Playstation Plus October Free Games Through The Years Ps4 And Ps5 Titles Available To Subscribers

PlayStation Plus, Sony's subscription service for PlayStation console owners, offers members monthly free games across different tiers of the service. These free games span various genres and platforms, with many PS4 titles also playable on PS5 systems. This article examines the October free games available to PlayStation Plus subscribers across multiple years, focusing on the PS4 and PS5 titles that have been part of these monthly offerings.

Historical Overview of October PlayStation Plus Free Games

October 2017 Free Games

The October 2017 PlayStation Plus lineup featured a diverse selection of games for different PlayStation platforms. Subscribers could download Amnesia: The Dark Descent, a 2010 atmospheric survival horror game set in a dreary castle. Along with Dark Descent, subscribers gained access to its unrelated sequel A Machine for Pigs as part of the Amnesia: Collection. This collection was specifically available for PS4 owners.

Two additional cross-buy titles expanded the October 2017 offerings to four PS4 playable games. Hue, described as a charming side-scrolling puzzle game, tasked players with changing backdrop colors to make progress. This title was available for both PS Vita and PS4. The other cross-buy game was Top-down shoot 'em up Sky Force Anniversary, which could be played on PS4, PS Vita, and PS3.

PlayStation VR owners had an exclusive offering during October 2017: Rigs: Mechanized Combat League, an arena-based battler. This title remained available for free until November 7 as part of Sony's one-year celebration of PSVR.

October 2020 Free Games

The October 2020 PlayStation Plus offering featured two free games for PS4 members. The first was Need for Speed Payback, a 2017 entry to the popular racing franchise. This title allowed players to participate in heist missions, car battles, and epic stunts while driving customizable vehicles. Players could choose from three characters to play as, with all rides being fully customizable.

The second free game for October 2020 was Vampyr, a 2018 RPG set in 1918 London. In this title, players controlled a doctor turned vampire who stalked the streets of London, using supernatural abilities, tools, and weapons to fight evil and vampire hunters. The game featured mechanics that allowed players to feed on the city's population, though the source material does not elaborate on the consequences of this action.

October 2021 Free Games

The October 2021 PlayStation Plus games were available for members to add to their libraries starting October 5. This meant subscribers had limited time to claim the September titles—Overcooked: All You Can Eat, Hitman 2, and Predator Hunting Grounds—before they rotated out. The article mentions that the October offerings were "great, gory action just in time for the spookiest month of the year," suggesting horror-themed content, but does not specify the exact titles included in that month's lineup.

October 2023 Free Games

The October 2023 PlayStation Plus Monthly Games lineup featured three titles available to PlayStation Plus members starting Tuesday, October 3, remaining accessible until Monday, November 6. The offerings included:

The Callisto Protocol, a narrative-driven, third-person survival horror set 300 years in the future. Players take on the role of Jacob Lee, a character thrown into Black Iron Prison, a maximum-security penitentiary located on Jupiter's moon, Callisto. When inmates transform into monstrous creatures, the prison descends into chaos. Players must battle their way to safety while uncovering dark secrets. The game combines shooting and close-quarters combat mechanics, requiring players to adapt tactics against evolving creatures while scavenging for weapons, gear, and abilities.

Farming Simulator 22 allowed players to take on the role of a modern farmer and creatively build their farm in three diverse American and European environments. The source does not provide additional details about this title.

The third game in the October 2023 lineup was Weird West, though the source does not provide details about this title's genre or gameplay features.

October 2024 Free Games

The October 2024 PlayStation Plus Essentials freebies were detailed as part of Sony's State of Play presentation. Subscribers in each tier of the program—Essential, Extra, Deluxe, and Premium—could download these titles for free:

Dead Space, available for PS5. The source does not provide additional details about this title.

WWE 2K24, available for both PS4 and PS5. This sports title would likely feature professional wrestling gameplay and roster updates.

Doki Doki Literature Club Plus, available for both PS4 and PS5. The source does not provide additional details about this title.

The article notes that all PS4 games listed could also be downloaded and played on PS5 systems. Additionally, subscribers were reminded that there might still be time to claim the September 2024 free games before the new ones became available.

October 2025 Information

For October 2025, Sony had not yet announced the PlayStation Plus Essential monthly free games at the time the source was written. The article indicates that these games typically follow a release pattern, dropping on the first Tuesday of each month. With September 30 falling on a Tuesday in 2025, October's monthly freebies were expected to go live on the following Tuesday, October 7.

The announcement of these games typically occurs on the last Wednesday of each month, suggesting that information about October 2025's offerings would be available by September 24 at the latest. However, the article notes that Sony was celebrating 15 years of PS Plus and the 30th anniversary of PlayStation in 2025, which might lead to earlier announcements than usual.

Players were particularly interested in October 2025's Essential lineup because the Extra and Premium catalog was described as "a little bare-bones" at that time. While the Extra and Premium catalog for October 2025 was headlined by the recently released WWE 2K25, only one classic was being added to Premium/Deluxe alongside seven Extra games.

The article also mentioned free DLC packs available for two of the October 2025 Extra and Premium games. Yakuza: Like a Dragon's "Pachislot Machines" DLC added four Pachislot mini games to parlors around the city: - Million God: Return of the Gods - Beast King Oujya no Houkou - SOUTEN-NO-KEN PONYOU - ANOTHER GOD HADES -Zeus Dethroned-

V Rising offered the "Haunted Nights Castle" DLC pack, which allowed players to decorate their castles with a dozen add-ons: - Haunted Nights Wall Decor (2x Wallpapers) - Haunted Nights Gourd Lanterns - Haunted Nights Stained Glass Window - Haunted Nights Carpets - Haunted Nights Floating Gourd - Haunted Nights Standing Mirror - Haunted Nights Skull Candles - Haunted Nights Laughing Pumpkin - Haunted Nights Grinning Pumpkin - Haunted Nights Wailing Pumpkin - Haunted Nights Web Drapes for Pillars, Walls, and Windows - Haunted Nights Coffin - Haunted Nights Small Stash

The PS Plus Extra and Premium catalog was scheduled to be refreshed on Tuesday, October 21, 2025.

How PlayStation Plus Free Games Work

PlayStation Plus is a subscription service that provides members with several benefits, including access to online multiplayer functionality, exclusive discounts across the PlayStation Store, and monthly free games. The free games are selected by Sony and typically include a mix of different genres and release dates.

The free games are available for as long as the subscriber maintains an active PlayStation Plus membership. Once a game is claimed, it remains in the subscriber's library and can be played even if their subscription lapses, though they would need to resubscribe to access any online components of the games.

Each month, new games are added to the PlayStation Plus lineup, and the previous month's games typically rotate out and are no longer available for new claims. Subscribers are generally advised to claim the free games before the rotation occurs, as they cannot be added to the library after the deadline passes.

Different PlayStation Plus tiers offer different benefits. The Essential tier provides the monthly free games and online multiplayer access. The Extra tier adds a library of hundreds of PS4 and PS5 games. The Deluxe tier (formerly known as Premium) includes all Extra benefits plus additional PS3, PS Vita, and PSP games available for streaming, as well as classic PS1 and PS2 games. The Premium tier also offers game trials and cloud streaming.

Tips for Maximizing PlayStation Plus Free Games

To make the most of PlayStation Plus free games, subscribers should:

1. Check the PlayStation Blog or official PlayStation channels regularly for announcements about upcoming free games
2. Claim the free games as soon as they become available to ensure they don't miss out on titles before they rotate out
3. Download games promptly after claiming them, as some titles may be large and require significant download time
4. Consider the storage capacity of their PlayStation console, as free games can accumulate over time
5. Take advantage of the cross-buy feature when available, which allows a single purchase to play a game on multiple PlayStation platforms
6. For VR owners, keep an eye out for exclusive VR titles that may be offered as free games

Conclusion

PlayStation Plus has offered a diverse array of free games to subscribers during the month of October across multiple years. From survival horror experiences like Amnesia: The Dark Descent and The Callisto Protocol to racing games like Need for Speed Payback and simulation titles like Farming Simulator 22, the free games program has provided substantial value to PlayStation owners.

The program has evolved over time, with some years offering more varied selections than others. The inclusion of PS4 games that are also playable on PS5 has helped bridge the gap between console generations, ensuring that subscribers across different hardware can enjoy the free offerings.

As Sony continues to celebrate milestones like the 15th anniversary of PS Plus and the 30th anniversary of PlayStation, subscribers can expect the program to continue evolving while maintaining its core value proposition of providing free games to members each month.

For the most current information about PlayStation Plus free games, subscribers should regularly check official PlayStation channels, as release dates and game selections may be subject to change.

Sources

1. Digital Trends - PlayStation Plus October 2017 Free Games
2. Stevivor - PlayStation Plus Essentials October 2024 Free Games
3. The Sun - PS Plus October 2020 Free Games
4. PlayStation Lifestyle - PS Plus Essential October 2025 Free Games
5. PlayStation Lifestyle - PS Plus Games Free DLC October 2025
6. Game Informer - PS Plus Free Games for October 2021
7. PlayStation Blog - PlayStation Plus Monthly Games for October 2023