The first demo of Resident Evil Village is now available, but you'll need a PlayStation 5 in order to try it out. PS5 owners can now head to the PlayStation Store--provided they can get it to load, as PSN has been experiencing issues in the wake of the demo's announcement--and snag the "Maiden" demo, which is not a piece of the main game, nor does it feature its star, Ethan Winters. Instead, this will give you a taste of what to expect from the full experience without actually spoiling any of it.

As detailed by producer Pete Fabiano in the Resident Evil Showcase, the protagonist in the demo is referred to as the "Maiden" and, as such, the demo is standalone from the main game. In fact, the demo doesn't feature any combat or the new blocking system detailed in the showcase's Village gameplay demo, and it's unclear if the Tall Vampire Lady will make an appearance. But you can expect ray tracing and 3D Audio support, the latter of which requires the use of headphones. Players will be challenged to "rely solely on their wits to make their escape" in lieu of the combat you can expect in the full game.

According to Fabiano, the Resident Evil Village Maiden demo is a bit of a mood piece that gives players a taste of the presentation. "We're hoping to have players get a real feel for the visuals and audio as they take the Maiden on her journey to find a way out of the castle," he explained.