Sony’s confirmed the PlayStation Plus Essential games for November 2026: Dead Island 2, Tomb Raider IV-VI Remastered, and Monster Train 2. You can claim all three starting November 3, as reported by GameSpot. Every PS Plus member can grab them.
The lineup was unveiled on October 28, according to Eurogamer. Push Square confirmed these games will be available to PS5 subscribers starting November 3.
The trio of games covers a wide range. Dead Island 2 is a first-person zombie hack-and-slash from Deep Silver that debuted in April 2023. Tomb Raider IV-VI Remastered compiles three classic Lara Croft adventures and launched in February 2025. Monster Train 2, a card-based roguelike sequel, arrived in May 2025.
This selection tells an interesting story. Polygon calls it “three wildly different games,” which is spot on considering the genres: action horror, platform-adventure, and deck-building strategy. If you’re not into one of the games, you still have two other genres to explore.
For subscribers, it’s a straightforward deal. Three games come at no extra cost with your Essential membership, and you’ll keep them as long as you remain subscribed. Just make sure to claim them before the monthly rotation ends—losing access means you’ll lose the games.
| Games in the November lineup | 3 |
| Claim window opens | November 3, 2026 |
| Lineup announced | October 28, 2026 |
| Subscription tier | PlayStation Plus Essential (all members) |
| Genres covered | Action horror, platform-adventure, card roguelike |
Community Pulse
No community sentiment data came with the announcement, so we won’t make up any quotes. Player reactions on Steam, Reddit, and social platforms should start rolling in shortly after November 3, as subscribers begin downloading. Polygon’s take on “three wildly different games” sets a good stage for discussing whether this variety outshines a more focused selection.
What To Watch
- November 3 launch: Ensure all three games appear in the claim list as scheduled, and keep an eye out for any regional differences.
- Catalog tiers: Sony typically announces Extra and Premium additions separately from the Essential monthly games, so look for a distinct reveal for those.
- December lineup: The next Essential announcement will reveal if Sony continues blending older titles with newer releases like Monster Train 2.
Alex Mercer
Alex Mercer is the Gaming News Editor at Explosion.com with over 8 years of experience covering the gaming industry. He previously wrote for several gaming publications and has attended E3, Gamescom, and The Game Awards as press. Alex specializes in breaking news coverage, studio analysis, and tracking industry trends. When not writing, he's grinding ranked matches in Valorant or exploring the latest RPG releases.
