Like the rising sun, 2025 has arrived far too early, far too bright and far too cheerful for its own damn good. And with it comes our first batch of PS Plus Essential games. Lets see what we’re getting.
From January 7th you can claim the following games for no extra cost provided you have an active PlayStation Plus Essential or higher subscription. As always, even if you don’t intend on playing them, add them to your library anyway so that you’ll have them in case you ever change your mind.
Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League – PS5
While it was a financial disaster for Warner Bros. and failed to light the world on fire, I actually think it’s worth playing. Sure, it isn’t great, but the character interactions are a lot of fun, the story is decent and the acting is great. Was it worth full-price? Hell no. But for the low, low cost of absolutely nothing? Go for it.
Just remember, the live-service aspect of the game is about to die. An offline mode has been patched in, though.
Here’s the blurb: “Take down The Justice League yourself in single-player or team up with friends in multiplayer co-op in this genre-defying, action-adventure third-person shooter from Rocksteady Studios, creators of the critically acclaimed Batman: Arkham series. Featuring an original narrative set within an expansive open-world city of Metropolis, the game puts the four DC Super-Villains on a collision course with an invading alien force and DC Super Heroes who are now laser-focused on destroying the city they once vowed to protect. All the while, the Suicide Squad must be mindful of the lethal explosives implanted in their heads that could go off at the first sign of defiance. Each squad member has their own unique moveset with enhanced traversal abilities to freely explore the dynamic open-world of Metropolis, along with a variety of weapons to customize, and skills to master. “
The Stanley Parable: Ultra Deluxe – PS4, PS5
is also up for grabs. This unique narrative-driven game is thought-provoking and hilarious. As the titular Stanley, you find yourself exploring a seemingly endless labyrinth of corridors and rooms, accompanied by a narrator who describes your every move.
“The Stanley Parable: Ultra Deluxe is an expanded re-imagining of the critically acclaimed, award winning indie game The Stanley Parable from 2013. Everything that was in the original Stanley Parable is here, preserved just like it was back in 2013. But The Stanley Parable: Ultra Deluxe also dramatically expands the world of the original game with new content, new choices, and new secrets to uncover. The labyrinth has just gotten bigger. In addition, the game has been visually upgraded to reflect modern technology while faithfully preserving the tone of the original game. Accessibility features have also been added to the game, including localization of in-world text, colorblind options, and content warnings. And just as before, the impeccable voicework of Kevan Brighting will accompany you every step of the way.”
Need for Speed Hot Pursuit Remastered – PS4
“Feel the thrill of the chase and the rush of escape in Need for Speed Hot Pursuit. Unleash a savage sense of speed both as an outlaw and a cop in the world’s hottest high-performance cars. Outsmart the heat or take down lawbreakers with the tactical weaponry at your disposal in a heart-pumping, socially competitive racing experience. Updated with enhanced visuals, cross-platform multiplayer – including the asynchronous competition powered by Autolog – plus all additional DLC content, this is the ultimate edition of Criterion Games’ critically acclaimed Need for Speed debut. It’s time to reignite the pursuit.”