Sony’s December PlayStation Plus Game Catalog lineup leans heavily into variety, giving subscribers a mix of big-budget adventures, stylish indies, and family-friendly games. While Assassin’s Creed Mirage takes the spotlight, several other releases help round out one of the more balanced monthly drops in recent memory.
Assassin’s Creed Mirage leads the lineup
Assassin’s Creed Mirage joins the Game Catalog for both PS4 and PS5 players, offering a focused, story-driven return to the franchise’s stealth-action roots. Set in ninth‑century Baghdad, it trims away much of the RPG sprawl from recent entries and emphasizes classic parkour, social stealth, and tightly designed missions. For long‑time fans who missed the leaner style of earlier games, Mirage feels like a deliberate “back to basics” course correction, with a shorter runtime and denser urban environments that reward careful play.
Skate Story brings surreal skating to PS5
Already available ahead of the rest of the drop, Skate Story is a PS5‑only addition that stands out for its bizarre, dreamlike presentation. You play as a fragile being made of glass skating through a shimmering underworld, combining precise trick mechanics with a moody, atmospheric world. Early impressions have praised its expressive animation, unusual narrative framing, and the satisfying snap of landing tricks despite your character’s breakable nature. It continues creator Sam Eng’s reputation for stylish, mechanically tight indie projects.
Granblue Fantasy: Relink expands a mobile legacy
Granblue Fantasy: Relink arrives on both PS4 and PS5 as a full-fledged 3D action RPG spun out of the long‑running mobile series. This version trades gacha menus for party‑based real‑time combat, cinematic boss fights, and co‑op support. Longtime Final Fantasy fans may notice familiar touches: the score includes compositions from Nobuo Uematsu, and Hideo Minaba’s art direction lends the world a richly illustrated, high‑fantasy veneer. For players who skipped the mobile original, Relink functions well as a standalone adventure with generous spectacle and accessible combat systems.
Cat Quest III keeps the cozy action-RPG charm
Cat Quest III continues the lighthearted action‑RPG formula of its predecessors on both PS4 and PS5, swapping classic fantasy for a seafaring, pirate‑themed setting. You explore a colorful archipelago full of feline and canine characters, plundering dungeons, upgrading gear, and reveling in shameless puns. Short quest chains and snappy combat make it easy to play in bite‑sized sessions, while the open‑world map encourages casual exploration rather than grinding. It is especially well suited to younger players or anyone looking for something low‑stress between heavier games.
More additions across action and family genres
Several other titles round out December’s catalog update, further broadening its appeal. Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty offers challenging, fast‑paced melee combat in a dark fantasy take on the Three Kingdoms era, catering to fans of tough, timing‑driven action games. Lego Horizon Adventures adapts the Horizon universe into a more playful, family‑accessible form, blending co‑op platforming with the familiar Lego humor and collectible‑driven design. Paw Patrol: Grand Prix gives younger kids a simple, character‑driven racing option, while Planet Coaster 2 targets creative players who enjoy designing, managing, and optimizing elaborate theme parks.
Holiday perks and subscription value
To coincide with the new catalog entries, Sony is also running a holiday promotion that grants download credits for movies to new annual PlayStation Plus subscribers. Combined with a lineup that spans prestige stealth‑action, experimental indie design, anime‑inspired RPG combat, and kid‑friendly racers and builders, December’s offerings significantly boost the perceived value of the Game Catalog. Whether you want to lose yourself in Mirage’s crowded streets, chase high scores in Skate Story, or hand a controller to younger family members, there is likely something in this month’s drop that earns a spot in your download queue.
