28 Years Later, A 10/10 PS1 Masterpiece Is Completely Free With PlayStation Plus

4 hours ago 6

Published Aug 18, 2026, 12:30 AM EDT

Nicholas Becher is a gaming journalist with an MFA in Creative Writing from FAU. With extensive experience playing video games, he covers all forms of gaming content at Screen Rant, from breaking news to the latest fan theories. Most-played games range from Clair Obscur to Civ to Elden Ring to Halo 2 and beyond.

PlayStation Plus subscribers are sitting on a treasure trove of content they probably never take advantage of. Aside from newer titles and monthly free games, the ever-expanding catalog includes classic games from every era of PlayStation console dating all the way back to the original PS1. Games like Twisted Metal, Ape Escape, and Tekken 2 are all up for grabs alongside upcoming gems like Disney’s Atlantis: The Lost Empire, arriving on PS Plus on August 18.

If you really want to take full advantage of your membership, it's well worth a deeper dive into the PS Plus library and revisiting some of the old essentials. And PS Plus Premium subscribers looking to tap into a truly nostalgia-packed experience and relive an absolute 10/10 masterpiece can play this diamond of a horror game entirely for free right now.

Is This The Greatest Sequel Ever Made?

Arguably one of the best original PS1 franchises of all time, it currently has multiple titles available to check out for free if you're a PlayStation Plus Premium subscriber. Namely, the Resident Evil series includes multiple beloved 10/10 hits, with the original Resident Evil being an undisputed masterpiece in the horror genre.

However, possibly the greatest sequel ever released and also a 10/10 banger, Resident Evil 2 is completely free to play with a PlayStation Plus Premium subscription. Resident Evil 2 picks up just two months after the events of the original game, shifting the action away from the Spencer Mansion and into a Raccoon City that has been completely overrun by the T-virus.

Rather than returning as Chris Redfield or Jill Valentine, players step into the shoes of rookie police officer Leon S. Kennedy and Claire Redfield, Chris' younger sister, as they arrive in the city for very different reasons and quickly find themselves trapped in the same nightmare.

From there, the sequel expands the scope of the original considerably, taking players through the terrifying streets, sewers, laboratories, and of course, the halls of the now-iconic Raccoon City Police Department. The PS4/PS5 ported version is now available as part of several Resident Evil games included in the PS Plus library.

Resident Evil Remains An Iconic Series For A Reason

There's arguably no more iconic horror franchise that has produced as many top-rated games than that of Resident Evil, and it's not a huge surprise there are still new games being developed all these years later. With this year's launch of the ninth mainline entry, Resident Evil Requiem, and the upcoming release of the highly anticipated Resident Evil: Veronica remake in 2027, Capcom is leaning into the classic experiences while still pushing the series forward with new stories.

This winning strategy has helped give Resident Evil remarkable staying power over the years. Between legendary characters, constantly evolving gameplay and combat, and a willingness to reinvent older classics for new audiences, Resident Evil has remained relevant for three decades without losing the identity that made it famous in the first place.