Bloody Hell, PS Plus is Doing the Old 'Now You See It, Now You Don't' Magic Trick This December, But Don't Fret, Cowboys Are Riding In!
AI Gaming News Author · Game Rant ·
PS Plus Extra and Premium tiers are waving goodbye to nine games this December, including *Forspoken* and *GTA 3 - The Definitive Edition*, but fear not, gamers, as *Grand Theft Auto 5* returns, and the upgraded *Red Dead Redemption* rides onto the service, promising a much brighter horizon.
Right, so you know that feeling when you're meticulously crafting a powerful enchantment, and suddenly half your reagents just vanish into thin air? Yeah, well, PS Plus Extra and Premium subscribers are about to get a taste of that particular brand of digital wizardry. It seems Sony's preparing for a bit of a digital spring clean in December, and a handful of games are being unceremoniously whisked away from the service's catalogue.
Now, before you go chucking your controller across the room – or worse, sacrificing your favourite plushie to the gaming gods – let's unpack exactly what's vanishing into the ether. We're talking nine titles here, mate, and some of them are pretty notable. *Forspoken*, for instance – remember all the fuss around that one, the 'isekai' vibes and the quippy protagonist? Well, it's packing its bags. Then there's *Battlefield 2042*, which has certainly had a journey, let's just say, from a somewhat rocky launch to finding its footing. But the one that might sting a bit for some is *Grand Theft Auto 3 - The Definitive Edition*. While the 'Definitive' part raised an eyebrow or fifty for many upon its release, it's still a chunk of gaming history departing the service.
Alongside these, we've got *Sonic Frontiers* zipping off, proving that even the fastest hedgehog can't outrun the subscription service's clock. *Surviving Mars* is deciding it's had enough of the red planet's catalogue, and then there are a couple of interesting VR experiences joining the exodus: *Star Trek: Bridge Crew* and *Star Wars: Tales from the Galaxy's Edge*. And speaking of VR, a few keen-eyed gamers (the clever sods!) have pointed out that this isn't the first time PlayStation has purged VR titles without a corresponding influx. Makes you wonder about their long-term spell-casting strategy for the virtual realm, eh? Are they prepping for something new, or just tidying up a corner they haven't quite figured out yet?
Rounding out the list are *Firefighting Simulator: The Squad* and *Arcade Paradise VR*. So, if you've been meaning to jump into any of these, consider this your digital hourglass warning: time's ticking faster than a speed-run attempt after too much caffeine.
For the uninitiated, or those who, like me, sometimes struggle to keep track of multiple reality streams, PlayStation Plus underwent a bit of an overhaul back in 2022. It split into three distinct tiers: Essential, Extra, and Premium. Essential is your basic bread-and-butter, giving you online multiplayer and a couple of 'free' monthly games to keep (as long as your sub's active, naturally). Extra and Premium are where the real flux happens, with access to a sprawling game catalogue that rotates like a magical carousel on a diet. It's brilliant for trying out heaps of titles without dropping full retail price, but it does mean games can, and do, disappear without a moment's notice.
Now, before we descend into a gloomy vortex of digital loss, here's where the plot thickens – and gets considerably more exciting, if you ask me. Because while Sony might be waving goodbye to some games, they're also doing the classic 'give with one hand, take with the other' routine, but this time, the 'give' hand is holding some absolute gold. Fair dinkum, November 18th is looking like a bloody huge day for PS Plus subscribers.
Get this: *Grand Theft Auto 5*, Rockstar's absolute juggernaut, is making a triumphant return to the service. That's right, one of the best-selling games of all time, back in the catalogue for you to cause all sorts of digital chaos in Los Santos. If you somehow managed to miss out on that particular flavour of mayhem, now's your chance, mate. And it's not alone! We're also seeing *Pacific Drive*, *Still Wakes the Deep*, and *MotoGP 25* roll in, offering a nice mix of genre goodness, from spooky horror to high-octane racing. Premium subscribers, you get a little extra treat too: *Tomb Raider: Anniversary* – a lovely slice of classic Lara Croft action for those who appreciate a bit of gaming nostalgia.
But hold onto your hats, because the real showstopper, the digital equivalent of a meteor shower of epic proportions, is landing on December 2nd. Rockstar Games, bless their cotton socks, confirmed last week that *Red Dead Redemption* is galloping onto PS Plus Extra. And this isn't just any old port, oh no. We're talking the newly announced, *upgraded version*! That means 60 FPS, improved graphics, HDR support, and glorious 4K resolution on PlayStation 5 (and Xbox Series X/S, if you dabble in other dimensions). Seriously, if you've ever dreamt of riding across the wild west looking absolutely stunning, lassoing bandits, and exploring vast plains, your prayers have been answered. This is a genuinely exciting bit of news, a true silver lining to any 'lost games' cloud.
It's a classic tale, isn't it? The push and pull of subscription services. One moment you're drowning in choice, the next, a few beloved titles are gone. It's the inherent chaos of the digital library, a bit like a wizard's bookshelf where some tomes spontaneously combust and new, more powerful grimoires appear in their place. It keeps us on our toes, forcing us to try new things or finally get around to those games we've been putting off. From a player perspective, it's a constant balancing act. Do you rush to finish *Forspoken* before it's gone? Or do you embrace the new, knowing that a whole world of outlaw adventures awaits with *Red Dead Redemption*? My advice? Enjoy the ride, mate. These services are designed to give you options, and while losing access can feel a bit like losing a favourite spell, the trade-off, in this instance, feels pretty darn good.
This news, originally observed and reported by Kyle Knight over at Game Rant, gives us a fascinating glimpse into the ever-shifting landscape of gaming subscriptions. You can check out his original thoughts and insights on Game Rant.
So there you have it. A bit of 'poof, it's gone' magic, followed by a 'holy cow, look what's here!' revelation. December on PS Plus Extra and Premium looks like it'll be a proper roller coaster. Are you planning to dive into any of the departing titles, or are you already polishing your spurs for *Red Dead Redemption*? Let us know your thoughts, because this digital wizard is always curious to hear what spells you're cooking up.
Tags: PlayStation Plus, Gaming Subscriptions, Red Dead Redemption, GTA 5, Game Removals
Original article: Game Rant