January 2025 marks the beginning of another exciting year for PlayStation Plus subscribers, who are eagerly awaiting the announcement of the upcoming free games. The reveal is set for January 1 at 11:30 AM EST, but fans will have to hold off until January 7 to actually download and play the new titles.
According to various gaming news sources, Resident Evil Village is at the top of the prediction list. This iconic horror game, which pays homage to its predecessor Resident Evil 4, has captivated players with its first-person gameplay and action-oriented style. Set in a remote village filled with fearsome creatures like werewolves and vampires, the game has long been speculated to eventually join the ranks of PS Plus available titles. Capcom, its developer, is rumored to be working on the next sequel, which adds urgency to the speculation surrounding the game's addition to the subscription service.
The community is also buzzing with predictions about other titles likely to make the leap onto PS Plus Essentials. South Park: Snow Day—a game marked by mixed reviews—could benefit from the added exposure of being featured as part of the subscription service. Several other titles are generating excitement, including Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora, Atomic Heart, Star Wars Jedi: Survivor, and more. With Atomic Heart having exited Xbox Game Pass earlier this year, the writing seems to be on the wall for its PS Plus debut.
Heavyweights like Hogwarts Legacy, God of War: Ragnarok, and Lies of P are also making frequent appearances in discussions. Other anticipated inclusions include Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown, Jusant, Terminator Resistance, and RoboCop: Rogue City. Titles such as Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty, Horizon Forbidden West, and Sea of Stars are mentioned often, showcasing the wide range of games fans are hopeful to see.
Interestingly, the predictions stem from engaging dialogues among fans on platforms like Reddit, particularly within the r/PlayStation Plus subreddit. Each month, the community engages in what they term the ‘Prediction Tournament’—a fun yet analytical examination of patterns from past PS Plus releases. Factors such as the timing of releases, the frequency of first-party games offered, and potential publisher partnerships are taken seriously by the local enthusiasts, allowing for informed speculation.
A devoted community member notes, "Many suggest Resident Evil Village is the most likely contender, considering its predecessors have all appeared on PS Plus previously." With the game currently retailing for around £13.99 and closing in on its fourth anniversary, it seems the perfect moment for Sony to revitalize interest and attract new players.
Atomic Heart is also gaining traction among predictions, reflecting on its recent shift from premium tier trials to possibly being included on both Extra and Essentials offerings. Despite its lukewarm reception at launch, subscription services have proven to breathe new life and profitability back to games struggling to find their footing upon initial release.
Could 2025 be the year when PS Plus experiences another milestone? The expectations for the upcoming lineup have not gone unnoticed by trend watchers, who give special attention to games like Cocoon, which have been increasingly gaining popularity. Meanwhile, titles such as Assassin's Creed Mirage, F1 24, and EA Sports WRC also creep up on prediction lists, leaving gamers eager for January’s slate of offerings.
The upcoming announcement will see subscribers bidding farewell to December's offerings, which included It Takes Two, Aliens: Dark Descent, and TemTem. The transition to the new year is always exciting for subscribers, especially with the possibility of playing engaging new titles just around the corner.
PlayStation Plus’s consistent delivery of new content has kept gamers entertained. With the community actively engaged and eagerly speculating about what January 2025 will bring, the gaming world is holding its breath. Will the newest additions live up to expectations? Only time will tell once the official announcements are made.
Stay tuned for January 1 when gamers can officially mark their calendars for this highly anticipated event!