Treabar

do you need ps plus to play dying light online（Is PlayStation Plus Required for Online Play in Dying Light？）

Written by

Treabar

in

Do You Need PS Plus to Play Dying Light Online? The Ultimate Multiplayer Access Guide

Imagine sprinting across a crumbling rooftop at dusk, parkouring over zombie hordes with your squad in tow — only to realize you can’t join them. Why? Because you forgot one crucial detail: your PlayStation Plus subscription. If you’re gearing up to dive into the adrenaline-fueled co-op chaos of Dying Light, you’re probably asking: do you need PS Plus to play Dying Light online?

The short answer? Yes — if you’re playing on PlayStation. But there’s more nuance than that. Whether you’re teaming up for story missions, battling infected in Dying Light: The Following, or dropping into someone else’s nightmare in Be The Zombie mode, understanding platform requirements can save you from frustrating dead ends. Let’s break it all down — no spoilers, just straight facts.

Why PlayStation Requires PS Plus for Online Play

Sony’s policy has been consistent for years: to access any form of online multiplayer on PlayStation consoles, you must have an active PlayStation Plus (PS Plus) subscription. This includes Dying Light, whether you’re playing the original 2015 release or its enhanced editions like Dying Light: Enhanced Edition or Dying Light: Hellraid.

It doesn’t matter if you’re hosting a game, joining a friend, or even just dropping into another player’s world for a quick rescue mission — PS Plus is mandatory. Even “casual” multiplayer interactions — like leaving notes or seeing ghost runners — technically fall under Sony’s online umbrella and require the subscription.

Fun fact: This rule applies even if you’re playing free-to-play games. So yes, even if Dying Light were free (which it isn’t), you’d still need PS Plus to play online on PlayStation.

What About Other Platforms?

Here’s where things get interesting — and more flexible.

  • PC (via Steam or Epic Games Store): No subscription required. As long as you have a stable internet connection and friends to invite, you’re good to go. Valve and Epic don’t gate multiplayer behind paywalls.

  • Xbox (Xbox One, Series X|S): You used to need Xbox Live Gold — but since 2021, Microsoft dropped that requirement for free-to-play titles. Unfortunately, Dying Light isn’t free-to-play, so you still need Xbox Game Pass Core (formerly Xbox Live Gold) to access online co-op or multiplayer modes.

  • Nintendo Switch: Dying Light: Enhanced Edition is available on Switch as of 2023 — and yes, you need Nintendo Switch Online to play co-op or multiplayer. No exceptions.

So while PlayStation isn’t alone in requiring a subscription, it is the most rigid — even indie titles and single-player games with minor online features get caught in the PS Plus net.

Real-World Case: The Frustrated Newbie

Take “Marcus,” a 22-year-old gamer who bought Dying Light during a PlayStation Store sale. He’d beaten the campaign solo and was eager to try co-op. He invited his roommate — only to be met with an error message: “PS Plus Required for Online Play.”

No warning. No pop-up during purchase. Just a brick wall.

After a quick Google search (probably landing on this very article), Marcus realized his mistake. He subscribed to PS Plus, got back in, and within minutes was rescuing his friend from a rooftop overrun by volatiles. Crisis averted — but avoidable.

This isn’t rare. Countless Reddit threads and PlayStation forums are filled with players blindsided by Sony’s policy. Always check multiplayer requirements before buying — especially on consoles.

What You Can Do Without PS Plus

Not all hope is lost if you’re PS Plus-free. Here’s what remains accessible:

  • Full single-player campaign — All story content, side quests, and open-world exploration.
  • Offline challenges and trials — Including time-based parkour runs and combat arenas.
  • Local split-screen? Nope — Dying Light doesn’t support couch co-op. Online only.
  • Downloadable content (DLC) — You can still access story expansions like The Following — solo.

So if you’re purely a lone wolf who enjoys parkouring through Harran without teammates, you don’t need PS Plus. But the moment you want to shout “I got your back!” into a headset, that subscription becomes non-negotiable.

Cost vs. Value: Is PS Plus Worth It for Dying Light?

Let’s do the math.

A 12-month PS Plus Essential subscription costs around 59.99 USD. *Dying Light* — even on sale — rarely dips below 10. If you’re only buying PS Plus to play Dying Light online, that’s a steep price.

But here’s the flip side: PS Plus gives you more than just multiplayer access.

  • Monthly free games (often including major titles)
  • Exclusive discounts
  • Cloud storage for saves
  • Access to online communities and tournaments

If you play any other online games on PlayStation — Call of Duty, Fortnite, Destiny 2 — then PS Plus is already in your budget. In that case, Dying Light’s co-op is just another perk.

Pro tip: Stack your subscriptions. Buy PS Plus during holiday sales (Black Friday, PlayStation Days of Play) and you can often get 12 months for under $50.

Alternatives to Avoid the Subscription Trap

If paying

More posts