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 on November 3, 2024, by Mark Sammut: The PS Plus Essential games for November have been announced, and they are pretty interesting. As there is a standout, all three titles will be highlighted.

The PS Plus departures for November 2024 have been announced, and the lineup is quite depressing. Here are the biggest names set to leave on the 18th of the month:

• Red Dead Redemption 2
• All the Kingdom Hearts games
• Dragon’s Dogma: Dark Arisen
• Klonoa Phantasy Reverie Series
• Overcooked 2
• Superliminal
• What Remains of Edith Finch

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.

1 PS Plus Essential November 2024 Lineup

Hot Wheels Unleashed 2, Death Note Killer Within, And Ghostwire: Tokyo

• 	Hot Wheels Unleashed 2: Turbocharged	Death Note Killer Within	Ghostwire: Tokyo
  Platform(s)	Xbox Series S, Xbox Series X, Switch, PS5, PS4, PC, Xbox One	PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, PC	Xbox Series S, Xbox Series X, PS5, PC
  Released	2023-10-19	2024-11-05	2022-03-25
  Developer(s)	Milestone	Grounding Inc	Tango Gameworks
  Genre(s)	Racing	Social Deduction, Simulation, Strategy	Action, Adventure

The PS Plus Essential games will be available from November 5, 2024.

In most months, PS Plus Essential includes one game that stands above the rest, serving as the subscription seller to an extent. However, the November 2024 lineup is something of an exception, with none of the titles fitting that role. Instead, all three games are worth highlighting since they are wildly different experiences that target separate demographics. While perhaps not as exciting as something like Dead Space, these projects should not be dismissed either, and one of them is even a Day One release.

Death Note Killer Within is a pretty unknown entity at this point. Announced in October by Bandai Namco, the project will debut on PS Plus Essential, a smart decision considering this is purely an online multiplayer experience. Killer Within is a social deduction game that brings 10 players together, challenging them to decipher who among them is the Death Note user. Alternatively, players could be played on Light’s side, and their goal will be to decipher who is fulfilling L’s role as the superstar detective. Basically, whoever is exposed first loses. Interesting on paper, Killer Within could be a neat addition to the PvP space if the execution is on point.

November 2024’s other two Essentials are relatively well-known properties. Ghostwire: Tokyo feels like a late Halloween gift, although it is a pretty decent option for someone craving atmosphere and tension without too many downright scares. The game combines exploration and first-person combat quite well.

Hot Wheels Unleashed 2: Turbocharged is an arcade racer with great visuals, an impressive roster of vehicles, and a decently lengthy single-player campaign. It also supports multiplayer, as most modern racing games do. Even if somebody is not a fan of Hot Wheels, Turbocharged should still hit the spot if they enjoy arcade racers.

2 Dead Island 2

A Gory Delight Set In The City Of Angels

The perfect October 2024 PS Plus addition for Halloween, Dead Island 2 is a B-movie gorefest in the best possible way. Despite spending a long time in development hell, this sequel managed to avoid going down the Duke Nukem Forever route, supplying a highly enjoyable romp that does justice to the original game and Riptide. Now, Dead Island 2 is pretty straightforward in most areas, with the campaign simply dropping players in a series of open-ish areas and (mostly) telling them to kill every zombie they happen to see. Some side quests are thrown in for good measure, but the story, characters, and RPG elements are relatively basic.

However, none of that matters because Dead Island 2 is simply a blast to play. The first-person combat is responsive, visceral, and gloriously bloody, combining to create a satisfying gameplay loop that is more than strong enough to remain interesting for about 20 hours. While the campaign is fairly static, the game does offer multiple playable characters to encourage repeat playthroughs, along with supporting co-op.

3 Dino Crisis

A Beloved PS1 Survival Horror Classic Goes Premium

A Capcom franchise that has gotten way too little love over the last two decades, Dino Crisis’ PS Plus Premium debut was a big deal as it finally presented an easy and accessible way to play this seminal PS1 classic. Following closely in Resident Evil’s footsteps, the 1999 release drops players on an island overrun with dinosaurs and challenges them to figure out the mystery behind a missing scientist. As far as horror premises are concerned, Dino Crisis falls within B-movie schlock territory, a description that is 100% meant to be taken as a compliment.

Like so many PS1 classics, Dino Crisis’ appeal is somewhat dictated by nostalgia, and its 3D backgrounds, tank controls, and dated jump scares might not charm new players to the same extent as people who grew up with this trilogy. That said, the game still impresses as a technical achievement that not only pushed the PS1’s capabilities but also evolved the RE formula.

4 Return To Monkey Island

A Timeless Formula Modernized Beautifully

Monkey Island is one of the most important point-and-click adventure franchises of all time, with the first two early ’90s entries holding up as two all-time classics. PS Plus Premium members have access to remasters of both The Secret of Monkey Island and Monkey Island 2: Le Chuck’sRevenge, which should be the introductory points for newcomers to the franchise. Once they are done with those, they can jump into 2022’s Return to Monkey Island, which is a direct sequel to the second game. A return to glory after more than a decade of inactivity, this sequel is both a celebration of Monkey Island‘s legacy and a smart modernization of the old-school puzzle-adventure formula, albeit one that very much respects tradition.

Return to Monkey Island once again finds Guybrush searching for the secret of the eponymous island, a journey that involves visiting fan-favorite locations and characters while also encountering plenty of new content. As always, the writing is witty throughout, all the while still retaining an element of emotion and gravitas. As a puzzle game, Return to Monkey Island shows its roots at times, which means there can be the occasional frustrating headscratcher. That said, most of the puzzles are clever and just on the right side of challenging.

5 Two Point Campus

Say Goodbye To Your Life

Some games are life-consuming, and Two Point Campus is one of these projects. As implied by its title, this release puts players in charge of running a university, which means building facilities, employing lecturers, and trying to raise the college’s prestige. As far as management sims are concerned, Two Point Campus is more accessible than most due to its lighthearted approach and fairly extensive scenarios mode that works well to introduce the core mechanics; that said, the game is extremely deep as well, particularly once players get used to the basics and can just let loose in their quest to build their version of the ideal university.

Anyone who has played Two Point Hospital will probably not be too surprised by its successor’s gameplay, tone, or presentation. Two Point Campus evolves its predecessor’s formula well, and the school setting can lead to arguably wilder creations, but it is still fundamentally the same experience. Just to be clear, that is a positive as both titles are fantastic.

6 The Last Clockwinder

A VR Puzzle Delight

Requiring a PSVR2, The Last Clockwinder is only available to a fraction of Premium subscribers, some of whom might not be enticed by its look. Even if it does not seem that interesting at a glance, Pontoco should be taken for a spin by pretty much anyone who owns the necessary hardware. What they will find is a well-thought-out puzzle game that makes pretty great use of the enhanced perspective provided by virtual reality.

Set in a Clocktower, players have to complete rooms by stitching together recorded movements, allowing their clones to create actions to flow into each other seamlessly. Over about 5 hours, the campaign pushes this concept to its limit, presenting constantly evolving challenges that rarely become frustrating.

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 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.

11 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.

12 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.

13 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.

14 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.

15 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.

16 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.

17 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.

18 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.

19 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.

20 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.