![PS Plus Essential January 2025](https://images.pushsquare.com/37fee87ff1c19/ps-plus-essential-january-2025.900x.jpg)
Sony has today confirmed the next set of PS Plus Essential games members can look forward to for February 2025. Set to arrive on Tuesday, 4th February 2025, the PS5, PS4 titles on offer are:
- PAYDAY 3 (PS5) | Review
- High on Life (PS5, PS4)
- Pac-Man World Re-Pac (PS5, PS4) | Review
It's up for debate what the actual headline PS5, PS4 game is here, but Sony has run with PAYDAY 3 first. A pretty bang-average co-op shooter, we awarded a 5/10 score in our PS5 review. "Payday 3 has its enjoyable moments, bringing its well-known cooperative heists into a new game engine. However its lack of content, outdated gunplay, underwhelming AI, and unfinished cutscenes leave a lot to be desired. If you're a series fan looking for a substantial step-up in this sequel then this isn’t it."
Pac-Man World Re-Pac, meanwhile, remakes Pac-Man World from 1999 for PS5 and PS4. "While it doesn’t quite outclass some of its contemporaries like Crash Bandicoot Warped and Super Mario 64, Pac-Man World isn’t one to miss if you’re looking for another solid 3D platforming adventure. Depending on how you view the new difficulty balances (or if you just really love Ms. Pac-Man) this is undoubtedly the best way to experience the PS1 classic." That conclusion was tied to a 7/10 rating in our Pac-Man World Re-Pac PS5 review.
In an important update to the PS Plus service, Sony has confirmed that from January 2026 onwards, it won't be focusing on PS4 games anymore, as all the attention goes on PS5. A PS4 version of PS Plus games may be included here and there, but it shouldn't be expected in 12 months.
How do you feel about next month's lineup? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
Comments 105
I'll check out High on Life, not bothered about the other 2 but Payday 3 will do well with the multiplayer.
Terrible list is it me are the games getting worse each month I mean high on life is ok but the rest are god awful
Potentially the worst ever.
I've wanted Pac-Man World Re-Pac for a while. Will play!
Nothing for me this month already have high in life and the pacman game, both great games. I have no interest in payday 3 so here's hoping extra and premium will be good
Oh wow, usually I’m one to try to be optimistic on these, but that’s a rough month.
@get2sammyb it's actually alot of fun. I would have went for the platinum but I suck at the original arcade game
@Dan12836666 They can't be good every month.
I already have High on Life, no interest in PayDay 3, but PacMan is actually a pretty nice addition.
Never heard of high on life so would need to know more about it.
Very happy with the other 2 offerings though
@somnambulance agreed...
I'll try High on Life and probably try Payday 3, since it's included in the sub, but I've heard Payday 3 is pretty bad. Not really any interest in Pac-Man.
Not mad about it because I played a game each of the last three months, but this month looks like a skip for me.
@Americansamurai1
I was in the exact same position every trophy but the original pac man trophy. Not sure why Pac man is getting so much hate its a very nice remaster
Payday 3 is a completely dead game because they ruined it with MTX but Payday 2 is great and has a dedicated player base so just play that if you're interested
Nice, I’ve been wanting to try both high on life and pac man world
@bindiana yeah I really enjoyed it.
2 games I’ve been wanting to play so best month in a while for me.
Typical. None for me thanks. PASS.
Yikes Pay Day 3 really? Pay Day 2 is fantastic but 3 has been a whole lot of drama between the community and the devs. They pretty much took the earnings from PD3 then funneled it all into a new game while dropping a lot of support for PD3. Even now it feels very unfinished. I don't want to call it dead (because they patched in solo with bots) but most of the player base left and went back to PD2. It's not absolutely terrible but if you've played PD2 then PD3 will almost feel like an insult (don't get me started on the drones too lol)
Damn and I thought last month was bad. This is terrible. You would think they would have some better quality games after raising the cost of the service, but it's gotten worse.
I just bought Pacman lol. Not that I mind, I'd rather "own" it but yea what timing. I was craving some more 3d platforming and I remembered how much I loved the 2nd game so I might as well try out the remake of the 1st one. Looking forward to it
Ah if I had a dollar for all of the “worst month ever” comments on these. People love hyperboles on these don’t they. No one remember the month we had Saints Row a while back?
Pac-Man world is a decent enough platformer. I hear PayDay 3 isn’t very good though. Not sure about High on Life, but at least one of these is worth trying out.
High on Life sounds like a fun little addition, will probably even go as far as actually downloading it rather than just adding it to my library!
THE PAC IS BACK ONCE AGAIN
Been really wanting to play Re-Pac for a while so I'm happy it's here. Been curious about High on Life and the PAYDAY games as well so I would say this is a good month honestly. If this is the point where the months start to get worse from here, then I can be happy with my Plus Sub lasping.
High on Life is one of the funniest experiences you can get, if you have simple humor or like Rick & Morty this will be a blast for you.
I’m interested in High on Life. I played it when it released in Xbox and enjoyed it quite a bit but never finished it. This will be the perfect opportunity to give the game another go.
Wanted to try high on life but not enough to buy it so pretty good 👍
N.i.c.e. pac man world repac and high on life for the win.i approved this.i been wanted to play that classic pac man 🌎 world since i play it on ps1.one of my top 10 ps1 games ever.and high on life looks n.i.c.e. also.word up son
First time in months I'm actually happy with monthly games! High on Life was on my wishlist. Payday - wouldn't ever buy it, but if it's free, I might try it. Pacman - maybe I'll install it and play for 15 minutes 😅.
Why doesn't High on Life get a little write up? Never heard of it. Its page tells me there a robot involved and not much else.
I take it High on Life doesnt get a wee write up lol. Ive tried it but hope the speech can be turned off cos its pure nippy after a while (nippy - annoying)
High on Life is a damn good game. Played it on Series X and I’m glad I held off on buying it for PS5 til now!
I’m amused that Liam basically ignored it past the first mention, as though Payday was more deserving of attention.
Played High on Life on GamePass and think it’s woefully underrated. Fun game if you don’t mind that type of humor. I’d personally say it’s the “high”light of this month. 😀
@dskatter I was going to comment that I think the article is exactly one paragraph short!
Overall, for me, this is a lacklustre month. There is nothing in the lineup that peaks my interest.
High on life is a great game for free monthly games! wanted to play this since it was announced. Rick and Morty humour in a game! you can't go wrong
Wow another game that literally is so crap that the Devs allinated it's fan base that is Pay Day 3 so much so that they all went back to payday 2. So another dead game along with suicide squad from last month they really know how to pick them don't they a bit like these game Devs begging Song to do it to breath life into them
That's a big meh from me.
@JDINCINERATOR to be honest the last few months have been terrible hopefully next month is better
@donnyPS5 I really enjoyed that game
Pacman World HELL YEAH!!!!
High on Life, the last game with the „Avoid“ review score from Eurogamer.
think its time to stop paying monthly for this tripe!!
Yeah no thanks. You can keep my money and the games this month Sony!
Already played High on Life and Payday 3 on Gamepass (both pretty underwhelming and High on Life has very annoying childish ‘humour’) but will give Pac Man World a spin, so not a total washout.
@Yukairi Yeah everyone always forgets about the ACTUAL definitive worst PS+ lineup: May 2020 - Cities: Skylines & Farming Simulator 19.
All 3 of them are games ive had an interest in trying, but never wanted to put money towards playing. So im here for it 🙌
Another crap line up from Sony yet again.
Holy crap they’ve really outdone themselves this month - I can’t think of 3 more underwhelming games.
I'll take Pacman remake all day long and check out High on Life why not
These aren't my cup of tea -_-
Christ that’s not exactly setting the world on fire!
Actually happy with the games since at least two years ago. I wanted to buy High on Life
High on Life noice! I've been eyeballing that one for awhile.
Im already high on life. Might try that Pacman game. Show my kids what I was playing as a kid. Tried payday 2 without friends. Have a couple of friends on Xbox who plays this, maybe I play it with them.
Don't be pessimistic and try these games!
High on life seems like a good choice, was thinking about buying it. Payday 3 is pretty bad from what I hear and pac man seems ok.
@UnusedBabyWipes
Heard the same when Hell Let Loose was day one.
Cant please everyone.
Enjoy the games.
@HMazzy111 Going to go out on a limb here and raise your 'potentially' to a cast-iron 'definitely'. Absolutely dreadful!
Funny how the article elaborates on Payday 3 and Pac-Man World but skips High On Life, a rare metroidvania experience still not on Switch. Chances are this is what I'll be downloading first and foremost once I resub next month.
wasn't payday 3 already dead?
stop with the fps on ps plus
OH! this is pretty bad
if there is a certain game you really want to play , call me crazy but you just buy that game and its yours to play?
Always surprised with the vitriol these lineups inspire. PS+ is basically a glorified rental service, and these are all perfect rentals. A maligned multiplayer game that's dying too fast to justify buying. A love-or-hate (I hated, frankly) comedy shooter with a Rick and Morty flair. And an average yet classic platformer.
I dare say, if the prospect of trying out random games doesn't interest you, maybe you shouldn't be subscribed to a random game supplier.
Dreadful. High on Life is about as funny as doing dentistry on yourself.
High on life was loads of fun and pac world was a decent remake.
Seems no matter what is offered people complain.
If they offer a big game people say but I already have that. If they offer something unique they say no one wants that.
Why not just let subscription run out and then stop moaning?
@RoomWithaMoose 100% with you on this thought process.
High on Life is the highlight for me. And I really hope they finally gives Nier Automata in the service someday.
First time in over a year that people can honestly say this is a bad month.
Entitled cry babies can rest easy this coming month, I won’t call you out this time.
I pld High on Life on gamepass for a good while but didn't finish it, waiting for a proper sale since then. This is even better
Apart of that, not the best month anyway...
Initially I was disappointed, but then I watched the trailer for High on Life and remembered what it was…and I’m ok with the games. I’ll give High on Life and Pac-Man a try for sure. Payday? Meh. Maybe, maybe not.
⭐️⭐️1/2 out of ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
PS Plus became the garbage bin of unsuccesful developers, it seems... At least High on Life could be redeemed.
High on Life is as hidden gem. I played and beat it on the Series X when it was on Gamepass.
Much better than the last two months additions, I will give all three games a try.
Terrible list for me. It's 2025. and the only game appealing from that list is Pac-Man. High on life is just abysmal, less funny than Borderlands movie.
Pretty hyped to try out High on Life!
@Jacko11 jesus, what an entitled crybaby
I remember last month i leave a comment saying gamepass is better. And a budy here came to my comment and say you are pathetic! ps plus is better than gamepass. You are a fan boy! I say now: Me or you? Im adult and you budy: you are dumb. and have idea what is a fan! Is a true gamer that only cares about games and not console ok. Grow up and just to be clear... i have both consoles ok. I have 4 consoles! I love both. but i love more...GAMES
I'd say this is a pretty lackluster month, but I would like to play High on Life! A friend worked on the comic book so I'd finally like to dive in =]
Ohhh and this month ps plus sucks! really!
Scraping the bottom already and it's only February 😭
Meh....this month sucks
@Deljo clearly a joke in reference to the last few years on PushSquare.
Get some warm milk and take yourself of too bed sweet prince, that’s enough internet for you today.
@Jacko11 no sh1t genius but always good to explain your attempt at humor. Good boy
I didn't renew my subscription. Seeing more of this affirms I made the right decision.
Pretty underwhelming for me. I’ll claim all three of them, but I doubt I ever touch one of them. Oh well
Personally I don't even care anymore about the free games. At that point they should just stop doing it, it's insulting.
No problem at all with adding High On Life and Pac-Man to the library. Staying far away from Payday 3 however.
Stopped feeling anything about the latest online multi-player game to come to ps+ in a bid to either save a dying game or give a DoA new release half a chance of surviving 6 months. Payday 3 is just the next in a very, very long list of them.
High on life I was expecting at some point. Seemed like a fairly mediocre game but the Rick and morty appeal being enough to elevate it to worth a go status. Happy enough with that although felt like an extra game if anything.
Pac man I think I recall playing the original and enjoying it. Do find a lot of these games are best left in memories though, they rarely stand up to the level my memory has of them. Might give it a go, wouldn't be something I'd ever actively want on the service but not complaining.
Decent month overall that isn't going to set the world alight. More likely to play one of them than last months offerings.
two loud wet farts and an amazing Pac-Man game instead of Knack 2, what a surprise...
I’ll never understand what some people expect from this service, it cost like what $10 a month right? These are exactly the type of games i would expect be put on this. The games worth far exceed the $10 you pay for the service, i don’t get all the “worst ever” comments.
Quite a strange article. That you debate what the head liner is yet you pick only 2 out of the 3?
When high on life out of those 3 is the better game.
Will give high on life a go, no interest in the others. 1 in 3 isn’t bad.
Pac-Man is a 3D platformer, right? The more 3D platformers we get, the better.
Don't care about the other two games at all.
Probably the worst list to date!
High on life is pretty funny I'll definitely give that another playthrough probably try the others not a bad month for me.
My PS plus ends in February, I am renewing but just waiting for another deal
I have a limit on what's good value to me so I only buy when I feel it's worth it
These games don't interest me in the slightest so that's a bonus
Dropped PS+ at the end of last year after being a member all the way back to the PS3 days. Looks like I'm not missing anything.
Been wanting to play high on life for ages, just didn't want to pay for it so happy with that. Pacman world for ps1 was a game i used to rinse when i was young so the remake i'm sure i'll enjoy. Payday 3 i've never heard of
People crying about free stuff is another issue that is hurting gaming.
@Cutmastavictory Its not free stuff, its about 7 quid a month
@RoomWithaMoose it's the same usual suspects 'cancelling' their PS+ every month here! interestingly, at other PlayStation sites this month's games have received overwhelmingly positive comments
Now, this is a s**t month.
Might check out High on Life. I don't think I can play the Pac-Man game without being extremely depressed. The original on PS1, my mother played it before she passed away. I would say more but don't want to be a debbie-downer lol.
Only thing good here is the pac man game. Pay Day 3 is a joke of a game that even the developers are reducing support on it.
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