Get these essential PS4 games before Sony’s PlayStation Plus Collection goes away

By James On Apr 15, 2023

One of the biggest benefits of Sony’s PlayStation Plus subscription expires on May 9. Until then, PlayStation 5 owners who subscribe can claim 18 free PS4 games, some of which are bona fide classics you should play. I’m talking Bloodborne, God of war, and more. And you can keep playing them as long as you stay subscribed. We are going to share some favorites.

Sony debuted the PlayStation Plus Collection, as it’s called, during the 2020 reveal of the PS5, so gamers would have the best of PS4 to play on launch day, and to bite back against the popular Game Pass subscription from Sony. Microsoft giving Xbox players access to hundreds of games. Since then from Sony PlayStation Plus subscription has added game trials, access to full games, and free monthly titles to its multi-tiered service. But Sony’s efforts to add value to date have mostly rewarded those willing to pay a minimum of $14.99 per month or more. So don’t forget to claim these games as cheaply as possible.

If you forget, it’s a bit of a mess trying to figure out how to get them without paying more than you should. For example, 15 of the 18 games will remain available if you have Sony’s $14.99 per month “Extra” tier of PlayStation Plus. The $17.99 per month “Premium” tier is the only way to access it The last of us Remastered without buying it as a standalone game. Mortal Kombat X, Ratchet & Clank (2016), and Monster Hunter: World must be purchased separately anyway.

Image: FromSoftware/Sony Interactive Entertainment

Few studios’ portfolios are as consistently good as FromSoftware’s, and for my money no FromSoftware game is as great as Bloodborne. The combat is as crisp as it is smooth; the Victorian Gothic world is full of Lovecraftian horrors and creatures that would make Dracula cry; the story, which deals with everything from the danger of knowledge to the dangers of organized religion, is both subtle and powerful. It has more character Bloodborne‘s opening village than in most developers’ entire catalog, and somehow I enjoy it more every time I come back. It’s the best game on PlayStation 4, and truly one of the best games I’ve ever played. —Mike Mahardy

Bloodborne is currently available in Sony’s PS Plus games catalog for Extra and Premium subscribers, or $19.99 on it’s own.

Kratos and Atreus stare out over the Nordic landscape, after scattering Faye's ashes, in God of War (2018)

I harp a lot God of War Ragnarok. I find it bloated, cluttered and overwrought. But it does not matter; I can go back and play its vastly superior predecessor whenever I want.

God of war used to be Santa Monica Studio’s answer to some loaded questions: How do we make Kratos more human? How can we revive a character action sequence where “early things” are written all over the place? And how do we integrate that legacy without obscuring it? God of war skillfully balances all this weight. It’s not perfect – as good as it is for a ‘father’s game’, it really does get moms dirty – but it’s a hell of a lot of fun, as you travel through fantastical realms and beautiful landscapes, battle mythical foes in tight over-the-shoulder combat and witness the blossoming relationship between Kratos and his son Atreus. —MM

God of war is available in Sony’s PS Plus games catalog for Extra and Premium subscribers, and for $19.99 on it’s own.

Ethan Winters fires his gun at a cast enemy as it tries to eat it in Resident Evil 7: Biohazard

Despite all of Resident Evil’s many twists, turns, peaks and valleys, Resident Evil 7 Biohazard arguably the most important game in the series. It didn’t just breathe new life into a franchise that had been steadily declining in quality since 2005 Resident Evil 4 (except for the occasional bright spot), it also led to one of the most consistently great eras in Resident Evil.

However, it is more than just ‘important’. It’s also damn fun. The mix of environmental puzzles, thrilling first-person combat, and Metroidvania-esque exploration of a deranged swamp family’s estate kept me hooked throughout the playthrough, even though I probably had to change my pants after Jack or Marguerite or Lucas pissed me off several times. about. Resident Evil village expanded on this new take on the revered series by turning the action to 11 in an ominous European castle – but 7 remains the better game for how it balances its action with horror, survival and pitch-perfect pacing. —MM

Resident Evil 7 Biohazard is available in Sony’s PS Plus games catalog for Extra and Premium subscribers, and for $19.99 on it’s own.

For Ghost of Tsushimadeveloper Sucker Punch Productions made a name for itself in the PS3 era for its fun, Spider-Man-esque infamous franchise. Unknown second son, the third main entry in the series, was released early in the PS4’s lifecycle, but its 60fps frame rate, luscious particle effects and smooth animations have aged nicely. Like the other infamous games, you play as a relatively average dude (voiced by Troy Baker) who happens to be able to fly, zap, and level up other elemental powers in a massive skill tree. In the end, the game turns into a fantasy of power and, as in previous titles, you can decide whether to side with good or evil. It’s a joy to play and watch, even if some of its trappings – particularly the repetitive quest types – haven’t fared as well over time. —Cameron Faulkner

Unknown second son is currently available in Sony’s PS Plus games catalog for Extra and Premium subscribers, or for $19.99 on it’s own.

Ratchet looks to the sky in a screenshot from Ratchet & Clank for PS4

Instead of making a new movie to release along with Sony’s Ratchet & Clank animated feature in 2016, Insomniac was tasked with giving the original game a beautiful finish for the PS4, and did it ever to succeed. If you want to continue playing Ratchet & Clank from the get-go, there’s no better place to start than with the 2016 re-release simply titled Ratchet & Clank.

If you played the newer ones Ratchet & Clank: Rift apart for PS5, it might come as a pleasant surprise that the debut title is packed with well-executed ideas right from the start, including character-swapping puzzles, genuinely funny writing, and a notoriously wacky arsenal of weapons. In addition, the PS4 game received a PS5 update to allow gameplay at 60fps. —CF

Unfortunately, only the older PS3 version of Ratchet & Clank and the many sequels are currently available with the PS Plus Premium tier. The 2016 version is available on its own for $19.99.

For some reason, Sony’s PlayStation has always been the go-to console for innovative, pick-your-own-destiny games with groundbreaking graphics. One of the best out there Until dawna survival horror game from Supermassive Games.

It’s a must-play, not only because it’s literally unavailable on other consoles, but also because it’s a silly, gory take on the clichéd “teens in a cabin in the woods” premise that manages to throw some legit to unleash terror. However, that doesn’t mean the game is perfect. It has some pacing issues and the fast paced events are sure to frustrate you when a character you like gets dropped. But the all-star cast of Peter Stormare, Rami Malek, and Hayden Panettiere doesn’t hurt. Although it was released almost 8 years ago, it looks great on the PS5 when connected to a 4K TV. —CF

Until dawn is currently available in Sony’s PS Plus games catalog for Extra and Premium subscribers, and for $19.99 on it’s own.