On October 29, 2025, Sony officially unveiled the November 2025 PlayStation Plus lineup — a surprisingly rich mix of indie charm, high-octane simulation, and nostalgic revival that could reshape how millions of players approach their monthly game rotations. The free games drop begins November 4 for Essential members, with a second wave hitting Extra and Premium subscribers on November 18. This isn’t just another monthly update. It’s a curated experience that spans quiet cat adventures, chaotic battle sims, and the return of one of gaming’s most iconic figures.
Essential Tier: A Cat, a Rally Car, and Pure Chaos
For PlayStation Plus Essential members, the November selection is a masterclass in contrast. Stray, the 2022 indie darling from BlueTwelve Studio, a tiny team based in southern France, lands as the emotional centerpiece. Players step into the paws of a stray cat navigating a neon-drenched, crumbling cybercity filled with forgotten robots and eerie silence. It’s not just a game — it’s a mood. A quiet, melancholic journey that feels more like walking through a painted dream than playing a video game.
Then there’s EA Sports WRC 24, a simulator so precise it makes you feel the gravel crunch under tires and the suspension groan over Alpine hairpins. It’s not for everyone, but for those who crave authenticity over arcade thrills, this is the real deal — and it’s free. No microtransactions. No paywalls. Just pure, unfiltered rally racing.
And then… Totally Accurate Battle Simulator (TABS). A game where armies of wobbly, physics-defying soldiers stumble into each other like drunk toddlers. Explosions send limbs flying. Knights get launched into orbit. It’s absurd. It’s hilarious. And somehow, it’s become a cult staple. The fact that it’s here — alongside a poetic cat adventure and a hardcore rally sim — says everything about PlayStation Plus’s current strategy: cater to every mood, every player, every kind of Tuesday night.
Extra & Premium: The Big Leagues Arrive
On November 18, things get serious. The Game Catalog expands with nine titles, headlined by Grand Theft Auto V. Yes — the 2013 open-world titan, still one of the most played games on the planet, is now free for Extra and Premium subscribers. AllKeyShop noted the timing is "perfect" ahead of GTA VI’s planned November 19, 2026 release. Whether Rockstar intends for GTA V to remain on the service until then is unclear, but right now, it’s a gift to anyone who’s ever wanted to experience the chaos of Los Santos without paying $70.
Also joining the catalog: Insurgency: Sandstorm, a brutally realistic team-based shooter where ammo is scarce, communication is vital, and one wrong move means a bullet to the forehead. It’s the opposite of TABS — and that’s the point.
Pacific Drive and Still Wakes the Deep bring atmospheric horror into the mix. The former is a survival game set in the Pacific Northwest, where your car is your only shelter against an unforgiving, supernatural landscape. The latter? A deep-sea oil rig nightmare that had players whispering about nightmares after its 2023 launch. Both are PS5 exclusives, pushing the boundaries of what the console can do.
The Return of Lara Croft
Perhaps the most emotionally resonant addition is Tomb Raider: Anniversary. Originally released in 2007 as a remake of the 1996 classic, this version of Lara Croft’s debut adventure returns to PlayStation platforms after a two-month wait, as fans on Reddit and AllKeyShop’s forums noted. For many, it’s not just nostalgia — it’s a homecoming. The game’s elegant puzzles, haunting score, and the way Lara climbs crumbling ruins with such grace? Still unmatched. Its inclusion in the Classics Catalog for Premium members feels like a quiet nod to the generation that grew up with her.
Other additions — Monster Jam Showdown, MotoGP 25, Thank Goodness You're Here!, and The Talos Principle 2 — round out a lineup that’s as diverse as it is deep. From truck-jumping chaos to cerebral philosophy puzzles, there’s literally something for everyone.
What’s Missing — And Why It Matters
One glaring absence? PSVR2 titles. AllKeyShop confirmed that, despite rumors, no virtual reality games are included this month. "It may already be safe to assume that [PSVR2 titles] has been stopped," the report stated. That’s a quiet alarm bell. Sony’s VR division has struggled to gain traction, and the lack of support in a major monthly update signals a possible shift in priorities.
Also worth noting: Essential members must download their games by December 1, 2025, to keep them permanently — as long as their subscription remains active. The Game Catalog titles, however, will stay available indefinitely unless Sony removes them. That’s a crucial distinction. You don’t own them — you rent them. But for $15 a month? That’s still a bargain.
Why This Matters Beyond the Free Games
This lineup isn’t just about free games. It’s about strategy. Sony is using PlayStation Plus to keep players locked into its ecosystem. GTA V? It’s a gateway to the next generation. Stray? It’s a showcase for indie innovation. Tomb Raider? It’s legacy reinforcement. And by offering such wildly different experiences, Sony ensures that even if you don’t like one game, you’ll likely love another — and stay subscribed.
It’s also a quiet rebuttal to Xbox Game Pass. Where Microsoft pushes breadth, Sony is doubling down on curation. This isn’t a flood of games. It’s a carefully chosen banquet. And for many, that’s more valuable.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to download the Essential tier games by December 1, 2025, to keep them forever?
Yes. To permanently keep Stray, EA Sports WRC 24, and Totally Accurate Battle Simulator in your library, you must download them before December 1, 2025. Once downloaded, they remain yours as long as your PlayStation Plus subscription stays active. If you cancel, you lose access — but if you resubscribe later, they’ll reappear.
Will Grand Theft Auto V be removed when GTA VI launches in November 2026?
Sony hasn’t confirmed whether GTA V will stay on the catalog after GTA VI’s November 19, 2026 release. Historically, Sony has kept older titles in the Game Catalog even after sequels drop — but with GTA VI expected to be a system-seller, it’s possible Sony will rotate it out to make room for new exclusives. Keep an eye on official announcements in late 2026.
Why is there no PSVR2 content in November 2025?
Sony has not included any PSVR2 titles in the November lineup, and AllKeyShop suggests this may signal a pause in VR support. Since its 2022 launch, PSVR2 has struggled with low adoption and limited third-party support. Without major exclusive titles or regular updates, Sony may be deprioritizing VR in favor of core PlayStation 5 experiences.
Can I play all these games on PS4 or only PS5?
Most titles are cross-gen. Stray, Grand Theft Auto V, Tomb Raider: Anniversary, Insurgency: Sandstorm, Monster Jam Showdown, and MotoGP 25 are playable on both PS4 and PS5. However, Pacific Drive, Still Wakes the Deep, The Talos Principle 2, and Thank Goodness You're Here! are PS5 exclusives, requiring the newer hardware to run.
Is Tomb Raider: Anniversary the same as the original 1996 game?
No — it’s a 2007 remake of the original, rebuilt with modern graphics, controls, and audio while preserving the core level design and story. It’s not a full reimagining like the 2013 reboot, but it’s the definitive way to experience Lara Croft’s debut on modern hardware. Many fans consider it the best version available.
How does this compare to last month’s PlayStation Plus lineup?
October’s lineup was strong with titles like Red Dead Redemption and Dead by Daylight, but November’s feels more ambitious. The inclusion of GTA V and Tomb Raider: Anniversary adds legacy weight, while Stray and Still Wakes the Deep offer unique, emotionally resonant experiences. It’s less about quantity and more about quality — and the diversity of genres is unmatched this year.
