January 2025: Must-Play PlayStation Plus Games

This article discusses the PlayStation Plus subscription service and highlights some of its best games, focusing on titles leaving the service in January 2025 and new additions.

The PlayStation Plus service, launched in June 2022, offers three tiers: Essential, Extra, and Premium. Essential provides online access, monthly free games, and discounts. Extra adds hundreds of PS4 and PS5 games to the Essential benefits. Premium includes all of the above, plus classic games (PS1, PS2, PSP, PS3), game trials, and cloud streaming (in select regions).

The article emphasizes that the vast game library in Premium can be overwhelming to navigate. Therefore, the article focuses on noteworthy titles, especially those being removed and newly added. The rankings consider both game quality and their PS Plus availability date, prioritizing newer additions and Essential games.

Key Departures from PS Plus Extra & Premium in January 2025 (Removal Date: January 21st):

The article highlights two significant games leaving the service:

• Resident Evil 2 (2019 Remake): Praised as one of the best in the franchise, this survival horror game features two campaigns following Leon and Claire's struggle to survive a Raccoon City outbreak. The article suggests completing at least one campaign before its removal.

• Dragon Ball FighterZ: Developed by Arc System Works, this fighting game is lauded for its accessible yet deep combat system. While excellent, the article notes that its single-player content might become repetitive after a short time, making it less appealing for a limited-time playthrough.

New Addition: January 2025 PS Plus Essential

• The Stanley Parable: Ultra Deluxe: This game is highlighted as a January 2025 PS Plus Essential title, available from January 7th to February 3rd.

The article concludes by suggesting that while the January 2025 lineup is somewhat divisive, the removal of key titles like Resident Evil 2 is significant. The article's primary purpose is to inform subscribers about noteworthy games, both new and departing, to aid in their decision-making regarding the service.