Sony had a lot of pressure on it back in late 2024. It was the 30th anniversary of PlayStation, a milestone that usually means big fireworks, nostalgia-bait, and—most importantly for us—a killer lineup of games for subscribers. But when the December PS Plus games 2024 list actually dropped, the internet didn't exactly throw a parade.
Honestly, the reaction was kinda messy. People expected God of War Ragnarok or some massive AAA first-party title to celebrate three decades of gaming. Instead, we got a quirky mix of "love it or hate it" titles and some deep-cut classics.
The Essential Tier: A Masterclass in "Wait, I Already Have This?"
The three games that hit the Essential tier on December 3, 2024, were It Takes Two, Aliens: Dark Descent, and Temtem.
On paper? That's a strong month. It Takes Two literally won Game of the Year. It’s a masterpiece of co-op design where you play as a divorcing couple turned into dolls. But here’s the kicker: it had already been on the Extra catalog before. Submitting it as a "new" monthly game for the 30th anniversary felt a bit like getting a gift you already owned.
Aliens: Dark Descent was the real sleeper hit of the bunch. It's not your typical first-person shooter. It’s a squad-based tactical game where the Xenomorphs actually feel terrifying because they hunt you in real-time. If you lose a marine, they're gone. Permanent death. It’s stressful, dark, and perfect for a winter night.
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Then there was Temtem. Basically, "Pokémon but an MMO." It’s got a loyal following, but by December 2024, the buzz had cooled significantly. It felt like a "nice to have" rather than a "must-play."
The Extra Catalog: Where the Weird Stuff Happened
If you pay for the mid-tier or the Premium sub, the December 17 drop was actually way more interesting, mostly because it included games that nobody wanted to pay $60 for but everyone secretly wanted to try.
- Sonic Frontiers: This game is polarizing as heck. It’s the "open-zone" Sonic that feels a bit like Shadow of the Colossus if Sonic was constantly tripping on speed. Some people loved the freedom; others thought the world looked like a tech demo.
- Forspoken: This was the biggest "risk" of the month. It was panned at launch for its dialogue and empty world. Having it on PS Plus was the perfect excuse for people to finally see if it was actually bad or just misunderstood. Spoiler: the parkour is actually fun, even if the talking cuff is annoying.
- F.I.S.T.: Forged In Shadow Torch: If you ignored this one, you missed out. It’s a Metroidvania where you play as a rabbit with a giant mechanical fist. It’s stylish, crunchy, and way better than it has any right to be.
We also saw the Coffee Talk games (both 1 and 2) arrive. These are the ultimate "lo-fi beats to chill to" games. You just make coffee and listen to urban fantasy creatures talk about their lives. It’s basically therapy in digital form.
The 30th Anniversary Nostalgia Trip
Premium subscribers got the best part of the anniversary celebration, though. Sony finally started leaning into the PS2 classics library again.
We got Sly 2: Band of Thieves, Sly 3: Honor Among Thieves, and an updated version of Jak and Daxter: The Precursor Legacy. These weren't just messy ports; they came with trophy support. For many of us who grew up with a PS2 controller glued to our hands, this was the highlight.
They also threw in Star Wars: Tales from the Galaxy’s Edge for the PS VR2 crowd. It’s a niche addition, but since PS VR2 owners are always starving for content, it was a welcome sight.
What Leaving in December Hurt the Most?
While we were getting new stuff, we lost some heavy hitters. The "Leaving Soon" tab in December 2024 was brutal.
Judgment and Stranger of Paradise: Final Fantasy Origin were the big losses. If you didn't finish your Yakuza-adjacent detective work or your quest to "kill Chaos," you were out of luck by mid-month. We also lost the Mega Man collections and Dead Island.
It’s the classic PS Plus cycle. One hand gives, the other hand takes away your 60-hour JRPG before you can finish the final boss.
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Is PS Plus Still Worth It?
Looking back at the December PS Plus games 2024, the value really depended on your "shame list." You know, those games you almost bought on sale five times but never did? That’s what December was for. It wasn't a month of blockbuster new releases; it was a month of "I'm glad I didn't pay for this, but I'm happy to play it now."
If you’re still sitting on these titles in your library, start with Aliens: Dark Descent for a challenge, or Coffee Talk if you just want to turn your brain off.
Actionable Tips for Your PS Plus Library:
- Check your Licenses: If you claimed It Takes Two on Essential but had it on Extra before, make sure the license updated so you own it as long as you have a basic sub.
- The "Forspoken" Test: Give it two hours. If the combat doesn't click by then, delete it. The story won't save it for you.
- Nostalgia Grind: If you're a trophy hunter, the Sly Cooper ports are relatively easy Platinum trophies and a great trip down memory lane.
- Don't Sleep on Small Titles: A Space for the Unbound was tucked away in the Extra list, but it’s one of the most emotional indie stories on the platform.
Start with the Sly Cooper trilogy if you want the best "anniversary" vibe, then move to Aliens if you want to see what a modern tactical game can really do.