PS Plus Kicks Off September on the Wrong Foot with 3 (Very) Outdated Free Games
The September 2025 PlayStation Plus lineup lands with mixed feelings among subscribers. While the month brings three well-regarded titles, the selection consists of older releases—dividing a community that had been hoping for fresher content to kick off the school year.
Back-to-school season usually means new things, but this time PlayStation Plus seems to be recycling its classics. After a generous August with 9 new additions, including the excellent Spiderman Remastered, and a Day One launch celebrated by critics, September feels like a step back. The free games lineup isn’t lacking in quality, but it faces two major criticisms: no next-gen titles, and games that many players already own. Not exactly the dream lineup to kick off the season.
Image credit: Sony
Psychonauts 2 (PS4)
Released in 2021, Psychonauts 2 dazzled with its overflowing creativity—but four years later, its arrival on PlayStation Plus feels more like recycling than a fresh drop. Sure, Razputin “Raz” Aquato’s adventure remains a standout in the genre, with its dreamlike levels and quirky humor, but it’s hard to get excited about what feels more like catching up than discovering something new.
- A 2021 masterpiece already played by most enthusiasts
- Inventive psychic mechanics that the community now knows well
- A dazzling artistic direction that struggles to hide the game’s age
- An 87/100 on Metacritic that doesn’t erase the déjà-vu feeling
For newcomers, Psychonauts 2 is still a remarkable, highly recommended experience. For everyone else, it’s a reminder that Sony sometimes plays it safe instead of bold.
Stardew Valley (PS4)
A textbook example of an indie game turned global phenomenon, Stardew Valley has nothing left to prove since its 2016 release. Its inclusion in the September 2025 PlayStation Plus lineup raises eyebrows: after nine years on the market and millions of copies sold, who hasn’t already fallen for this addictive farming sim?
- A genre-defining classic that most players already own
- Constant updates that no longer hide its age
- Undeniable depth overshadowed by a sense of repetition
- The 2016 must-play that struggles to justify its spot in 2025
It’s hard to criticize this timeless little gem, except for arriving so late in a lineup meant to feel enticing. For the few who still haven’t tried it, though, the opportunity is worth seizing.
Viewfinder (PS4, PS5)
Get ready to rethink your entire perception of reality with Viewfinder, a revolutionary puzzle game that turns photography into gameplay. Armed with a simple instant camera, you can reshape the world by capturing and reinserting objects into the environment.
- Use photos, paintings, and postcards to alter the geometry of levels
- Solve complex visual puzzles that defy traditional logic
- Explore colorful, dreamlike environments full of secrets
- Discover a unique puzzle-game approach praised by critics
Released in 2023 to glowing reviews on Steam, Viewfinder is exactly the kind of original, memorable experience that justifies a PlayStation Plus subscription. A creative gem not to be missed.
Last Chance for August’s Games
Subscribers only have until September 1st to claim August’s three free PS Plus titles: Lies of P, DayZ, and My Hero One’s Justice 2. A particularly solid lineup worth grabbing—especially now that subscription price hikes make each free game more valuable than ever.
This monthly rotation highlights Sony’s strategy of maximum variety to appeal to its subscriber base. While Day One releases keep growing on the Extra catalog, these monthly additions remain the backbone of a service that has never been more diverse.
Now we just have to wait for the upcoming announcements regarding September’s PlayStation Plus Extra and Premium additions, expected in the next few days. In the meantime, this monthly lineup once again shows that Sony has nailed the perfect formula of accessibility, quality, and originality.
