PlayStation Plus October Monthly Games: Release Dates, Available Titles, and Announcement Schedules

PlayStation Plus subscribers anticipate a recurring monthly benefit: a selection of games available at no additional cost. The availability of these titles typically follows a set schedule, with specific dates for announcements and downloads. The following information details the release patterns, specific game lineups for various years, and additional content availability based on the provided documentation.

Release Schedule and Announcement Timelines

The release of PlayStation Plus Essential monthly games generally adheres to a specific schedule. Games are typically made available for download on the first Tuesday of each month. For example, in October 2025, the games were scheduled to go live on October 7, which fell on a Tuesday. Similarly, in October 2021, the games became available to add to user libraries on October 5. In October 2023, the release date was October 3.

The announcement of the upcoming monthly games usually occurs on the last Wednesday of the month prior to release. However, exceptions to this schedule exist. In September 2025, announcements were anticipated by September 24 at the latest. Due to celebrations surrounding the 15th anniversary of PS Plus and the 30th anniversary of PlayStation, the company occasionally announces games sooner than the standard Wednesday schedule.

October 2024 Lineup

In October 2024, PlayStation Plus subscribers across all tiers—Essential, Extra, Deluxe, and Premium—were eligible to download specific titles. These games were revealed during a State of Play presentation. The lineup included:

Dead Space (PS5): A survival horror title.
WWE 2K24 (PS4, PS5): A professional wrestling simulation game.
Doki Doki Literature Club Plus (PS4, PS5): A visual novel.

It was noted that all PS4 games listed in the lineup could also be downloaded and played on PS5 consoles.

October 2023 Lineup

The monthly games for October 2023 were available to members from October 3 through November 6. The selection consisted of three titles:

The Callisto Protocol (PS5, PS4): A narrative-driven, third-person survival horror game set 300 years in the future. Players assume the role of Jacob Lee, an inmate at Black Iron Prison on Jupiter’s moon, Callisto. The gameplay involves a mix of shooting and close-quarters combat against transforming inmates, requiring players to scavenge for weapons and gear to survive and escape.
Farming Simulator 22 (PS5, PS4): A simulation game where players take on the role of a modern farmer. The game allows users to build a farm creatively across three diverse American and European environments.
Weird West (PS5, PS4): An action RPG.

October 2021 Lineup

The PlayStation Plus free games for October 2021 were available starting October 5. The lineup included:

Hell Let Loose (PS5): A World War II multiplayer tactical shooter.
Mortal Kombat X (PS4): A fighting game.
PGA Tour 2K21 (PS4): A golf simulation game.

October 2020 Lineup

In October 2020, two PS4 games were available to PlayStation Plus members:

Need for Speed: Payback (2017): A racing game featuring heist missions, car battles, and stunts. Players can choose between three characters and fully customize their vehicles.
Vampyr (2018): A role-playing game set in 1918 London. Players control a doctor who has become a vampire. The gameplay involves using supernatural abilities and weapons to fight enemies, with the option to feed on the city's population to gain strength.

October 2017 Lineup and PlayStation VR Content

The October 2017 lineup offered a variety of games across different platforms, including cross-buy titles that provided access on multiple PlayStation consoles.

Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain (PS4): A stealth action game.
Amnesia: Collection (PS4): This collection includes the atmospheric survival horror game Amnesia: The Dark Descent (2010) and its sequel, A Machine for Pigs. These titles are available for PS4 owners.
Cross-Buy Titles:
- Hue (PS Vita, PS4): A side-scrolling puzzle game where players change backdrop colors to progress.
- Sky Force Anniversary (PS4, PS Vita, PS3): A top-down shoot 'em up.

Additionally, PlayStation VR owners had access to Rigs: Mechanized Combat League for free throughout October 2017, with availability extending until November 7 as part of a one-year celebration of PSVR.

October 2025 Additional Content

While the specific Essential monthly games for October 2025 were anticipated for announcement, the Extra and Premium catalogs for that month included games that came with free downloadable content (DLC) packs available on the PS Store.

Yakuza: Like a Dragon: The "Pachislot Machines" DLC adds four Pachislot mini-games to parlors within the game world. The specific machines included are:
- Million God: Return of the Gods
- Beast King Oujya no Houkou
- SOUTEN-NO-KEN PONYOU
- ANOTHER GOD HADES -Zeus Dethroned-
V Rising: The "Haunted Nights Castle" DLC pack allows players to decorate their castles with a dozen add-ons. The items included are:
- Haunted Nights Wall Decor (2x Wallpapers)
- Haunted Nights Gourd Lanterns
- Haunted Nights Stained Glass Window
- Haunted Nights Carpets
- Haunted Nights Floating Gourd
- Haunted Nights Standing Mirror
- Haunted Nights Skull Candles
- Haunted Nights Laughing Pumpkin
- Haunted Nights Grinning Pumpkin
- Haunted Nights Wailing Pumpkin
- Haunted Nights Web Drapes (for Pillars, Walls, and Windows)
- Haunted Nights Coffin
- Haunted Nights Small Stash

The refresh of the PS Plus Extra and Premium catalog for October 2025 was scheduled for Tuesday, October 21.

General Subscription Details

PlayStation Plus is a subscription service offering online multiplayer access, exclusive discounts on the PlayStation Store, and a selection of free monthly games. These games remain accessible to subscribers as long as their membership is active. The service includes different tiers (Essential, Extra, Deluxe, and Premium), with higher tiers offering access to a larger catalog of games. Pricing in one specific instance was listed as £6.99 per month, £19.99 for three months, or £49.99 annually, though pricing and availability may vary by region.

Conclusion

The PlayStation Plus service provides a consistent stream of monthly games for subscribers, typically released on the first Tuesday of the month. The selection varies by year, ranging from survival horror and racing games to simulation and fighting titles. Higher subscription tiers offer additional game catalogs and, occasionally, specific free DLC content for included games. Subscribers are advised to monitor official announcements, typically made on the last Wednesday of the preceding month, for specific details on upcoming lineups.