I saw the notification pop up on my phone and did a double-take. You know the one. That little buzz from the PlayStation app that’s usually just telling you a friend came online or that a game on your wishlist is on sale for a staggering 10% off. But this was different. The headline was something I’d been hoping to see, but had sort of given up on.
He's back.
Our friendly neighborhood Spider-Man. After being unceremoniously yanked from the PlayStation Plus Game Catalog what feels like an eternity ago, Insomniac’s masterpiece has swung back into our lives. And I’ve got to admit, there’s a part of me that’s just relieved, and another, slightly more cynical part, that’s just muttering, “About time.” Because let’s be real, a premium PlayStation subscription service without one of PlayStation’s best-ever exclusives felt… incomplete. A bit like a pizza without cheese. It just wasn’t right.
Why Spider-Man's Return to PS Plus is Such a Big Deal
I know what some of you might be thinking. It’s an older game, right? Came out in 2018. Most people who wanted to play it have probably played it. And to that, I say: you’re missing the entire point.
Marvel’s Spider-Man isn’t just another open-world game. It was, and still is, a masterclass in pure, unadulterated joy. I will never forget the first time I booted it up. The story, the characters, the combat—all fantastic. But the swinging. Oh, the swinging. Insomniac didn't just make traversal a way to get from point A to point B; they made it the very soul of the game. It was the reason you’d spend hours just crisscrossing the Manhattan skyline, completely ignoring the main quest, a golden exclamation point mocking you from the mini-map.
It’s a physics-based system with weight, momentum, and a skill ceiling that feels incredible to master. Holding R2 and letting go at the perfect apex of a swing to launch yourself into a dive, only to fire another web at the last second—it’s a gameplay loop so sublime, so perfectly executed, that it ruins other superhero games. It's a feeling of freedom that few games ever capture. The kind of simple, addictive fun you might find in an endless runner like Paper Snake IO, but dialed up to a blockbuster, AAA scale.
Having this game back on the service isn't just about value. It’s a statement. It’s Sony putting one of its crown jewels back on display for anyone with a PS Plus Extra or Premium subscription. It’s the perfect entry point for people who just got a PS5 and want to see what they’ve been missing, or for those who want to replay it before Marvel's Spider-Man 2 drops. It feels like the service is whole again.
But Wait, This Isn't Just a One-Hero Show
And here’s the kicker. The thing that turns this from a good month into a genuinely great one. Spider-Man finally returns to PS Plus in a stacked month. Sony didn’t just throw Spidey back in and call it a day. They surrounded him with an absolutely killer lineup that caters to almost everyone.
We're getting Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart. Let me say that again. Rift Apart. The gorgeous, dimension-hopping, PS5-defining spectacle that is still one of the best showcases for what the console can do. It's another Insomniac Games banger, a studio that is just operating on a completely different level right now. The seamless loading, the stunning visuals, the sheer creative chaos on screen—it's a must-play. If you haven't experienced it, your jaw will hit the floor.
Then there's the rest of the roster. A mix of incredible indies and solid AA experiences that could easily get lost in the shuffle but absolutely shouldn't be. Games that offer a different kind of adventure than swinging through New York. We're talking about titles that are weird, wonderful, and deeply engaging in their own right. It feels less like a content dump and more like a curated selection. It’s the kind of month that makes you scroll through the list and go, “Oh, I’ve been meaning to try that one!” multiple times.
The Beautiful, Frustrating World of Subscription Gaming
I keep coming back to this, though. The feeling of whiplash. We celebrate when a game arrives, we mourn when it leaves. It’s the new normal. The digital rental model. While I’m ecstatic to have Spider-Man back, a part of my brain is already wondering when the timer starts ticking again. Will it be here for six months? A year? Forever? Who knows.
This is the fundamental trade-off. We get access to a library of hundreds of games for a monthly fee, a value proposition that would have been unthinkable a decade ago. The downside is the illusion of ownership. These aren't our games; we're just borrowing them. And sometimes, your favorite gets returned to the great digital library in the sky.
But maybe that's the wrong way to look at it. Maybe we should just embrace the moment. For now, for this month and hopefully many more to come, one of the best games of the last generation is available to millions of players again. Alongside a collection of other fantastic titles. That's a win. A huge win. So maybe I’ll put my cynicism on the shelf for a bit. I’ve got some swinging to do.
FAQs: Your PS Plus Questions for This Month, Answered
So, which version of Spider-Man is actually on PS Plus?
Great question, because it can be confusing! This is the original Marvel’s Spider-Man from 2018 for the PS4. However, thanks to backward compatibility, it plays beautifully on the PS5. You also get the fantastic Marvel's Spider-Man: Miles Morales, which is a standalone title, and its inclusion makes the whole package even sweeter.
Hold on, is this the PS5 Remastered version with the new face?
Ah, the big misconception. No, the version included in the PS Plus Game Catalog is the standard PS4 edition. The Remastered version, which features the updated Peter Parker character model and enhanced performance modes, is still a separate purchase, typically bundled with the Ultimate Edition of Miles Morales.
Why do games even leave these services in the first place?
It all comes down to licensing agreements. Think of it like Netflix. Sony and the game publishers negotiate a deal for a title to be on PS Plus for a specific period. When that contract is up, it either gets renewed or the game is removed. It’s often a strategic move to encourage direct sales of the game, especially when a sequel is on the horizon. It's frustrating, but it's the business side of the subscription model.
What are the other must-play games this month besides Spider-Man?
Honestly, do not sleep on Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart. It’s a technical marvel and pure fun. Beyond that, it really depends on your taste, but the sheer variety is the highlight. It's not just about one hero; some of the other games feature amazing character designs, almost like an Overwatch waterbender-style hero in terms of creativity. Just explore the "newly added" section; you're bound to find a gem.
