Sony’s closing out the year with a rather uninspired December lineup, a mix of shooters, horror trials, and anime sci-fi, with one bright LEGO-shaped spot. But which of these games are actually worth your time (and your platinum energy)?
December is usually the cosy month, the time for something heartwarming, colourful, maybe even a bit festive. Instead, this month’s PS Plus lineup leans heavily into horror, shooting, and dystopian sci-fi. Not exactly the warm hot-chocolate vibes I expected, but hey, at least LEGO Horizon Adventures makes an appearance to keep things cheerful.
LEGO Horizon Adventures, Killing Floor 3, The Outlast Trials, Synduality: Echo of Ada & Neon White are available to PlayStation Plus members from Tuesday, December 2, until Monday, January 5.
Let’s break down each game, look at its platinum potential, and figure out which ones are worth adding to your library.
LEGO Horizon Adventures | PS5
Fun, charming, colourful and family-friendly, honestly, the best addition this month.
- Trophies: 24 (1 Platinum, 7 Gold, 8 Silver, 8 Bronze)
- Difficulty: 2/10
- Playthroughs: 1
- Time to Platinum: 20 hours
I loved this one. It’s a light-hearted retelling of Horizon Zero Dawn wrapped in LEGO silliness, accessible, funny, and surprisingly faithful to the world and characters. It’s perfect if you want something cosy for the holidays.
If you want my full thoughts, you can read my Platinum Journey post: Platinum Journey #28: Building My Way to Trophy Glory Brick by Brick in Lego Horizon Adventures
Trophy Tips:
- Most trophies come naturally from story completion.
- Save a little time by levelling characters evenly, the XP grind is real if you leave one for last.
- Community challenges and decorations/outfits require a bit of patience, but nothing too difficult.
Killing Floor 3 | PS5
Fast-paced, chaotic, gory co-op shooting, definitely not a cosy December game, but great if you’re into high-octane action.
- Trophies: 35 (1 Platinum, 6 Gold, 7 Silver, 21 Bronze)
- Difficulty: 5/10
- Playthroughs: 1
- Time to Platinum: 30-50 hours
This series is known for its wave-based combat and brutal difficulty spikes. KF3 doubles down with new enemy types, expanded weapon builds, and a darker tone. If you enjoy gaming with friends while absolute carnage unfolds on screen, this one’s for you.
Trophy Tips:
- Expect skill-based challenges and weapon mastery requirements.
- Some trophies may require co-op coordination, playing with friends will make a huge difference.
- Save the hardest difficulties for last once you’ve unlocked more gear.
The Outlast Trials | PS4, PS5
Terrifying psychological horror, the kind that guarantees you won’t sleep afterwards.
- Trophies: 28 (1 Platinum, 6 Gold, 10 Silver, 11 Bronze)
- Difficulty: 3/10
- Playthroughs: 40
- Time to Platinum: 35 hours
If December is too cheerful for you, this is your antidote. Outlast Trials throws you into a Cold War–era experimental nightmare filled with stealth, panic, traps, and desperately trying not to breathe too loudly. It’s grim, uncomfortable, and extremely effective at what it does.
Trophy Tips:
- Expect a challenging platinum, survival and stealth tests require precision.
- Co-op can make certain trials easier, but also more chaotic.
- Prepare for grind-heavy completion challenges if it follows the structure of previous Outlast titles.
Synduality Echo of Ada | PS5
Anime-style sci-fi shooter with mechs, exploration, and a dystopian edge.
- Trophies: 31 (1 Platinum, 5 Gold, 11 Silver, 13 Bronze)
- Difficulty: 6/10
- Playthroughs: 1
- Time to Platinum: 40-60 hours
If you’re into anime JRPG aesthetics and futuristic combat, this might be your standout pick. You pilot your mech through ruined landscapes, take on missions, and interact with AI companions. It’s sleek, flashy, and dripping with sci-fi style.
Trophy Tips:
- Most progress is tied to mission completion and mech upgrades.
- Keep an eye on side-objective trophies, they’re easy to miss if you rush the story.
- Maxing certain mech components may require grinding resources.
Neon White | PS4, PS5
Speedrunning heaven, stylish, fast, addictive, and nothing like anything else this month.
- Trophies: 45 (1 Platinum, 4 Gold, 6 Silver, 34 Bronze)
- Difficulty: 8/10
- Playthroughs: 6
- Time to Platinum: 40 hours
This game is pure kinetic movement: tight platforming, card-based skills, neon-bright visuals, and speedrun-style level design. It’s one of those “just one more attempt” games where minutes vanish.
Trophy Tips:
- The platinum will rely heavily on skill, mastering movement tech is key.
- Expect time-based challenges and level-perfection requirements.
- Watching top-level runs on YouTube might just be your go-to for the tougher stages.
Final Thoughts & Recommendations
I’ll be honest: I find this is bit of a strange December lineup.
For a final send-off to the year in a month that usually leans cosy or festive, our gaming picks are horror, shooting, and dystopian sci-fi, with LEGO Horizon Adventures carrying all the cheerful energy on its own.
For a final send-off to the year in a month that usually leans cosy or festive, our gaming picks are horror, shooting, and dystopian sci-fi, with LEGO Horizon Adventures carrying all the cheerful energy on its own.
Still, if you’re into high-intensity action or psychological horror, you’ll find plenty to dig into here, and Neon White remains one of the most stylish indie hits of the last few years.
Personally? I’ll opt for replaying LEGO Horizon Adventures with a gingerbread latte, but you do you.