PlayStation Plus Essential Games for February 2026, Explained

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PlayStation Plus Essential subscribers will have four new games to enjoy in February 2026! This month’s lineup includes a diverse selection of titles: Undisputed, Subnautica: Below Zero, Ultros, and Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown. The games span several genres, with a couple of lesser-known gems included.

Here’s a quick look at the four PlayStation Plus Essential games coming in February 2026. Two of them are part of well-known series. All PlayStation Plus members—regardless of their subscription tier—can play these games from February 3rd until March 2nd.

4) Undisputed

Undisputed is a boxing video game released in 2023 by Steel City Interactive. It received generally positive reviews after being available in early access, with an average score of 73.

Undisputed is a detailed and challenging boxing game. The controls feel realistic and impactful, and the sound design adds to the immersive experience. It stands out because there aren’t many current boxing games available. However, the boxing matches can be frustrating at times due to things like repeating announcements, strange stamina rules, and occasional inaccuracies in registering hits. The career mode lets you manage your boxer’s training and team, but it’s a bit plain without cutscenes or extra activities to break things up.

Undisputed has received a lot of free updates and paid downloadable content (DLC). The game now includes cross-platform play, online matches with customized characters, a larger roster of fighters and managers, cosmetic items, the option to compete in multiple weight classes simultaneously, more arenas, new animations for knockouts and knockdowns, and gameplay balancing adjustments. However, the premium DLC packs have been criticized for being quite expensive – collectively, they cost more than the original game itself. These packs have added a variety of real-world fighters, including Jake Paul.

3) Subnautica: Below Zero

Subnautica: Below Zero is a standalone expansion to the popular survival game Subnautica, which has become a major success in its genre. The expansion, Below Zero, generally received positive reviews, with an average score of 83.

Similar to how Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales was a smaller-scale experience compared to Marvel’s Spider-Man, Below Zero offers a focused version of its predecessor. The game centers around collecting resources both on land and underwater to upgrade your equipment, letting you explore further and stay alive. You’ll need to manage essential survival needs like hunger and thirst. While Below Zero features a stronger narrative focus and a fully voiced character than many similar games, its core gameplay still revolves around surviving and gathering materials.

Compared to the original Subnautica, Below Zero offers a more structured experience. Subnautica is known for being challenging, isolating, and giving players a lot of freedom, while Below Zero provides more guidance and isn’t as demanding or repetitive. This approach might appeal to newcomers, but some players who enjoy a truly unforgiving experience might find it less rewarding. The world in Below Zero is also somewhat smaller, and players won’t spend as much time underwater. The game features more sections on land, which aren’t as exciting as the underwater areas and are generally the weakest part of the game. Despite these points, Below Zero is still a solid survival game that offers a variety of gameplay without being strictly for hardcore players.

I’ve been following Below Zero for a while now, and it felt a bit rough after it finally left early access. It was in development for over two years, but didn’t get a ton of updates once it hit the full 1.0 release. They did push out one big update, though, which was cool. It added a custom game mode, a new part for my Seatruck, and, thankfully, an ‘Unstuck’ button! That saved me a few times when I accidentally glitched outside the map boundaries.

2) Ultros

Ultros is a fast-paced action game with a strong emphasis on exploration, first released in 2023. It received generally favorable reviews, averaging a score of 79.

Ultros stands out due to its incredibly unique and psychedelic art style, created by Niklas Åkerblad, the artist behind Hotline Miami. While technically a search-based platformer with a large, 2D world, it doesn’t focus heavily on character upgrades. The game features a time loop mechanic that resets your skills unless you use a specific item, which can be frustrating and lead to repetition. This, combined with simple combat and movement, emphasizes the game’s mechanical weaknesses. Ultimately, Ultros relies more on its striking visuals and atmosphere to carry it, though some players appreciate its fresh approach to a familiar genre.

Ultros didn’t have any downloadable content you had to pay for, but it did get updates that made the game run more smoothly. These updates included helpful changes like displaying chests and seeds on the map, keeping explored areas visible, allowing the player to run faster in water, improved tutorials, and making the sprayer easier to aim – just to name a few improvements.

1) Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown

Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown is the newest game in the popular Ace Combat series. It was generally well-received, with an average score of 81.

Unlike the original, this game focuses more on fast-paced, arcade-style flying and a wide range of missions. This variety is a major strength, keeping the gameplay interesting as you dodge clouds, destroy targets, and engage in dogfights across different environments. Combat requires skill and strategy, as weather conditions can create challenges, and losing can be difficult due to limited checkpoints. Between missions, you can upgrade your plane to improve its performance and customize your experience. Surprisingly, the game also features a noticeable story, which, while a bit uneven, provides a reason for all the aerial battles.

Following its release, Skies Unknown received significant updates and additions. Bandai Namco Entertainment adjusted gameplay balance and offered free customization options like skins and emblems. They also added an easier difficulty setting, likely due to player feedback about the game’s challenge. A variety of premium downloadable content expanded the game with even more skins, emblems, and aircraft. Notably, a Top Gun: Maverick collaboration brought iconic jets and themed content – including skins, emblems, nicknames, and music – from the popular 2022 film, though players won’t encounter Tom Cruise himself.

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2026-02-01 17:13