise Saw. Fogelson also emphasized that these projects are expected to be announced “soon.”

“Our opportunities for AAA games, along with other gaming ventures around John Wick, Saw, and some other properties we’ll be announcing shortly, are growing. We’re noticing increased interest and opportunity, and we’re on track with our plans,” stated Fogelson.

He added, “Overall, I believe these developments will bring significant new revenue streams in the years ahead.”

While no further details have been provided about what these games will entail, it’s worth noting that John Wick has already seen recent video game adaptations like John Wick Hex and John Wick Chronicles. The Saw franchise previously saw a video game released in 2009 for PC, PlayStation 3, and Xbox 360, with a follow-up titled Saw 2: Flesh & Blood following in 2010 on the same platforms, though it never made it to PC.

Many major film franchises have successfully expanded their universes through video games. Titles such as Hogwarts Legacy, Batman: Arkham Asylum, and Marvel’s Spider-Man serve as prime examples of licensed games that capture beloved IPs. Lionsgate owns numerous financially successful franchises—Rambo, The Hunger Games, Twilight—that could potentially be adapted into engaging video games.

Looking ahead to 2026, fans can expect several highly anticipated licensed titles, including Marvel’s Wolverine, Marvel Tokon: Fighting Souls, Lego Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight, and 007 First Light.

A popular 2023 Ubisoft action adventure game, Assassin’s Creed Mirage, is currently available at 70% off through a new PS Store promotion ending next week. The Master Assassin Edition includes the main game plus six DLC packs, a digital art book, and a curated soundtrack.

This edition can be purchased for just $26.99 if bought before Thursday, January 8. After this date, the price will return to the standard $89.99.

The included DLC packs are as follows:

– Deluxe Pack: Features a Prince of Persia-inspired outfit, a sword, a dagger, a mount skin, an eagle skin, a talisman, and a dye for outfits.
– Lightning Pack: Offers a collection of dangerous weapons, including a sword and a dagger.
– Jinn Pack: Lets you customize your character as a jinni with an outfit, sword, and dagger.
– Fire Demon Pack: Adds a fiery theme with an outfit, sword, dagger, mount skin, eagle skin, and outfit dye that evoke infernal powers.
– Master Assassin Pack: Contains four signature robes worn by assassins.
– Guardian Pack: Enables you to portray a guardian of the ancient temple with a special costume and mount skin.

Additionally, all players can now access free story DLC titled Valley of Memory, which extends gameplay by up to six hours. Set in a newly explored region inspired by 9th-century AlUla—an actual ancient city in Saudi Arabia designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site—the story adds extra depth to the adventure.

Sony has announced the January 2026 lineup of free games for PS Plus Essential, which will become available next week. Confirming an earlier leak, the company revealed that Need for Speed Unbound will be part of the January free releases. These upcoming titles will replace the sizable December 2025 list, which featured five games.

The complete lineup for PS Plus Essential in January includes Need for Speed Unbound for PS5, Disney Epic Mickey: Rebrushed for PS5 and PS4, and Core Keeper for PS5 and PS4.

All titles will be accessible starting Tuesday, January 6. Despite Sony’s promise to focus more on PS5 games in 2026, two of the three titles are cross-generation offerings, and they may not be highly anticipated by many players. Epic Mickey: Rebrushed is a remake of a 2010 game, while Core Keeper is a niche title that initially entered early access in early 2022.

Overall, the lineup isn’t seen as the strongest start to the year, and the general sentiment among gamers on forums and social media echoes disappointment.

Players are reminded that they have until Monday night, January 5, to add December’s free games: Lego Horizon Adventures (PS5), Killing Floor 3 (PS5), The Outlast Trials (PS5, PS4), Synduality Echo of Ada (PS5), and Neon White (PS5, PS4).

For PS4 owners who aren’t planning to upgrade to PS5, note that PS Plus Essential will provide fewer benefits for last-generation consoles in 2026. If multiplayer is important, it’s recommended to upgrade to an Extra membership, which offers a larger selection of PS4 games in the catalog beyond the monthly freebies.

What do you think about next month’s free game lineup? Share your opinions in the comments below.