The question of whether to invest in a PS Plus membership is common for PlayStation users. After using the PlayStation Plus Premium tier for more than a year, I am convinced that the PS Plus membership is absolutely worth the cost. Here are six reasons why…

In regions where game streaming is not available, such as India, Australia, and New Zealand, the highest tier is called PlayStation Plus Deluxe. It offers all the same benefits as Premium, except for the ability to stream games.

PS Plus Extra Discount on Games

1The Free Games Help Me Discover Hidden Gems

With my Premium tier, I get access to hundreds of PS4 and PS5 games, including hit titles like God of War, Uncharted, and Red Dead Redemption 2. It is also a fantastic way to discover hidden gems on the PlayStation Store. For instance, I’ve stumbled upon games like Returnal and Demon’s Souls, which I might have missed otherwise. Purchasing these two games separately would have amounted to a total cost of $140.

Not to mention the free monthly games Sony releases to all PS Plus members.

PS Plus Game Trials

2Extra Discounts Save Me Money

Even if I don’t find a game included in the PS Plus game catalog, I am still likely to find it discounted on the PlayStation Store. These discounts are a sweet perk available to all PS Plus members, regardless of their tier.

The savings can be significant, ranging from a few percentage points to deeper cuts on both new releases and classic titles, making them more affordable. Even if I only snag three or four discounted games a year, the total savings easily surpass thecost of the PS Plus subscription.

PS Plus Cloud Storage

Additionally, PS Plus member discounts can extend to a variety of downloadable content (DLC), potentially saving you money on exciting extras for your favorite games.

3I Love the “Try Before You Buy” Model for Expensive Titles

It’s true that not every game has a discount with a PS Plus membership. However, my PS Plus Premium membership gives me the chance to play some of these expensive titles for a limited time, typically around 1-3 hours. This gives me an opportunity to experience the game before I decide to splash my cash on it.

It’s like having a demo that lets me experience the gameplay firsthand, rather than relying on reviews and recommendations. This major benefit was a key factor in my decision to opt for the Premium tier, as game trials are not available with the Essential or Extra tier.

PS Plus Classic Catalog

Thanks to this “try before you buy” model, I was able to test out Cyberpunk 2077 for a couple of hours for free and decide it wasn’t something I’d play for long. On the other hand, Football Manager 2024 completely hooked me during its trial, so I ended up purchasing the full game.

4Cloud Storage Provides Peace of Mind for Game Saves

Another benefit of the PS Plus membership that I absolutely love is knowing that my precious progress is always backed up. With PS Plus, I can save up to 100 GB of PS4 game data and another 100 GB of PS5 game data in cloud storage. This benefit is available to all PS Plus members, and for me, it provides more than enough space to comfortably store all my saved files.

The PS Plus cloud storage feature is a double win for me. First, it provides incredible peace of mind that my hard-fought game progress is always safe. Second, I candelete old game saves from my PS5’s internal storageonce I have uploaded them. This prevents my console’s internal drive from filling up as quickly.

5I Get to Play With My Friends Online

These online gaming sessions are often the only time I have the chance to truly catch up and chat with them for hours at a stretch. It also lets me unwind and have fun with friends while playing Grand Theft Auto V, roaming the streets of Los Santos, creating chaos, and just enjoying each other’s company virtually.

And the best part is that online multiplayer is available to all PS Plus members, so my friends and I don’t necessarily have to be on the same PS Plus tier.

6The Classics Catalog Lets Me Relive My Favorite Nostalgic Games

For gamers like myself, a huge draw of PS Plus Premium is the incredible Classics Catalog. Opting for the highest tier unlocks a treasure trove of classic titles from the original PlayStation, PS2, PS3, and PSP eras. This opens up a whole new world of titles to explore, allowing me to revisit cherished favorites like Gravity Rush and Super Stardust Portable from my earlier years.

It’s a nostalgic journey that lets me relive the joy that these classic games brought when I played them with my siblings and childhood friends. For me, this alone makes it worth the extra investment for the PS Plus Premium tier.

So, those were some of the reasons why I find the PS Plus membership a valuable investment. Of course, every gamer’s needs are unique. Perhaps online multiplayer battles are your jam, or maybe you’re a free-game fanatic. For some, the Classics Catalog might be the ultimate draw.

If you need help deciding, consider referring to our dedicated piece on thebenefits of subscribing to PlayStation Plus, where we have summarized what’s included in each PS Plus plan.