Uncharted 4's closed beta came in December for those who purchased Uncharted: The Nathan Drake Collection, but this weekend will let all interested PlayStation 4 gamers take the multiplayer of Naughty Dog's upcoming adventure game for a spin.
The open beta will go live on Friday, March 4, and run all weekend, ending on Sunday, March 6. Players will be able to try out three different maps over the course of the beta, though only one game mode, Team Deathmatch, will be available to play. More modes will be available when the full game launches.
Even though the beta is still a few days away, players can go ahead and download it off the PlayStation store. It's around a 7 GB download, so you'll want to install it early. Better yet, a PlayStation Plus subscription isn't required to play the beta, so even those who don't shell out $50 a year to play online multiplayer can get a taste of what it's all about.
There's a reason a subscription isn't required, of course. Naughty Dog is looking to perform a server stress test by having as many people as possible play the game at once. That way the developer can ensure the servers are up to snuff before launch, and if they aren't, improve them in the weeks ahead.
If you aren't familiar with how the game's multiplayer will work, there are a number of unique features that should make it stand out from other third-person shooters. Players will be able to summon powerful Mysticals to aid their team in battle, as well as bring NPC sidekicks into the fray. Players can also fully customize their gear and loadouts to best suit their play style.
In other Uncharted 4 news, Naughty Dog recently found itself in hot water after it was revealed that a piece of concept art from Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag made its way into the latest trailer for Nathan Drake's latest, and possibly last, adventure. Naughty Dog has since replaced the trailer and issued a formal apology.
Uncharted 4: A Thief's End releases on April 26.
