May 19, 2024 10:00 AM

The 18 Best PlayStation Plus Games

What should you play next on your PS5 or PS4? From Fallout 4 to Ghost of Tsushima, Sony’s subscription service has a ton of great video games.

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Still from Fallout 4 showing a soldier facing off with a large monster

Still from Ghost of Tsushima showing a character crouching behind two warriors

Still from Sly Collection for PS3 showing a raccoon character sneaking through a town at dusk

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Sony released the PlayStation 5 well over three years ago, and gamers who initially duked it out to snag an early console may now have their sights set on the PS5 Pro upgrade model, rumored to launch later this year. Whether you have a PS5 or you’re still holding on to that dusty PS4, PlayStation Plus is a worthwhile video game subscription service. Even though longtime PlayStation devotees may have to really dig through the catalog to uncover a delightful surprise, new adoptees will revel in the available choices.

The three tiers of PS Plus are Essential, Extra, and Premium. Essential is the cheapest option; for $10 a month you gain access to online multiplayer and can download a couple of curated titles each month. The Extra tier is similar to Xbox Game Pass, and it’s the main focus of this roundup. You receive access to over 100 games for $15 a month with this option. Another $3 elevates you to the Premium tier, which mainly adds streaming access to classic PlayStation games.

For a deeper dive into this subscription service, check out our PS Plus explainer. Searching for even more PlayStation picks? We got you covered with this list of top-tier PS5 games.

Courtesy of Bethesda
Wasteland Homecoming
Fallout 4
Who cares if Fallout 4 isn’t technically the best game in the series? If you, like us, finished watching the Amazon Prime Video show based on it and found yourself wanting to put your vault jumpsuit back on and venture off toward the mysterious Diamond City, this game is for you. Fallout 76 is also available on PlayStation Plus, if you’d rather have an online multiplayer experience, but we prefer chatting up the weird NPCs in Fallout 4 while exploring the wasteland and surviving on Deathclaw meat.
Part of PlayStation Plus Extra.
$20 at PlayStation Store
$20 at Steam Store (PC)
Courtesy of Sony
Sword Play
Ghost of Tsushima
If you haven’t already experienced this samurai game developed by Sucker Punch from 2020, it’s worth checking out before Sony eventually releases its planned movie adaptation. The sword combat is satisfying, and the detailed Japanese setting is beautiful. While recently watching a friend play, the vivid cutscenes and dramatic music made it already feel like an interactive movie.
Part of PlayStation Plus Extra.
$70 at PlayStation Store
$60 at Steam Store (PC)

Courtesy of Sony
Friendly Thieves
The Sly Collection
Going back a little further into the Sucker Punch archive, The Sly Collection is nostalgic fun. It includes the first three installments of the Sly Cooper franchise, a childhood favorite of mine. I still remember the thrill of playing as a heisting raccoon with a nerdy turtle and pink hippo as your trusty accomplices. The last installment in the franchise, developed by Sanzaru Games, is also available with the catalog of classic games.
Part of PlayStation Plus Premium.
$60 at Amazon
Courtesy of Tuxedo Labs
Ultimate Destroyer
Teardown
Teardown is a satisfying sandbox game that has you smashing and sledgehammering your way through a world where everything essentially reacts as if it were built with Legos. The objectives are enjoyable to complete, and the variety of random vehicles, from construction equipment (duh!) to yachts, are fun to use as well as break. It was first available on PC in 2022, but the game is now also on console.
Part of PlayStation Plus Extra.
$30 at PlayStation Store
$30 at Steam Store (PC)

Courtesy of Tribute Games Inc.
Kick Shell
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge
While it’s impossible to perfectly re-create the childhood feeling of sitting too close to the TV on a Saturday morning, chomping down a sugary breakfast, and watching cartoons, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge comes pretty darn close. Developed by Tribute Games, the button-mashing fun of Shredder’s Revenge references a bygone era of TMNT animation and video games. Brawl through levels by yourself or with up to five other people in multiplayer mode. It’s radical.
Part of PlayStation Plus Extra.
$25 at PlayStation Store
$25 at Steam Store (PC)
Courtesy of The Outsiders
Beat Slayer
Metal: Hellsinger
Original music meets Doom-style gameplay in Metal: Hellsinger. Successfully slay your enemies by attacking in sync with the pounding rhythms of hell. Yes, it’s a bit gimmicky, but the short game from The Outsiders refuses to overstay its welcome. Now if only we could play the game backward to expose the hidden, demonic messages …
Part of PlayStation Plus Extra.
$40 at PlayStation Store
$30 at Steam Store (PC)

Courtesy of Maddie Makes Games Inc.
Picturesque Platformer
Celeste
While it’s been five years since its initial release, Celeste is a retro-inspired platformer that’s worth revisiting. The ethereal music sets the perfect tone as you dash your way through level after level. Even though the art is cute, be ready to focus up as you attempt to beat the more challenging aspects. Fans of visual novels will enjoy the narrative elements as well.
Part of PlayStation Plus Extra.
$20 at PlayStation Store
$20 at Steam Store (PC)
Courtesy of Eidos Interactive Corp.
Intrepid Ensemble
Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy
Do you enjoy single-player adventures in outer space? Try Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy with PlayStation Plus for a good time. Similar to the film franchise, it’s got a solid soundtrack. Another game on the PlayStation with a fantastic story, Guardians of the Galaxy won Best Narrative at the 2021 Game Awards.
Part of PlayStation Plus Extra.
$60 at PlayStation Store
$60 at Steam Store

Courtesy of MegaCrit
Deck Crafter
Slay the Spire
What if a roguelike video game fell in love with a cool deck builder? Their offspring would look something like Slay the Spire. A critical success when officially released in 2019, its unique gameplay still feels fresh. Choose your path (and favorite cards) as you navigate through dungeons strewn with enemies.
Part of PlayStation Plus Extra.
$25 at PlayStation Store
$25 at Steam Store (PC)
Courtesy of Sony
Mortal Puzzles
Humanity
In Humanity, you lead masses of followers to safety as they twist and turn through a variety of delightful levels. One wrong turn and everyone is systematically yeeted off the side of the platform. Whoops! After you finish with the main story, stick around and try your hand at level design with the DIY stage creator.
Part of PlayStation Plus Extra.
$30 at PlayStation Store
$30 at Steam Store (PC)

Courtesy of Ubisoft
Sick Air
Riders Republic
This racing game from Ubisoft where you compete against online players through a mishmash of America's national parks is gnarly fun. Whether you’re shredding dirt trails on your bike, snow slopes on your skis, or the open air in your wingsuit, Riders Republic is action-packed and easy to control. Need a moment of solitude to leisurely explore this open-world game? Try activating the Zen mode.
Part of PlayStation Plus Extra.
$60 at PlayStation Store
$60 at Steam Store (PC)
Courtesy of House House
Fiendish Fowl
Untitled Goose Game
Do you enjoy causing chaos but in, like, a cute way? From publisher Panic, Untitled Goose Game is an absolute banger from 2019 that lets you role-play as a prankish feathered animal. Whether you’re swiping a pint glass from the pub or trapping a boy in the phone booth, Untitled Goose Game is the kind of silly fun that’s worth another go.
Part of PlayStation Plus Extra.
$20 at PlayStation Store
$20 at Steam Store (PC)

Courtesy of Digital LTD
Savory Success
Overcooked 2
Quick, grab that plate of food and throw it over here! Oh no, the kitchen is on fire and we need to put it out fast! In Overcooked 2, you craft scrumptious meals in imaginative levels. Sure you can cook, but what if the kitchen is located in a dingy, underground mine or high in the clouds on a hot-air balloon? It’s a fabulous couch co-op game where the frenetic pace of the kitchen often devolves into a hilarious mess.
Part of PlayStation Plus Extra.
$25 at PlayStation Store
$25 at Steam Store (PC)
Courtesy of Media Molecule
Urgent Delivery
Tearaway Unfolded
Who cares if PlayStation doesn’t have as many day-one releases on its subscription service as Xbox? PlayStation Plus is full of hidden gems, like Tearaway Unfolded. Released almost a decade ago, the game features a colorful, construction-paper world that’s brimming with whimsy. In this platformer, you’re attempting to transport a message all the way through an origami-filled environment. It’s hella cute. Enough said!
Part of PlayStation Plus Extra.
$20 at PlayStation Store

Courtesy of Tripwire Interactive
Chomp, Chomp
Maneater
Who’s hungry for some human flesh? Titles that feature adorable animal main characters are all the rage; Maneater is not one of those games. Oh no. It was first released in 2020, and you play as a shark who’s got a bone to pick with mankind and isn’t afraid to flop around on the shore during a mini rampage. It’s the kind of game that’s fun for a few hours, then you’ll likely walk away forever. Great inclusion for a streaming service.
Part of PlayStation Plus Extra.
$40 at PlayStation Store
$40 at Steam Store (PC)
Courtesy of Sony Interactive Entertainment
Web City
Marvel's Spider-Man: Miles Morales
It’s time to put that PS5 to work! Show off the graphic strength of your console with Insomniac’s gorgeous vision of a superhero traversing New York City. Don’t worry if you aren’t a Marvel superfan; this superhero title is a thrilling adventure that remains engaging even for casual fans of the webbed crusader.
Part of PlayStation Plus Extra.
$50 at PlayStation
$50 at Steam Store (PC)

Courtesy of Sony Interactive Entertainment
Heavenly Father
God of War
Kratos, Kratos, Kratos. What mess have you gotten yourself into this time? It’s true that the 2018 release from Sony’s Santa Monica studio is a meditation on fatherhood and an exploration of toxic masculinity. It also feels good as hell to fling your Leviathan axe around with glee. Are you curious about Ragnarök, the latest franchise entry? Why not give this game a go first?
Part of PlayStation Plus Extra.
$20 at PlayStation Store
$50 at Steam Store (PC)
Courtesy of Insomniac Games
Puzzle Planet
Ratchet & Clank
Ratchet & Clank is another classic Sony series worth revisiting, especially if you don’t have much experience with PlayStation games. It’s a character-driven sci-fi adventure with a light-hearted touch and weapons that are wonderfully wacky. The most recent game, Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart, is not part of the subscription service, but a big chunk of the franchise is included in the premium tier, like Ratchet & Clank 2: Going Commando and Ratchet & Clank: Up Your Arsenal.
Part of PlayStation Plus Premium.
$20 at PlayStation Store

Courtesy of Sony Interactive Entertainment
More PlayStation Plus Games
Honorable Mentions
Bloodborne
Control: Ultimate Edition
Death Stranding: Director’s Cut
Doom
Horizon Forbidden West
Horizon Zero Dawn
Inscryption
Returnal
XCOM 2

Reece Rogers is WIRED's service writer, focused on explaining crucial topics and helping readers get the most out of their technology. Prior to WIRED, he covered streaming at Insider.

Service Writer

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