PlayStation Plus: Top Games Leaving & Arriving in January 2025

Sony's PlayStation Plus service, launched in June 2022, offers three tiers: Essential, Extra, and Premium. This tiered system combines the previous PS Plus with PS Now, providing varying levels of access to online features, games, and classic titles.

• PlayStation Plus Essential ($9.99/month): Offers online multiplayer access, monthly free games, and discounts.
• PlayStation Plus Extra ($14.99/month): Includes Essential benefits plus access to a vast library of PS4 and PS5 games.
• PlayStation Plus Premium ($17.99/month): Combines Essential and Extra benefits with a library of classic PlayStation games (PS1, PS2, PSP, PS3), game trials, and cloud streaming (region-dependent).

The Premium tier boasts a massive catalog of over 700 games spanning PlayStation's history. This extensive selection can be challenging to navigate, making it helpful to highlight key titles before subscribing. Sony regularly adds new games, a mix of current-gen and classic titles.

This updated list (January 5th, 2025) considers both game quality and their PS Plus availability date, prioritizing newer additions and Essential titles.

Notable Departures from PS Plus Extra & Premium (January 21st, 2025)

Several significant games are leaving the Extra and Premium tiers in January 2025. Among the most notable losses:

• Resident Evil 2 (2019 Remake): A critically acclaimed remake of the PS1 classic, widely considered one of the best in the series. This survival horror title offers two campaigns, focusing on inventory management, puzzle-solving, and a compelling narrative. While completing both campaigns might be challenging before its removal, a single playthrough is achievable.
• Dragon Ball FighterZ: A standout fighting game from Arc System Works, known for its accessible yet deep combat system. While the online component is a significant draw, the single-player arcs, though enjoyable, can become repetitive.

New Arrivals (January 7th - February 3rd, 2025)

The Stanley Parable: Ultra Deluxe is a noteworthy addition to the January 2025 PS Plus Essential lineup.