PS Plus not required. Tested working
Full credit to HUKD
The one listed on the store as PS4 only is the trial version. There's also the Game + Theme PS4 version for $69.95.
Whereas the one we're getting for free on this is the PS4 + PS5 standard edition release. It's the full standard edition game for PS4 and PS5.
It's a great game.
Will probably never play it, not the least because I don't touch the PS5.
But free is free, and it worked for me. Cheers OP!
Cheers, seemed to work for me, I guess we'll see if it sticks.
absolute legend thanks!
Worked thanks. 3.711 GB download.
But the thing is will it actually let you start the game and play?.
Sure does.
Thanks that's good to know.
Worked here was able to claim it.
Worked. Thank you
I got the game without getting the trial, both Blades of the Shogun and Standard Edition show free for me on the PS App. Thanks anyway, I own it on the PC, so, I'll probably only play it on that anyway.
🥳🥳🫡🫡
Thank you so much!
Checking Ozbargain nearly every hour has finally paid off BIG TIME! 🥹
I KNOW RIGHT
"Those are rookie numbers, you’ve gotta pump those numbers up"
Nice, thanks OP
If you are on PC, you might already have this and the standalone expansion Aiko's Choice in your Epic Games Library thanks to it been given out for free before.
https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/509127
https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/748537
Worked for me. I still have a shrink wrapped copy of this game 🥲
Is this trick also applicable to other games with free trial? Lol
Missed it
They’ve patched it
must have missed it , its not working now
It's "free" on PS Plus also.
Yes but this is free to keep, no paid subscription required.
It's still showing as purchased on my account. So it looks all good for those who got to claim. I guess they honoured it.
Good tactics Op, this one stuck the landing. The 4k resolution works wonders on ps5, but I will be mostly playing this on remote play.
Already played and finished. Great game.
Just received this email today. I think Sony caught on.
——
Thank you for contacting PlayStation Support.
We processed your refund request on 23/12/2025 09:26 PM GMT in the amount of $0.00 for Shadow Tactics: Blades of the Shogun.
The funds are being returned to your original method of payment, except where that is not possible, in which case they will go to your PSN wallet. Please note that refund timing depends on your original payment method. For details, please visit https://www.playstation.com/support/store/ps-store-refund-request/
You can read more about our Cancellation Policy here: https://www.playstation.com/legal/playstation-store-cancellation-policy/
Thanks,
PlayStation
Same here
Sony bringing the spirit of Ebenezer Scrooge for Christmas! Luckily still have the copy that Epic Games gave away for free.
Sony isn't the publisher of this game.
Same here. The game license has been revoked from my account. Also i notice that the game is on sale for $5.99 at the moment.
I also got the email this morning. I was part way through the game. I disconnected my PlayStation from the internet and I can keep playing offline for now. Not sure how long the license lasts but I'll try to finish it while I can.
The only reason it was still running is because the game was was running completely in RAM and there's no internet connection to call home. But the license would have already been revoked on the account but since the console had no internet connection it couldn't tell that to disable access to the game. Meaning the next time you reconnect the console to the internet it will lock the game out.
Alternatively you could just buy a legit license for the game as it's only $5.99 on sale at the moment through the PS store. And so not have to worry about having to keep the internet switched off on the console.
So i ended up buying the game as it's currently $5.99 on sale (90% off) on the PS store. Is a way for me to keep playing the game.
https://store.playstation.com/en-au/product/EP8923-PPSA30363…
![[PS4, PS5] Free - Shadow Tactics: Blades of The Shogun after Claiming Trial Version @ PlayStation](https://files.ozbargain.com.au/n/41/929141.jpg?h=45c9b88b)
Can confirm its working for me. Downloading it now. Hpwever the ps4 version is still showing trial