The latest batch of PlayStation Plus monthly games has landed, and it is a surprisingly varied mix. January’s offering combines a big-budget arcade racer, a reimagined Disney platformer classic, and a cult-favourite indie survival game. Altogether, Sony says the line-up is worth more than €159.97, and once claimed, the games are yours to keep for as long as your PlayStation Plus membership stays active.
As ever, all three titles are available to download now for PlayStation Plus Essential, Extra and Premium members across Ireland. Add them to your library before the end of the month and they will be there whenever you want to dive in.
Need for Speed Unbound
Need for Speed Unbound is the headline act this month, and easily the biggest budget release in the line-up. Developed by Criterion Games, Unbound takes the long-running racing series in a bold visual direction, mixing realistic cars with stylised graffiti-style effects and animated character details.
On the road, it is fast, flashy and deliberately over the top. The handling leans towards arcade rather than simulation, making it ideal for quick sessions or long nights chasing upgrades and outrunning the police. For PlayStation Plus members who skipped it at launch, this is a great chance to experience one of the more distinctive Need for Speed entries in years without paying full price.
Disney Epic Mickey: Rebrushed
Disney Epic Mickey: Rebrushed brings a cult Wii-era classic back into the spotlight. This reworked version updates the visuals and controls while keeping the heart of the original intact, a darker, more playful take on the Disney universe starring Mickey Mouse.
The game blends platforming with light puzzle-solving, built around the idea of creation and destruction using paint and thinner. It is family-friendly but not simplistic, and its imaginative world design still stands out. For Irish players looking for something to enjoy with younger gamers, or just a nostalgic break from shooters and sports games, Epic Mickey is a welcome inclusion.
Core Keeper
Rounding out the month is Core Keeper, a top-down sandbox survival game that has quietly built a strong following. Often described as a mix of Minecraft and Terraria, Core Keeper drops you into a vast underground world filled with resources, monsters and secrets.
It is easy to pick up but deceptively deep, especially when played with friends online. Base-building, exploration and progression are all tightly woven together, making it a great long-term game to dip in and out of. Its inclusion adds some genuine genre variety to January’s PlayStation Plus line-up.
A Bonus For Premium Members
Beyond the monthly games, PlayStation Plus Premium subscribers also get access to a new Game Trial this month. You can now try Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, an acclaimed turn-based RPG set in a striking fantasy world inspired by Belle Époque-era France.
The trial lets you experience the opening hours of the game, introducing its unusual premise and painterly visual style before you decide whether it is worth a full purchase. It is a smart way to sample something a little more niche without commitment, and exactly the kind of extra that helps justify the Premium tier.
