A Top-Tier Open-World Game Returns to PS Plus

As May draws to a close, PlayStation Plus is rotating in a slew of new games, some might be interesting, but there’s one standout that steals the show: Red Dead Redemption 2. This iconic open-world Western from Rockstar Games is making a grand return to the subscription service, having been absent for nearly two years. So, the big question is: will you be able to conquer it this time around?

Chances are, many of you already have Red Dead Redemption 2 sitting in your game collection, especially since it has surpassed a staggering 60 million copies sold since its release back in 2018. But if you haven’t yet embarked on this outlaw adventure, now’s your chance to dive in and perhaps even see it through to the end. It’s widely regarded as one of the finest titles on the PlayStation 4, although it’s curious that we still don’t have a native PS5 version. The slow burn of its narrative, the cinematic breadth of its storytelling, and the immersive depiction of American life at the turn of the century make it both enthralling and inescapable.

Former Kotaku editor Kirk Hamilton captured it perfectly in his review when he said, “there is a pulse pumping through this techno-artistic marvel. This game has heart; the kind of heart that is 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 is 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 focus solely on the main campaign, you could wrap it up in about 50 hours. But if you allow yourself to get lost in its harsh wilderness and sprawling mountain landscapes, it can easily consume around 200 hours of your time. Last time it was part of the PS Plus lineup, it stayed for four months—plenty of time to fully experience it, right?

Now, what else is joining PS Plus in May 2024?

On May 21, Red Dead Redemption 2 will be accompanied by several other titles joining the Extra tier of PS Plus. Here’s the full lineup for you:

Don’t overlook Cat Quest 1 and 2; they’re gems in their own right! Meanwhile, the Premium tier gets an infusion of nostalgia with three PlayStation classics:

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

However, it’s not all additions and joy—some titles will be leaving. One significant departure is Guerrilla Games’ stunning open-world sci-fi adventure, Horizon Zero Dawn. If you haven’t completed Aloy’s epic journey by May 21, you’ll need to purchase it separately to continue.

Considering Horizon Zero Dawn is a cornerstone of Sony’s lineup and essential if you wish to enjoy Horizon Forbidden West and its subsequent Burning Shores expansion, it seems an odd choice to remove it. One theory could be Sony is planning a PS5 remaster. Although that might seem unlikely with the existing free 60fps upgrade, we all know the gaming world loves a surprise.

Here’s a look at all the games bidding farewell in May:

It may feel like a downer month for PS Plus Extras with all these departures, but at least the return of Red Dead Redemption 2 brings something to smile about.