PlayStation Plus is ending 2025 with one of its strongest Game Catalog lineups in months. Sony announced on December 10 that nine new titles will join PS Plus Extra and Premium tiers on December 16, including Assassin’s Creed Mirage, the underrated JRPG Granblue Fantasy: Relink, and Team Ninja’s brutal Soulslike Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty. The lineup marks a significant upgrade from recent months and gives subscribers plenty of reasons to dive back into their backlogs.
The Big Three Headliners
Assassin’s Creed Mirage leads the pack as the most high-profile addition. Released in 2023, Mirage represents Ubisoft’s attempt to return the franchise to its stealth-focused roots after years of massive open-world RPGs. Set in ancient Baghdad, the game follows Basim Ibn Ishaq as he joins the Hidden Ones and fights the Order of the Ancients. The parkour and assassination mechanics prioritize player skill over RPG stats, making it feel closer to the original Assassin’s Creed games than anything Ubisoft has released in nearly a decade.
What makes this timing particularly good is that Mirage recently received a free update adding new story content and additional parkour options, including a dedicated jump button that fans had been requesting. The game also looks gorgeous running on modern hardware, making it a great showcase for PS5 capabilities.
Granblue Fantasy Relink Deserves More Attention
Granblue Fantasy: Relink might be the most underrated game in the entire lineup. This Cygames-developed action RPG combines linear anime storytelling with Monster Hunter-style boss battles and real-time combat that rivals some of the best action games available. Platinum Games employees helped develop it, which explains the tight controls and ability juggling mechanics that make every fight feel responsive and engaging.
The game follows the captain of a skyfaring crew exploring the floating archipelago of the Sky Realm while searching for the legendary island of Estalucia. Beyond the main story, Relink includes extensive multiplayer support and a deep endgame that combines MMO-style raid pacing with action game precision. For JRPG fans looking for something different from turn-based combat, this is essential playing.
Wo Long Brings Team Ninja Combat
Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty rounds out the major additions with fast-paced Soulslike action set during China’s Three Kingdoms period. Developed by Team Ninja, the same studio behind Nioh and the upcoming Ninja Gaiden 4, Wo Long emphasizes parry-based combat similar to Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice. The game puts a dark fantasy spin on historical events, mixing demons and martial arts with intense boss fights that demand perfect timing.
While it doesn’t quite reach the heights of Nioh 2, Wo Long still delivers challenging gameplay with a unique Chinese mythology aesthetic that sets it apart from other Soulslikes. The game rewards aggressive play and mastering the deflection system, making victory feel earned rather than lucky.
Everything Else Coming in December
The December additions extend beyond the big three. Skate Story already launched as a day-one release on December 8, putting players in control of a glass demon who must skateboard through hell while consuming moons. The surreal indie game combines trick-based skating with existential horror in ways that feel genuinely unique.
Planet Coaster 2 joins the lineup for theme park management fans, while Cat Quest 3 continues the delightful pun-filled pirate adventure series with solo and co-op play. Two Paw Patrol games arrive for younger players: Grand Prix offers kart racing, while World provides action-adventure missions across Adventure Bay. PlayStation Plus Premium subscribers also get Soulcalibur III, widely considered the best entry in the fighting game franchise and the first to include Create-A-Soul character customization.
Don’t Forget the Essential Games
December also brings five free games to PS Plus Essential subscribers, two more than the usual monthly offering. The lineup includes LEGO Horizon Adventures, Killing Floor 3, The Outlast Trials, Synduality: Echo of Ada, and Neon White. These games remain available to claim until January 5, 2026, giving everyone extra time during the holiday season.
Notably, LEGO Horizon Adventures appears in both the Essential and Extra tiers, which seems redundant since all PS Plus members already have access through Essential. The inclusion suggests Sony wanted to pad out the Extra catalog numbers, though the rest of the lineup stands strong enough without it.
FAQs
When do the December PS Plus Game Catalog additions release?
Most games join PlayStation Plus Extra and Premium on December 16, 2025. The exception is Skate Story, which launched as a day-one release on December 8.
What games are coming to PS Plus Extra in December 2025?
The Extra tier adds Assassin’s Creed Mirage, Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty, Granblue Fantasy: Relink, Planet Coaster 2, Cat Quest 3, Skate Story, LEGO Horizon Adventures, Paw Patrol: Grand Prix, and Paw Patrol World.
What’s new for PS Plus Premium in December?
Premium subscribers get everything from Extra plus Soulcalibur III, the PS2 classic fighting game with enhanced visuals, quick-save functionality, and custom video filters.
Is Assassin’s Creed Mirage worth playing?
Yes. Mirage returns to the series’ stealth roots with a focus on parkour and assassination over RPG mechanics. It recently received a free update adding new story content and improved parkour options including a dedicated jump button.
What is Granblue Fantasy: Relink?
Relink is an action JRPG that combines linear storytelling with Monster Hunter-style boss battles and Platinum Games-quality combat. It includes multiplayer support and extensive endgame content.
How long are the December Essential games available?
The five PS Plus Essential games for December (LEGO Horizon Adventures, Killing Floor 3, The Outlast Trials, Synduality: Echo of Ada, and Neon White) can be claimed from December 2 through January 5, 2026.
What games are leaving PS Plus in December?
Several titles depart the catalog in December including Grand Theft Auto 5, Pacific Drive, Still Wakes the Deep, Insurgency: Sandstorm, Thank Goodness You’re Here, and The Talos Principle 2. Claim them before they disappear.
Do I need PS Plus Premium to play Soulcalibur III?
Yes, Soulcalibur III is exclusive to the Premium tier as part of the PlayStation Classics library. Extra subscribers won’t have access to this title.
Best Month in a While
After several months of underwhelming Game Catalog additions, December 2025 feels like Sony finally remembered what makes the service valuable. The combination of Assassin’s Creed Mirage, Granblue Fantasy: Relink, and Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty gives action fans three solid options with completely different gameplay styles. Throw in the quirky appeal of Skate Story and family-friendly options for the holidays, and you’ve got a lineup that justifies the subscription cost. Whether you’re into stealth, JRPGs, Soulslikes, or management sims, there’s something worth downloading this month. Just make sure to claim everything before titles start rotating out, and don’t sleep on Granblue Fantasy: Relink if you’ve been looking for your next action RPG obsession.