On June 13, 2022, Sony launched its new PlayStation Plus in North America. Split into three tiers, this model combines the previous version of PS Plus with PS Now; depending on which level someone subscribes to, they will gain access to certain services and games.

• PlayStation Plus Essential ($9.99/month): This tier is the equivalent of the old PS Plus. A subscription includes online access, monthly free games, and discounts.
• PlayStation Plus Extra ($14.99/month): Along with the Essential tier benefits, Extra provides access to hundreds of PS4 and PS5 games.
• PlayStation Plus Premium ($17.99/month): Along with the Essential and Extra tier benefits, Premium includes a library of classic games (PS3, PS2, PSP, and PS1), trials, and cloud streaming in certain regions.

PS Plus Premium has over 700 games covering more than two decades of PlayStation history. Such a huge collection can be overwhelming, and the PS Plus app does not make it very easy to browse through the library; as such, it can be useful to know this tier’s highlights before investing in a subscription. Each month, Sony adds a handful of new games. While most of these are PS5 and PS4 releases, they are occasionally accompanied by a few classic titles.

Let’s take a look at some of the best PlayStation Plus games.

Updated on December 25, 2024, by Mark Sammut: PlayStation Plus has had a pretty good year overall, with each month introducing a plethora of exciting games to the subscription service. However, the service is not built on a one-way street, and as new titles are made available to Extra and Premium subscribers, older projects are removed. Sony’s Final Chance section populates a few weeks ahead of time, so players have some time to try out the departing games before they leave for good.

The rankings are not based solely on a game’s quality but also take into account things like their PS Plus addition date. For instance, new PS Plus games will be temporarily placed in the top spots for visibility, and PS Plus Essential games will also be highlighted first if they are mentioned.

Resident Evil 2 & Dragon Ball FighterZ

• 	Resident Evil 2 (2019)	Dragon Ball FighterZ
  Platform(s)	PlayStation 5, Xbox Series S, Xbox Series X, PlayStation 4, PC, Xbox One	Xbox Series S, Xbox Series X, Switch, PS5, PS4, PC, Xbox One
  Released	2019-01-25	2018-01-26
  Developer(s)	Capcom	Arc System Works
  Genre(s)	Horror	Fighting
  How Long To Beat	9 Hours	12 Hours

While it remains to be seen whether PS Plus Extra and Premium start 2025 on the right note, Sony has confirmed that a couple of pretty major games will be saying their goodbyes in January 2025. Presuming nothing else is announced, 11 games are set to depart on the 14th of the month. Let’s highlight the biggest removals:

• Resident Evil 2 – Arguably the standout exit for January 2025, Capcom’s 2019 remake of the PS1 classic is a top contender for the decorated franchise’s best game, a statement that is not made lightly. While not devoid of action elements, Resident Evil 2 focuses primarily on horror, guiding players through two campaigns that follow Leon and Claire as they try to survive an outbreak in Raccoon City. Chased by an obsessive Tyrant and poorly equipped to handle the sheer volume of infected roaming the city, players have to manage their inventory, solve cryptic puzzles, and slowly piece together a convoluted but engaging story. While playing through both storylines might be difficult to complete within the game’s remaining PS Plus time, players should be able to complete a single campaign.
• Dragon Ball FighterZ – Arc System Works is synonymous with the fighting landscape, specifically the anime subgenre. All the developers’ games are fantastic in their own right, but Dragon Ball FighterZ stands out for two major reasons: the license and its accessibility. Arc managed to piece together a combat system that is easy to pick up but difficult to master, delivering simplicity while not sacrificing depth. As brilliant as FighterZ is, the game is difficult to recommend solely for its offline content, and there is no point in learning the basics of the competitive scene for just a short period. The title has three single-player arcs that could theoretically be completed in a week or two, but they get repetitive pretty quickly.

2

Sonic Frontiers

A Polarizing But Respectable Attempt To Craft An Open-World Sonic Game

While several classic franchises seem suitable for an open-world makeover, Sonic the Hedgehog does not appear to be one of them. Sega’s series is at its best when focusing on fast-paced and tight platforming in linear stages that offer alternative routes. Exploration is not usually emphasized, and the same can be said for combat. An open-world Sonic game should not exist, particularly a good one that does justice to both the IP and the genre. Sonic Frontiers tries to be that release, taking the Blue Blur in a direction that few people asked for. Despite coming with a few rough edges and ideas that do not click, this 2022 project is a more than passable attempt that could (perhaps) set the foundation for an even better sequel.

More importantly, Sonic Frontiers is arguably the perfect PS Plus Extra game. Sure, the arrival of a highly-rated Sony exclusive is always exciting, but they are likely to have already been tried by subscribers who might have been otherwise interested. While by no means a small game, Sonic Frontiers is one of those titles that might leave potential customers on the fence about purchasing it. The game looks like it could be fun, but maybe not fun enough to warrant an investment if somebody is not a big Sonic fan. Now, they have no reason to not give Sonic Team’s ambitious shift a try. If it clicks, great! If it does not, at least they will no longer be tempted to pick the game up while on a sale.

Honestly, the same can be said for Forspoken, Square Enix’s very divisive 2023 open-world romp.

3

Resistance: Fall Of Man

A PS3 Classic In Better-Than-Nothing Form

As of December 2024, all the mainline Resistance games are on PS Plus Premium, and the service even has the PSP spin-off, Retribution. Frankly, Insomniac’s PS3 trilogy should have been part of PS Plus from the very start, and all three games are fairly highly rated. When it comes to first-party exclusives, Sony has never really been associated with FPS games, but that changed for a couple of years thanks to Resistance.

Sure, the games show their ages at times, but they are still more than playable nowadays. They look good, have a fantastic atmosphere, and control well for console shooters that are nearing 20 years old by this point. If someone is looking for a challenging single-player campaign or a co-op shooter, Resistance: Fall of Man is a very valid option. The sequels are just as good, and they build impressively on each other.

Now, let’s get to the elephant in the room. PS Plus Premium’s PS3 games are difficult to enthusiastically recommend due to the fact they have to be streamed. Until Sony announces a Resistance remaster trilogy, any interested parties without a PS3 will have to settle for a (potentially) unpredictable experience. Performance depends on quite a few factors beyond internet speed, and there is no way to know besides just trying a game. Resistance: Fall of Man requires fairly fast reflexes, so it will test PS Plus’ streaming capabilities.

4

Dying Light 2: Stay Human

Dying Light 2 garnered a decent reception at launch, but the hype was somewhat muted due to technical issues. More than two years later, the game is nowadays in pretty good shape, making it the perfect PS Plus Extra option for anyone craving a sandbox with great movement and verticality. Zombie-themed projects are relatively easy to come by, and the same can really be said for open-world games; however, only a handful of titles blend the two formulas, and Dying Light 2 serves as one of the better examples of this marriage.

While more action than horror, the former is driven by a satisfying parkour system that turns Villedor into an awesome free-running playground. The minute-to-minute gameplay is constantly top-notch, and players unlock enough new tricks and toys to keep things fresh throughout the relatively lengthy campaign.

5

Chivalry 2

Large Scale Warfare With An Element Of Accessibility

Jumping into a multiplayer scene that has been active for years can be daunting, particularly when it comes to niche games that are not meant to be casual experiences. Chivalry 2 is one of those projects that has grown a pretty dedicated community since its 2021 debut, one that has stuck around to ensure that large-scale warfare is readily available to anyone who wants to engage in some first-person medieval slaughter. At a glance, this game can seem overwhelming to newcomers, and they will likely spend their first few runs trying desperately not to be instantly slaughtered, especially if they decide to skip the tutorial.

Do not skip Chivalry 2‘s tutorial.

However, Chivalry 2 is surprisingly accessible, at least more so than it might initially seem. While the combat is certainly skill-based, battles are just chaotic enough to enable inexperienced players to have a chance of taking down ill-prepared veterans, and groups can easily overwhelm “better” fighters.

In terms of pure siege warfare, this title is right up there with the best options on the market, and it offers variety in several ways. Mainly, there are classes and sub-classes, each of which comes with unique weapons, armor, and perks. New players need to unlock these gradually, but they are fun to experiment with. Chivalry 2 also has a good selection of maps divided across its different game modes, and they generally have impressive production value.

6

Grand Theft Auto 5

Return To Los Santos

Removed from PS Plus Extra in June 2024, GTA 5 only stayed away for a couple of months, returning as part of the November 2024 lineup. Obviously, Rockstar’s game is among the most popular projects of all time, so it is a big deal in a vacuum. That said, some of that excitement is hurt by its “leave and bring back” cycle.

Still, GTA 5 is great, and there is nothing really that can change that. The story campaign has likely been experienced by most people at this point, but the PS4 and PS5 versions available on PS Plus could be worth trying if somebody only played the original PS3 release. GTA Online is the ultimate time sink too.

7

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt

A Top-Contender For The Best RPG Of All Time

For most months, picking the biggest new PS Plus Extra game is just a matter of personal taste; however, August 2024 was not one of those months. That’s not meant as a criticism of games like Wild Hearts or Watch Dogs 2, but rather a celebration of CD Projekt Red’s RPG masterpiece. The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt was a landmark release for the genre, establishing a new era that emphasized storytelling, secondary content, and world-building more than ever before. While not flawless, the 2015 game is arguably timeless, at least up to this point. Hard as it is to believe, The Witcher 3 has been out for nearly a decade, and its shadow continues to loom large over RPGs and even CD Projekt Red specifically.

Due to its popularity and relative accessibility, Wild Hunt is probably not a new game for most PS Plus subscribers. Certain projects are so big that they stop being exciting additions to subscription services, simply since most people would already own them. Still, there must be a few exceptions who have never loaded up Geralt’s final (full) chapter, and they can now experience the best console iteration since PS Plus Extra has both the PS5 and PS4 versions. They will find an ambitious and (at times) overwhelming open-world RPG with fully realized characters, immersive exploration, rich side quests, and a unique combat system.

8

Cult Of The Lamb

Make Friends, Defeat Non-Believers, And Resurrect A God

Is this the cutest cult simulator of all time? Cult of the Lamb is an unapologetically dark roguelite that follows a Lamb as they diligently work to set the stage for their god’s return, a process that involves defeating four bishops, recruiting plenty of followers, and the occasional sacrifice. Roguelikes are a dime-a-dozen nowadays, and the genre can be automatically written off if someone does not see the appeal of endlessly replaying the same loop.

In cases like this, roguelites can act as a fun middle-ground between the replayable nature of roguelikes and more story-driven adventures, and Cult of the Lamb walks this line expertly. While, for the most part, players will revisit the same four (randomly generated) dungeons to try and clear them out and take out their bosses, they will constantly be recruiting new characters for their town/cult, which will further unlock new mechanics and upgrades.

Most importantly, Cult of the Lamb is just an absolute sinister delight that revels in macabre imagery and ideas. Along with just being very dark, the humor frequently hits the mark as it constantly pushes the envelope. Furthermore, the gameplay is rock-solid as well, be it the dungeon runs or the town-management aspect. The latter is arguably the best part of the game, as the followers have a ton of personality and evolve alongside the Lamb and cult.

9

TimeSplitters 2 And Future Perfect

Two All-Time Classic FPS Games That Are Great Solo Or With A Friend

• 	TimeSplitters 2	TimeSplitters: Future Perfect
  PS Plus Availability	Premium	Premium
  Platform(s)	PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox (Original), GameCube, PlayStation 2	PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox (Original), GameCube, PlayStation 2
  Released	2002-10-08	2005-03-21
  Developer(s)	Free Radical Design	Free Radical Design
  Genre(s)	FPS	First-Person Shooter

While The Witcher 3 was the biggest PS Plus game of August 2024, an argument could be made that it was not the most exciting. In a move that was a long time coming, Free Radical Design’s TimeSplitters trilogy finally made its way to modern systems, with all three PS2 games landing on the PS4 and PS5. These are mostly straight ports of the original versions, and they do show their age in a few ways. However, they are still fantastic console shooters that represent the genre at its early best, especially TimeSplitters 2 and Future Perfect.

Both entries are great, and they also shine in somewhat different areas. In terms of pure gunplay, TimeSplitters 2 is arguably the superior of the two games, and it still sits among the best shooters of all time. Although containing something resembling a plot, the story mode is mostly just a series of extraction-style maps, all of which are well-designed and a blast to master. As the franchise’s title suggests, players travel through time, ensuring the stages have quite a bit of variety to them. Co-op is supported as well.

Future Perfect has a far more robust and prominent story that creates a cohesive adventure rather than a loosely connected jumble of maps. While not high art, the campaign is fun in the way that a blockbuster can be. The gameplay is quite good, although it is notably less intense and frantic than TimeSplitters 2. Nothing wrong with that, but Future Perfect feels a touch less special in this area.

The first TimeSplitters has charm as well, but it is rightfully overshadowed by both of its sequels. To be clear, the 2000 release is worth a playthrough, as long as newcomers prepare themselves for a somewhat rough experience. Also, its gameplay is not that similar to TimeSplitters 2 or Future Perfect, so do not ignore the latter if the former fails to strike a chord.

10

The Last Of Us: Remastered

Naughty Dog’s Definitive Masterpiece

While the PlayStation 3 had a somewhat slow start to life, the console bowed out in style. Naughty Dog’s The Last of Us is a haunting action-adventure game set in a post-apocalyptic world overrun with infected creatures. The narrative follows the grizzled Joel and the immune Ellie as they travel across the United States in search of a group rumored to be able to craft a cure.

The journey is tough, brutal, and unforgettable. Both of the main characters undergo a great deal of development, particularly Joel, while The Last of Us raises questions of morality through its ambiguous narrative. Even though PS Plus does not have the PS5 remake, the PS4 remaster of The Last of Us holds up well and offers a fantastic means to experience an industry-defining gaming story.

11

Bloodborne

FromSoftware’s Lovecraftian PS4 Soulslike

FromSoftware has cornered the hard-hitting action RPG genre through its immaculate Dark Souls trilogy, and that looks set to continue with Elden Ring. Out of all the studio’s many great games, Bloodborne might just be FromSoftware’s magnum opus.

Boasting a Gothic aesthetic and reflex-based combat that demands aggression from players, Bloodborne delivers a kinetic experience that delights on a visual, auditory, and gameplay level. Naturally, Bloodborne is not an easy game, but it is one of the most rewarding PS4 exclusives. Consequently, it is easily among the best games on PS Plus.

Both versions of Demon’s Souls are also on PS Plus.

12

Celeste

Story-Driven 2D Platformer With High Skill Ceiling

Celeste is a highly regarded side-scrolling indie game with a steep learning curve and an absorbing narrative. As Madeline, players climb the Celeste mountain, taking on seemingly impossible challenges and dangerous foes in the process.

Celeste‘s campaign guides the character and players on an emotional journey of self-discovery. This voyage is not meant to be easy, and the game makes sure that it is not. The unforgettable story is accompanied by precise gameplay and a soundtrack that ranks among the most memorable of the late 2010s.

13

God Of War

A Great Evolution Of A Great PlayStation Franchise

There are a handful of PS Plus games that everyone with an account should play, and 2018’s God of War should be at the top of that list. This “reboot” of the series sees Kratos living in a different part of the world, far from the Greecian roots players are used to seeing him in.

Kratos’ move to Midgard gave developers a chance to shine a spotlight on some different gods, tapping into the deep Scandinavian folklore surrounding the Norse Gods and their mythology. With RPG elements, an incredible story, breathtaking visuals, and some awesome combat mechanics, God of War is a must-play PS Plus game.

14

Dave The Diver

Genre Blend Done Really Well

While not unheard of, Day 1 PS Plus arrivals are rare, with most months not featuring this type of release. Consequently, whenever an exception materializes, it is always a cause for celebration; more importantly, Dave the Diver is an exceptional exception. Technically, Mintrocket’s indie darling has been around since 2023, but it had to wait until April 16, 2024, to make its PlayStation debut, so it still counts as a Day 1 addition. When this year comes to an end, Dave the Diver will almost certainly be remembered as one of the best PS Plus newcomers.

Combining restaurant management with fishing, Mintrocket created a package that feels oddly unique, despite sharing similarities with many other projects. As Dave, players have two general responsibilities: catch and serve fish. The former takes up the protagonist’s days, forcing him to constantly make trips into an evolving ocean in search of materials that can be used to create sushi at his restaurant. Naturally, the nights are spent running the establishment, making sure that customers are satisfied. While the management aspect is not as deep as some other titles on the market, Dave the Diver gives players more than enough control to make these segments engaging. However, the fishing element is the game’s highlight and adds the most replay value.

15

Animal Well

Atmospheric Metroidvania With Great Puzzles

One of the best PlayStation Plus games to launch on Day 1, Animal Well is an inspired Metroidvania with simple but effective controls. For the most part, the game sticks very close to the genre’s standard formula of unbound exploration, puzzles, platforming, and the gradual reveal of new items that provide access to different areas; however, Shared Memory succeeded in stitching these well-worn pieces together to create something that feels at least somewhat fresh. A big part of this comes down to Animal Well‘s haunting aesthetic and ambient music, which combine to create a campaign oozing in atmosphere and style, making up for a lack of a conventional story.

Although fun, the platforming sections are quite easy, with most of the jumps providing players with plenty of room for error. However, Animal Well is still pretty darn difficult due to its puzzles, very open nature, and clever boss fights. The game’s brainteasers often require lateral thinking (and clever use of a slink), while the latter could cause players to feel lost on occasion. That said, the in-game map is detailed and useful.

16

Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart

A Dependable PlayStation IP’s PS5 Debut

Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart is among the most high-profile PS5 games available on PS Plus Extra. As a console exclusive, this reveal seemed destined to transpire sooner or later, although almost two years from the game’s debut had to pass for this moment to arrive. Rift Apart might very well still be the most beautiful PS5 title on the market, a testament to Insomniac’s mastery of technology and talent for creating vibrant and stunning worlds that would not look out of place in a Pixar movie.

Rift Apart backs up its good looks with fantastic gameplay and an enjoyable story that allows its lovable characters to shine. Although Ratchet and his robotic companion take center stage, they are accompanied by a new playable Lombax in the form of Rivet, who also comes with her own partner. In combat, the characters largely control the same; however, the game does a great job of establishing Rivet’s own identity through her personality.

Ultimately, Ratchet & Clank lives and dies on the strength of its gameplay, and Rift Apart is right up there with the franchise’s best efforts. Ratchet and Rivet have access to a wide assortment of fun weapons, all of which serve a purpose within the campaign.

17

Dragon Quest 11 S: Echoes Of An Elusive Age

The Classic Turn-Based JRPG Formula That Never Goes Out Of Fashion

While the Heroes and Builders spin-offs that are on PS Plus Extra are enjoyable, Dragon Quest 11 S is on a whole other level as it is one of the best JRPGs on the PS4. Set in a vibrant world brimming with style and personality, DQ11 delivers familiar but addictive turn-based combat, lovable characters, and a simple but effective storyline.

Rather than reinventing a wheel that has never been broken, DQ11 opts to modernize mechanics and concepts that have been successful for decades. Ultimately, this game just proves that Dragon Quest is timeless. The version on PS Plus Extra expands on the vanilla release in a few neat ways too, including a 16-bit mode.

18

Ghost Of Tsushima: Director’s Cut

Gorgeous Open-World With Unique Historical Japanese Setting

Insomniac’s Ghost of Tsushima ended the PS4’s life as Sony’s main console on a high, and the Director’s Cut is just a better version of that already great game. Taking place during the Mongolian invasion of Japan, This samurai epic tells a tale of revenge as Jin Sakai seeks to protect Tsushima Island.

Ghost of Tsushima might be the most beautiful game on PS Plus Premium, and it is not just a looker. The hack and slash combat is a great deal of fun, managing to be deep and also cinematic. Narratively, the title does not do anything too out of the ordinary, but the unique setting helps set GOT apart from the many other open-world games on the market.

19

Returnal

Challenging Roguelike With Incredible Action

While not quite as recognizable as Naughty Dog or Insomniac, Housemarque has been producing PlayStation gold for more than a decade, and the studio was even picked up by Sony in 2021. Resogun and Alienation are fantastic and easy recommendations for anyone who enjoys shoot ’em ups or top-down shooters, respectively; however, Housemarque’s portfolio seemed to be all leading to one particular project: Returnal. Among the first titles to truly showcase the next-generation hardware, the 2021 release is still comfortably among the best PS5 games, even if it comes with a fairly steep learning curve.

Returnal is a roguelike third-person shooter set on a strange alien planet. As Selene, players will have to make their way through six biomes, all of which are reasonably large, filled with secrets, feature unique enemies, and culminate in spectacular boss fights. Death means returning to the start or the mid-point, depending on how far someone managed to get. As with most roguelikes, players need to find and upgrade their weapons and stats during each run, and things like parasites and artifacts add extra nuance.

While overwhelming at first, Returnal‘s gameplay will eventually feel second nature, transforming players into powerful entities capable of destroying most enemies without breaking a sweat. When this moment strikes, the game becomes even more special.

20

Undertale

The Definitive Indie RPG

The 2010s was the decade of indie games, so much so that it is near impossible to select the independent scene’s crowning achievement for that period. That said, Undertale is undoubtedly one of the top contenders. Inspired by the Mother series, Toby Fox’s RPG follows a child as they explore the Underground, a seemingly typical monster-filled setting for the genre. Obviously, players can decide to adhere to RPG tradition and massacre everything that moves, but they do not have to do that. Undertale does not force anyone to play a certain way, and players can follow a few different routes.

Blending meta-commentary with nuanced world-building and a strong narrative, Undertale is the full package. Anyone remotely interested in RPGs or just gaming in general should give this seminal project a try, and the game’s player-driven structure means multiple playthroughs are encouraged.