Sony’s PlayStation Plus is a well-known brand with a long history, but the service received a substantial makeover in 2022. Combining the original version with PS Now, the platform adopted a tiered system that seemed designed to offer something equivalent to Xbox Game Pass, with the higher levels containing extensive libraries of games that are updated monthly.
Although not without its controversies or criticisms, PS Plus has stabilized by this point, making it a consistently valid option for PS5 and even PS4 owners. As the service offers a lot of content along with different price points and features, here are the major things everyone should know about PS Plus.
All The PlayStation Plus Tierse
Rather than present a one-size-fits-all subscription, PS Plus lets users have their pick from three tiers: Essential, Extra, and Premium. Here is a brief summary of each level’s offerings:
-
Essential
– The core PS Plus benefits as they were prior to the 2022 relaunch. Subscribers gain access to online multiplayer, monthly games, exclusive discounts, and a few other benefits. -
Extra
–
Essential tier benefits
+ a catalog of downloadable PS5 and PS4 games. -
Premium
– Essential & Extra tiers benefits + a catalog of classic PS3, PS2, PS1, and PSP games.
Ultimately, picking a PS Plus tier comes down to someone’s needs. If a player will only be using the online multiplayer feature, Essential will suffice and there is little to gain from subscribing to one of the higher tiers.
Premium’s central selling is its Classics Catalog, which adds hundreds of titles on top of the PS5 and PS4 games that are also available in the Extra tier. While this collection is grand, please note that PS3 games are played through Cloud Streaming and cannot be downloaded. Consequently, their performance is dependent on the user’s internet connection.
Every Gaming Subscription Out There, and How Much They Cost
With PlayStation, Nintendo, and others launching competitors, Xbox Game Pass isn’t the only gaming subscription service on the market anymore.
Which PS Plus Tier Should You Buy?
As there is quite a jump in price from one level to the next, a full breakdown of each tier’s features and benefits might help someone decide whether they should go for Essential, Extra, or Premium.
Essential |
Extra |
Premium |
|
---|---|---|---|
Monthly Games |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Online Multiplayer |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Exclusive Discounts |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Cloud Storage |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Share Play |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
The PlayStation Plus Collection (PS5 Only) |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Exclusive Content |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Game Catalog – PS5 & PS4 Games |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
Ubisoft+ Classics |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
Classics Catalog – PS3, PS2, PS1, and PSP Games |
No |
No |
Yes |
Cloud Streaming |
No |
No |
Yes |
PS Plus on PC (Using Cloud Streaming) |
No |
No |
Yes |
Game Trials |
No |
No |
Yes |
How Much Does PS Plus Cost?
Each PS Plus tier has its own price point to match the benefits included with the subscription.
PS Plus Essential
-
1-Month Subscription:
$9.99 -
3-Month Subscription:
$24.99 -
12-Month Subscription:
$79.99
-
1-Month Subscription:
$14.99 -
3-Month Subscription:
$39.99 -
12-Month Subscription:
$134.99
PS Plus Premium
-
1-Month Subscription:
$17.99 -
3-Month Subscription:
$49.99 -
12-Month Subscription:
$159.99
PS Plus Price Increase Starting September 6
Starting from September 6, PS Plus Essential, Extra, and Premium received notable price increases for their 12-month subscriptions. Unsurprisingly, this news garnered quite a mixed reception from users, a situation not helped by Essential’s headlining free game for September 2023 being the controversial Saints Row reboot.
Here are the new prices:
-
PS Plus Essential:
$79.99 -
PS Plus Extra:
$134.99 -
PS Plus Premium:
$159.99
At the moment, the 1-month and 3-month subscriptions appear to be staying fixed at their current prices. For current subscribers who have an active 12-month subscription that is soon reaching its end, their service will renew at the previous prices until November 6; from that point, the new rates will be applied.
How To Subscribe To PlayStation Plus?
The process to subscribe to PS Plus is quite straightforward, and there are a couple of avenues people can use to get there.
Newcomers to Sony’s ecosystem will first need to create a PlayStation Network account as this is required to utilize any service, including buying games from the PS Store. An account by following this link.
How To Subscribe To PS Plus Using The PS5
The most convenient way to subscribe to PS Plus is through the PS5 or PS4 console.
- Log into the home screen.
- Navigate to the PlayStation Plus panel
-
Select ”
Subscribe
” - Pick Essential, Extra, or Premium
- Pick a Payment Plan
How To Subscribe To PS Plus Using A Web Browser
It is also possible to subscribe to PS Plus directly from a web browser. Visit this playstation.com page and scroll down to the “Choose Your Membership Plan.” From there, choose a tier and select “Add to Cart.” After that, simply check out to complete the transaction.
How To Cancel A PS Plus Subscription?
There might come a time when someone might wish to cancel their PS Plus subscription. The process is quite uncomplicated:
-
On a web browser, head to the Sony Network’s
Account Management
page. -
From the menu’s PlayStation Network options, select ”
Subscription
.” -
Select ”
Cancel Subscription
” near PlayStation Plus.
Account Management’s Subscription page also allows players to change their PS Plus tiers or payment frequency.
What Is PS Plus On PC?
PS Plus Premium subscribers also have the option to stream games via the service’s PC app. The library includes titles from both the Games and Classics Catalog, although it is not the full selection. Here are some things interested parties should know about this option:
-
The
DualShock 4 is the only confirmed compatible controller
. That does not mean other controllers will not work, just that they are not guaranteed by Sony. - PS Plus On PC is not currently available in every country that has the main streaming service.
- PS5 games cannot be streamed.
- A PS5 or PS4 is not needed to subscribe to PS Plus on PC.
-
Sony recommends a Broadband wired internet connection of a minimum of
5 Mbps
.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can PS Plus Premium Subscribers Stream PS5 Games?
PS Plus Premium’s Cloud Streaming is compatible with the Games Catalog’s PS4 games and all the titles found in the Classics Catalog. PS5 games cannot be streamed.
Sony has not specified a fixed date of when subscribers can anticipate new additions to the library, but history suggests that games will be added roughly halfway through a month.
Can Subscribers Switch Tiers?
Yes. If someone wants to move up to a higher PS Plus tier, they only need to purchase a new membership at their desired level. This upgrade will happen instantly, and the customer will be charged a prorated fee for the rest of the current month.
If a member wishes to downgrade their tier, they would need to visit their Sony account’s “Subscription” tab to perform the change. This alteration will come into effect once the next payment is made.
Can PS Plus Benefits Be Shared?
While limited to one PS5 or PS4 console, certain PS Plus benefits are shared among the different accounts on the system. These include online multiplayer, access to Premium & Extra’s libraries, downloaded monthly games, and games purchased using a PS Plus discount.
Which PlayStation Plus should I Get?
Ultimately, this comes down to personal preference. If someone only intends to play PS5 and PS4 games, there is little reason to subscribe to Premium.
PS Plus Free Games For January 2024
A Plague Tale: Requiem
- Released
- October 18, 2022
- Genre(s)
- Action-Adventure , Stealth
- ESRB
- M For Mature 17+ due to Blood and Gore, Strong Language, Violence
- How Long To Beat
- 17 Hours
PS Plus Essential looks set to get 2024 started on an exciting note with three notable free games. The January lineup’s headlining act is A Plague Tale: Requiem, the highly-regarded sequel to 2019’s Innocence. Continuing the story from its predecessor, Amicia and Hugo head out in search of an island that might hold the key to curing the latter’s illness.
As the black plague is still at its worst, the siblings need to deal with hordes of rats, along with plenty of human enemies who wish to capture or kill them. Requiem offers a lengthy single-player campaign with gorgeous visuals and an emotional story built on the strength of its core relationship. Although stealth is prioritized, the gameplay has quite a bit of variety as it also throws in puzzles, combat, and some exploration.
Evil West
- Released
- November 22, 2022
- Genre(s)
- Third-Person Shooter , RPG , Action , Adventure
- ESRB
- M For Mature 17+ Due To Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Strong Language
- How Long To Beat
- 11 hours
Garnering a positive but not glowing reception at launch, Evil West seems tailor-made for a platform like PS Plus. Flying Wild Hog’s game drops players in the Weird West, assigning them missions that generally involve eradicating a plethora of classical monsters like zombies. The campaign follows a fairly strict and simple level structure that largely boils down to a series of arena fights, but the combat is enjoyable and progressive enough to ease the exhaustion of following such a repetitive format.
Evil West is one of those games that many people might struggle to justify purchasing at full price or a small discount, but it is a perfect fit for a subscription service. Even if the gory and visceral action fails to strike a chord with someone, they lose nothing by giving the title a try.
Nobody Saves The World
- Released
- January 18, 2022
- Genre(s)
- Action RPG
- ESRB
- T For Teen due to Animated Blood, Fantasy Violence, Mild Language
- How Long To Beat
- 15 Hours
Another 2022 project, Nobody Saves the World is an inspired action RPG that casts players as a protagonist who transforms into different personas to gain abilities. Essentially, players gain access to a plethora of classes with unique skills, allowing them to adapt to a situation as needed.
While not completely devoid of a story (and certainly not lacking in personality), Nobody Saves the World‘s combat and dungeons are its main selling points, and they complement each other beautifully. The game uses procedural generation technology to enhance its replayability, and this project can keep someone engaged for weeks or months if they get into its gameplay loop.
PS Plus Essential subscribers can “purchase” these games from January 2, 2024.
PS Plus Free Games for December 2023 Revealed
Sony officially announces the free PlayStation Plus games that subscribers can claim in the month of December 2023.
-
Current as of December 21, 2023
.
Most subscribers will likely invest in PS Plus Extra as that tier contains more than enough PS5 and PS4 games to keep someone busy for a long time. Unless specifically interested in classic PS games or Cloud Streaming, there is not much reason to pick Premium over Extra. Still, subscribers of both tiers can download and install the following titles.
PS Plus’ game library can vary from country to country.
What Classics Are On PlayStation Plus Premium?
PS Plus Premium celebrates PlayStation’s past, bringing together titles released over the span of more than two decades. If a PS5 or PS4 owner wants to play some old favorites, this tier should deliver.
Every PS4 Game Only On PS Plus Premium (Including Remasters Of PS3, Vita, & PSP Games)
A-D |
E-R |
S-Z |
---|---|---|
|
|
|
Every PS3 Game On PS Plus Premium
Every PS1, PS2, & PSP Game On PS Plus Premium
PS1 |
PS2 |
PSP |
---|---|---|
|
|
|
Looking to end the year on a high, PS Plus Extra and Premium is welcoming one of its better selections of games. Covering quite a lot of ground, the December 2023 lineup has big AAA projects, divisive AA releases, and several respected indie titles. The biggest newcomer is undoubtedly Grand Theft Auto 5, which naturally comes with GTA Online. As hard as it is to believe that there are still people left who have not tried the game, Rockstar’s open-world masterpiece has barely lost any momentum over the last decade, with each new version proving to be a success. Even if someone played GTA 5 when it was originally released on the PS3, the PS5 (or even PS4) upgrade offers enough improvements to be worth a revisit.
The other standout December 2023 addition is Stranger of Paradise: Final Fantasy Origin, a hack and slash spin-off that was subjected to a bit of pre-release mockery. While hardly flawless, the game has great combat, which is hardly a surprise considering Team Ninja handled the project. It also has an interesting take on Final Fantasy‘s job system.
PS Plus’ other picks offer quite a bit of variety. Salt and Sacrifice,Grime, and Moonscars can all be described as 2D Soulslikes, although they are hardly carbon copies of each other. Prodeus and Metal: Hellsinger are fast-paced first-person shooters inspired by the past, while the Shadowrun trilogy should hit the spot with turn-based RPG fans. Tinykin is the closest PlayStation-only owners will come to playing a Pikmin game.
Lastly, December 2023 includes a bunch of Mega Man games, bringing the full collection to PS Plus Premium (and Mega Man 11 to Extra).
Extra & Premium |
Premium Only |
|
---|---|---|
December 19, 2023 |
|
|
PS Plus: A Comprehensive List Of Every Monthly Game It’s Added
Since relaunching the subscription service in June 2022, Sony has added a host of games per month to PS Plus.
PS Plus’ Last Chance section highlights which games will be leaving the service in the near (or distant) future. To ensure that subscribers do not miss out on a departing title they are interested in, they should keep an eye on which PS Plus games are coming and going. Since the service’s launch, a few games per month have been removed.
In December 2023, 11 games departed PS Plus Extra and Premium, including a few notable releases. Yakuza 6: The Song of Life and Yakuza: Like a Dragon exited Sony’s subscription service, with their departures coinciding with the upcoming January 2024 release of Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth. Both games offer lengthy single-player campaigns, and while featuring widely different combat systems, they are both great in their own right.
The Middle-earth games also made their PS Plus departure, with Shadow of Mordor and Shadow of War leaving on the same day. While the latter garnered some controversy at launch, these titles are very good action-adventure projects with fun, fast-paced combat and the highly-regarded Nemesis system. Some other titles that left PS Plus in December 2023 are The Escapists 2, Friday the 13th: The Game, and Caladrius Blaze.
In January 2024, PS Plus Extra and Premium are set to lose a few notable projects that have been available on the service for quite a long time. The biggest removals will be Devil May Cry 5 and It Takes Two, which are arguably the best options in their categories (hack and slash & co-op) on Sony’s platform. Jett: The Far Shore, Omno, Pillars of Eternity 2, and SnowRunner are also major titles in their own right, even if they are fairly niche in the grand scheme of things. The Missing: J.J. Macfield and the Island of Memories is considerably less well-known, but it should not be ignored either (and is well worth a playthrough before it is removed from PS Plus).
Subscription Tiers |
Games |
Departure Dates |
---|---|---|
Extra & Premium |
|
December 19, 2023 |
|
January 2023 |
PS Plus Extra Losing 11 Games on December 19
PlayStation Plus Extra subscribers should note that 11 games are scheduled to leave the lineup come December 19.
PS Plus Game Trials
Besides instant access to PS Plus’s Game and Classics Catalogs, Premium subscribers can also try out a select few PS5 and PS4 titles for a limited time. Players can currently test out more than 40 games, and their trial periods vary in length.
-
A Plague Tale: Requiem
(2 Hours) -
AI: THE SOMNIUM FILES – nirvanA Initiative
(1 Hour) -
Biomutant
(2 Hours) -
Bonfire Peaks
(1 Hour) -
The Callisto Protocol
(1 Hour) -
The Cruel King and the Great Hero
(2 Hours) -
Cobra Kai 2: Dojos Rising
(2 Hours) -
Construction Simulator
(2 Hours) -
Crusader Kings 3
(3 Hours) -
Cyberpunk 2077
(5 Hours) -
De-Exit
(1 Hour) -
Disney Dreamlight Valley
(2 Hours) -
DNF Duel
(2 Hours) -
Dying Light 2 Stay Human
(3 Hours) -
Elemental War 2
(2 Hours) -
F1 Manager 2022
(3 Hours) -
God of War Ragnarok
(3 Hours) -
Gotham Knights
(1 Hour) -
Hot Wheels Unleashed
(2 Hours) -
Hunting Simulator 2
(2 Hours) -
The Last of Us Part 1
(2 Hours) -
LEGO City Undercover
(2 Hours) -
LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga
(1 Hour) -
Little League World Series Baseball 2023
(2 Hours) -
Marvel’s Midnight Suns
(2 Hours) -
Miraculous: Rise of the Sphinx
(2 Hours) -
MLB the Show 23
(3 Hours) -
MotoGP 22
(2 Hours) -
NBA 2K23
(2 Hours) -
NHRA Championship Drag Racing: Speed For All
(2 Hours) -
Nickelodeon Kart Racers 3 Slime Speedway
(2 Hours) -
Park Beyond
(2 Hours) -
Persona 5 Royal
(4 Hours) -
PGA Tour 2K23
(2 Hours) -
Phoenix Point
(2 Hours) -
Relayer
(2 Hours) -
Rims Racing
(2 Hours) -
Rollerdrome
(1 Hour) -
Soul Hackers 2
(2 Hours) -
Steelrising
(2 Hours) -
Tactics Ogre: Reborn
(2 Hours) -
Unrailed!
(2 Hours) -
Vampire The Masquerade Swansong
(2 Hours) -
World of Outlaws: Dirt Racing
(2 Hours) -
WWE 2K23
(2 Hours)
PS Plus Exclusive Packs
Regardless of their chosen tier, PS Plus subscribers can download for free an array of DLC and packs from a selection of games. Here are a couple of examples:
-
Brawlhalla
(Bonus Pack 4) -
Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War
(Combat Pack – Motorpool) -
H1Z1
(Bandit Pack) -
Smite
(Kukulkan Skin) -
Warface
(Rime Pack)
PS Plus Extra Games for December 2023 File Sizes Revealed
New information reveals the storage requirements of the games coming to the Extra and Premium tiers of PlayStation Plus in December 2023.
-
Best Games By Generation
Taking into consideration the Game and Classics Catalogs along with other benefits like the PlayStation Plus Collection, there are over 500 games on Sony’s service. Consequently, narrowing down the library to the cream of the crop can be tiring, and Sony’s app does not make the search process all that straightforward. Along with checking out the master list covering the overall best games on PS Plus Premium & Extra, the articles below highlight stand-out titles per console (minus PSP).
-
Best Games By Genre
Be it JRPGs, horror, or first-person shooters, PlayStation Plus covers almost every genre imaginable. Rather than focusing on individual consoles, players might prefer to try out something new in a genre they already love. These upcoming articles should help provide some guidance.
-
How PS Plus Works
PlayStation Plus is an ever-evolving service. While this guide covers everything that most people need to know about Sony’s platform, the below articles expand on a few points.