In 2014, Sony released PS Now, a service for downloading and streaming Playstation games. The service ultimately took off but it still required some revamping to get more interest from gamers. This year, in 2022, Sony decided to merge PS Now with PS Plus in order to bring the two services under the same flag. The new PS Plus service has been divided into three separate tiers. The basic PS Plus membership is still intact in what is now called PS Plus Essentials. In addition, two new tiers have been introduced, namely PS Plus Extra and PS Plus Premium. The new tiers promise hundreds of games in their catalogs, with more coming in and out all the time. We know there’s a lot to take in and to help you get the best bang for your buck, we’ve compiled this detailed guide about the new service. It will explain all the tiers and what they have to offer. Here are the best games you can play on PS Plus right now in each tier, and for each console.
Best PS Plus games on PS4
PS Plus Essential
This is basically the original PS Plus membership which includes online multiplayer access along with three games a month. Through this, you’ll get access to one PS5 title and two PS4 games each month. For September 2022, PS Plus Essential is giving out Need for Speed Heat, Granblue Fantasy Versus, and a PS5 offering, TOEM. The basic subscription costs $9.99 a month or around $60 annually. You should stick to this tier if you’re content with your current set-up and are already done with the biggest PS4 and PS5 titles.
Best PS Plus Extra games
The all-new tier launched for the PS5 console generation definitely has its own perks. In addition to the standard plan, the Extra tier offers a massive library of up to 400 PS4 and PS5 games. These games are cycled in and out each month and there’s no specific number as to how many will be added or removed. The service will cost you around $14.99 monthly or about $100 on a yearly basis. Some of the best games available in this PS Plus tier right now are:
Bloodborne
One of FromSoftware’s most successful PS4 hits, Bloodborne has been an all-time fan favorite. The game relies on aggression, strategy, and of course persistence, like all Soulsborne titles. The world is detailed and very unique, filled to the brim with mysteries and places like you’ve never seen before. If we know one thing about a Souls game, it is that it’ll be unpredictable, but this game takes it up a notch and gives you an experience you’d never expect or forget.
Demon’s Souls
The PS5 remake of the first Souls game is as tantalizing as its original version. In addition to its nostalgic value, the overall gameplay remains as faithful to the original as possible. The game looks as beautiful and indifferent as ever, putting the difficulty to deal with the challenges and bosses solely on your shoulders. Even after more than a decade, Demon’s Souls still does an amazing job at both cheering and berating the player in every way imaginable. It’s safe to say that the remake does proper justice to the original.
Red Dead Redemption 2
Set before the events of the first game, Red Dead Redemption 2 is the story of Arthur Morgan, a cowboy involved with a dangerous gang. Everything about RDR2 is pretty amazing, the environment, the gameplay, and the graphics, all are top-notch. When you’re not doing the main story you’ll spend hundreds of hours exploring the vast world on horseback. This game is the closest you’ll ever get to experiencing the Wild West in its full authentic glory. Definitely a game worth playing if you’ve access to the Extra PS Plus tier.
Ghost of Tsushima: Director’s Cut
Set during the first Mongol invasion of Japan, Ghost of Tsushima is the quest to protect and reclaim your home. You play as Jin Sakai, a skilled samurai determined to remove the Mongol troops who’ve infiltrated the Island of Tsushima and take it back. A wide array of strong characters along with the beautiful gameplay is what sets this game apart. The open world is set aptly according to the narrative of the game and lacks redundancy and repetitiveness. So, hop on top of your horse and follow the direction of the wind to reach your targets. This isn’t a game you’d want to miss if you’re looking to buy PS Plus Extra.
Assassin’s Creed Origins
Assassin’s Creed games have evolved a lot in the past few years. AC Origins is basically the game that announced the coming of the RPG-styled Assassin’s Creed games we see today. Play as Bayek of Siwa, a faithful medjay who is on the quest to find the killers of his son and bring them to justice. In doing this, he stumbles upon something much more corrupt and insidious. Explore the origins of the Assassin Order steeped in the sands of ancient Egypt along with some good combat and excellent mechanics. The many sidequests sometimes can get repetitive but the leveling system works better than previous AC titles.
Stray
An absolute ride for any cat lover, this indie cyberpunk adventure stars the most adorable protagonist you’ve ever seen. Sony has directed a lot of attention and marketing towards this game, and rightly so. The feline protagonist has caught the attention of fans worldwide, who’ve immensely enjoyed seeing the virtual proclivities of a cat play out in the game. This is an adventure you surely won’t forget. Things might get a bit emotional at certain points but it’ll all be worth it. It’s almost like having a real fur ball around you that you need to constantly look after.
Control: Ultimate Edition
This is the game for conspiracy theorists and creepypasta enjoyers. The game is set in the Federal Bureau of Control, where you explore a world filled with people who have been corrupted by ‘the Hiss’. As you progress, you go deep into interesting mysteries involving psychic phenomena and unravel hidden truths. The gameplay is very satisfying and the narrative is highly engaging. With PS Plus Extra, you get the Ultimate Edition containing all DLCs and additional content.
Death Stranding: Director’s Cut
After breaking up with Konami, the famed creator Hideo Kojima released a game with a somewhat unconventional setting. You play as Sam Bridges, a courier who delivers supplies to isolated communities in the post-apocalyptic United States. There are people who would disregard the game as a walking simulator, but the truth is that it’s so much more than that. You will walk, climb and tumble on treacherous paths with life-saving supplies on your back. While it may not be a high-action thriller, it’s still a game worth playing.
Returnal
Returnal gives its players a smooth and satisfying experience. You’re an astronaut trapped inside a time loop on a mysterious planet in search of the ‘White Shadow’, at first glance. Running through an array of absolutely random rooms, you’ll have to deal with some very bizarre-looking creatures to say the least. The shooting in the game is excellent and keeps the player wanting more. No doubt, one of the best PS5 titles that comes with the Extra membership.
Best PS Plus Premium games
PS Plus Premium gives you access to Playstation’s retro catalog, alongside the perks of the previous tiers. The retro collection consists of a whole roster of PS1, PS2, PS3, and PSP games that can be downloaded and streamed. This added benefit will cost you around $17.99 a month, or $120 annually. Some of the best hits in the retro catalog include:
LocoRoco Midnight Carnival
Many of us have enjoyed the classic LocoRoco series on the PSP, this game brings back the thrill of the original games with a nostalgic hit. Essentially being the third game in the series, it retains all the flamboyant colors and environment of the original. The art style makes the evolution from small to big screens look completely natural. The game is short yet challenging and gives its players everything they ever wanted from a beloved series that had been forgotten.
Tekken 2
The Tekken series basically paved the way for 3D fighters and successfully showed everyone how it’s done. PS Plus Premium brings one of the most beloved Tekken games back to your screen. The characters are amusing and diverse, not to mention iconic. The simple gameplay reminds us of the era that revolutionized the world of fighters forever and opened up a whole new genre in competitive e-sports.
F.E.A.R
One of the most iconic first-person horror shooters of the PS3 era, F.E.A.R is available for streaming via the Premium membership. The highly-acclaimed slo-mo shooting in the game is one of the best to date. It makes every bullet and every impact seem like an event in its own. The environment of course doesn’t compare to today’s standards but it’s more reactive than many horror titles today.
Bioshock Remastered
Even if you haven’t played it, you’ve probably heard the name many a time. Exploring the underwater city of Rapture is as terrifying today as it was when the original first came out. It is a relatively linear experience and there’s not a lot to experiment with except the combat, but the game still offers a good story that stands the test of time. The remaster improves some environmental aspects and the game holds up really well for the modern generation of gamers.
Arc the Lad: Twilight of the Spirits
A long-running but underrated JRPG series, Arc the Lad has a solid and loyal fanbase. Twilight of the Spirits was released for the PS2. The plot revolves around two brothers who are hybrids between humans and a monster civilization inhabiting the world. The journey covers the experiences of both the brothers and ultimately intertwines their paths. The storytelling is amazing and the gameplay will take your mind off many of today’s mechanically advanced RPGs, giving you a feeling of deep nostalgia. These were some of the Best Games available in each PS Plus tier as of now. Many of these might be exchanged for others in the upcoming future. So, you might want to get your hands on them as soon as possible if you’ve decided to upgrade your PS Plus membership. As a follow-up, here are the best PS3 games to play on your PS5.
Best PS3 Games to play on PS5
The PS5 is fully backward compatible with the PS4, as you can enter both PS4 and PS5 discs into the new console. That being said, with the release of the new PS Plus Premium( known in some countries as Deluxe) membership, you can now go back to many of your favorite PS3 and even PS2 titles. You can essentially access the entirety of the classic PS3 catalog for a price tag of 18$ a month. Either if you’re a PS veteran who once owned a PS3 or are relatively new to the PS platform, we’ll help you decide which PS3 games you should play on your new console. Here are some of the best titles from the PS3 generation that are still fresh and playable;
Siren: Blood Curse
If you think that Silent Hill and Resident Evil are the only games to define the horror genre in the PS3 era, you’re in for a good ride. The 2008 Siren: Blood Curse was basically a reimagining of the PS2 version of the game. A highly-acclaimed horror title that remained true to its narrative from the start to the end. This game will definitely add to your experience in the realm of horror gaming if you choose to play.
Injustice: Gods Among Us Ultimate Edition
A true fighting game classic, Injustice: Gods Among Us did quite a bit of justice to DC fans who were into fighters back then. The game is packed to the brim with action with your favorite characters constantly punching each other in the face. It contains a good story along with many DLC characters to choose from, giving a vast amount of content to cover.
Saints Row 2
Saints Row 2 basically introduced the world to the potential of the Saints Row series. It gave players an open-world experience that wasn’t seen very often back then. Moreover, it went toe to toe with GTA in how destructive and chaotic the environment could get. A classic by every measure, fans still hope for an eventual remake in the future.
LEGO Batman 2: DC Super Heroes
Even if you don’t plan to return to the Arkham series anytime soon, you can always try out a more bite-sized adventure instead. LEGO Batman 2 gives you an animated open-world experience of Gotham City as you vie to stop the Joker and Lex Luthor from executing their plans. If you’re looking for some classic Lego goofiness, this is a good game to consider.
Fallout 3
A game that defined one of Bethesda’s most critically-acclaimed series for a long time, Fallout 3 is still highly playable due to its well-written story and attention to detail. The dedicated player base swears by this game. From its branching choices to the intricate gameplay, Fallout 3 is a truly classic RPG.
The Sly Collection
Over the years, Sucker Punch’s beloved Sly collection has developed a loyal fanbase desperately waiting for a remake. In the meantime, it is highly recommended that you go through the classics and get a taste of the game. PS Premium offers three of the most sought-after Sly Cooper games ready to be played.
God of War series
Skipping God of War in a list of the best PlayStation games would be a mortal sin. Known for its brutality and engaging combat, the God of War series offers a great storyline that remains intact till the last game. Kratos is certainly going to be one of the most overpowered characters you’ll ever play with. If you plan to play the highly-anticipated GOW Ragnarok, this is a collection worth revisiting.
Infamous 2
We can best define Infamous 2 as a more explosive version of GTA. The classic open-world power fantasy was held in high regard in PS exclusives. You can explore the world and play with your surroundings using your superpowers, creating a lot of action in the process. A game worth playing if you really want to see what PS-exclusive open-world games were all about.
Red Dead Redemption
Take a trip down memory lane with Rockstar’s genre-defining open-world game at the time. Although not as detailed as its sequel, Read Dead Redemption is still a piece of gaming history that needs to be appreciated time and time again. The game really displayed Rockstar’s capability for story-driven open-world design. RDR must be played even if only to get a taste of what the genre was like back then and how it has evolved with time. These are some of the best PS3 games you can claim on your PS5 right now with a Premium PS Plus membership. Missing these gems would surely leave holes to be filled in your overall gaming experience.
Best upcoming PS5 games
Below is a list of the hottest, most- breath-taking PS5 releases scheduled near the end of the year:
God of War: Ragnarok
First and foremost, we have to mention Sony’s very own sequel to the critically-acclaimed God of War 2018. It might not explicitly be a PS5 exclusive, but rather a PlayStation exclusive as it will be released for the PS4 as well. But still, the hype around this game makes it impossible not to mention it in this list. Ragnarok will follow the story three years after the events of its prequel. It will start with the end of a long winter, denoting the start of the foretold Ragnarok. Players will visit all of the nine realms this time around, with more powerful enemies lurking around every nook and corner. The game promises some major revelations with regard to the story as well.
Marvel’s Spider-Man 2
Undoubtedly one of the most anticipated games of 2023, Spider-Man 2 looks too good to be true. A successor to Insomniac’s highly successful 2018 spider-man, the new game brings both Peter Parker and Miles Morales to the screen fighting side by side. The trailer also shows us a glimpse of Venom, who would probably be serving as one of the many antagonists. Besides all the new enemies we’ll encounter, there will be a vast inventory of suits, abilities, and much more.
Marvel’s Wolverine
Our favorite mutant is finally getting a well-deserved AAA title. Marvel’s Wolverine is a PS5 console exclusive that narrates the story of Logan, the toughest cool-guy mutant we know. And if you haven’t guessed it yet, the game is being developed by the creative minds over at Insomniac Games. Honestly, not a lot is known about the game as of yet, the studio has remained quite secretive over any details. The studio did mention that it aims to ‘respect the DNA’ of the popular character but also might give him a fresh touch. Nonetheless, we believe the game will be a sight to see.
Final Fantasy 16
A much-awaited title from Square Enix, launching only for the PS5. The events of FF16 will be taking place in Valisthea, a place having a lot to do with crystals as per the game’s official site. The sixteenth entry in one of the biggest PS exclusive franchises has got fans rolling over their heads ever since the announcement of its release. The game could also see some changes in combat in addition to the overall setting.
Forspoken
Forspoken is a game said to have been ‘designed for the PS5’ as per Luminous Productions, a Square Enix subsidiary. The game has seen some delays therefore, a lot is expected from it. The game follows the story of a young woman living in NYC who gets teleported to the mystical world of Athia. She will have to get hold of a variety of powers to survive here while trying to find a way back home.
