PlayStation Plus has seen a lot of changes this year, especially with the launch of the new tiered system: Essential (monthly free games + online access), Extra (PS4 + PS5 games), and Premium (PS1-PS3 games + other benefits). Many were understandably worried about how the insistence and push of the higher tiers would impact the quality of the PS Plus monthly free games, but the thing is, it hasn't yet. That doesn't mean Sony wouldn't ever de-emphasize Essential in favor of Extra and Premium, but for now, it's clear PS Plus' free games/Essential tier has had an amazing year.
Picking 10 out of PS Plus' free monthly offerings is difficult, but if the Extra and Premium libraries were counted in, as all were added this year, then picking 20 or even 30 among 800+ games is impossible. What's clear is that, as a whole, PS Plus offered both quality and quantity this year across all of its tiers. In order of their release month on the service, here are the 10 best PS Plus free games given away this year.
Persona 5 Strikers (January)
Kicking off the year with a Persona franchise representative on PS Plus sends a message, one that truly set the tone for the rest of the year. It was joined by other solid games, Dirt 5 and Deep Rock Galactic. It was a solid start to the year with an amazing headliner, and the months that followed definitely lived up to the PS Plus free games for January 2022.
Ghostrunner (March)
Ghostrunner is an action game from 505 Games' catalog, arguably one of the best among its published games. Too many slept on Ghostrunner at its October 2020 launch, so bringing it to PS Plus was definitely a wise move that got more eyes on this game. Ghostrunner reviews highly praised its fast-paced experience, violent combat, sci-fi/post-apocalyptic setting, and far more. It's worth checking out, even if someone has let it sit in their PS Plus backlog so far this year.
Slay the Spire (April)
Just like Ghostrunner, highlighting Slay the Spire on PS Plus is a wise move, as too many have slept on this beloved game. From developer MegaCrit, Slay the Spire is a roguelike deckbuilding game, but one that even those who don't typically enjoy deckbuilding games should check out. Roguelikes have become increasingly popular, and Slay the Spire played a huge role in that, especially when it comes to roguelike deckbuilding games specifically. Players must ascend through the Spire, via procedurally generated levels, enemies, bosses, and more, with players needing to construct a deck that can see them complete the climb. It's an addictive gameplay loop and a satisfying addition to PS Plus this year.
God of War (June)
God of War was joined by two lackluster games on PS Plus this year, but its pedigree was more than enough to make it a solid month. While many have already likely played God of War and moved on, this offering was special because of God of War Ragnarok's following release. It was a good time, over the summer, to step back into the shoes of Kratos before he and Atreus embarked on another journey.
Crash Bandicoot 4: It's About Time (July)
Crash 4 received excellent reviews at launch in 2020, making its turnaround and release on PS Plus midway through 2022 a surprising, but well-received, addition. Crash Bandicoot 4 is really a return to form for the franchise, one with a new "Team" game on the horizon: Crash Team Rumble releasing in 2023. Obviously, PS Plus had nothing to do with that or its return-to-form factor, but instead, it's worth noting how Crash has found his way back to prominence after a quite few years.
Yakuza: Like a Dragon (August)
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Shifting the franchise's focus from Kazuma Kiryu to newcomer Ichiban Kasuga was a risky choice for Yakuza: Like a Dragon, but it absolutely paid off as the game received praise for its narrative, characters, its new twists in gameplay, and more. As a whole, the franchise seems as popular as ever, and getting some representation on PS Plus (including basically the entire Yakuza/Like a Dragon franchise on PS Plus Extra) has gone a long way for it. More games are on the horizon for newcomers or veterans, such as 2023's Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name and Like a Dragon: Ishin, as well as 2024's Like a Dragon 8.
Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1 + 2 (August)
The initial announcement of Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1+2 sent fans into a frenzy, as recent years have had a serious drought in the skateboarding simulation genre. It's improved over the last year with new games, but nothing to Tony Hawk's level and Skate 4 is easily years away. Given how exciting the initial announcement of the game was, its release on PS Plus managed to match that hype for those who have yet to try the game. There is a lot of work required to revitalize this genre, but to represent Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1+2 on PS Plus is a huge step in that direction for fans.
Injustice 2 (October)
While PS Plus could have better embraced Halloween in October, it's hard to ignore Injustice 2 as one of the best PS Plus games of the year. This fighting game from prolific developer NetherRealm Studios and Ed Boon sees players use DC characters from across the universe, complete with an interesting story, easy-to-learn but difficult-to-master combat, and a fun roster of heroes. It's the pinnacle of what fans expect from fighting games.
Nioh 2 (November)
Many games sought to replicate the popular FromSoftware Souls game formula, which created an entire genre itself called the Soulslike, but many games fail to execute all of its elements properly. Some do manage to strike out and give the formula their own touch, such as Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order and Nioh 2. The latter's addition to PS Plus is great for those looking for a fun challenge with an awesome art style befitting its 1500s Japan setting. It is mostly a prequel to the first game, where players take on the role of a half-yokai and must battle many malevolent creatures throughout the game. Complete with the need to purify Soul Cores, a solid co-op system, and more, it wears its Soulslike elements on its sleeves but manages to give those sleeves a unique pattern.
Mass Effect: Legendary Edition (December)
PS Plus has a reputation for ending the year on a weak note, as last year its headlining game was Godfall: Challenger Edition (which excluded content like the campaign), but that does not apply this year. The PS Plus free games for December 2022 include Mass Effect: Legendary Edition, Divine Knockout, and Biomutant. Of course, the former is three, beloved games, a complete trilogy where Shepard stops the Reaper's attack on The Milky Way. It is supported by a platformer-fighting game that is gaining popularity and a once-maligned game deserving of a second chance, but this collection of three games more than speaks for itself. Mass Effect: Legendary Edition is a great endcap for PS Plus this year, and it sets a high bar for 2023.
PS Plus subscribers get a handful of free games every month.