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Picturesque Platformer
Celeste
Intrepid Ensemble
Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy
Deck Crafter
Slay the Spire
Rural Trappings
Resident Evil 7: Biohazard
It’s close to the third anniversary of Sony’s PlayStation 5 release. (That was a wild moment in time!) Whether you’re one of the 40 million people who’ve already snatched a PS5 or you’re still holding onto that dusty PS4, PlayStation Plus is a worthwhile video game subscription service. While 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 diver 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.
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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.
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Courtesy of Eidos Interactive Corp.
Intrepid Ensemble
Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy
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Courtesy of MegaCrit
Deck Crafter
Slay the Spire
What if a rogue-like 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.
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Courtesy of CapCom
Rural Trappings
Resident Evil 7: Biohazard
From 2017, this first-person installment in the Resident Evil series is terrifying fun whether you’re a longtime RE fan or just horror-curious. (Spoiler alert: It’s scary!) Make sure to remain stealthy as you scavenge through the Baker family’s dimly lit, super creepy house. Unfortunately for this pick, the PS4 version is included with the subscription service, but it costs to upgrade to the PS5 edition.
Part of PlayStation Plus Extra.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Courtesy of Bethesda
Spiritual Warfare
Ghostwire: Tokyo
Pack your bags, we’re going to Tokyo! The streets are cleared out and there’s no traffic in sight. That’s odd. What if almost everyone in the city was transformed into a spirit? Use your newfound magical abilities in Ghostwire: Tokyo to fight strange apparitions and purify Shibuya, all while enjoying aspects of Japanese folklore.
Part of PlayStation Plus Extra.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Courtesy of Kojima Productions
Walking Around
Death Stranding: Director’s Cut
A modern classic from Hideo Kojima, Death Stranding is about walking around after the apocalypse. Seriously. If you’re looking for an escapist game that’ll engulf every second of your free time, the director’s cut takes an already lengthy game and broadens it further. Norman Reedus’ performance as Sam Bridges is exquisite. The game is a unique experience that rewards patient players.
Part of PlayStation Plus Extra.
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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.
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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. So there’s that. Are you curious about Ragnarök, the latest franchise entry? Why not give this game a go first?
Part of PlayStation Plus Extra.
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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.
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Courtesy of Sony Interactive Entertainment
More PlayStation Plus Games
Honorable Mentions
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.