While Sony may have come late to the so-called Netflix of gaming subscription model,PlayStation Plusis arguably on par orbetter than Game Passnow. While the sting of playing for online multiplayer will likely never subside – especially since it was free during the PS3 generation – the three tiers of PlayStation Plus do offer a compelling product. The main draw, however, is the free games; or at least, tons of games for no additional charge.
The one leg up Game Pass still has isday-one releasesfor all first-party games. PlayStation has refused to budge on this front, seemingly an attempt to keep its exclusives viewed as premium blockbusters. PS Plus rewards patience, though, and most high-profile PS5 exclusives make their way to the service in due time.This includes the widely acclaimed and belovedGhost of Tsushima, which can be played via PS Plus at just the right time: a few months ahead ofGhost of Yōtei’s release.
Ghost Of Tsushima Is Free With PS Plus Extra & Premium
Sucker Punch’s Samurai Masterpiece
Once known for theInFamousseries, and before that,Sly Cooper, Sucker Punch Productions triumphantly closed the PlayStation 4 generation withGhost of Tsushimain 2020, an action RPG heavilyinspired by the iconic films of Akira Kurosawaand other samurai media. The PS4 exclusive subsequently received an upgraded PS5 version, then came to PC a few years later.
Ghost of Tsushimais currently part of the PlayStation Plus Game Catalog, a rotating selection of titles that can be downloaded and played at no extra cost as long as the user’s subscription remains active. While games leave PS Plus regularly,Ghost of Tsushimais unlikely to be axed – once Sony adds its first-party titles to the service, they typically have a permanent tenure there.
A Must-Play Sequel
The best time to playGhost of Tsushimawas when it was released, but the second-best time is now. At the time of writing, in mid-July,Ghost of Tsushima’s highly anticipated sequel,Ghost of Yōtei, is about two-and-a-half months away, scheduled to be released on Jul 14, 2025.Ghost of Tsushimais not an exceptionally long game, but it’s size is nothing to sneeze at, and playing it on PlayStation Plus will give you plenty of time to prepare forYōtei.
Tsushimais already among the PlayStation 5’s must-play games, especially since it came to Sony’s latest console as theDirector’s Cut, which includes theIki Islandstory expansion. It’s a jaw-droppingly gorgeous game, with incredibly satisfying combat and a compelling story. It follows samurai Jin Sakai amid the First Mongol Invasion of Japan in 1274. Jin must grapple with the obligation of noble combat thrust upon his caste while his homeland is brutalized by foreign invaders.
Ghost of Yōteiis making some significant departures, being set centuries later, leaving the island of Tsushima behind for the region surrounding Mount Yōtei on Hokkaido, known then as Ezo. Despite the chronological distance between the two games,Yōteiis a mechanical evolution ofTsushima, and will likely reward those who have played the first game.
PS Plus' Offer Lets You Play At A Discount (Or For Free If You’re A Member Already)
A Small Price To Pay
If you’re still on PS4,Ghost of Tsushimais even cheaper at $19.79.
If you want to save even more, simplybuy a single month of PlayStation Plus Extra for $14.99. It’s a great deal for a game that Sony usually still sells at a premium. As an added bonus, you’ll get access to the rest of the Game Catalog for the month, and can check out many other celebrated exclusives, includingGod of WarandGod of War: Ragnarök,The Last of Us Part 1,Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales,Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart, every mainlineUnchartedgame andThe Lost Legacy, and a couple personal favorites, the remake ofDemon’s Soulsand the criminally underratedReturnal.
The full list of titles available in the Game Catalog is quite extensive; you may see the current lineuphere.
Recommending a game subscription can be tough, since a lot of people don’t want the hassle of repeated payments, butGhost of Tsushimaalone is worth the price of a month, and it can pay for itself pretty quickly if you scour the Game Catalog for other titles to check out.Ghost of Yōteiis currently the only major PS5 exclusive left in 2025 afterDeath Stranding 2, making now the perfect time to playGhost of Tsushima, especially sincePlayStation Plusmakes it so easy to try out.
