PlayStation Plus started its new and improved era in June 2022. Along with online access and monthly free games, the service introduced two new tiers, Extra and Premium, containing hundreds of downloadable (or streamable) titles from across PlayStation's long history. The former focuses on PS5 and PS4 games, while the latter complements this selection with classics from the PS3, PS2, PS1, and PSP. Overall, the library covers nearly every genre imaginable, be it horror, RPGs, platformers, or roguelikes. There is something for just about everyone.

Since the dawn of the industry, multiplayer games have been popular, and the rise of the online age only served to amplify this interest. While cooperative projects will be always around, they are nowadays dwarfed by competitive releases since those tend to have longer lives. Anyone looking to engage in some PvP should check out the best multiplayer games on PS Plus.

This article will prioritize competitive games since co-op PS Plus projects have their own discussion.

The listed completion times are sourced from HowLongToBeat. Also, if it exists, a game's Amazon Listing Page has been included in case someone prefers to pick up a physical copy.

Rocket League

Rocket League combines the high-octane action of racing and stunt driving with soccer. Players can hop behind the wheel of a variety of different vehicles, each equipped with their own specialized rockets and jumping mechanisms that will allow them to fly around the arena and attempt to bump a large ball into the opposing team's goal. There are multiple team structures, allowing players to engage in 2v2 setups, 3v3 matches, or even 4v4 affairs. The more players involved, the more chaotic things can be, with players jockeying for position and attempting to play offense and defense. Rocket League is a blast to play, with easy-to-pick-up and hard-to-master gameplay.

Hot Wheels Unleashed

Another racing-style title, Hot Wheels Unleashed takes the beloved childhood toys and turns them into a racing reality for players. With a large collection of unique and beautifully-designed Hot Wheels vehicles, players can take to an array of tracks and battle against AI opponents or other players via online multiplayer. Anyone who has ever played with Hot Wheels will recognize some of the iconic cars, as well as some of the track influences which infuse playful parts as well as the stylized neon-orange plastic pieces that come with certain sets. Hot Wheels Unleashed is a solid racing game and a great title to play with the whole family but still offers some fun competitive play for those looking to try their skills out against real opponents.

Call Of Duty: Black Ops Cold War

For July 2023, PS Plus Essential is giving away Alan Wake Remastered, Endling: Extinction is Forever, and Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War. The former two are solo experiences through and through, while the latter is heralded for its single-player campaign, which is generally regarded as one of the franchise's strongest efforts of the last decade. The story is so good that it justifies downloading Black Ops Cold War on its own, and one has to assume it will be the main reason most subscribers pick up the game since anyone really interested in the multiplayer has presumably already invested in the title. Still, after completing the campaign, players should consider jumping into a few of Black Ops Cold War's multiplayer modes as they have a lot to offer in their own right.

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Despite debuting nearly three years ago by this point, Black Ops Cold War's lobbies are still reasonably active as the fan base has not been entirely consumed by Modern Warfare 2 and Warzone 2.0. In this release, Treyarch tried to recapture the magic of the older COD entries, specifically the original two Black Ops games, resulting in an experience that is closer in spirit to those projects than the IP's other contemporary releases. This mainly comes through Cold War's maps, which are decently well-balanced and enjoyable. In terms of modes, the multiplayer has a healthy selection of classic favorites and modern newcomers, although Team Deathmatch is still king. While not competitive, Cold War's Zombies is also available for those who want to play alongside their friends.

Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War will be available on PS Plus until August 1, 2023.

Street Fighter 5: Champion Edition

On March 21, 2023, PlayStation Plus welcomed a nice blend of games. Uncharted: Legacy of Thieves Collection, Immortals: Fenyx Rising, Tchia, Ghostwire: Tokyo, and Life is Strange: True Colors took center stage, but the newcomer most likely to draw the attention of people into competitive games was Street Fighter 5. Capcom's project has been out for a number of years, so it is safe to assume that anyone interested in SFV has already jumped onto the game's servers. However, the release garnered quite a bit of backlash when it originally debuted, so much so that it might have discouraged some folks from trying the latest entry in arguably the most decorated fighting franchise of all time.

With Street Fighter 6 set to debut in a couple of months, its predecessor's PS Plus debut presents the ideal opportunity for someone who had fallen off to revisit the franchise. While still not perfect, Street Fighter 5: Champion Edition is the most complete iteration of the game, at least in terms of content. While there are some single-player options, STV is first and foremost a multiplayer-driven experience.

Street Fighter 6's debut makes it harder to recommend its predecessor since most people have migrated to the frankly superior sequel; however, Street Fighter 5 is still a fun online fighter.

Dead By Daylight

Dead by Daylight, an asymmetrical horror game, pits four Survivors against One Killer, with the former needing to turn on generators as they try to outlast the night. On the surface, the gameplay loop might not sound all that special, but Dead by Daylight keeps things fresh by frequently introducing new Killers and Survivors.

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Each of these characters brings something unique to the plate, requiring players to learn new strategies to take advantage of their chosen figure's abilities or to counter their opponents. While the game has a dedicated community, Dead by Daylight is still reasonably accessible, even if newcomers might struggle during their first couple of matches.

Conan Exiles

Despite a somewhat rough launch, Conan Exiles has managed to establish itself as a prominent figure in the online scene, and part of the game's appeal is its flexibility. At its core, Funcom's project adheres to the survival genre's fundamentals, which means a heavy focus on base building and resource management. However, the title also takes ideas from action RPGs for its combat system, along with providing a narrative framework to cater to people who might prefer a more focused experience.

Conan Exiles offers a few different servers, including an option focusing on PvP. If someone jumps into this version of the game, they will need to prepare themselves for battles with other people, and these encounters can be cutthroat and overwhelming. Conan Exiles' universe is harsh and unforgiving to the weak, and that extends to PvP as survivors with underwhelming gear are unlikely to last long. Similar to PvE, PvP primarily revolves around defending or attacking bases.

Deathloop

Deathloop is a predominantly single-player experience, albeit one that comes with a unique multiplayer component. Players assume the role of Colt, an assassin stuck in a time loop. In order to break the cycle, he must eliminate eight targets in a single day. Death results in a fresh start, and while Colt retains information gathered during previous runs, he loses any accumulated weapons or abilities.

Deathloop features a PvP multiplayer that casts a second person as Juliana, an Eternalist whose goal is to hinder Colt's mission. Juliana plays similarly to the protagonist, although she does have the ability to alter her appearance to match that of an NPC. It is a cool concept that enhances the campaign by adding an element of unpredictability, while also rewarding Colt players who keep a close eye on NPCs' patterns.

Soulcalibur 6

Soulcalibur 6 is the latest game in Bandai Namco's respected fighting franchise. Like the previous entries in the series, this 2018 release revolves around weapons-based combat, and it also comes with quite a bit of single-player content in the form of two separate story modes. While the gameplay comes with a learning curve, Soulcalibur 6 is reasonably accessible to newcomers, at least for those who are willing to put in a few hours to properly learn the basics.

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Now, the game has been out for a while, so the online scene is not quite as active as it used to be. Still, players should be able to find a match, even if it might take a minute or two. The multiplayer serves as the heart of Soulcalibur 6, and the people who still go online have generally mastered every mechanic of the game. Consequently, beginners should try their hands at the single-player modes before jumping online.

Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon Wildlands

Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon Wildlands was the franchise's first foray into open-world. Mostly adhering to Ubisoft's formula for the genre, the game drops players on a large map and gives them a degree of freedom on how they can approach missions. Although slightly streamlined from previous entries, Wildlands is nevertheless a tactical shooter that emphasizes a calculated approach over bombastic gun fights.

Supporting four-player online co-op, friends can team up to take on missions together. This is a fun option and works far better than AI partners. There is also a PvP multiplayer mode for those who prefer to fight against their friends rather than with them.

Friday The 13th: The Game

Although slightly overshadowed by Dead by Daylight, Friday the 13th: The Game offers a similar multiplayer experience. Eight players are dropped into one of five maps based on the movies. While seven of the users are counselors, one is assigned the role of Jason; naturally, their goal is to eliminate everyone before they escape or time runs out.

Friday the 13th: The Game launched in a bit of a rough state that left something to be desired, but it has grown into a solid game over the years.

Longtime fans of the slasher franchise are naturally the game's target audience, although people who are just into social-themed survival titles should also give this a try. Nowadays, Friday the 13th: The Game isn't extremely active, but it is still possible to find matches.

Tekken 7

Tekken 7 is the most recent entry in Bandai Namco's iconic franchise, although its sequel has been already announced. Tekken is synonymous with the PlayStation brand as the series was a staple of the PS1 and PS2 eras, producing some of the greatest fighting games of all time. Nowadays, the 3D fighter is a well-established property that delivers reliable and polished experiences, even if it sometimes struggles to eclipse other heavyweights like Street Fighter and Mortal Kombat.

Tekken 7 is nearing the end of its relevancy, and one can expect that most of its active community will migrate to its successor once that project hits store shelves. That said, there is still a lot to enjoy here, and the game is always good for a couple of matches. The single-player content is fine for the most part, but it largely serves as a tutorial for online contests. While the lobbies are hardly jam-packed with players in 2023, it should still be possible to find the occasional opponent.

Demon's Souls (2020)

FromSoftware's Souls-like projects generally feature multiplayer, even if it is typically optional. Bluepoint Games' Demon's Souls remake retains this element, allowing players to take part in either PvP or online co-op sessions. Focusing on the former, players who are in soul form can invade someone else's game by using a Black Eye Stone. At this point, they will appear as a phantom in the other user's world, resulting in a fight for survival. The winner is rewarded with souls, and if the invader succeeds, they regain their human form. Only players who are in human form can be invaded, so the PvP aspect can be ignored by just remaining in soul form.

Alternatively, players can use a Red Eye Stone to send a signal to other worlds declaring that they wish to engage in a PvP duel. Once accepted, the player will be summoned to that world as a phantom. A Blue Eye Stone does essentially the same thing, although it is for co-op play rather than PvP action.

Bloodborne also supports online PvP and co-op.

For Honor

Debuting more than half a decade ago, For Honor has more than proven its staying power, and the game's appeal is not difficult to comprehend. Ubisoft's title brings together some of the most iconic warrior archetypes from across history – Knights Samurai, Vikings, Wu Lin, and the Outlanders – and pits them in gory battles to determine who reigns supreme. This golden concept is backed by a deep melee combat system that blends immediacy with strategic complexity, permitting fights to feel both spontaneous and fair.

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Although there is a single-player campaign that covers the basics of combat, multiplayer is undoubtedly For Honor's reason for being. The game offers a solid selection of modes that permit players to decide whether they would rather work in a team or engage in solo battles. There are more than two dozen heroes available, all of which come with unique abilities, strengths, and weaknesses; it might take a few hours, but every player should be able to find a warrior that suits them. Intimidating as this title can be at times, as one of the best multiplayer games on PS Plus Premium and Extra, For Honor is worth the investment.

Assetto Corsa Competizione

There are quite a few racing games on PS Plus Premium, and they cover a wide spectrum of styles. There are arcade racers like Split/Second: Velocity and WipEout: Omega Collection, kart classics such as Jak X: Combat Racing, and a number of sims that strive for realism above anything else. Assetto Corsa Competizione falls within the latter category; in fact, even among racing sims, this game stands out for its unforgiving and grounded nature.

A driver will need to dedicate potentially dozens of hours toward mastering a specific vehicle and track before they should even consider heading online to face off against other players. Thankfully, Competizione comes with quite a long single-player campaign, so newcomers have something to do while they come to grips with the gameplay. Once they feel comfortable enough to jump online, players can look forward to competitive and clean races.

Mortal Kombat 11

NetherRealm Studios' Mortal Kombat 11 debuted on a polarizing note. On the one hand, the game presents a convincing case for having the deepest combat system in the franchise, one that slows things down to encourage strategic and smart play rather than combo spamming. The single-player story mode is also a ton of gory fun, delivering over-the-top mayhem in a way that only Mortal Kombat can. Honestly, the title is worth downloading just for the campaign, especially as MK11 approaches the end of its lifespan with the impending launch of Mortal Kombat 1.

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Fun as the story is, MK11 has lasted for as long as it has due to its multiplayer. Any modern fighting game worth its salt will deliver a robust selection of online modes, and NetherRealm Studios did not hold back in this area. While the selection is not necessarily unique, MK11 provides all the multiplayer staples someone might expect. Now, after all these years on the scene, the online sphere is dominated by veterans, which can be off-putting for newcomers. Still, MK11 is one of the best PS Plus multiplayer games.

Fallout 76

Few games have had debuts as disastrous as Fallout 76, and even fewer managed to survive such an early face-plant to live another day. More than 4 years following its launch, Fallout 76 is not only still active but generally thriving. As the spin-off is basically meant to be a multiplayer version of the mainline Fallout entries, it is obviously designed to cater to people who would like to tackle the end of the world alongside a couple of friends. For the most part, cooperative play takes center stage as players can work together to complete quests or just explore the world.

Fallout 76 also has a PvP mode that activates once someone reaches level 5. At that point, they can be attacked by others, although the PvP encounter only triggers when that action is reciprocated. Players who steal from other people can also become "Wanted," which puts a bounty on their heads. There are even some side quests that revolve specifically around PvP.

Payday 2: Crimewave Edition

The PS4 version of Payday 2, the Crimewave Edition brought the console version up to scratch with the PC release. Payday 2 has been out for a long time by this point, yet it continues to attract a dedicated player base, many of which prefer to play with other people rather than take on heists solo.

Payday 3 is on the way, so its predecessor's time in the sun will most likely be setting sooner rather than later. For those who have yet to experience the thrill and pleasure of pulling off jobs with a group of masked friends, it is possible to do just that through PS Plus.

Golf With Your Friends

Golf with Your Friends is largely intended to be played locally, although there is an online option on the off chance that other players can be found. Centering around mini-golf, Blacklight's title allows 12 people to come together for a friendly 18-hole game. Golf with Your Friends has a range of packages that each come with unique courses, and overall, there are more than 200 stages.

Golf with Your Friends is not going to be for everyone, especially since it does generally require players to come together to form a match. While possible to play solo, going down this route strips the title of most of its charm. With a couple of friends, there is fun to be had here.

Brawlout

Super Smash Bros. has the market cornered when it comes to platform fighters, at least on Nintendo's consoles. Over the years, quite a few developers have tried to capture that Smash magic and transfer them to other systems; most fall well short of expectations, but occasionally a title comes around that makes a good account for itself. For the most part, Brawlout belongs to the latter category.

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An above-average fighter that includes a range of characters from indie games like Yooka-Laylee, Dead Cells, and Hyper Light Drifter, Brawlout sticks pretty close to the Smash formula, albeit with a heavier focus on all-out offense at the cost of defense. Although not completely devoid of single-player content, Brawlout's main appeal is its competitive scene, even if the game's playerbase is not extremely huge in 2022.

Doom Eternal

Doom Eternal is, first and foremost, a single-player experience, and a fantastic one at that. Id Software has perfected the art of crafting aggressive first-person shooters that empower the player while ensuring they still feel constantly vulnerable. The sequel to 2016's Doom is not necessarily a superior game since some of its new ideas can be polarizing; however, the one area Doom Eternal definitely surpasses its predecessor is multiplayer.

Even when removed from its franchise, Battlemode still delivers a fresh take on PvP. Rather than just throwing three players in a free-for-all arena, Doom Eternal casts them as Doomguy and two demons, with there being six options for the latter. From there, the players take part in a series of matches to determine a winner, and they can even pick upgrades between rounds. Although not the deepest multiplayer experience out there, Doom Eternal's Battlemode serves as a nice companion piece to the main game for when someone wants to try something a bit different.

Monopoly Madness

Monopoly is a board game that seems to automatically spawn in a closet at every family gathering. While a classic, the vanilla version is quite polarizing since matches tend to be drawn out and frustrating. PS Plus owners who want a relatively authentic experience can try Ubisoft's Monopoly Plus, which is available to both Extra and Premium subscribers.

Meanwhile, people seeking a more chaotic and quick alternative should download Monopoly Madness. Supporting single-player along with online and local multiplayer, this Ubisoft title turns Monopoly into a frantic dash for real estate supremacy. At most, rounds can last 15 minutes, and there is barely anything resembling a quiet moment.

Tom Clancy's The Division 2

PS Plus Extra has both The Division games, and while the first title is worth playing due to its unique setting and solid narrative, the sequel is the better pick for multiplayer. The Division 2 takes place in Washington D.C. and largely revolves around gang warfare. The central storyline will keep players busy for quite a while as they take on missions either solo or in co-op. Although not a requirement to finish the campaign, the latter is nonetheless one of the RPG's selling points, especially since co-op highlights The Division 2's versatile character-build options.

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The Division 2 also supports PvP multiplayer, and this element comes in multiple forms. Players can jump into a quick match through the "Conflict" menu, which offers a range of modes like Team Deathmatch. The map also has a few Dark Zones that revolve around PvP, turning these areas into free-for-alls where death could be around every corner.

Injustice 2

NetherRealm Studios is well represented by PS Plus, with the developer's two most recent fighting games both being on Premium and Extra. Injustice 2 is for those who like Mortal Kombat's combat but wish it had a superhero twist and a faster rhythm than MK 11. Continuing the story from Injustice: Gods Among Us, which is also available to PS Plus Premium subscribers, the sequel delivers another entertaining single-player campaign that combines vicious finishers, fun twists on classic DC characters, and high-quality cutscenes.

The fighting game comes with a plethora of multiplayer modes, and Injustice 2 still has quite an active online scene on consoles despite being quite old by this point in time. Newcomers to NetherRealm's games should jump into the game's training and story modes before heading online as they will otherwise get demolished.

Warhammer: Vermintide 2

The gaming industry does not lack in Warhammer titles or Left 4 Dead-style games, and Vermintide 2 kind of combines the two. After picking their preferred characters, four players combine to take on wave after wave of Skaven, and bucketloads of blood will be shed along the way. While the game does not support local co-op, Vermintide 2 is made with multiplayer in mind since so much of the fun stems from players coordinating together to dismember their rat-men enemies as efficiently as possible.

Due to the character selection and the careers the heroes can follow, Vermintide 2 offers quite a bit of variety in terms of gameplay. Consequently, there should be a character that fits most people's preferred playstyles. Although the combat can get repetitive after a while, ultimately, the core mechanics are engaging enough to keep things interesting.

Tetris Effect: Connected

Tetris Effect adapts the classic arcade game for modern consoles, delivering a faithful experience with a gorgeous presentation and a unique twist courtesy of a focus on music along with the implementation of zones. The vanilla version's single-player content is great but Connected elevates the package's value through its implementation of multiplayer. The game supports PvP and co-op, enabling players to decide whether they want to lift each other up or drag their opponent down.

Connected has a range of multiplayer modes, including a throwback to old-school Tetris that eliminates most of the game's modern flourishes. The cooperative options are also a ton of fun and make great use of Tetris Effect's unique ideas.

Dragon Ball FighterZ

PS Plus Extra's January 2023 lineup featured a couple of big names, including Devil May Cry 5 and Back 4 Blood. The latter is a solid option for any subscribers looking for an online co-op game, but if someone is interested in PvP, then they should check out Dragon Ball FighterZ. Usually, fighters that have been out for five years can be inaccessible to newcomers since their bases would largely consist of veterans and experts, but Arc's title has a relatively low entry barrier for beginners. Compared to the developer's other anime fighters, Dragon Ball FighterZ streamlines its controls and mechanics. More importantly, the single-player campaign teaches the basics quite well; in fact, players who plan to play through the story should skip the practice mode as they will be thought the same stuff.

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That is all well and good, but none of it would matter if Dragon Ball FighterZ was not great. Even though PS Plus Extra is hardly lacking in fighters, Arc's project stands out from the crowd through its visuals and addictive gameplay loop. The title looks just as good, if not better, than its animated source material, particularly when a character executes a super attack. The combat is fast-paced but manageable, all the while offering more than enough depth for people who want to master the game's nuances.

Rock Of Ages 3: Make & Break

Rock of Ages is an absurdist strategy series that takes players on a unique trip through history. Armed with a rock, players must blast their way through enemy territory, breaking through their stronghold and eradicating everything within. This silly concept has, somehow, produced three games, all of which are entertaining in their own right. PS Plus Extra and Premium players can try the third entry, which serves as a great summation of the license's modus operandi.

Along with enjoyable single-player content, Rock of Ages 3 also supports online and split-screen multiplayer. Two players can face off to see who can fling the most accurate rock, as they attempt to bulldozer their way to victory. While the gameplay can be frustrating and unpredictable at times, these annoyances are reduced in multiplayer, provided competitors are just looking to have a laugh.

The Elder Scrolls Online

Although it launched to a somewhat mediocre reception, The Elder Scrolls Online is staring down a decade of success. Since 2014, the MMORPG has produced seven expansions, most of which were positively received by the community. Now, anyone looking to get the full experience will need to purchase the additional content individually or pick up the Necrom Collection, which contains the base game and all the currently released chapters (but not any future expansions). Due to the necessary investment, it does not make too much sense to not own the base game, especially since a copy can typically be found for a fairly low price.

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So, what is the value of having ESO on PS Plus Extra? Primarily, its inclusion allows people who are on the fence to try out the game without having to drop any extra cash. They can sample the four base classes and experience the early quests and exploration. Although most of the expansions eclipse the vanilla content, the latter is still of high quality and serves as a more than adequate sample of the game's fundamental mechanics. The project requires a PS Plus subscription regardless of whether someone owns a physical copy or not, so newcomers might as well give it a try before committing to the life-consuming MMO.

Wreckfest

Wreckfest is such a blast, especially for anyone who has been yearning for a new FlatOut or Destruction Derby game. Along with traditional races, Wreckfest has modes that task drivers with staying in one piece, something that is easier said than done when there are almost two dozen cars barreling directly at the player.

Wreckfest comes with a robust single-player campaign, one that accomplishes a lot more than just getting people accustomed to the game's style of play. While local co-op isn't available, Wreckfest does support online play, so players can look forward to destroying drivers from all around the world.

Riders Republic

Riders Republic seemingly came and went without making too much noise, which is typically a death sentence for an online-driven package like this. Fortunately, Ubisoft's open-world game allows most of its content to be experienced with either other players or AI, so Riders Republic can still be enjoyed even during spells when there are not too many people online. Ubisoft has also supported the game well since its debut; for example, season 6 commenced in March 2023, and the update brought hoverboards with it.

Extreme sports games are rare in this day and age, and while not flawless, this 2021 release is a more than competent entry in the genre. Riders Republic includes a few different disciplines, tons of content, and a visually stunning environment to explore. As far as multiplayer games are concerned, this one is quite a relaxing and low-stress option.

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