Do I need PlayStation Plus to play Helldivers 2 or Fortnite?

Gaming has become an extremely expensive hoby in the last few years. Between the increase in base prices for AAA games and the arrival of subscription services, battle passes, seasonal content and more, sometimes it’s hard to imagine that all of this was once as simple as getting a game, putting the disc on the console, and playing. So how necessary is it to be a PS Plus member to enjoy the biggest online games right now?

What is a PlayStation Plus subscription?

If you just made the jump to PlayStation and have no idea what we are talking about, PlayStation Plus is Sony’s subscription service for the PS4 and PS5 that grants you access to a variety of online services. That mainly entails being able to access online modes in the large majority of titles on the console, but also cloud saves, synchronization, free monthly games, and in higher tiers access to a large library of games to download and enjoy.

This is why many people ask if you’re able to play certain titles, like the massively popular Helldivers 2, without a PS Plus Subscription. So, can you?

You cannot play Helldivers 2 without a PS Plus subscription

Unfortunately, the answer for this specific game is no. Helldivers 2 doesn’t offer an offline mode either, so if you want to play it in any capacity you’ll need to get at least the basic PS Plus subscription.

This requisite is present in almost every paid game, meaning that almost every title on the console requires you to also be a member of PS Plus. Titles like the yearly Call of Duty releases, Skull and Bones, Elden Ring, Rainbow Six Siege, and many others are in the same category.

Are there any online games you can play without a PS Plus Subscription?

If you don’t want to pay a subscription but still want to join your friends, you’re in luck. Any free-to-play title on PlayStation 5 can be played in full without a PS Plus membership.

The following is a list of titles that fall under this category: