The 20 best games on PS Plus Extra and Premium right now

1. Assassin’s Creed Valhalla

Who doesn’t want to play as a Viking? In Assassin’s Creed Valhalla, you can! Get together with your merry band of drengr in your very own settlement Ravensthorpe, as you and your crew besiege England. As Eivor, a Dane, you explore the Anglo-Saxon Kingdom and lay waste to your enemies as you try to conquer the different kingdoms for your liege.

Just like previous Assassin’s Creed games, Valhalla features a brutal and engaging combat system, with a wide variety of weapons to choose from. When you’re not fighting Saxons, there’s plenty of fun to be had playing Orlog, a dice game and drinking gallons of ale in drinking contests. There is so much to do and see in Valhalla, that you can easily play for a hundred hours and still not see the credits.

It’s a fantastic game to pick up and play in casual settings, or to sink your teeth in and lose yourself in. A great addition to the PlayStation Plus Extra and Premium library!

2. Control: Ultimate Edition

Have you ever encountered something unexplainable and weird? Chances are that it was caused by an Object of Power, or that you experienced an Altered World Event. In Control, paranormal events like these are studied by the FBC - a secret organisation housed in a building that is constantly shapeshifting.

If that sounds like the perfect amount of “wtf” to you, then Control is your game. You play as Jesse Faden, who tracks down the FBC to confront their boss, only to find them dead by suicide and a note saying that you are their new boss. Things go from freaky to freakier, as bodies start to float and people are being terrorized by creepy mumbling entities called the Hiss.

Jesse has a few telepathic abilities of herself, so prepare to cause mayhem with your devastating kinetic powers as you get to the bottom of the mysteries. Control is frantic, mind-blowing, fun and as crazy as it is beautiful. It’s not a horror game, but it can get creepy. Nonetheless, it’s a game that everyone should play. And with it being included in PS Plus Extra and Premium, you don’t have any excuses not to!

3. Detroit: Become Human

Making choices in real life is already hard as it is, but in Detroit: Become Human, they are literally life-changing. That is, if you believe that androids have lifes.

That’s the question at the heart of this game, in which you follow three androids as they start to fight for themselves and their rights. Take Kara, a droid designed to help around the house, but decides to run off with a small child as she flees from her abusive owner. As you follow the stories of Kara, Connor and Marcus, you will be confronted with difficult decisions, some of which could even lead to the death of the main characters.

Detroit: Become Human looks absolutely stunning for a PS4 game, with photorealistic graphics and film-like cutscenes. There’s hardly any gameplay to speak of, as you just move the characters about and press buttons to interact with the environment and make choices. This makes Detroit a great substitute for a movie night. It’s especially great with friends, as you can bicker about what options you should pick.

4. Ghost of Tsushima: Director’s Cut

Think of Assassin’s Creed, but with samurai. That’s basically Ghost of Tsushima, and there is absolutely nothing wrong with that. In fact, it’s a dream come true for lots of players. And developer Sucker Punch (known for the inFAMOUS series) delivered in spades.

You play as samurai Jin, who sees the island of Tsushima besieged by the Mongols and his fellow clansmen obliterated. It’s up to you to defend the island from further invasion by the Mongols, something that can only be achieved if Jin casts aside his code of honor and becomes a killer from the shadows. A ghost, if you will.

In Ghost of Tsushima, every sword fight is exhilarating, and button smashing won’t get you anywhere. You have to carefully study your opponent and counter them with the right strike from your sword. That alone makes Ghost of Tsushima such a bliss to play. Also, the beautiful environments and its heartwrenching storytelling make this game an absolute masterpiece. Don’t sleep on this gem if you haven’t played it yet!

5. Returnal

This one is exclusive to PlayStation 5 and with good reason. In Returnal, you need lightning fast reflexes and steady hands to come out of the cursed planet Atropos alive.

Enter Selene, who is trapped in a time loop. Everytime she dies, she wakes up again in her crashed spaceship, with no hopes of escaping - not even by death. You clear rooms by gunning down aliens as you try to navigate to the end of the maze. But every time you reset, the layout of the world changes again. As you get deeper and deeper into the mystery, Selene even starts to see things from her past. Why is her house on Atropos? And why do you keep finding audio logs of yourself that you can’t remember recording?

Returnal is mind bending, super atmospheric and features some of the most fluid and satisfying combat gameplay ever found in a game. It utilises the DualSense controller features in creative ways, and the seamless loading times are a godsend. Returnal is considered a very tough game, so it’s not for everyone. But with it being included in PS Plus Extra and Premium, you might as well give it some of your time. Just be careful you don’t get stuck in a loop!

6. Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy

I’m hooked on a feeling, I’m high on believing! Got the song in your head? Good. Now that we’ve set the mood for this game, we can move onto why you absolutely need to play Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy.

If you’re already in love with this merry band of space misfits from the Disney movies or the comic books, this game is an easy sell. While the characters don’t look the part of their MCU versions, the witty and hilarious banter between the Guardians is as authentic as it can get. Rarely have we laughed out loud from a game as much as we did while playing this game.

Guardians of the Galaxy is refreshing because it’s not an open world game. The story is quite straightforward, but that’s exactly why it works so well. The planets you visit are beautifully crafted, the story finds all the right beats to evoke all kinds of emotions, and the combat system is simple but effective. If you’re experiencing open world fatigue and are looking for a fun and tight adventure, you can’t go wrong with Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy.

7. Shadow of the Colossus

If you haven’t played Shadow of the Colossus yet, you’re in for an absolute treat. This classic originally came out on the PS2 and conquered so many hearts that Sony not only remastered it for PS3, but even made a remake for PS4. That remake is the version you can play via PS Plus Extra and PS Plus Premium now.

The premise is very simple. You climb giant colossi and kill them. There are seven in total, and every colossus needs to be approached in a different way. Some of them roam the lands, some fly, and some swim. Shadow of the Colossus is unique in how it makes you approach these epic battles like a puzzle. You only have your sword and your bow, so you need wits to take out these giants.

Saying anything more would spoil the experience, so we’ll just let you discover the rest on your own. Though it could be seen as a little bit dated by now, we hope you’ll be able to appreciate what made this game so universally loved back when it was first released.

8. Horizon Zero Dawn: Complete Edition

We can’t imagine anything more bad-ass than giant robot dinosaurs, so it comes as no surprise that Horizon Zero Dawn was a massive success when it first released on PS4.

Aloy, the red-haired and hot-headed protagonist of Horizon Zero Dawn has quickly become one of PlayStation’s favourite mascots, and with good reason. You can’t help but fall in love with Aloy as you explore post-apocalyptic North-America and hunt (and ride) robot dino’s, all while uncovering an intriguing mystery. Why did the Earth become uninhabitable? Where did all these robots come from, and why are they hostile? It’s just a few of the many questions that Aloy sets out to answer.

The gameplay is your typical open world fanfare. There’s crafting, lots of collectibles to find and side quests to complete, so nothing new on the Horizon for all you action-adventure veterans (sorry). It’s the way all these elements are weaved together in the nature-versus-technology setting that makes Horizon Zero Dawn truly unique, and why it deserves a spot on this list.

9. Red Dead Redemption 2

How could we not include one of the best games ever made on this list? Red Dead Redemption II might be a bit of an acquired taste, but if a cowboy adventure is your rodeo, then this game is like a dream come true.

There’s something uniquely relaxing about Red Dead Redemption II, even though the stakes can get quite high and the shootouts will have your heart throbbing. This game really gives you time to soak in its western setting, and brings attention to the smallest of details. There aren’t many games in which shaving, getting haircuts and scrubbing your left leg in a bath are part of the gameplay, but Red Dead Redemption II has it all.

We can safely say that the story is one of the greatest stories ever told in a video game (and if you don’t cry at the end, are you even human?), but you can easily get sidetracked by all the excellent content in the game too. Just strolling through the forest with your horse, making camp and hunting wild animals can make for a fulfilling afternoon gaming session.

10. Until Dawn

Ever screamed at the television while watching a horror movie, because the characters did something incredibly dumb? Then this game will cure you from all that frustration.

In Until Dawn, you control a bunch of teenagers who decide to stay at a lodge in the middle of nowhere, for what they thought was going to be a fun getaway. Of course, nothing is as it seems and before they know it, they find themselves completely cut off from the outside world, being hunted by a murderous entity.

It’s up to you to make sure they survive until dawn by guiding the characters through life threatening situations and making important decisions for them. Will you try to hold your breath as you hide from the murderer, or is it better to make a run for it? All the choices you make ultimately decide which characters get to live, and which ones will face a horrible death.

It’s the perfect game to play with a group, passing on the controller as the perspective switches to different characters. Just make sure you lock the door and frequently check what’s behind you…

11. The Last Guardian

From the same creators as Shadow of the Colossus, comes this tear jerking epic about a boy and his cat-bird-like creature.

The Last Guardian is an action-adventure game in which you bond with a creature called Trico by exploring the environment and solving puzzles. Trico is big, quite clumsy and has experienced trauma, so your job is to open gates, remove obstacles and keep Trico safe. As your bond deepens, Trico becomes more confident and even starts listening to certain commands.

The gameplay and story is mostly focused on collaborating with Trico, and just like a dog or cat, Trico can sometimes be stubborn and refuse to do what you want him to. This can be endearing or annoying, depending on how forgiving you are. It’s a lovely game to play if you enjoy the company of pets and like to be emotionally destroyed by bittersweet Pixar movies.

The Last Guardian is certainly not perfect, but it is so unique and tells such a beautiful story, we can’t help but put it on this list.

12. Days Gone

If you’re tired of zombie games, then why not shake things up with some motorcycle action in Days Gone?

This open world epic tells the story of Deacon St. John, a drifting bounty hunter with a bike and a big heart. Zombies, known as freakers in this particular setting, have ravaged the world and sent the remnants of humanity to live in small survivor camps. As it turns out, motorcycles are a perfect mode of transportation in a zombie apocalypse, because pretty much every survivor has one in Days Gone. Including you, of course.

The lengthy story campaign takes Deacon and his friend Boozer all across Oregon, while you clear out freaker nests, join forces with other settlements, and try to find the love of your life, Sarah, who was presumed to be killed during the freaker outbreak.

Days Gone combines typical open world gameplay and objectives with adrenaline pumping zombie action. The hordes you can encounter during your journey are truly terrifying (“they move in herds!”) and will have the tires of your bike screeching as they chase you to the end of the world. Better upgrade that bike of yours while you’re at it!

The game was met with some criticism at its release due to frequent bugs and general open world game fatigue, but the bugs have mostly been fixed. If you’re looking for a meaty action-adventure game, you’re in for a hell of a ride with Days Gone.

13. DOOM

It’s hard to headbang and shoot demons at the same time, but we recommend you give it a try in DOOM. Mick Gordon is back with another banger of a soundtrack, and we can confirm that it slays.

“Rip and tear”. That’s the motto of DOOM, and honestly we can’t find a more accurate description. The old-school game has been brought back from the dead and it’s more metal than ever. As the Doomslayer, you move through various levels while killing all kinds of demons in the most sick ways possible. Speed is everything in this game, and stringing up multiple kills in a row while switching between from one devastating weapon to another, is truly satisfying.

DOOM is the perfect comeback of this loved franchise, as it encapsulates everything that made the original games such classics, but gives it a much needed modern makeover. And if you loved this one, don’t miss the sequel DOOM Eternal for even more demon slaying action.

14. Abzû

Need to calm down after that headbanging in DOOM? Take a dive in Abzû, a super chill underwater game where you hang out with fishes and gasp at the abundance of colourful reefs.

Abzû has hardly a story or deep gameplay mechanics, which makes it a perfect game to simply relax and leave the hustle of real life behind you. Using simple controls, you explore the underwater world and uncover mysterious objects left behind by an ancient civilization, while enjoying the company of underwater sea life.

If you’ve ever played Journey, Abzû is basically its aquatic counterpart, both in visual style and how it incorporates the environment in its gameplay. In Journey you glide across the desert, in Abzû you ride the current or even ride some of the bigger fish.

Definitely give Abzû a try (especially if you enjoyed Journey), and prepare to be submerged in a truly zen experience!

15. Vampyr

There’s something about vampires that just gets our blood pumping. Jokes aside, Vampyr takes a very interesting approach to the genre and it’s why we’re putting it on this list, even though the game certainly has its faults.

Vampyr was made by the developers of the adventure game Life is Strange, and the DNA shows. You step into the shoes of Jonathan Reed, a doctor who was made into a vampire against his will. Jonathan also works at a hospital, which, to put it mildly, clashes with his moonlighting job as a bloodsucker. As Jonathan, you have to build relationships, study your patients, collect clues and then make a heart wrenching decision. Which innocent person will die from your fangs tonight?

The game heavily plays with your moral compass as you effectively decide who is less deserving of death than the other. If you’re truly twisted, you can cure a patient before feasting on them, which gives you more experience points. Play your cards right, and you might actually beat the game without killing any innocents, unlocking one of the four possible ending scenarios.

Vampyr has its quirks, but it’s a fascinating RPG with lots of interesting combat mechanics as well. Definitely give it a try, if you’re not afraid of a little blood.

16. 11-11: Memories Retold

To shake things up a little, we’re adding this often overlooked gem to the list. 11-11: Memories Retold is by no means perfect, but definitely worth your attention if you’re into short and intriguing indie games.

The game is set during World War I, and stars two characters from both fronts: Canadian photographer Harry (played by Elijah Wood) and German combat engineer Kurt. Both join the war effort for personal reasons, not knowing what awaits them.

Where 11-11 deviates from most educational war games, is how it tells a tragic story without being lecturing, and how it playfully incorporates animals into the story. A pigeon and a cat are recurring characters in the game (sometimes even playable!), and represent hope and the futility of war.

You switch perspectives between Harry and Kurt until the two characters meet on the battlefield and the story goes into higher gear. The game boasts a beautiful, impressionist art style never seen before, which more than once manages to take our breath away.

As it’s such a short game (you can beat it in about seven hours), we don’t want to give anything else away. Please enjoy it at your own pace!

17. Bloodborne

Bloodborne is seen by many as the greatest PS4 game ever created, but it’s certainly not for everybody.

In this Gothic action RPG you take on countless decrepit creatures that are more than eager to take your life. Bloodborne is one of the namesakes of the ‘soulsborn’ genre, which is used to describe merciless games that have you dying over and over until you’ve finally cracked the combat system to conquer your foe, only to repeat this process with the next boss.

Bloodborne is a game that requires skill and patience, as dying will put you back at the last resting spot you saved at, reviving every enemy and putting them back to full health. But while the difficulty can be punishing, the satisfaction you get from finally beating that boss you were stuck on for so many days can more than make up for any frustration.

It’s a delicate balance that Bloodborne has down to a tee, showing a true masterclass of gameplay design. As such a highly regarded title, you would be crazy not to give Bloodborne a try. If it clicks, you might never find a game as satisfying as Bloodborne ever again. Whether you count that as a blessing or a curse, is up to you!

18. Outer Wilds

This game is for the truly adventurous types who want to tickle their brains. Outer Wilds (not to be confused with The Outer Worlds, a completely different game by Obsidian) is a game that you beat not with skill, but with knowledge. And no, it’s not a trivia game!

In Outer Wilds you’re free to explore the solar system in your little spacecraft, being bound by nothing but a simple time loop. Every twenty minutes, the solar system blows up and you wake up again twenty minutes earlier. Your mission is to use those twenty minutes to explore planets, uncover information and find out how you can stop this infinite time loop.

The world resets every twenty minutes, but your mind does not. Piecing together clues you’ve found, you’ll uncover what the trick is to entering certain planets, how black holes can be used to your advantage, and what sequence is needed to trigger events.

The biggest downside to Outer Wilds is that, once you’ve learned how to beat the game, you can never replay it. For that reason Outer Wilds is a truly one-of-a-kind experience, and the ending is subliminally executed. It might not look amazing, but Outer Wilds is a masterclass in game design and truly mind blowing.

It might take a little practice to get your spaceship moving the way you want it, and the game can be confusing at the start. But stick to it, try not to rely on guides too much, and you’ll find a wonderful experience in Outer Wilds.

19. Death Stranding: Director’s Cut

Game director Hideo Kojima has delivered yet another bizarre but genius experience with Death Stranding. A game that can be described as a post-apocalyptic package delivery simulator, starring only some of Hollywood’s most desired actors and actresses (and producers).

The gameplay involves picking up and delivering packages to underground bunkers spread out all over North-America, which you also try to connect to a new nifty version of the internet. Meanwhile, the surface has become inhabitable because rainfall now drastically ages anything it touches, there are ghosts roaming the Earth that you can only see through the baby strapped to your chest through an artificial umbilical cord, and a World War II soldier is chasing you in a parallel timeline. Are you still with us?

Even though all of that sounds absolutely crazy, the gameplay of Death Stranding is oddly relaxing. Loading up your truck or bike with cargo and then driving through the barren land, while a tune from Low Roar plays as you reach the edge of a mountain and look out over the beautiful landscape, is certainly an experience.

To fully describe all the memorable aspects of Death Stranding would be like writing a book, so instead we encourage you to just experience it for yourself. You might end up hating it, or you might find it life changing. Either way, just seeing Mads Mikkelsen, Norman Reedus, Margaret Qualley, Guillermo del Toro and all the other amazing performances from the star-studded cast is reason enough to give this game a try.

20. Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End

How could we not include the poster boy of PlayStation in this list?

The Uncharted games have come a long way and developer Naughty Dog truly outdid themselves with Uncharted 4. Nathan Drake’s saga comes to an end (or does it?) in this epic adventure that just keeps going and going, while the stakes have never been higher.

Nathan tries to leave his tomb raiding, treasure hunting past behind him, but when he discovers that his brother is still alive, he can no longer shake off the thrill of adventure. From puzzles, to exploring, to shoot-outs, to the emotional beats - everything is driven to the max in Uncharted 4.

Whether you’re in it for the action, for the story or for the beautiful portrayal of places such as Panama, Borneo and Tibet - Uncharted 4 has something for everybody. Don’t miss out on it, and don’t forget to also check out Uncharted: The Lost Legacy, which is also included in PS Plus Extra and Premium!

Ready for PlayStation Plus Extra and Premium?

These are some of our favourite games included in PlayStation Plus Extra and PlayStation Plus Premium, but obviously there are many more titles that we wish we could include. The PS4 and PS5 library is absolutely loaded with amazing games, and being able to have so many titles at your fingertips with a PS Plus Extra or Premium subscription is reason enough to upgrade. So, what are you waiting for?

Go get your PlayStation Plus Extra or Premium subscription!

If you’re looking to upgrade your PS Plus subscription to Extra or Premium, make sure you use our PlayStation Store gift cards to instantly top up your wallet balance. We have a handy converter for you to see exactly how much credit you need to upgrade. And as official Sony partners, you'll receive a 100% official code.

Want to know what’s included with each PlayStation Plus tier? You can find all the information on our dedicated PlayStation Plus page. And if you have any more questions, our customer service is available every day of the week. We hope you enjoy all the games we listed, and be sure to check out our blog for more gaming news and recommendations.

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