In 2022, Sony reshapedPlayStation Plus, combining the original subscription with PS Now. Ever since then, PS5 and PS4 owners have been able to commit to three subscription tiers: Essential, Extra, and Premium. While the former is required for most multiplayer experiences and provides a few free giveaways per month, the latter two feature game libraries that number in the hundreds.PS Plus Extracontains PS5 and PS4 games, while Premium adds classic PS3, PS2, PS1, and PSP titles to the mix, along with some PS4 remasters.
As the PS5 has been out for some years, that console’s games tend to hog the spotlight when it comes to PS Plus; however, the service has a massive selection of PS4 titles, most of which hold up well. Due to the PS5’s backward compatibility, owners of that system can also play thebest PS4 PS Plus games, granting them access to hundreds of projects from the last decade. While most of these titles are not as exciting as new PS5 releases or nostalgic PS1 classics, they are generally good quality.
Updated July 26, 2025:A few big PS4 games have been added to PS Plus in recent weeks, including a title that is only available during June 2024.
If a game’s PS5 version is also on PS Plus, its PS4 iteration will not be considered. Thebest PS5 games on PS Plus Premium and Extra can be found here.
For those who prefer physical copies, links to the games' Amazon pages are included, permitting they exist.
June 2024 PS Plus Essential
Beat ‘em upsare both timeless and an acquired taste. The genre’s glory days were the ’90s, with most arcades being packed to the brim with staples that are still fondly remembered to this day. Out of all those IPs,Streets of Rageis arguably the most iconic, with the original three entries holding up as gaming greats irrespective of genre. Consequently,Streets of Rage 4had big shoes to fill, especially since it debuted during a time when beat ‘em ups were not particularly mainstream. Fortunately, it is amazing. Regardless of whether someone grew up in arcades or is taking their first steps into this world, they should check out thisPS Plus PS4 gamewhile it is part of the Essential tier.
The sequel adheres very closely to tradition, delivering a tough campaign that blends accessible controls with surprising depth through its combos, character variety, weapons, and enemies (including consistently fantastic bosses).SOE4’s combat is delightful, with each attack landing with a satisfying thud and every move holding importance. New players might wish to spend some time in the training mode before jumping into the story, although the game has quite a few difficulty levels to cater to most experience levels.
Rockstar’sRed Dead Redemption 2might just be the best open-world PS4 game; in fact, an argument could be made that it is the best PS4 game period. While most interested parties have probably played through this Western already, people who have been on the fence about diving into this long and emotional journey can finally do so without risking anything, except for a bit of time and bandwidth.
Even after all these years,RDR2’s visuals, storytelling, attention to detail, and side quests are still top-notch. Set during the dying days of the Wild West,the campaign follows Arthur Morgan, a member of the Van der Linde gang who is very much part of an obsolete generation. Touching upon themes of regret, change, guilt, and sacrifice,RDR2tells a heavy but moving tale while deeply immersing players in a unique historical era.
Crafted by Arc System Works,FighterZis a deep fighting game that does a fantastic job of bringing to life the source material’s over-the-top battles. Arc’s own properties have a reputation for being overwhelmingly complex, butDragon Ball FighterZis far more accessible thanGuilty GearorBlazBlue.
A long-time coming,Kingdom Hearts 3finally debuted in 2019, garnering a generally positive reception. While not perfect, the action RPG delivers highly enjoyable fast-paced hack and slash combat and gorgeous visuals that bring to life a few of Disney and Pixar’s recent movies. The story has pacing issues, but it does end on a high note.
SeveralWolfensteingames are part of PS Plus and they nearly all rank among the service’s best first-person shooters. In the grand scheme of things,The New Colossussticks very close toThe New Order’s blueprint; however, it opts to go down the “more is more route”, a decision that pays off spectacularly.
MachineGames’ reboot series offers corny but largely entertaining stories with awesome villains, tightly designed levels that allow for some player agency, and satisfying gunplay that comes with a side of stealth. None of these elements are particularly unique, butThe New Colossusexecutes them to near perfection. The campaign is simply a fun and over-the-top romp that contains nothing resembling a dull moment. Forget the FPS genre,Wolfenstein 2is simply among thebest PS Plus PS4 games.
PS Plus Extra only has a couple of simulation games, and they cover quite a wide range of subgenres.Two Point Hospitalis, at the bare minimum, a top contender for the service’s best sim, and the title is a good pick for both beginners and veterans. While business sims have earned a reputation for being unapproachable and dense, quite a few modern projects have sought to ease the barrier of entry for casual players, and Two Point Studios’ efforts rank among the most successful in this area.Two Point Hospitalalso runs well on PS4, which is hardly a given for a genre known for its micromanagement and data-heavy gameplay.
Inspired byTheme Hospital,Two Point Hospitalis surprisingly funny and lighthearted, rarely taking itself too seriously. However, this mentality does not stretch to the gameplay itself, which offers players plenty of options and decisions. The game throws out quite a few sites and scenarios as players will have to build different hospitals to suit a location’s needs. If someone prefers a more free-flowing approach, they can also try sandbox mode.
Due to utilizing gorgeous cel-shaded visuals, the original version of this game still looks fantastic, and the same can (obviously) be said for the remaster. More importantly,Vesperiatells a gripping story that features a fantastic all-around roster of characters, including perhaps the franchise’s best protagonist. While not quite as complex as some other entries in the series, the JRPG’s real-time battle system is generally fun and deep enough to remain interesting during the 30-hour campaign. Like the story, the combat starts fairly simple, but it gradually blossoms into a multi-layered and satisfying system.Vesperiaalso supports co-op, and that is the best way to experience this brilliantPS4 PS Plus game.
Media Molecule’sDreamsis unlike any otherPS4 game on PS Plus Extra. Designed as an entry-level video game creator, the 2020 release gives users all the necessary tools to produce experiences of their own, a goal very few developers have tried to deliver for the console market.Dreamsis fairly limited compared to other applications of this type, but it works brilliantly as a way to ease children or fledgling developers into the industry. Even if someone has no intention of pursuing a career in this field, they might still enjoy messing around with the project’s features.
Dreamsalso allows players to surf experiences created by other users, along with a few games designed by Media Molecule. Most of these options are short novelties rather than fully fleshed-out titles, but they are still impressive considering they were conceived specifically using the PS4.
As Aloy, players traverse a post-apocalyptic world overrun with robotic dinosaurs and featuring pockets of humanity who are less than welcoming to the protagonist.Horizon Zero Dawnis a gorgeousopen-world game, a technical masterpiece that pushes the PS4 to its limits and seldom falters in the process.
The combat is exceptional, particularly when it involves Aloy taking on metallic behemoths that could rival quite a few towering beasts from theMonster Hunterfranchise. The story takes a while to pick up steam, but once it gets going,Horizon Zero Dawndoesn’t let up.
Dragon Quest 11brought the series back to home consoles in the West after a long hiatus, and the wait was worth it. At its heart, this is a traditional turn-based JRPG, and that extends to both the gameplay and story. The latter is a straightforward but charming “good vs. evil” narrative, one that is elevated by a decent roster of characters.
The combat system should not hold too many surprises for anyone familiar with the franchise or JRPGs from the ’90s and 2000s, and that is not a criticism.DQ11wisely opts to stick to the formula that has proven successful for over three decades, all the while modernizing just enough elements to not come across as dated. The “S” version is the definitive way to experience this game, and it even comes with a 16-bit mode.
