Sony Interactive Entertainment has announced significant changes to its PlayStation Plus subscription service, revealing that 22 games will be removed from the catalog on May 20, 2025. This decision has sparked concern among gamers, particularly with the departure of some highly popular titles.
Among the most notable games slated for removal is Grand Theft Auto V, a title that has become synonymous with the PlayStation brand since its initial release in 2013. GTA V recently made its return to PlayStation Plus in November 2024, but this will mark its exit from the service just six months later. As one of the best-selling games of all time, with over 210 million copies sold, its removal is expected to leave a considerable gap in the library for subscribers.
Other significant titles being removed include Batman: Arkham Knight, InFAMOUS: Second Son, and various PSVR 2 games such as Ghostbusters: Rise of the Ghost Lord and The Walking Dead: Saints & Sinners. The full list of games leaving PlayStation Plus encompasses a mix of genres and platforms, highlighting the breadth of content available through the service.
PlayStation Plus subscribers have until May 20 to play these games before they are no longer accessible unless purchased individually. The complete list of titles being removed includes:
- Grand Theft Auto V (PS4, PS5)
- MotoGP 24 (PS4, PS5)
- The Sims 4: Island Living (PS4)
- Resistance: Fall of Man (PS3) (PS Plus Premium)
- Resistance 2 (PS3) (PS Plus Premium)
- Walkabout Mini Golf (PS5) (PS Plus Premium)
- Synth Riders (PSVR 2) (PS Plus Premium)
- Ghostbusters: Rise of the Ghost Lord (PSVR 2) (PS Plus Premium)
- Before Your Eyes (PSVR 2) (PS Plus Premium)
- The Walking Dead: Saints & Sinners (PSVR 2) (PS Plus Premium)
- The Walking Dead: Saints & Sinners - Chapter 2: Retribution (PSVR 2) (PS Plus Premium)
- LEGO Marvel Super Heroes 2 (PS4)
- Stranded: Alien Dawn (PS4, PS5)
- The LEGO Movie 2 Videogame (PS5)
- Ghostrunner (PS4, PS5)
- Payday 2: Crimewave Edition (PS4)
- Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night (PS4)
- Portal Knights (PS4)
- Enter the Gungeon (PS4)
- Batman: Arkham Knight (PS4)
- InFAMOUS: Second Son (PS4)
This extensive list of removals is particularly striking, as it marks one of the largest monthly departures from PlayStation Plus in recent memory. Traditionally, the service sees an average of five to ten games removed each month, but this month’s cuts are unprecedented.
In addition to the removals, PlayStation Plus has been actively adding new titles to the service. On April 15, 2025, several new games were introduced, including Battlefield 1, Hogwarts Legacy, Lost Records: Bloom & Rage - Tape 2, and PlateUp. Premium subscribers also gained access to Alone in the Dark 2 and War of the Monsters during this update.
As the gaming community prepares for these changes, the question remains whether PlayStation will replenish its library with equally compelling titles to offset the losses. The timing of these removals coincides with the anticipation of new game releases, including the highly awaited Grand Theft Auto VI, which has gamers buzzing.
Moreover, the removal of several PSVR 2 titles has raised eyebrows among virtual reality enthusiasts. Games like Ghostbusters: Rise of the Ghost Lord were only recently added to the service during last year’s Days of Play celebration and are now facing a swift exit. This could signal a shift in Sony's strategy regarding VR content, as the company aims to balance its offerings across traditional and virtual gaming.
For those who have yet to experience these titles, the urgency is palpable. With less than a month remaining, avid gamers are urged to dive into these games before they disappear from the PlayStation Plus catalog. Whether it’s the sprawling open world of GTA V or the iconic superhero action of Batman: Arkham Knight, these games represent a significant part of the PlayStation experience.
In summary, the upcoming removal of 22 games from PlayStation Plus on May 20, 2025, marks a notable shift in Sony's gaming strategy. As subscribers brace for these changes, the gaming landscape remains as dynamic as ever, with new titles and experiences on the horizon. The challenge for Sony will be to ensure that the value of PlayStation Plus remains strong amid these departures, keeping players engaged and eager for what’s next.
