December has arrived, and for PlayStation Plus Extra and Deluxe subscribers, it’s Christmas early with a massive haul of titles dropping into the Game Catalogue. Whether you’re into stealth, an action RPG purist, or just keen to shred through the underworld, this month’s lineup is looking suitably epic, if not a tad chaotic.
Shadow Dancing in Baghdad
Assassin’s Creed Mirage (PS5, PS4), dials back the scale for a more intimate, narrative-driven adventure set in the majestic, reactive streets of 9th-century Baghdad. You step into the sleek robes of Basim, a cunning young street thief with questions. The game includes the major update, Valley of Memory. This free expansion, which was released a month prior on November 18, brings over six hours of fresh content. This includes an entirely new region (the breathtaking AlUla) new missions, contracts, and player-requested quality-of-life updates like the option for manual jumping during parkour. So, you get the back-to-basics stealth experience, but with all the polished modern trimmings.
Three Kingdoms, One Dynasty (and a Lot of Demons)
Next, strap in for some dramatic action with Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty (PS5, PS4). Set in a dark fantasy version of the Later Han Dynasty in 184 AD, this Soulslike from Team Ninja throws you into the brutal, demon-plagued world of the Three Kingdoms era. You play as a nameless militia soldier trying to survive the chaos using swordplay based on Chinese martial arts. Historically, the period covered in the game’s setting, just before the established Three Kingdoms period (Cao Wei, Sun Wu, and Shu Han). This a fan-favourite for a reason. Expect a steep, rewarding challenge as you battle historical figures and mythical creatures, all corrupted by a demonic Elixir.
Skating Through the Seven Circles
Talk about a change of pace. Skate Story (PS5) This quirky indie gem casts you as a demon made of glass and pain in the Underworld. Your mission, given by the Devil himself, is simple: skate to the moon and swallow it for your freedom. Critics have praised its highly intuitive controls that reward rhythmic trick execution, a real focus on the feel of skating, even if you’re pulling off a disgustingly sweet backside tailslide through the ash and smoke of The Emptylands. You’ll be using tricks and combos to defeat large bosses, which is definitely a new twist on the genre.
Sky-High Adventure and Co-Op Gold
For those who prefer their fantasy a little brighter and their action a little more cooperative, Granblue Fantasy: Relink (PS5, PS4) is for you. This 3D action RPG lets you captain a skyfaring crew on a quest to find the legendary island of Estalucia. The deep, real-time combat supports up to four-player co-op in its quest-focused content. You and your friends can master team-based techniques like Link Attacks and Chain Bursts, turning a chaotic encounter into a symphony of destruction. If you love a colourful cast and fast-paced party combat, grab three friends and set sail.
The rest of the catalogue rounds out the month with something for everyone:
- Planet Coaster 2 (PS5): Theme park management with enhanced building tools and nine distinct themes.
- Cat Quest III (PS5, PS4): A swashbuckling 2.5D open-world action RPG set in the Purribean, playable solo or in local co-op.
- Lego Horizon Adventures (PS5): A colourful brick adventure based on the Horizon universe, featuring online and innovative couch co-op.
- Two Paw Patrol titles: Grand Prix (PS5, PS4) for kart racing mayhem and Paw Patrol World (PS5, PS4) for 3D exploration and rescue missions.
Finally, Deluxe members get to revisit a timeless classic with Soulcalibur III (PS5, PS4), the weapon-based fighting game, enhanced with modern features like up-rendering and quick save.
All these Extra and Deluxe titles will be available to play starting Tuesday, 16 December (except Skate Story), so clear your holiday schedule you are going to be busy.
