Get these PS4 games before Sony’s PlayStation Plus collection ends

One of the biggest benefits of Sony’s PlayStation Plus subscription comes to an end on May 9th. Until then, PlayStation 5 owners who sign up can claim 18 free PS4 games, some of which are true classics that you should play. I’m talking about bloodborne, God of War, and more. And you can keep playing them as long as you stay subscribed. We will share some favorites.

Sony debuted the PlayStation Plus Collection, as it’s called, during the PS5’s unveiling in 2020, so gamers could have the best of PS4 to play on launch day and buck Microsoft’s popular Game Pass subscription, which Xbox gamers enjoy Access to hundreds of offers games. Since then Sony’s PlayStation Plus subscription has added game trials, access to full games and free monthly titles to its multi-tier service. But Sony’s efforts to add value primarily reward those willing to pay at least $14.99 a month or more. So don’t forget to claim these games cheap while you can.

Should you forget, figuring out how to get them without paying more than you should is a bit of a hassle. For example, 15 of the 18 games will still be available if you have Sony’s $14.99 per month “Extra” tier of PlayStation Plus. The “Premium” tier of $17.99 per month is the only way to get access 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 regardless.

Image: FromSoftware/Sony Interactive Entertainment

Few studios have a portfolio as consistently great as FromSoftware’s, and for my money no FromSoftware game is as great as bloodborne. His fight is as crisp as it is smooth; its Victorian gothic world is filled with Lovecraftian horrors and creatures that would make Dracula weep; Covering everything from the dangers of knowledge to the dangers of organized religion, his story is equal parts subtle and powerful. There’s more character in there bloodborne‘s Opening Village than most developers’ entire catalogue, 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 its own.

Image: SHE Santa Monica Studio/Sony Interactive Entertainment

I harp a lot God of War Ragnarok. I think it’s bloated, messy and overworked. But no problem; I can go back and play its vastly superior predecessor whenever I want.

God of War was Santa Monica Studio’s Answer to Several Charged Questions: How Do We Humanize Kratos? How can we revive a character action series littered with “early beginnings”? And how do we integrate this legacy without glossing over it? God of War skillfully balances all that weight. It’s not perfect – for as good a “dad game” as it is, it really gets mums dirty – but it’s hilarious fun as you travel through fantastical realms and beautiful landscapes, battling mythical foes in close quarters and witnessing the blossoming of a 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 its own.

Image: Capcom via Polygon

Despite all of Resident Evil’s many twists, turns, peaks and troughs, Resident Evil 7 Biohazard perhaps the most important game of the series. It didn’t just breathe new life into a franchise that’s been steadily declining in quality since 2005 Resident Evil 4 (aside from the occasional bright spot) it also set off one of Resident Evil’s most consistently great eras.

However, it is more than just “important”. It’s damn fun too. Its mix of environmental puzzles, suspenseful first-person combat, and Metroidvania-esque exploration on the estate of a deranged swamp family kept me hooked throughout the game, though I probably had to change my pants after Jack or Marguerite or Lucas scared the fuck off several times. Resident Evil Village Expanded this new version of the revered series by increasing the action to 11 in a foreboding European castle – but 7 remains the better game because it balances its action with horror, survival, and 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 its own.

Credit: Sucker Punch Productions/Sony Interactive Entertainment

Before Spirit of TsushimaDeveloper Sucker Punch Productions made a name for itself in the PS3 era for its fun, Spider-Man-esque Infamous Franchise. Notorious: Second Son, the third main entry in the series, was released early in the PS4 l ifecycle, but its 60fps frame rate, lush particle effects, and smooth animation have aged well. Like the other infamous

Play as a relatively average guy (voiced by Troy Baker) who happens to be able to fly, zap, and level up other elemental powers in a huge skill tree. Ultimately, the game turns into a power fantasy, and you get to decide whether to choose good or evil, just like in previous titles. It’s a pleasure to play and watch, even if some of its distinctive features – notably the repetitive quest types – haven’t fared as well over time. —Cameron Faulkner

Notorious: Second Son is currently available in Sony’s PS Plus games catalog for Extra and Premium subscribers or for $19.99 on its own.

Image: Insomniac Games/Sony Interactive Entertainment

Instead of making a new film to be released alongside Sony’s Ratchet & Clank animation feature in 2016, Insomniac was tasked with giving the original game a beautiful makeover for PS4, and they pulled it off always successful. If you want to play through Ratchet & Clank From the start, there’s no better place to start than with the 2016 re-release, which is simply titled Ratchet & Clank.

If you’ve played the newer one Ratchet & Clank: Rift apart For PS5, it might come as a pleasant surprise that the debut title is packed with well-executed ideas from the get-go, including character-swap puzzles, genuinely funny writing, and a notoriously goofy arsenal of weapons. Also, the PS4 game has received a PS5 update to enable 60fps gameplay. —CF

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

Image: Supermassive Games/Sony Interactive Entertainment

For some reason, Sony’s PlayStation has always been the go-to choice for innovative games with groundbreaking graphics and where you can choose your own destiny. One of the best out there is Until dawna survival horror game by Supermassive Games.

It’s a must-read, not only because it’s literally unavailable on other consoles, but also because it’s a goofy, gory take on the cliched “teenagers in a cabin in the woods” premise that manages to wring some legitimate horror out of it to squeeze. But that doesn’t mean the game is perfect. It has some pacing issues, and its fast-paced events will inevitably frustrate you when a character you like is dropped. But its all-star cast of Peter Stormare, Rami Malek and Hayden Panettiere doesn’t hurt. Despite being 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 its own.