You can now try out one of the PS5’s biggest 2024 exclusives for free

If you’ve been on the fence about playing Rise of the Ronin, Sony is here to help you make a decision with a new free demo released on Wednesday. The demo for this PlayStation 5 exclusive covers the game’s first chapter, which features the battle with Gonzo and offers you your first major choice. If you’re ready for the full experience, you’ll be able to port your demo save data over. There are also four free avatars for your PSN ID now available. The demo was announced in a PlayStation Blog post that also broke down some statistics on player choices from launch through June 20. There are some spoilers in there for people who haven’t played, so get in on that demo if you can. For everybody else, here are some quick highlights. Rise of the Ronin was touted as one of PlayStation’s biggest 2024 exclusives earlier this year. Developed by Team Ninja, known for action-heavy games like Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty, Ninja Gaiden, and Nioh, the action open-world RPG offers plenty of chances to parry, make game-changing choices, form relationships with NPCs, and engage in optional three-player co-op. If you’ve been looking to scratch that Ghost of Tsushima itch with another open-world game inspired by Japanese history (Ghost is set during the Mongol invasion while Rise of the Ronin takes place during the Edo period), you might want to check it out. Sucker Punch’s upcoming Ghost of Yotei promises yet another authentic dive into Japan’s rich history and culture. The first game, Ghost of Tsushima, was the PS4’s swansong thanks to its breathtaking visuals, novel approach to open world design, satisfying combat, and respect for history. That game is certainly worth experiencing first if you haven’t played it yet, but it won’t help prepare you for Ghost of Yotei beyond getting familiar with how the game is played. This sequel takes place in a different time, location, and with a new protagonist. We don’t know everything about the plot, of course, but I have been able to pull together all the important historical and cultural details that Sucker Punch has highlighted as being focal points in the game. Let’s take a dive into the history and culture Ghost of Yotei aims to explore when it comes out on October 2. The biggest PS5 exclusive of the year is right around the corner, and millions of us are already sharpening our katanas in anticipation. Ghost of Yotei is the follow-up to 2020’s Ghost of Tsushima, which revolutionized the look and feel of open world games. Beyond being a visual masterpiece and featuring a rich story that honors the real history of Tsushima, the approach to game design was unlike anything we had seen before. This sequel looks to build upon all those factors, only now set hundreds of years in the future, with a new protagonist named Atsu on a quest for revenge. The only thing the wind can’t guide you to is the preload details, which is where I come in to make sure you can start your journey as soon as possible. Ghost of Yotei release date I’ve never felt less certain in myself than I have in the past few months. Professionally, I have found myself in a dream position, but the way I got here felt more like an accident than something I earned. Personally, I have fallen into a routine so consistent that NPCs have more complex patterns. Having full control over my work should be a blessing, but it has only saddled me with immense doubt over my abilities. Was I ever really talented, or was it just the oversight of others that made my work even passable? It is all textbook imposter syndrome, yet recognizing it doesn’t make it any easier to overcome. I was late to the party with Hollow Knight, only getting around to it on my PS5 after it had been on PS Plus for who knows how long. I was well aware of its reputation at that point, but was worried that the expectations the internet had set for me would be too high. To some extent, that was true; I deeply enjoyed the experience but don’t hold it up as the pinnacle of game design. As a cozy experience that I chipped away at 45 minutes at a time before bed, it was perfect. Upgrade your lifestyleDigital Trends helps readers keep tabs on the fast-paced world of tech with all the latest news, fun product reviews, insightful editorials, and one-of-a-kind sneak peeks.