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At Squaredtech, we track PlayStation Plus changes closely. Subscribers face a key update. Four specific PlayStation Plus games leaving January 2026 will exit the Extra and Premium tiers soon. This shift affects millions of gamers. Sony rotates titles regularly. The move keeps the library fresh. It also creates urgency for players.
PlayStation Plus delivers value across tiers. Essential offers basics like monthly games and online play. Extra and Premium expand options greatly. Yet rotation means some games depart. Our team analyzes these exits. We explain each title’s appeal. We detail why you act fast. Current date shows December 17, 2025. Discounts end soon. Time presses gamers to decide.
Read more on our article, PlayStation Portal Update Exposes a Bigger Problem and Why Sony Needs a Real Handheld Again, published on December 14, 2025 SquaredTech.
Understanding PlayStation Plus Tiers Before Games Leave
PlayStation Plus structures subscriptions in three clear tiers. Each tier builds on the last. Essential serves as the entry point. Subscribers receive two to three free games each month. These games stay in your library with an active subscription. Online multiplayer access comes standard. Discounts apply to purchases. Free DLC packs appear often. Sony adds catalog perks sparingly here.
Extra tier elevates the experience. Users access a large game catalog. Titles span PS4 and PS5 eras. Downloads work offline. No ownership transfers occur. Games rotate in and out. Premium tier tops the lineup. It includes everything from Extra. Classic games from PS1, PS2, and PSP join the mix. Cloud streaming enables play without downloads. Trials let you test full games briefly. Movies and shows add variety.
Sony launched these tiers in 2023. The change replaced the old Collection model. Premium now holds over 700 titles. Extra offers around 400. Rotation happens monthly. Publishers set terms. Licenses expire after set periods. We have noted this pattern. Most third-party games stay 12 to 18 months. Predictions rely on add dates. A Reddit user named PSPlusUpdates tracks this data. Their posts prove accurate often.
Essential games rarely leave. They lock in permanently unless publishers pull support. Extra and Premium face frequent churn. This drawback balances the perks. Sony refreshes content quarterly. January 2026 brings four confirmed exits. Squaredtech.co verifies these through Store checks. More titles may join the list. Gamers monitor updates weekly.
The Four PlayStation Plus Games Leaving January 2026: Full Breakdown
Reddit user PSPlusUpdates flagged these titles. Estimates base on entry dates. All four entered Extra and Premium around January 2025. Standard cycles predict January 2026 removal. Here we expand on each game. We cover gameplay, story, reception, and why it matters.
Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name
Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio developed this title. It releases in November 2023 for PS5 and PS4. Players control Kiryu Kazuma. The story fills a gap between Yakuza 6 and 7. Kiryu fakes his death. He joins a secret spy group called the Dragon of Dojima. Missions blend stealth and brawling. Graphics shine with Unreal Engine 5. Combat mixes heat actions and gadgets. Side content includes hostess clubs and cabaret games.
Critics praise the narrative depth. Kiryu erases his identity for protection. Flashbacks reveal past events. Voice acting delivers emotion. Like a Dragon Gaiden scores 82 on Metacritic. Fans love the compact 15-hour campaign. Platinum trophy challenges completionists. We recommend it for Yakuza newcomers. The game leaves PlayStation Plus in January 2026. Deluxe Edition sits at £14.99 now, down from £49.99. This deal ends December 22, 2025. Buy it to keep forever. Complete the story before subscription loss.
Monopoly Plus
Ubisoft Quebec creates this digital board game. It launches in 2014 for PS4. Players buy properties and build empires. Classic rules apply with twists. Houses and hotels generate rent. Chance cards shake up play. The game supports up to four players online or local. 3D board animates vividly. Avatar tokens move dynamically.
Monopoly Plus modernizes the 1935 original. Charles Darrow invents the base game. It sells over 275 million copies worldwide. Digital version adds speed controls. Narrator guides sessions. Sessions last 30 to 90 minutes. Multiplayer fosters rivalries. We see value in family nights. It leaves PlayStation Plus in January 2026. No current discount applies. Purchase ensures endless replays.
Sayonara Wild Hearts
Annapurna Interactive publishes this rhythm action game. Simon Viking directs it. The title drops in December 2019 for PS4. Players ride motorcycles and skateboards. Music drives the action. Levels sync to pop tracks. Enemies explode in neon bursts. Controls stay simple: swipe and hold.
Sayonara Wild Hearts tells a breakup story. Hearts represent emotions. Riders battle inner turmoil. Tracks come from artists like Caroline Polachek. The game runs 30 minutes total. It earns perfect 86 Metacritic scores. PlayStation Blog calls it art. Squaredtech.co highlights its accessibility. No skill barriers block joy. It exits PlayStation Plus in January 2026. Short length urges quick plays.
SD Gundam Battle Alliance
Bandai Namco releases this mecha action RPG. It arrives in August 2022 for PS5 and PS4. Players pilot Gundam units. Story spans 20 anime timelines. Missions fix history divergences. Customize mobile suits with parts. Triad Battles feature three-on-three combat. Over 200 units unlock progressively.
Gundam franchise starts in 1979. SD Gundam chibifies designs for fun. Battle Alliance scores 72 on Metacritic. Co-op shines with friends. Boss fights demand strategy. Our team analyzes its fan service. Deep lore rewards series viewers. The title leaves PlayStation Plus in January 2026. Stock up on DLC if hooked.
What Happens Next: Strategies and Squaredtech’s Insights
PSPlusUpdates predicts only these four PlayStation Plus games leaving January 2026 so far. Sony announces full lists mid-December typically.
Act before January hits. Extra and Premium users lose access post-rotation. Essential owners stay safe. Downloaded games work until expiry. Cloud saves transfer if you buy. Like a Dragon Gaiden discount vanishes December 22. Snap it up for permanent play. Monopoly Plus suits casual sessions. Sayonara Wild Hearts offers quick highs. SD Gundam fills co-op nights.
Squaredtech advises budget checks. Premium costs £13.49 monthly. Extra runs £10.99. Weigh value against exits. Buy favorites outright. Sales recur often. PlayStation Plus games leaving January 2026 remind us of subscription realities. Sony balances access with freshness. Gamers gain variety. They lose permanence sometimes.
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