Everything You Need To Know About PS Plus

Sony’s

PlayStation Plus

has been around for more than a decade, however, the service received a full makeover in June 2022. Prior to this change, PS Plus granted subscribers access to online multiplayer, free monthly games, and a few other benefits like unique discounts on the PS Store. During this period, players could also subscribe to PlayStation Now to gain access to a library of PS4, PS3, and some PS2 games.

In 2022, Sony opted to combine these two services into a new version of PS Plus. Utilizing a tier system, this model has hundreds of games from across PlayStation’s history, multiple price points, and a slew of other features. With the service now well established, a PS5 or PS4 owner might want a full breakdown of what they can expect if they decide to

subscribe to PS Plus

.

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 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.

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

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.

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 Free Games For October 2023

After a divisive September 2023, PS Plus Essential opted to largely follow suit for the next month, although October’s selection is overall an improvement.

The Callisto Protocol

is the month’s standout giveaway, even though it is not the most highly-rated game. Striking Distance sought to capture the magic of

Dead Space

, an endeavor that was always going to be difficult despite contributions by Glen Schofield, the EA series’ creator.

The Callisto Protocol

is far from perfect, and it can be a frustrating experience. However, the game is still an impressive addition to the sci-fi horror genre. As a standalone purchase, the 2022 release can be a hard sell; however, it is an easy recommendation as a

PS Plus Essential free game

.

WolfEye’s action RPG did not make a massive splash upon its release in 2022, although it garnered a generally positive reception.

Weird West

is an isometric shooter that features five playable characters, with each one starring in their own chapters during the campaign. The story is consistently great, and it works well as a tribute to old-school spaghetti westerns.

Weird West

is fairly ambitious as the game tries to tackle a few different genres at the same time. Not everything comes together seamlessly, but it is overall a positive experience.

An acquired taste of a franchise that has, nevertheless, proven popular enough to spawn yearly editions,

Farming Simulator 22

is arguably the license’s peak. The game delivers exactly what it advertises in its title: a deep but relaxing sim. If somebody’s exposure to farming sims starts and ends with

Stardew Valley

, they might get a kick out of

Farming Simulator 22

.

All three games will be available on PS Plus Essential until November 6, 2023.

• 
  
  Current as of October 20, 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)

Every PS3 Game On PS Plus Premium

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

As October is the month of family-friendly Halloween frights, PS Plus has highlighted a couple of horror games. The month’s selection is not solely defined by scary projects, but they certainly feature more than usual.

Alien: Isolation

is arguably the pick of the bunch, particularly for sci-fi fans who love the classic movie. This lengthy horror game admirably retains the chilling tension of the source material.

Outlast 2

is another great option, and it features an impressive plethora of antagonists that are inherently terrifying.

PS Plus October 2023

has more to offer than just horror.

Disco Elysium

is a fantastic dialogue-based RPG revolving around a murder mystery. Divisive as it is,

Gotham Knights

is a reasonable pick for a subscription service since there are likely people who have wanted to try the open-world DC game but could not justify dropping cash specifically on it. The same could be said for

Gungrave GORE

.

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 October 2023, Sony’s platform lost a few notable titles, including some games that have not been on PS Plus for that long.

Inside

and

Limbo

both exited the service. Ubisoft’s

Far Cry 4

and

5

also said goodbye, which means the only numbered entry remaining on PS Plus is

Far Cry 3

. Somewhat surprisingly,

The Quarry

and

The Medium

have both been removed from the service right before Halloween, hampering the service’s horror selection. Three

Yakuza

games also left the Premium tier.

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)