Highly Acclaimed Open-World Game Returns to PS Plus

As we roll into the end of May, the new roster of games arriving on PS Plus might not leave you thrilled—except for one notable title: Red Dead Redemption 2. Yes, Rockstar Games’ epic open-world Western is making a triumphant return to the subscription service after nearly two years away. So, are you ready to finally conquer it?

Now, some of you may already have Red Dead Redemption 2 in your collection, especially since it has sold over 60 million copies since its debut back in 2018. But if it’s one of those elusive games you haven’t tried yet, now’s the perfect opportunity to immerse yourself in one of the finest gems from the PlayStation 4 era—despite there still not being a native PS5 version (go figure!). The game’s pacing, its cinematic flair, and the expansive depiction of American frontier life at the turn of the century makes it both overwhelming and impossible to resist.

I loved how Kirk Hamilton, former editor-at-large for Kotaku, captured the essence in his review:

"…there is a pulse pumping through this techno-artistic marvel. This game has heart; the kind of heart that’s difficult to pin down but impossible to deny. It is a wonderful story about terrible people, and a vivacious, tremendously sad tribute to nature itself. There’s so much beauty and joy in this expensive, exhausting thing. Somehow that makes it even more perfect—a breathtaking eulogy for a ruined world, created by, about, and for a society that ruined it."

If you’re focused purely on the main storyline, it’s a 50-hour journey. However, if you let yourself get swept away by the rugged beauty of its wild prairie lands and snow-capped mountains, you might end up spending close to 200 hours in this immersive world. The last time the game was on PS Plus, it stuck around for four months. Plenty of time to savor it, don’t you think?

So, what else is entering PS Plus this May? Red Dead Redemption 2 isn’t the only title to look forward to in the Extra tier on May 21. Here’s the full lineup:

• Red Dead Redemption 2 | PS4
• Deceive Inc. | PS5
• The Sims 4 City Living | PS4 (expansion only)
• Crime Boss: Rockay City | PS5
• The Settlers: New Allies | PS4
• Stranded: Alien Dawn | PS4, PS5
• Cat Quest | PS4
• Cat Quest II | PS4
• The LEGO Movie 2 Videogame | PS4
• Watch Dogs | PS4

And don’t overlook Cat Quest 1 and 2! On top of this, there are three more PlayStation classics making their way to the pricier Premium tier:

• 2Xtreme | PS4, PS5
• G-Police | PS4, PS5
• Worms Pinball | PS4, PS5

Now, why is Horizon Zero Dawn leaving PS Plus, you ask? Well, alongside some other games, Guerrilla Games’ beloved sci-fi adventure, Horizon Zero Dawn, will be exiting the PS Plus lineup this month. If you haven’t yet wrapped up your time with Aloy’s epic dino-bot quests, you’ll need to purchase the game after May 21 to continue.

Considering Horizon Zero Dawn is a first-party Sony title and essential for fans eager to leap into Horizon Forbidden West and its Burning Shores expansion, you’d think Sony would keep it available. One potential reason for its departure could be a PS5 remaster in the works—though that’s merely speculation. After all, there’s already a superb free 60fps upgrade available, but stranger decisions have been made.

Here’s the full list of games saying goodbye in May:

• Abzu | PS4
• Ad1ft | PS4
• Ashen | PS4
• Darksiders: Warmastered Edition | PS4
• Darksiders 2: Deathinitive Edition | PS4
• Darksiders 3 | PS4
• Darksiders: Genesis | PS4
• Elex | PS4
• Elex 2 | PS4
• Final Fantasy VII | PS4
• Final Fantasy VIII Remastered | PS4
• Final Fantasy IX | PS4
• Final Fantasy X|X-2 HD Remaster | PS4
• Final Fantasy XII: The Zodiac Age | PS4
• Final Fantasy XV Royal Edition | PS4
• Horizon Zero Dawn: Complete Edition | PS4
• I Am Dead | PS5, PS4
• Jotun: Valhalla Edition | PS4
• Kingdoms of Amalur: Re-Reckoning | PS4
• Last Stop – PS5, PS4
• How To Survive 2 | PS4
• Minit | PS4
• Monster Jam Steel Titan 2 | PS4
• MX vs. ATV Legends | PS5, PS4
• My Friend Pedro | PS4
• Observation | PS4
• Sundered: Eldritch Edition | PS4
• Teardown | PS5, PS4
• The Artful Escape | PS5, PS4
• The Messenger | PS4
• This Is The Police | PS4
• This Is The Police 2 | PS4
• World of Final Fantasy | PS4
• Wreckfest | PS5, PS4

It’s definitely a bit of a downer for PS Plus Extra this month, but at least we’ve got Red Dead Redemption 2 to tide us over.