Spooky season is here, and PlayStation Plus has delivered its October 2026 lineup. This month brings a racing sim, a monster-hunting extraction shooter and a chaotic alien-bug brawler. Here is the full list, October PS Plus Free Games 2026 what each game offers and which one to download first.
PS Plus Essential Free Games for October 2026
All PS Plus members can claim three games from October 6. They stay in the monthly lineup until November 2.
| Game | Platform | Genre |
| F1 25 | PS5 | Racing |
| Hunt: Showdown 1896 | PS5 | Extraction shooter |
| Earth Defense Force: World Brothers 2 | PS5, PS4 | Action / Shooter |
F1 25 (PS5)
Codemasters’ annual Formula One game returns with every official team and driver from the 2025 season. It includes a detailed career mode and My Team 2.0 for single-player. Online, you can try F1 World, where you race against a field of AI drivers. It is a good pick for both F1 fans and casual racing players.
Hunt: Showdown 1896 (PS5)
This is a tense extraction shooter where you hunt dangerous monsters in the swamps. You race the clock and rival hunters at the same time, so every match feels risky. If you like horror atmosphere and high stakes, this fits October perfectly.
Earth Defense Force: World Brothers 2 (PS5, PS4)
Giant blocky invaders attack Earth again. This entry is a crossover with heroes from across the EDF franchise. You build a team and take down the new threats. It is silly, loud and the best option for PS4 players.
Halloween Bonus Content
PS Plus members can also claim free horror-themed in-game item bundles for games like Call of Duty: Warzone and Overwatch. These roll out gradually through the month, so check the PlayStation Store regularly.
Don’t Forget: September’s Games Leave Soon
The September lineup (Sniper Elite: Resistance, MLB The Show 26, Wobbly Life and Chained Echoes) left the service on October 5. If you added them to your library before then, they are yours to keep while you stay subscribed.
What Did Predictions Get Right and Wrong?
Before the reveal, Forbes writer Erik Kain expected a horror-heavy lineup. He pointed to Resident Evil 4 Remake, Little Nightmares III and Dispatch. None of them appeared. His reasoning still had some basis, since past Octobers brought horror titles like Dead Space, Alan Wake 2, The Callisto Protocol and Vampyr. This year Sony went with a more mixed lineup, with Hunt: Showdown 1896 as the only strongly spooky pick.
Previous October PS Plus Lineups
- 2023: The Callisto Protocol, Farming Simulator 22, Weird West
- 2024: WWE 2K24, Dead Space, Doki Doki Literature Club Plus!
- 2025: Alan Wake 2, Goat Simulator 3, Cocoon
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Our Picks
- Best overall: Hunt: Showdown 1896. It has the strongest Halloween mood and a unique gameplay loop.
- Best for racing fans: F1 25. It is a full-featured game, and these annual releases are expensive at launch.
- Best for co-op chaos: Earth Defense Force: World Brothers 2. It is easy to pick up and does not take itself seriously.
PS Plus Essential Pricing (US)
- Essential: $10.99/month, $27.99/quarter, $79.99/year
- Extra: $16.99/month, $43.99/quarter, $134.99/year
- Premium: $19.99/month, $54.99/quarter, $159.99/year
Monthly and quarterly prices went up earlier this year, while annual plans stayed the same. Prices vary by region, so check the PlayStation Store for your local rate.
Final Thoughts
October’s lineup is not the horror feast some people predicted, but it offers real variety. Claim all three before November 2, then keep an eye out for the Extra and Premium announcements later in the month.
FAQs
When can I claim the October 2026 PS Plus games?
They became available on October 6 and can be claimed until November 2.
Do I keep the games forever?
You can play them as long as your PS Plus membership is active. Claim them before the deadline to keep them in your library.
Which games are on PS4?
Only Earth Defense Force: World Brothers 2 is listed for PS4. F1 25 and Hunt: Showdown 1896 are PS5.