What Is PlayStation Plus

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.

Updated on December 18, 2024 by Mark Sammut: The Extra and Premium tier games for December 2024 have been added. Also, Sony announced which games will be leaving in January 2025.

All The PlayStation Plus Tiers

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 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.

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.

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

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.

1. Log into the home screen.
2. Navigate to the PlayStation Plus panel
3. Select ”
   Subscribe
   ”
4. Pick Essential, Extra, or Premium
5. 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:

1. On a web browser, head to the Sony Network’s
   Account Management
   page.
2. From the menu’s PlayStation Network options, select ”
   Subscription
   .”
3. 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 Essential Free Games For December 2024

It Takes Two (PS5/PS4); Temtem (PS5); Aliens: Dark Descent (PS5/PS4)

• 	It Takes Two	Temtem	Aliens: Dark Descent
  Released	2021-03-26	2022-09-06	2023-06-20
  Developer(s)	Hazelight Studios	Crema	Tindalos Interactive
  Genre(s)	Action, Adventure	Adventure	Real-Time Strategy
  ESRB	T for Teen: Animated Blood, Comic Mischief, Fantasy Violence, Language	E10+ For Everyone 10+ due to Language, Mild Fantasy Violence, Use of Alcohol	M for Mature 17+ due to Blood and Gore, Strong Language, Violence

With the holiday season here, Sony has revealed the final PS Plus Essential lineup for 2024. While not the most exciting on paper, the selection is arguably well-rounded and should offer something for most players. It Takes Two is one of the best co-op games on the PS5, and the emphasis is on “co-op” since the campaign requires two players. No solo alternative, which will automatically disqualify Hazelight’s project as an option for a percentage of subscribers. Still, if someone has a partner, they should give this one a try.

Aliens: Dark Descent is all about colonial marines taking the fight to Xenomorphs, one strategic battle after another. Presented from an isometric angle, the game takes quite a few pages from X-COM‘s playbook, which is not a bad thing. Strategy games are an acquired taste, but this release is relatively accessible thanks to its IP. Finally, there is Temtem, one of the better alternatives to Pokemon. Players will catch creatures, build a team, level up, take on dojos, and grind. The formula works pretty well.

• Current as of November 28, 2024

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 PS5/PS4 Game Only On PS Plus Premium (Including Remasters Of PS3, Vita, & PSP Games)

Every PS3 Game On PS Plus Premium

Every PS1, PS2, & PSP Game On PS Plus Premium

This section includes PS4 versions of classic PS1 and PS2 games.

Every PS VR2 Game On PS Plus Premium

• Before Your Eyes
• Ghostbusters: Rise of the Ghost Lord
• Job Simulator
• Kayak VR: Mirage
• Pistol Whip
• Star Wars: Tales from the Galaxy’s Edge
• Synapse
• Synth Riders
• The Last Clockwinder
• Vacation Simulator
• The Walking Dead: Saints & Sinners – Chapters 1 & 2
• Walkabout Mini Golf

Sonic Frontiers, Forspoken, Star Wars, & More

PS Plus Extra and Premium’s December 2024 games cover a fairly vast spectrum of genres, themes, and tones. More importantly, the lineup has a few titles that might have just fallen short of convincing people to buy them outright, with the two headline acts being the most obvious examples. Naturally, Sonic the Hedgehog is among the biggest IPs in video game history, but its modern releases are the definition inconsistent. Sonic Frontiers just screams “love or hate it,” and its arrival on PS Plus Extra presents the perfect opportunity for subscribers to learn which side of the fence they fall on.

Forspoken is in a similar spot as Sonic Frontiers, to the point that both of them take place in open-worlds. Square Enix’s 2023 release attracted a lot of criticism for its story, protagonist, and empty map, culminating in a pretty negative reputation that saw Forspoken become one of the year’s most disappointing games. That said, the project is not without positives, especially the fast-paced gameplay that expands as the campaign progresses. Certainly worth a try if somebody saw some gameplay footage that caught their interest.

The rest of Extra’s lineup consists of highly-rated but niche games. Jurassic World Evolution 2 lets players live out their dinosaur-managing fantasies, allowing them to run multiple parks and even create unique creatures. Coffee Talk and its sequel are cozy, well-written indie darlings, and the same extends to A Space for the Unbound. Biped and Phogs should keep local and online co-op fans busy for a while, while Rabbids: Party of Legends is an OK mini-game collection. WRC Generations is a well above-average rally racing sim, and F.I.S.T: Forged in Shadow Torch is a very good Metroidvania.

Premium tier members have received three PS2 classics: Sly 2, Sly 3, and Jak and Daxter. These were all available in some form already, but these iterations are the originals. PS VR2 owners can take a trip to a galaxy far, far away with Star Wars: Tales from the Galaxy’s Edge.

Games Leaving PS Plus In January 2025

Resident Evil 2, Dragon Ball FighterZ, Just Cause, & More

As exciting as new PS Plus arrivals are, they consistently coincide with departures, with a similar number of games leaving the service. 2025 will not change this trend, and Sony has revealed which games will be saying goodbye to the Extra and Premium tiers roughly halfway through January. More departures could be announced at a later date, but so far, 11 titles are set to end their tenures.

The biggest departing name is arguably Resident Evil 2, the 2019 remake that modernized an all-time great PS1 classic. A strong argument could be made that this entry represents the franchise at its peak, and any horror fans owe it to themselves to play through both campaigns. Dragon Ball FighterZ is also leaving PS Plus Extra, which is a shame as it is among the best fighting games on the subscription service. Street Fighter 30th Anniversary Collection is also leaving.

A few IPs will also be losing some entries. Life is Strange and Before the Storm are two pretty great adventure games, with the former being particularly highly regarded. Just Cause 3 and 4 are just fun, dumb open-world romps that excel at unfiltered chaos. Legend of Mana and Secret of Mana are based on beloved action JRPGs, and they will be missed. Even Hardspace: Shipbreaker is a worthwhile niche option.

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 60 games, and their trial periods vary in length.

Check out the below article to see a list of PS Plus Premium game trials.

Sony Pictures Core

A little-known feature available to Premium subscribers, Sony Pictures Core is a steaming service that contains over 2000 movies that can be rented or bought. Anyone can create an account, but people who have a Premium subscription have access to a range of movies.

Most of the biggest recent titles will need to be purchased, but the selection has a couple of older titles that can keep someone entertained for a few hours when they do not feel like playing a game. The Sony Pictures Catalogue also includes anime content from Crunchyroll.