BEST PS PLUS GAMES

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 September 11, 2024 by Mark Sammut: The September 2024 PS Plus Extra and Premium lineups are likely to be announced quite soon. In the meantime, players with a Premium subscription should check out a PS2 trilogy that was added in August 2024. Click here to jump to these games.

Little Nightmares 2 (PS Plus Essential September 2024)

A Creepy Puzzle-Platformer

PS Plus Essential's September 2024 lineup consists of three big but also niche games. The standout project is Harry Potter: Quidditch Champions, mostly due to it being a Day One arrival. At the moment, it is still too early to really judge the game, especially since it is a multiplayer-focused release that will live and die depending on its playerbase. That said, any subscribers who are remotely interested in Harry Potter should give this sports game a try.

The lineup includes another sports game in the form of MLB The Show 24, which is generally considered to be a fantastic baseball sim. While most interested people probably picked this title up a long time ago, everyone else can now give it a try to see if the annual franchise is selling something they might wish to buy.

Finally, there is Little Nightmares 2, an effective puzzle-platformer that leans heavily into horror territory. Tarsier's franchise is known for terrifying enemy designs and well-crafted stages that typically do not overstay their welcome. The game can be easily completed throughout a weekend, making it a great pick for anyone craving something short but horrifying.

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.

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.

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.

Red Dead Redemption 2

Rockstar's Ambitious West Open-World Epic

Rockstar's portfolio is not over-represented by PS Plus, but the developer's biggest names are on Sony's service. Added back in May 2024 after already being removed once, Red Dead Redemption 2 is still a big deal, despite the game being more than 5 years old by this point. An ambitious prequel to 2010's decorated Western, RDR2 brings to life a unique period in American history: the end of the Frontier. The Van der Linde gang represents the dying Wild West, and Arthur Morgan specifically finds himself ripped out of time and in an era that no longer wants his type.

Offering a 50+ hour campaign, RDR2 is an immersive open-world game that emphasizes character-driven storytelling, both in its main quests and also the optional content found across the map. The latter missions tell personal and often emotional stories, and they play a part in shaping Arthur Morgan's personality and (ultimately) destiny. The writing is superb, but that means nothing in the face of unenjoyable gameplay, and Red Dead Redemption 2 is a peculiar case. Rockstar prioritizes authenticity, delivering an immersive gameplay loop that highlights the tedium that makes up an outlaw's ordinary everyday existence. This decision can be somewhat polarizing, but it does make for a unique experience.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Resident Evil 2

Revamping A PS1 Horror Masterpiece

Resident Evil is without question the most famous horror franchise in gaming, and it is eternally linked to the PlayStation brand. Premium subscribers can play through a healthy selection of entries from Capcom's license, including classics such as Resident Evil Code: Veronica X, polarizing sequels like Resident Evil 6, and HD remasters of masterpieces like Resident Evil 4. The Extra tier does not have quite as robust of a catalog, although it includes two notable projects in 2019's Resident Evil 2 remake and its sequel. When the main entries successfully shifted to a first-person perspective with Resident Evil 7, some fans might have feared that could spell an end for classic third-person releases; fortunately, Capcom relaxed those anxieties with a couple of stellar remakes.

2020's Resident Evil 3 is the weakest of Capcom's modern remakes, although it is still a solid action-horror game that does justice to the classic PS1 original. However, Resident Evil 2 is considerably more complete and satisfying, delivering a robust two-protagonist campaign that is consistently intense and terrifying. The controls are immaculate, the visuals are stunning, and the sound design is among the best in the genre – an argument could be made that Resident Evil 2 is almost the perfect horror game.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Monster Hunter Rise

Capcom's Most Accessible Monster Hunter (That Is Still Great For Veterans)

While no longer exclusive to PlayStation consoles, Monster Hunter will always be associated with Sony's brand to an extent. In recent years, Capcom has tried to lower the barrier of entry for the franchise, crafting projects that are more accessible in their opening hours, all the while retaining most of the earlier entries' depth. Monster Hunter Rise is the most beginner-friendly project in the series, and it comes with a short "campaign" that should teach the basics in roughly 10 hours. Just to be clear to people not familiar with Monster Hunter, finishing Rise's village quests and rolling the credits only means they have completed the tutorial. Now, they can focus on working through the Gathering Hub missions as they collect resources to craft better equipment, allowing them to take on harder quests that will reward higher-tier resources. Repeat the cycle until the end of time (or until it becomes dull).

Monster Hunter Rise has a fairly simple formula, but it is expected to perfection. Lasting less than an hour at most (and usually considerably shorter), quests drop players in open but not massive maps which will have a few major monsters, including that mission's specific target. Players will then have to track down the enemy and slowly whack away at their health, all the while utilizing the tools at their disposal. Eventually, the fun comes in the preparation for each hunt, crafting a loadout designed to fully target a monster's weaknesses while elevating the hunter's strengths. Rise has a robust selection of weapon types as well, and they all control differently.

Remnant 2

Co-Op Soulslike Shooter With High Replay Value

PS Plus has more than a few Soulslike games, reflecting the genre's explosion in popularity over the last couple of years. In most cases, people's first exposure will be a FromSoftware project, be it Dark Souls, Elden Ring, or Bloodborne. These are all great places to start, but if the introductory game fails to hit the mark with a new player, they might conclude that Soulslikes are just not for them and ignore any releases by other developers. While most titles take heavy inspiration from the Souls games, the genre has enough variety to offer genuine alternatives that do their own thing. Gunfire's Remnant games serve as prime examples of Soulslikes with unique identities that set them apart from their contemporaries. The first game is not available on PS Plus, but Sony's subscription service has the (arguably) superior sequel.

Starting with the most "obvious" distinction, Remnant 2 is predominantly a third-person shooter, although melee weapons are available as secondary options. Players steadily gain access to a respectable selection of hand and long guns, with the latter generally acting as a loadout's main option. While most guns are purchased rather than looted, enemies regularly drop mods and mutators that can be used to modify builds on the fly, providing customization without flooding the inventory. Remnant 2's class system is also fantastic.

Remnant 2 is at its best when played in 3-player co-op, to the point that many of the archetypes (classes) and bosses feel tailor-made for parties rather than solo runners. The latter can pick a class that includes a dog companion, so they have an option; however, they might find the campaign to be quite difficult, even on the lowest challenge level. Still, the gameplay is fun, the build variety is solid, and the world-hopping structure is pretty awesome. The bosses are also awesome, including a few that have an impressive sense of scale.

Jeanne d'Arc

Awesome PSP Tactical JRPG

Slow as the process has been, Sony is steadily bringing more PlayStation Portable (and PS1/PS2) games to PlayStation Plus, making a few fairly unknown titles available on modern consoles. Premium subscribers have roughly two dozen games at their fingertips, including some fantastic titles that deserve to be readily accessible. While this selection barely makes a dent in the PSP's vast and impressive library, the fact that minor classics like Size Matters, Ridge Racer 2, and Daxter can now be played with the click of a button is great.

Out of all the PSP games that are part of the Premium tier, Jeanne d'Arc presents a convincing case for being the absolute best. Level-5's tactical JRPG was well-received in 2006, but its PSP-exclusive caused it to fall into obscurity after a while. Therefore, the announcement that Jeanne d'Arc would be ported to the PS4 and PS5 was a big deal, and the game survived the transition in one piece. As the title suggests, the story takes inspiration from the Hundred Years' War and Joan of Arc, incorporating historical touches and figures. That said, demons are involved, and the campaign takes plenty of over-the-top turns that drop it squarely into fantasy territory. It is a fine story carried by great characters.

The turn-based combat will likely not hold too many surprises for people familiar with the tactical JRPG subgenre, albeit with a few unique touches (like transformations) that help set it apart from the crowd. The battle system is deep and challenging, which it needs to be since Jeanne d'Arc is quite long. Whether someone is familiar with the PSP original or not, this title is one to check out or revisit.

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