On October 20, 2026, subscribers to PS Plus Premium will be able to try two games without a separate purchase: Resonance: A Plague Tale Legacy and Mortal Shell II. These will be Game Trials, not full games to keep in your library: to enjoy them, you will need the Premium plan and to check their availability on the PlayStation Store in your region.
This date falls on a busy day for PlayStation Plus, as new titles are also expected to join the game catalog accessible to Extra and Premium members. To distinguish the trials from the regular additions, let’s keep three reference points in mind:
- Two Premium trials: the new releases concern Resonance: A Plague Tale Legacy and Mortal Shell II.
- No permanent copy: the trial grants access to a discovery period, without adding the full game to your collection.
- Availability to be checked locally: Sony has not announced a removal date, and offers may vary by territory.
The plan thus allows testing two dark experiences that take different directions: one renews an adventure series known for its stealth, the other develops a more open soulslike approach. For players hesitating before a purchase, a few hours of hands-on play can reveal if these changes suit them.
PS Plus Premium: two Game Trials available on October 20
Sony confirmed the arrival of the two trials on Tuesday, October 20, 2026. This detail matters because Game Trials do not work like monthly games or titles included in the game catalog: they are reserved for Premium members and allow discovering a game before deciding if it’s worth buying.
The full versions thus do not become free games to keep indefinitely in your library. The duration of each trial has not been specified, nor a removal date. We advise you to check each title’s page on the PlayStation Store as soon as they are activated, where the available terms in your region should appear.
| Game | Announced Access | To Note |
|---|---|---|
| Resonance: A Plague Tale Legacy | Game Trial PS Plus Premium | New adventure in the A Plague Tale universe |
| Mortal Shell II | Game Trial PS Plus Premium | Standalone sequel focused on action and exploration |
This distinction avoids frequent confusion when opening the app: seeing a game in the service interface does not always mean its full version is included. Extra members will benefit from additions related to their offer, but these two trials remain linked to Premium.
Resonance: A Plague Tale Legacy renews the series formula
Developed by the French studio Asobo Studio, Resonance: A Plague Tale Legacy takes place about fifteen years before the events of A Plague Tale: Requiem, released in 2022. The game retains the exploration and puzzles that shaped the series’ identity, but the published information announces a greater role given to direct combat.
Parries and environment-based attacks should thus occupy a larger place, while stealth would be less central. This difference is concretely measured in the way an encounter is approached: rather than systematically seeking a discreet passage, you might need to observe enemy movements, block at the right moment, and use elements available in the environment.
The huge swarms of rats, a major source of tension in the previous episodes, should no longer impose the same constraints. This does not mean the adventure abandons its unsettling atmosphere: family and the dangers of the world remain at the heart of the story, but the tools offered to players evolve. The Game Trial will therefore be useful to check if this shift to action appeals to you.
Commercial information reports a release on August 27, 2026 on PC and consoles, as well as a reference price of 59.99 dollars. This data should not be confused with the Premium trial announcement: prices may change depending on country and edition. To place this new release in the context of the service’s news, you can also consult this page on games associated with PS Plus.
Mortal Shell II: a more open soulslike to try on PS Plus
Mortal Shell II is a standalone sequel to the 2020 game, developed by Cold Symmetry. It takes the basics of a soulslike while steering exploration towards a relatively compact interconnected open world described as such. Available information mentions more than 60 dungeons: a figure suggesting dense exploration, made of detours and zones to master rather than a vast empty territory.
The possession system also returns. Harbinger can inhabit fallen warriors, the Shells, whose own abilities influence character building. You can thus adapt your approach based on the available skills, instead of limiting yourself to a single combat style. This mechanic offers an additional reason to explore and experiment with different setups.
Another notable evolution is that combat would no longer be governed by a stamina gauge, unlike the first episode. This change can modify the rhythm of fights: it invites rethinking the balance between attack, dodge, and defense, without removing the need to observe enemies. The trial will allow judging if this freedom makes fights smoother to your eyes.
The commercial release was reported for August 20, 2026, with an announced price of 49.99 dollars, to be confirmed depending on stores and regions. An open beta was also offered on PC and Xbox Series X/S in a format close to a demo. On PlayStation, the Game Trial represents another opportunity to discover the formula before purchase.
Additions of October 20 in the PlayStation Plus catalog
The two trials will arrive at the same time as a new wave for Extra and Premium subscribers. Mafia: The Old Country is announced on PS5, while Horizon Forbidden West should be available on PS4 and PS5. Mycopunk, a cooperative shooter, will join the service on PS5 on its worldwide release day.
The day thus brings together two types of access that are better not mixed: games added to the catalog can be launched by eligible members as long as they remain offered in the service, while the Game Trials are trial versions reserved for Premium. For players like Léa, who hesitates between a narrative adventure and a demanding action game, this combination allows going through a full new release from the catalog and then testing two titles before buying them.
Another wave is announced for October 27, with Poppy Playtime: Chapter 2, Monster Energy Supercross 25 – The Official Video Game and Tales of Arise: Beyond the Dawn Edition. This second date extends the October program, without changing the terms of the trials arriving a week earlier.
Offers may vary from one country to another, especially for platforms and editions offered. Checking the local PlayStation Store on the day remains the most direct way to know availabilities. You can also follow changes of the PlayStation offer for subscribers to better situate these new releases in the service’s evolution.
Making the most of PS Plus Premium trials before choosing
To make the most of a trial, we recommend first verifying the plan associated with your account, then checking the game’s page on your console. Look at the duration indications when shown and start the download early enough: a trial does not become unlimited access because it was started once.
You can then organize your discovery around some precise criteria. In Resonance: A Plague Tale Legacy, test a combat sequence and a puzzle to assess the new balance between action and exploration. In Mortal Shell II, try several Shells and observe how their skills change your way of approaching opponents.
- Before starting: check that your gaming subscription is indeed Premium and that the trial appears in your region.
- During the session: take time to test the distinctive mechanics, rather than relying only on a trailer.
- After the trial: compare your experience with the local price shown before deciding to buy the full game.
Game streaming may be part of services offered with some Premium offers, depending on device and territory, but these two new releases are announced as trials to discover on PlayStation. To avoid any unpleasant surprise, trust the store indications rather than an assumption about the access mode.
October 20 thus promises to be an interesting date to explore new games without confusing trial and permanent gift. With two very different universes, PS Plus Premium especially gives you the chance to test their mechanics in real conditions before choosing what comes next.
