Try before you buy: demos, trials and free weekends in the UK

Free demos: the oldest trick still works

Many games release a free demo: a slice of the full game, often the opening section or a stand-alone level. Demos are listed on every major store: Steam, PlayStation Store, Microsoft Store and the Nintendo eShop. Search the game's name and look for a separate demo listing or a "Download demo" option.

Some demos carry your progress over to the full game, which removes any sense of wasted time. The store listing or the publisher usually says so. Others are a separate build, sometimes released before launch, which may differ from the finished game.

A demo tells you about controls, pace and tone. It rarely tells you how the game feels 20 hours in. For long games, combine a demo with watching uncut gameplay from later on, avoiding story spoilers.

Steam Next Fest and other demo festivals

Valve runs Steam Next Fest, a week-long event built around free demos of upcoming PC games. Valve's published dates for the next two are 22 February to 1 March 2027 and 14 to 21 June 2027. During the event, the Steam store highlights a large selection of demos, and many developers stream their games.

Next Fest is mostly for games that are not out yet, so it is a way to follow future releases rather than test current ones. If a demo impresses you, adding the game to your wishlist means Steam can let you know when it launches or goes on sale.

Steam also runs smaller themed festivals through the year. Valve's 2027 list includes a Couch Co-Op Fest from 8 to 15 February 2027, which may be useful if you are looking for games to play on one screen.

Game trials in PlayStation Plus Premium and Nintendo Switch Online

Two console subscriptions include trials of full games.

PlayStation Plus Premium lists Game Trials among its benefits, so members can try selected games before buying. Premium was listed at £14.99 a month or £119.99 a year on 3 November 2026; the lower Essential and Extra tiers do not include these trials.

Nintendo Switch Online runs occasional Game Trials events. Nintendo's UK support explains that members can download and play the full version of a featured game for a limited time, and that save data carries over if you then buy the game. Once the trial period ends, or your membership expires, the trial is no longer playable. Trials are not always running, so check the Nintendo Switch Online section on your console. The individual membership was £17.99 a year on 3 November 2026.

EA Play's ten-hour trials and subscription libraries

EA Play describes trials of selected new EA releases for up to 10 hours, which is enough to get a real feel for a game. On 3 November 2026 EA listed the standard membership at £5.99 a month or £35.99 a year, and noted that membership applies to one platform. EA Play is also included in some Game Pass plans, according to Xbox.

Subscription libraries, such as Game Pass on Xbox and PC and the PlayStation Plus Extra Game Catalogue, are not trials in the strict sense, but they let you play many games without buying each one. If a game you are curious about is in a catalogue you already pay for, playing it there is a no-cost test. Bear in mind that catalogue games can leave the service, so if you love one, you may eventually need to buy it.

Free-to-play games, such as Fortnite, Rocket League and Apex Legends, need no trial at all, though they make money through optional purchases. Spending limits are worth setting before you start.

Free weekends and limited-time access

Publishers sometimes make a paid game free to play for a weekend or a few days, often around a big update or a sale. These offers are announced on the store itself and on the publisher's official channels, and progress often carries over if you buy the game during or after the event.

Because they come and go, there is no reliable calendar for free weekends. Following the official store pages or wishlisting games you are curious about is the simplest way to hear about them.

Treat any "free game" offer from an unofficial site with caution. Official promotions are delivered through the store on your console, PC or phone, not through download links on third-party websites.

Refunds: the safety net, not the plan

If you buy a game and it is not for you, each store has its own rules. In summary, as published on 3 November 2026:

• Steam: Valve will refund a game for any reason if you request it within 14 days of purchase and have played for less than two hours.
• PlayStation Store (UK): you can cancel a game purchase within 14 days, provided you have not started downloading or streaming it, unless it is faulty.
• Microsoft Store and Xbox: Microsoft says digital games are not refundable unless the offer or the law says otherwise, but you can submit a request online.
• Nintendo eShop: Nintendo's UK support says it cannot refund mistaken purchases or games you do not like.
• Apple App Store: requests go through Apple's Report a Problem site, and Apple says eligibility varies by country.
• Google Play: Google explains its UK refund approach in its help centre, including a one-time courtesy refund per app or game in some cases.

Separately, the Consumer Rights Act 2015 says digital content must be of satisfactory quality, fit for purpose and as described. Citizens Advice explains what to do if a game is faulty.

A simple routine for testing a game

Putting it together, a sensible order is:

1. Check for a free demo on your platform.
2. Check whether the game is in a subscription you already have, or in a current trial.
3. Watch some uncut, official gameplay to judge pace.
4. If you buy, know your store's refund rule before you start. On Steam, keep an eye on playtime; on PlayStation, consider turning off automatic downloads if you want to keep the cancellation option.

And remember the cheapest option of all: a game you are not sure about can wait. Prices often fall after launch, and patches improve many games. Our guide to choosing your next game helps narrow the list before you test anything.