Microsoft is being aggressive with Xbox Game Pass, a subscription service that gives Xbox console owners instant access to over 100 games. While Sony doesn't really have an Xbox Game Pass equivalent, it has introduced a new PlayStation Plus program with the PS5 that greatly increases the value of the service.
Along with the typical benefits of being a PS Plus subscriber, the PlayStation Plus Collection lets fans download some of the biggest and best games ever released for the PS4. This includes many high-quality PS4 exclusives and even some of the more significant third-party releases. And while the PlayStation Plus Collection is off to a great start, there are quite a few games that could make it even better.
At this point, it's unclear if Sony plans on cycling games in and out of the PlayStation Plus Collection like Microsoft does with Game Pass, or if it's just going to add games to the service and never take them away. Whatever the case may be, here are 10 games that would make great additions to the PlayStation Plus Collection on PS5.
Death Stranding
Following Hideo Kojima's messy split from Konami, Sony reached out to the legendary game designer to help fund a brand new project called Death Stranding. The bizarre Death Stranding earned mixed reviews at the time of its release, with not everyone completely sold on its unique gameplay mechanics, though Kojima believes that the game is the start of a brand new genre. While Death Stranding may be an acquired taste, it is undeniably one of the more significant games that ever released for the PS4. And if a Death Stranding sequel is in the works as rumored, the original being added to the PlayStation Plus Collection would help fans catch up on the story.
Final Fantasy 7 Remake
One of 2020's biggest games was Final Fantasy 7 Remake from Square Enix. A timed-PS4 exclusive, Final Fantasy 7 Remake earned rave reviews when it launched earlier this year, with critics heaping praise on the game for its visuals, action-packed combat system, and how it expertly expands on the original Final Fantasy 7 story. Final Fantasy 7 is closely tied to PlayStation's identity, with Final Fantasy 7 standing out as one of the most critically-acclaimed games on the PS1, and being the first Final Fantasy released for a non-Nintendo platform. Final Fantasy 15 is currently available through the PlayStation Plus Collection, so Square Enix is clearly open to the idea of its games being on the service. Perhaps Final Fantasy 7 Remake will be added when we're closer to Final Fantasy 7 Remake Part 2's release date.
Ghost of Tsushima
Another big 2020 game for the PlayStation brand was Sucker Punch's Ghost of Tsushima. A brand new IP, Ghost of Tsushima is a gorgeous open world samurai action game that has quickly become one of the PS4's most-celebrated exclusives. Sucker Punch has continued to support Ghost of Tsushima since launch with the addition of a co-op mode, and by bringing it to the PlayStation Plus Collection, Sony could ensure that the game's online community stays active. Ghost of Tsushima being such a new release is likely the main reason why the game isn't part of the PlayStation Plus Collection on PS5 right out of the gate, but maybe that will change in the months ahead.
Gran Turismo Sport
Gran Turismo 7 on PS5 is set to launch at some point in 2021, but racing fans may need something to tide them over between now and then. One way to do that would be by adding Gran Turismo Sport to the PlayStation Plus Collection. Like with Ghost of Tsushima's co-op mode, Gran Turismo Sport being added to the PlayStation Plus Collection would help the game's online multiplayer stay active for longer, plus new content is still being released for it to this day. Sony and developer Polyphony Digital may be able to get more mileage out of Gran Turismo Sport's new content if the game was made available on the PS5.
Gravity Rush 2
Gravity Rush 2 director Keiichiro Toyama is rumored to be working on a Silent Hill PS5 exclusive game, but prior to that, he worked on the Gravity Rush games. Gravity Rush 2 was praised by critics at the time of its release for taking what made the original popular and increasing the scale dramatically. Gravity Rush 2 expanded on the original game's gravity-bending gameplay mechanics, allowing for unique exploration and combat situations not found in many other games. And to sweeten the pot further, maybe Gravity Rush Remastered could make its way to the PlayStation Plus Collection at some point down the line as well.
Horizon Zero Dawn
One of the most glaring omissions from the PS5 PlayStation Plus Collection lineup is Horizon Zero Dawn. After all, the PS Collection features PS4 exclusives that released more recently than Horizon Zero Dawn, which originally launched all the way back in 2017. Maybe Horizon Zero Dawn's absence can be explained by Sony not wanting to potentially hurt the sales of the PC port, but whatever the case may be, it seems like an inevitability that Horizon Zero Dawn will join the service at some point down the line. Perhaps fans can hope to see Horizon Zero Dawn come to the PS Plus Collection lineup shortly before Horizon Forbidden West launches in 2021.
Journey
While Journey has since made its way to other platforms, the game was once PlayStation-exclusive, and one of the most critically-acclaimed games on the PS3. An enhanced port of Journey was released on the PlayStation 4 that upped the visuals and performance, making it the definitive way to experience the game. One of Journey's most unique features is how it implements "co-op," and the further we get away from the release date, the less likely players will be able to experience that aspect of the game. Adding Journey to the PlayStation Plus Collection lineup could give its co-op a shot in the arm and help a new generation of gamers see what it's all about.
Shadow of the Colossus
Bluepoint Games is the studio behind what is arguably the PlayStation 5's crown jewel at launch, the highly-rated Demon's Souls remake. Bluepoint has made a name for itself as one of the best studios when it comes to remastering and remaking games, having done so in the past with a number of other PlayStation titles. One of Bluepoint's most-celebrated works is the Shadow of the Colossus remake, breathing new life into the PS2 classic by dramatically improving the visuals. Shadow of the Colossus has been given away as a free PS Plus game in the past, but for those that missed out on the opportunity, it would be nice to see it added to the PS Plus Collection on PS5 as well.
The Last of Us 2
Out of the gate, the PlayStation Plus Collection on PS5 includes The Last of Us: Remastered, Ellie and Joel's original groundbreaking adventure. For the sake of being able to experience the complete Last of Us story, hopefully The Last of Us 2 makes its way to the PlayStation Plus Collection on PS5 at some point down the road. Like Ghost of Tsushima, its exclusion is most likely due to the game being such a new release, but it would be a great new addition eventually.
Uncharted: The Nathan Drake Collection
PlayStation Plus subscribers on PS5 can play Uncharted 4: A Thief's End right now, but they can't access Nathan Drake's previous adventures through the PS Plus Collection right now. Sony gave away Uncharted: The Nathan Drake Collection for free to help keep people entertained during the COVID-19 pandemic, but like with Shadow of the Colossus, adding the game to the PS Plus Collection would be great for those that missed out on the opportunity. Uncharted: The Nathan Drake Collection features the original three Uncharted games, widely considered some of the best PS3 games ever made, and so it would significantly up the value of a PlayStation Plus subscription for PS5 users.