PlayStation fans can subscribe to PlayStation Plus in three tiers: Essential, Extra, and Premium. In the middle is PS Plus Extra, which is the best deal for both casual and dedicated players looking to expand their libraries. With PS Plus Extra, players can access an extensive catalog games, which are refreshed every month, including Ubisoft+ Classics.
For the annual 12-month subscription, players are looking at spending $134.99. Even a 3-month subscription is $39.99. For dedicated players, these deals are a steal. Still, for the more casual player and those uncertain, the 1-month subscription is only $14.99 and will let them test the waters before committing. Here are 10 games worth trying out during month one.
10
Take To Gotham's Streets In Batman: Arkham Knight
Fight Crime And Solve Puzzles As The Dark Knight
If you’re a fan of superhero action, Batman: Arkham Knight is the perfect place to start your PS Plus Extra journey. It has an exciting story, engaging combat, and an open-world Gotham to explore. The game introduces a new villain, the Arkham Knight, and brings in some of the best Batman villains like the Scarecrow, Two-Face, and Harley Quinn. Having to go against two formidable threats, the Arkham Knight and the Scarecrow, Batman is pushed to his limits. As the player, you can feel the weight of his struggle, making the game more intense.
Arkham Knight's story is preceded by two other games, Batman: Arkham Asylum and Batman: Arkham City. While playing the trilogy in order is recommended, it's not strictly necessary, as each has a self-contained arc.
The combat system is one of the best parts of the game. Fighting criminals feels completely satisfying as you use everything in Batman’s arsenal to take down enemies, including punches, counters, and cool gadgets. You also have Batman’s stealth, which lets you sneak around and take down enemies in exciting ways. Gotham City itself is also incredible. You can glide across the city or use the Batmobile, which adds high-speed chases and explosive combat. It’s a fast and fun way to navigate the city and adds to the thrill of being Batman.
9
Fight Against Dead Island 2's Infected And Undead Inhabitants
Slay Zombies In This Humorous Take On A Zombie Apocalypse
Dead Island 2 is a thrilling survival horror game set in a zombie-infested California. Players explore different areas, from the streets of Los Angeles to the beaches, while fighting off waves of zombies. The combat system is fun and brutal, with guns and melee weapons that allow for creative exploration of ways to use them. There's over-the-top gore and lots of dark humor that adds a playful touch to the otherwise intense action.
The story of Dead Island 2 follows a group of survivors, each with their own skills, trying to survive the chaos of a zombie outbreak. The plot isn't groundbreaking, but it's interesting enough to keep players engaged as they work on uncovering the truth behind the outbreak. There are side missions and plenty of opportunities for upgrades and exploration, too, further keeping players hooked and engaged.
8
Play As Androids In Detroit: Become Human
See The World Through Three Different Pairs Of Android Eyes
Detroit: Become Human is a game for those who like narrative-driven stories and choices that matter. Set in a futuristic Detroit, the game follows three androids as they struggle with their awakening and search for freedom. The story is packed with emotional depth as players face tough decisions that affect the fate of the characters and the world around them. It’s a deep dive into the future of artificial intelligence and the moral questions that come with it. Every choice leads to different outcomes, making the game feel personal and impactful.
The visuals are stunning, with realistic character models and detailed environments. If you aren’t already drawn into the story, the voice acting and facial animations are the cherry on top, as they make the characters feel incredibly real and add emotional intensity. Detroit: Become Human is a must-try for anyone seeking an engaging and unforgettable story.
7
Explore And Survive In The Long Dark's Frozen Wasteland
Survive A Brutual Canadian Wilderness After A Plane Crash
The Long Dark is a survival game, but its realism sets it apart from other games in the same genre. While games like Minecraftare focused on building and crafting to survive, The Long Dark takes a more grounded approach. Players take on the role of a lone survivor. They must survive in a harsh and realistic environment set in the Canadian wilderness after a geomagnetic storm crashes their plane.
If you have a penchant for scrounging for resources just to survive, then it's necessary to check out the best survival games that are out right now.
Unlike other survival games, there are no traditional enemies. The threat comes from cold, hunger, exhaustion, and wildlife. Every decision counts, whether finding shelter, hunting for food, or managing limited resources. The fact that these very real threats loom around every corner creates an intense experience. The game is all about being strategic. Getting lost or wandering too far from shelter can quickly lead to death. For those more into narratives, The Long Dark also offers a five-episode story mode. The story mode allows players to unravel the mystery behind what caused the disaster.
6
Survive The Apocalypse In The Last Of Us Part 1
Play As Joel And Do Your Best To Protect Ellie
The Last Of Us Part 1 is another narrative-driven game, following dual protagonists Joel and Ellie through a world overcome by a fungal outbreak. The Cordyceps virus causes the infected to become zombie-like creatures that attack anything in their path. Players control Joel and must navigate through the dangerous environment and face off against infected creatures and hostile humans, all while trying to keep Ellie safe.
The Last of Us Part 1 is a from-the-ground-up remake of the 2013 original, built with the current-gen PS5 in mind, but is it worth purchasing?
The story is emotional and explores survival, loss, and friendship. There’s combat that combines both stealth and action, exploration, and scavenging for resources. Like in any survival game, managing resources to survive is necessary. The storytelling in The Last Of Us Part 1 is one that will stay with players long after they’ve finished the game, and leads directly into the equally compelling The Last of Us Part 2.
5
Jump Between 2D And 3D Worlds In The Plucky Squire
Solve Puzzles, Take Off With A Jetpack, And Fight Enemies
The Plucky Squire is a relatively new game, and one of the newest on the list. Still, it has a deserving spot, with its charming art style, creative gameplay, and engaging story. The Plucky Squire blends 2D and 3D elements as players take control of a plucky knight named Jot. Jot’s mission is to save the world – the only issue is that Jot is tossed out of his book and into the real world, where he must navigate unfamiliar territory.
Throughout his and the player’s adventures, he can shift between the 2D pages of his storybook and the 3D world outside. It’s a truly fun and unique experience. The colorful and whimsical art style is full of life and the hand-drawn characters and environments make it feel as though you’re actually in the storybook. You’ll get to explore fun landscapes, cute villages, and dangerously cute dungeons, all while solving puzzles and platforming challenges. The story itself doesn’t have too much depth to it and keeps things rather lighthearted,which is good for those who prefer cozy and comfy vibes over intense drama.
4
Explore The Nine Realms In God Of War Ragnarök
Explore The Realms With Kratos And Atreus
For fans of the God of War series who want to continue the story of Kratos and Atreus, then God of War Ragnarök is an obvious choice in the PS Plus Extra catalog. Even if you haven’t played any God of War games before but are interested in Norse mythology, this game is still a great pick for the story alone.
The game continues after 2018's God of War, with the father-son duo facing off against gods, monsters, and forces of fate as they navigate the end of the world. The game has intense combat, emotional storytelling, and stunning graphics — everything God of War is known for. Each of the Nine Realms players explore in Ragnarök offer unique designs and secrets. There are also plenty of quests and challenges to keep players engaged.
The story dives deep into Kratos’ struggle to protect his son and their developing relationship. You’ll experience difficult choices and face various consequences of the duo's actions. The game strikes a perfect balance between epic battles and moments of quiet introspection,allowing players time to appreciate the story's emotional weight.
3
Hunt And Tame Monsters In Monster Hunter Rise
Explore Various Maps And Worlds And Use Weapons To Defeat Monsters
Monster Hunter Rise is a good choice for people who enjoy action-packed combat, exploration, teamwork, and hunting monsters. There’s no need to have experienced prior Monster Hunter games to dive in and enjoy Rise — the game is accessible and easy to jump into. As a hunter, players will challenge and take down incredible monsters in an open world ripe with opportunities for exploration.
The combat system is a significant selling point in the Monster Hunter series, with many weapons and skills available to master. Monster Hunter Rise also features multiplayer for up to four players to take on bigger monsters together. There are more than 70 monsters to hunt, so there’s plenty of variety. Plus, lots of customization when it comes to weapons and armor. Each hunt, whether solo or in a group, will be unique.
2
Go On A Huge Adventure In Sackboy: A Big Adventure
Take On Challenging Puzzles In An Entertaining Platformer
Sackboy: A Big Adventure is a great family-friendly platformer perfect for those looking for a lighthearted adventure. If you’re familiar with the LittleBigPlanet series, this one might look familiar as it’s a spin-off, with Sackboy as the main character in both titles. The biggest change between the two is that Sackboy: A Big Adventure is more 3D platforming, whereas LittleBigPlanet focuses more on creating and sharing levels.
Sackboy: A Big Adventure follows the titular character as he embarks on a new mission to save his friends and the world. In typical platformer fashion, there’s a ton of jumping, running, and puzzle-solving fun. Sackboy: A Big Adventure is meant to be enjoyed by all ages, so it’s the perfect game for family game nights. It also has a local co-op mode that supports up to four players, so no one has to wait their turn. While the gameplay is lighthearted and kid-friendly, adults can enjoy playing the game solo as well. It certainly offers a nice break from the action-packed and intense battles of other games on this list.
1
Enjoy The Epic Third-Person Shooter That Is Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart
Explore Planets With The Charming Duo Ratchet & Clank
The characters of Ratchet & Clank go all the way back to 2002 when their first game was released. Despite its long history, Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart is accessible to both seasoned and new players alike, welcoming them with its easy-to-understand gameplay mechanics and engaging story. Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart is a must-play for anyone looking for action-packed and third-person shooting adventures.
Rift Apart features humor, vibrant graphics, and a captivating story that keeps players hooked. The game focuses on the story of Ratchet and Clank, a Lombax and his robot companion, who are fighting to save the multiverse. Players get to jump between dimensions, engage in fast-paced action and combat, and solve creative puzzles. Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart is truly one of the best action platformers available on PS Plus Extra. And since it’s a PlayStation exclusive, it’s an essential title for PlayStation owners to experience on PS5.
PlayStation Plus Extra has something for everyone, and these 10 games are the perfect place to start looking for the games you want to test the waters with. While these certainly aren't the only games that the PS Plus Extra gaming catalog has, they are some of the best,with amazing stories and engaging gameplay that will keep you hooked for hours. Plus, at $14.99 for a month's access, you're truly getting a steal to test out all these games that you would otherwise have to pay full cost for.
Custom image by Katarina Cimbaljevic
English (US) ·