PlayStation Plus has a varied October 2026 lineup: F1 25, Hunt: Showdown 1896, and Earth Defense Force: World Brothers 2. All three become available on October 6, but they serve very different players. One is a polished racing game, one is a tense extraction shooter, and one is a colorful co-op battle against giant aliens.
The useful question is not simply what the games are. It is which one deserves your time first, whether you own a PS4 or PS5, and how long you have to claim them.
PS Plus October 2026 games and platforms
PlayStation announced the lineup on September 30. The three monthly games can be claimed from Tuesday, October 6, through Monday, November 2:
- F1 25 for PS5
- Hunt: Showdown 1896 for PS5
- Earth Defense Force: World Brothers 2 for PS5 and PS4
The lineup is included with PlayStation Plus Essential. Extra and Premium members also receive Essential’s monthly games. PlayStation’s announcement confirms the three titles, while MeriStation confirms the platforms and claim window.
Start with F1 25 for the biggest single-player package
F1 25 is the safest first download for players who want a structured game they can enjoy alone. Codemasters’ racer includes the official Formula One teams and drivers, a career mode, multiplayer, and the updated My Team 2.0 mode. It is also the closest thing in this lineup to a conventional big-budget sports release.
You do not need to be an expert sim racer to try it. The series supports driving assists that can reduce the difficulty of braking, traction, and racing lines. More experienced players can remove those assists and pursue faster lap times with a wheel or controller.
The limitation is hardware. This monthly version is PS5-only, so PS4 owners cannot claim a playable PS4 edition through this offer.
Choose Hunt: Showdown 1896 for tense online co-op
Hunt: Showdown 1896 is the most demanding game of the three. Teams enter hostile maps, track supernatural targets, fight monsters, and compete with other hunters who are trying to escape with the same bounty. A successful match depends on positioning, sound, patience, and knowing when to avoid a fight.
This is the best choice if you already have friends who enjoy extraction shooters. It can also be rewarding with matchmaking, but the learning curve is steeper than F1 25 or World Brothers 2. Hunt is not a relaxed shooter where every loss disappears instantly. The risk of losing a hunter and equipment is part of its tension.
Like F1 25, the offered version is for PS5. It is aimed at mature players and works best with a reliable online connection and a headset.
Pick World Brothers 2 for PS4 support and lighter co-op
Earth Defense Force: World Brothers 2 is the wildcard. It turns the series’ enormous alien invasions into a bright voxel-style action game. Instead of controlling one soldier, you build a squad of four characters and switch between them during missions. Each fighter brings different weapons and movement abilities.
It is the only October title in this lineup that includes both PS5 and PS4 versions. That immediately makes it the best starting point for households that still use a PS4. Its absurd tone and straightforward shooting also make it easier to approach than Hunt, especially for players who want cooperative action without the pressure of an extraction match.
Which October game should you play first?
Download F1 25 first if you want the most substantial solo career and enjoy racing. Pick Hunt: Showdown 1896 if coordinated online play, high tension, and tactical decisions sound appealing. Start with World Brothers 2 if you need PS4 compatibility or want a less serious co-op game.
There is no penalty for claiming all three. Add every title to your library during the October 6 to November 2 window, even if you do not plan to install it immediately.
Do you keep these games after November 2?
You keep access after the claim period as long as the games were added to your library and your PlayStation Plus subscription remains active. You do not need to download them before November 2. If your membership expires, the monthly games become locked, but they generally become playable again when you resubscribe.
This differs from games that enter and later leave the Extra or Premium catalog. Our guide to keeping PS Plus monthly games versus catalog games explains that distinction in detail.
The practical move is simple: claim all three, then install the one that fits your mood and hardware. October’s selection is broad enough that the best game depends less on review scores than on whether you want speed, suspense, or chaotic co-op.