Sony is padding PlayStation Plus Extra and Premium with a sizeable December refresh — and it mixes quiet, well-crafted hits with a few outright oddities. Two of the biggest names arriving for subscribers on December 16 are Assassin’s Creed Mirage and Team Ninja’s Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty, joined by a clutch of indies and family-friendly picks (and a classic for Premium members).
What’s incoming and when
Most of the new Game Catalog entries go live on December 16. Skate Story, a trippy day-one indie that turns skateboarding into a glass-bodied demonic quest, is already playable for PS5 subscribers. Soulcalibur 3, meanwhile, is set to join the Premium Classics roster for those on the top tier.
High-profile catalog additions (available Dec. 16 unless noted)
- Assassin’s Creed Mirage (PS4/PS5) — A tighter, stealth-first return to the series’ roots set across a compact, vibrant Baghdad. Critics praised Mirage’s focused design and character work when it launched in 2023; it’s the sort of mainline Assassin’s Creed that rewards careful exploration rather than endless traversal.
- Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty (PS4/PS5) — Team Ninja’s soulslike take on the Three Kingdoms era; punishing yet smart combat that favors parries, crowd control and careful timing.
- Skate Story (PS5) — A weird, highly stylized skate sim where you play a demon made of glass, swallowing moons while landing tricks.
- Granblue Fantasy: Relink (PS4/PS5) — A console take on a long-running franchise with big production values; music and art pedigree are notable.
- Planet Coaster 2 (PS5) — Theme-park construction with deeper tools for ride building and management.
- Cat Quest 3 (PS4/PS5) — Pun-laden, charming open-world action-RPG fun.
- Lego Horizon Adventures (PS4/PS5) — A Lego take on Aloy’s world, lighter in tone and family friendly.
- Paw Patrol: Grand Prix and Paw Patrol World (PS4/PS5) — Two kid-focused titles for younger players.
Premium-only: Soulcalibur 3 (PS4/PS5) — The PS2-era brawler arrives with modern niceties like rewind and quick-save.
Why these additions matter
There are a couple of practical angles here. First, Mirage and Wo Long are both 2023 releases with strong followings; putting them in the catalog is a solid value win for subscribers who missed them the first time around. Mirage’s tighter scope makes it a natural bite-sized pick for holiday downtime, while Wo Long offers the kind of challenge seekers love to tackle during a long weekend.
Second, Sony’s catalog choices keep the Game Catalog competitive with rival subscription services by mixing mainstream AAA, niche indies and long-tail family content. That breadth helps the service stay relevant whether you’re chasing single-player storytelling, brutal action, or something the kids can play.
The move also sits amid other platform shifts: Sony’s experimenting with features such as better cloud streaming for remote play and Portal devices, which changes how people access Game Catalog titles without being tethered to a console at home — an angle worth watching if you prefer streaming over owning PlayStation Portal Can Now Stream Your PS5 Library — Major Cloud Update Arrives. And with ongoing chatter about cross-buy and platform ownership, bundling more games into PS Plus could be part of a broader strategy as Sony navigates PC and cloud opportunities (datamine hinting at PS5–PC cross-buy).
Short takes on a few picks
Assassin’s Creed Mirage — If you like stealthy assassination, tight urban traversal and a story that focuses more on character than on sprawling systems, this is a neat surprise to find in the catalog. It’s also had post-launch content and updates that keep it feeling fresh.
Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty — Not for the faint of heart, but Team Ninja’s combat loop is addictive. Expect precise timing and learnable patterns; the game rewards practice.
Skate Story — Strange, delightful, and unlike most skating games. It’s an excellent example of how an indie with a singular creative vision can stand out on subscription platforms.
Planet Coaster 2 and Granblue Fantasy: Relink — These are the kinds of mid-to-large titles that justify the catalog to fans who want depth rather than quick plays.
Thinking of jumping in?
If you don’t own a PS5 and plan to grab one for the holidays, Sony’s hardware ecosystem is worth considering — some people will aim for higher-spec models to future-proof their library. For example, the PlayStation 5 Pro remains a popular choice for those chasing smoother performance and longevity.
Sony will still announce official blog posts and rollout details, but the December additions already present a tidy mix: something for completionists, something for couch-friendly families, and something weird for anyone who wants an offbeat skating trip through the underworld.
Want a specific recommendation from the list? Tell me what you usually play and I’ll point you to the best starting spot.