For PlayStation Plus subscribers, the first Tuesday of each month is always worth circling on the calendar. But December 2 is shaping up to be unusually eventful, even by the subscription service’s standards. What is normally a straightforward refresh of the monthly Essentials lineup is turning into a multi‑layered drop that includes more free games than usual, a highly anticipated PS5 re-release, new additions for higher tiers, and one of the final months in which PS4 owners will receive significant support.
Everything is landing on the same day—or within a few days of it—making early December one of the most crowded periods PS Plus has seen in 2025.
Why December 2 Is Different This Year
Typically, PlayStation Plus Essential members receive three titles each month. These releases serve as the baseline benefits for anyone with an active subscription and are often supplemented by additional library changes for Extra and Premium users around the middle of the month.
December 2 breaks this familiar formula in several ways:
- Five free games are being offered instead of the usual three
- Several of the titles are PS5-only, underscoring Sony’s upcoming shift
- A PS5-native version of Red Dead Redemption launches the same day
- Another new title arrives only a few days later for Extra and Premium users
- The mid‑month update on December 16 will cycle additional games in and out
The combination of these layers turns what is normally a predictable subscription update into a packed series of releases across three tiers.
Final Chance to Claim November’s Titles
Before diving into December’s lineup, it’s important to note that players only have until the morning of December 2 to secure November’s offerings. November 2025 delivered three very different titles:
- Stray, the emotional puzzle‑platformer starring a stray cat in a neon‑lit city
- EA Sports WRC 24, representing one of the strongest rally simulations to date
- Totally Accurate Battle Simulator, known for its intentionally chaotic physics
These three will disappear from the claimable section of the store as soon as Sony updates the catalog. Anyone who wants to add them to their library permanently—regardless of whether they play them immediately—should do so before the switch occurs.
A Five‑Game Essential Lineup for December 2025
Sony’s decision to deliver five games this month instead of the standard three is one of the biggest surprises of the update. The December 2025 Essential set includes:
- Killing Floor 3 (PS5)
- LEGO Horizon Adventures (PS5)
- Neon White (PS4/PS5)
- Synduality: Echo of Ada (PS5)
- The Outlast Trials (PS4/PS5)
This mix provides a contrast of genres that caters to nearly every type of player.
A Closer Look at the December Free Games
Killing Floor 3 continues the cooperative action formula that its franchise is known for—wave-based combat, monstrous enemies, and a progression system designed to keep players experimenting with builds and gear. As a PS5-only title, it reflects Sony’s broader push toward fully embracing next‑generation hardware heading into 2026.
LEGO Horizon Adventures is one of the more unexpected crossover projects of the year. It merges Guerrilla Games’ Horizon universe with LEGO’s colorful and comedic style. The result is an adventure suitable for younger players as well as longtime Horizon fans wanting a lighter, more humorous take on the world.
Neon White, a game that blends first-person action with puzzle‑like time trials, brings something different to the table. Its sleek movement mechanics, short-but-intense levels, and replayability help it stand apart from the heavier, darker games in the lineup.
Synduality: Echo of Ada, another PS5 exclusive, leans into sci‑fi mech gameplay. It presents futuristic exploration and combat within an anime-inspired world. While not as mainstream as some titles, its inclusion broadens the selection for December.
The Outlast Trials, available for both PS4 and PS5, fills the horror slot for the month. Unlike earlier Outlast entries, it focuses on multiplayer survival, where players must work together inside a psychological nightmare filled with environmental hazards and unpredictable enemies.
What This Means for PS4 Owners
The December 2025 lineup highlights an issue that has been growing throughout the year: PS4 owners are receiving fewer titles with each monthly cycle. Three of the five December games are unavailable on PS4, leaving only Neon White and The Outlast Trials as cross‑gen experiences.
While Sony is not abandoning PS4 support entirely, the company has repeatedly emphasized that January 2026 marks the beginning of a transition away from the older console. PS4-only titles will become extremely rare in PS Plus promotions, and the majority of new games will prioritize PS5.
In practice, this means:
- Fewer PS4-compatible Essentials
- Fewer PS4 titles joining the Extra/Premium catalog
- A heavier push toward PS5-exclusive experiences
Sony’s messaging suggests that PS4 games may still be offered occasionally, but only if they launch as cross‑gen projects. Pure PS4 titles are unlikely to appear at all once 2026 begins.
Red Dead Redemption’s PS5 Upgrade Joins PS Plus Extra & Premium
While the five Essentials titles make December 2 a big day on their own, the real bonus arrives for PS Plus Extra and Premium subscribers. On the same day, Sony will release a native PS5 version of Red Dead Redemption, which becomes available directly in the Extra and Premium libraries.
The PS5 version promises improved performance, smoother gameplay, and better stability compared to the PS4 edition. Considering how beloved Red Dead Redemption is among fans of open‑world games, its arrival as part of the subscription is a significant addition—and one likely to keep many subscribers logged in throughout the holiday season.
And Then Comes Skate Story on December 8
Just six days after the December 2 wave, Extra and Premium subscribers receive another notable title: Skate Story, launching into PS Plus on day one.
The game draws attention for its surreal tone and unique concept: players control a demon who must skate through a dreamlike world filled with challenges, obstacles, and peculiar enemies. Its arrival ahead of the December 16 update signals that Sony wants to frontload December’s content rather than saving everything for mid‑month.
December 16 Will Bring More Changes
As usual, new titles will join the Extra and Premium libraries on December 16. While Sony hasn’t revealed the full roster yet, it has confirmed several departures, prompting some players to prioritize certain games before they disappear from the catalog.
These transitions—arrivals, removals, early releases, and upgrades—create an unusually dense schedule throughout December. For subscribers who enjoy sampling new games frequently, this month offers a steady stream of fresh content.
Why December 2 Stands Out More Than Previous Updates
Several factors combine to make December 2 one of the busiest PS Plus days of the year:
- Free Essential lineup expanded from three games to five
- Increased focus on PS5 exclusivity
- Release of the PS5-native Red Dead Redemption
- A day‑one game arriving shortly after
- PS4-era support phasing out
- A major mid-month library shift still coming
It’s rare for the subscription service to align so many updates so closely together, making the day especially noteworthy for long-time PS Plus members.
Final Thoughts
For PlayStation Plus subscribers, December 2 is not simply the beginning of a new monthly cycle—it’s an overloaded milestone that delivers more content than usual across every subscription tier. From PS5 exclusives and cross‑gen favorites to iconic re‑releases and upcoming Extra/Premium additions, Sony is closing out 2025 with a content-heavy surge that appeals to nearly every type of gamer.
With more announcements still expected on December 16, December is shaping up to be one of the most activity-packed months for PlayStation Plus in recent years.