In 2022, Sony decided to revamp PlayStation Plus, combining the original service with PS Now. The result was a three-tiered system that permits PS5 and PS4 owners to pick their investment. If someone simply wants to play online, they can get the Essential tier, which also comes with a few games per month. The next level, Extra, grants access to hundreds of PS5 and PS4 games, a selection that is topped up every month. Finally, the Premium tier throws in a vast collection of classic titles from the PS3, PS2, PS1, and PSP eras.

While there are exceptions, anyone looking to play an online PvP game will likely need to subscribe to PS Plus Essential. The Extra and Premium tiers provide all the benefits found in the lowest tier, but they also include quite a few competitive titles that make use of that online accessibility. The available selection also covers a reasonably wide range of genres, so most people should be able to find something that interests them. Here are the best multiplayer PS Plus games.

Updated May 12, 2024: PS Plus Essential's May 2024 lineup included one major multiplayer game, although it is an acquired taste. Still, this title should be highlighted in case a subscribers wants to pick it up before the beginning of June.

This article will prioritize PvP PS Plus games since co-op projects have their own discussion.

The listed completion times are sourced from HowLongToBeat. Also, if it exists, a game's Amazon Listing Page has been included in case someone prefers to pick up a physical copy.

EA Sports FC 24 (PS Plus Essential May 2024)

Metascore: 75

PlayStation Plus Essential's May 2024 lineup has most of its bases covered. Players craving meaty single-player experiences can jump into Ghostrunner 2 or Tunic, both of which offer fantastic campaigns with settings and gameplay loops that could not be more different than each other. Meanwhile, Destiny 2: Lightfall has both PvE and multiplayer options. Admittedly, the expansion is not particularly great, but it is worth playing in preparation for the upcoming The Final Shape.

Finally, there is EA Sports FC 24, a controversial release that tends to be either loved or detested. Although a big name by most metrics, annual sports games coming to PS Plus are always strange additions. Die-hard fans would have picked up this title within its first few weeks, allowing them to take full advantage of the season-long multiplayer portion. Consequently, EA Sports FC 24 only holds value for PS Plus subscribers who are barely interested in playing it, but they might jump on for a few matches to see if this year's version has any improvements. The single-player options arguably hold more value since they won't feel that obsolete in a few months.

That said, Ultimate Team is still massive. Sure, the multiplayer mode is starting to unwind by this point, but it will continue to attract attention and players until the sequel debuts (and it won't die completely after that either). More importantly, Ultimate Team traditionally becomes more enjoyable as its relevancy drops, with player cards becoming cheaper and more accessible. Imperfect as it is, EA Sports FC 24 is undeniably one of the biggest multiplayer games on the market.

EA Sports FC 24 will be available on PS Plus Essential until 12 PM on June 4, 2024.

NBA 2K24

Metascore: 68

NBA 2K24 is polarizing, to say the least. Each new entry in 2K's franchise seems to garner a more divisive reaction than the last, and the 2023 release did not buck this trend. Focusing solely on the gameplay, NBA 2K24 offers a challenging sim that pays close attention to detail. On the court, the action is as impressive as any other basketball project on the market, although someone's mileage may vary depending on whether they prefer realism or an arcade-style experience.

Away from the gameplay, NBA 2K24 throws a lot at the player, including a wide range of modes that cater to both single-player and multiplayer. Although not ignoring the former, the game's priority is the latter, as it has been for years by this point. MyTeam serves as the game's multiplayer hub, and it comes with a few modes like Salary Cap and Triple Threat. Unlocking new cards is a grind, and beginners will feel like they are playing catch-up since the game is now flooded with players who have accumulated well-rounded teams. However, NBA 2K24 is still attracting new players, especially since its PS Plus Extra debut.

Dead By Daylight

Metascore: 64

Dead by Daylight, an asymmetrical horror game, pits four Survivors against One Killer, with the former needing to turn on generators as they try to outlast the night. On the surface, the gameplay loop might not sound all that special, but Dead by Daylight keeps things fresh by frequently introducing new Killers and Survivors.

Each of these characters brings something unique to the plate, requiring players to learn new strategies to take advantage of their chosen figure's abilities or to counter their opponents. While the game has a dedicated community, Dead by Daylight is still reasonably accessible, even if newcomers might struggle during their first couple of matches.

Conan Exiles

Metascore: 68