PlayStation Plus members will receive three monthly games in October 2026 — F1 25, Hunt: Showdown 1896 and Earth Defense Force: World Brothers 2. Sony has confirmed that all three titles will be available from October 6 until November 2.
While the lineup includes a major racing title and two multiplayer-focused games, the October selection has also prompted discussion among PlayStation Plus subscribers about the variety and appeal of the monthly offering.
Sony Interactive Entertainment announced the October 2026 PlayStation Plus Monthly Games lineup on September 30. The three titles cover racing, extraction-shooter and cooperative action genres.
F1 25 will be available on PS5. The official Formula 1 game includes Career and My Team 2.0 modes, alongside online multiplayer features. Players can manage an F1 team, compete on the track and participate in a new multiplayer mode in F1 World that allows players to race together against AI drivers.
Hunt: Showdown 1896 will also be available on PS5. The extraction shooter places players in dangerous environments filled with monsters and rival Hunters. Players can work alone or form a team of up to three people while tracking bosses, collecting bounties and attempting to extract safely.
The third title, Earth Defense Force: World Brothers 2, will be available on both PS5 and PS4. The game combines the EDF series’ action with a voxel-based visual style. Players can assemble teams of four characters, rescue teammates and battle large numbers of enemies. It also supports four-player online co-op and two-player local split-screen multiplayer.
F1 25 is the biggest-name addition
Among the three October games, F1 25 is the most prominent sports title. It is the official video game of the 2025 FIA Formula One World Championship and offers several single-player and multiplayer options.
The inclusion is notable because the game was released as a premium Formula 1 title rather than being designed specifically as a free-to-play experience. PlayStation Plus subscribers can therefore access it through their subscription during the monthly games period.
The game features the updated My Team 2.0 mode, allowing players to take control of an F1 team as its owner. Career mode provides another single-player option, while F1 World adds online activities.
For subscribers interested in racing games, the October lineup consequently provides a substantial full-game experience rather than a smaller downloadable title.
Hunt: Showdown 1896 targets multiplayer players
The second major addition is Hunt: Showdown 1896, developed around extraction-shooter mechanics.
Players enter matches to hunt supernatural creatures and secure bounties. The challenge comes from both AI-controlled enemies and other players attempting to complete the same objectives.
The game can be played solo or with teammates. Teams can contain up to three players, making communication and coordination important parts of the experience.
Its inclusion also gives October’s lineup a multiplayer-focused title with a darker setting. Sony describes it as an extraction shooter in which players must track down bosses, claim their bounty and fight their way to an extraction point.
Earth Defense Force brings co-op action
Earth Defense Force: World Brothers 2 takes a different approach from the other two games.
The title features a voxel-based version of the Earth Defense Force universe, with players facing giant enemies while travelling through a stylised world. Players can select four characters from their collection to form a team and customise their equipment before entering battles.
The game includes characters and enemies from the mainline EDF series as well as spin-offs. It also introduces new enemies designed specifically for this release.
Its multiplayer features could be particularly relevant for subscribers looking for a co-operative experience. Four-player online co-op is supported, while local split-screen allows two players to play together on PS5 and PS4.
Why some subscribers may find the lineup underwhelming
The October selection has generated discussion partly because PlayStation Plus subscribers have different expectations from the monthly games programme.
The three games represent clearly different genres, but two of them — Hunt: Showdown 1896 and Earth Defense Force: World Brothers 2 — are heavily centred around multiplayer or co-operative gameplay. That means subscribers who primarily play single-player adventures may find fewer options directly suited to their preferences.
At the same time, F1 25 provides a substantial single-player component through its Career and My Team modes. Therefore, describing the entire lineup as lacking single-player content would not accurately reflect the games included.
The reception is ultimately dependent on individual preferences, particularly whether subscribers are interested in racing, extraction shooters or co-operative action games.
September games remain available until October 5
PlayStation Plus members still have a short window to claim the September Monthly Games.
Sony has confirmed that Sniper Elite: Resistance, MLB The Show 26, Wobbly Life and Chained Echoes remain available to add to members’ game libraries until October 5.
This means subscribers have the opportunity to claim the September titles before the October selection becomes available.
The September lineup was larger than October’s, containing four games across multiple genres, including tactical action, baseball, co-operative sandbox gameplay and traditional JRPG gameplay.
The difference in the number of titles may also contribute to comparisons between the two months.
October lineup also includes additional PS Plus benefits
Sony is offering more than the three monthly games during October.
PlayStation Plus members can claim limited-edition Spider-Man: Brand New Day avatars through Sony Pictures Core from October 6 for a limited period. Sony has also announced PlayStation Plus-exclusive horror-themed in-game packs for several games as part of its Halloween-season promotion.
These include a Call of Duty: Warzone Horror Bundle, a Hunt: Showdown 1896 Starter Pack and an Overwatch 2 bundle. Sony notes that some of these promotions require ownership of the relevant base game.
Games available from October 6
The October 2026 PlayStation Plus Monthly Games will become available on Tuesday, October 6. Members can add the three titles to their libraries until Monday, November 2.
The lineup therefore offers a combination of Formula 1 racing, supernatural extraction gameplay and co-operative arcade-style action. While subscriber reactions may differ depending on preferred genres and expectations from the service, Sony’s official selection provides three distinct experiences rather than a single theme.
PlayStation has also cautioned that the Monthly Games lineup can vary by region and advised subscribers to check their local PlayStation Store on release day.