lego horizon adventures free ps plus

A Cautionary Tale: Why You Should Think Twice Before Claiming LEGO Horizon Adventures on PS Plus

By CA News Desk
December 18, 2025

The PlayStation Plus subscription service has long been a cornerstone of the gaming landscape for Canadian players, offering a rotating library of titles that provide immense value for money. This month, the headline act is undoubtedly LEGO Horizon Adventures, a vibrant, family-friendly collaboration between Guerrilla Games and Studio Gobo. Based on the verified buzz surrounding the title, it is being hailed as a potential "9/10" masterpiece by fans and critics alike. However, amidst the celebration of this new free addition, a strange and concerning warning has emerged from the community.

According to multiple verified reports, a technical quirk within the PlayStation Store is currently causing significant confusion. While the game is intended to be free for all PlayStation Plus Essential, Extra, and Premium subscribers during December 2025, users are being issued a stark warning: do not claim the game immediately if you also have access to higher subscription tiers. This situation has sparked a frenzy of discussion across forums and social media, turning what should be a joyous occasion into a cautious waiting game for Canadian gamers.

The "9/10" Sensation with a Hidden Catch

The excitement surrounding LEGO Horizon Adventures is well-founded. Verified reports from outlets like IMDb indicate that the gaming community has embraced this title with open arms, rating it a near-perfect score. The game offers a unique retelling of Aloy’s journey through the lens of LEGO, blending action-adventure mechanics with the charming aesthetic of the iconic building blocks. It is described as a "short but sweet" experience that is perfect for both adults and children to play together.

However, the celebration is being tempered by a bizarre bug. As reported by PlayStation LifeStyle on December 16, 2025, and corroborated by ComicBook.com, a specific issue is affecting users who subscribe to both PS Plus Essential and higher tiers like Extra or Premium. The warning states that claiming the game through the "Monthly Games" tab might inadvertently lock users out of the version they are entitled to, forcing them to pay for it instead. This anomaly has left the community scrambling for a safe way to add the game to their library without falling into a digital trap.

The Technical Glitch Explained

To understand the gravity of the situation, one must look at the structure of the PlayStation Plus ecosystem. The service offers three tiers: Essential, Extra, and Premium. Usually, a "Monthly Game" is available to all tiers simultaneously. The current issue seems to stem from how the PlayStation Store handles entitlements for users with multiple active subscriptions.

According to the reports, if a user with PS Plus Extra or Premium attempts to claim the LEGO Horizon Adventures title via the standard Monthly Games landing page, the system may fail to recognize the claim correctly. Instead of registering the game as "purchased" (at zero cost), the system might flag the user as owning a different version of the game (perhaps a trial or a demo associated with the Premium tier) and subsequently hide the "Add to Library" button for the free Essential version.

This is not merely a theoretical concern. ComicBook.com explicitly noted that this issue could cause "some issues for players if they're not paying attention." The severity lies in the fact that once the mistake is made, reversing it can be difficult, potentially requiring support intervention.

A Timeline of Events

The confusion began when Sony officially unveiled the December 2025 PlayStation Plus lineup. The announcement was met with enthusiasm, as the lineup was unusually robust.

1. Mid-December 2025: Sony announces the Monthly Games, headlined by LEGO Horizon Adventures, alongside titles like Neon White and Killing Floor 3. Verified reports mention that five games were offered instead of the usual three, a rare treat for subscribers.
2. Initial Launch Day: As users rushed to claim the games, reports began surfacing on Reddit and social media regarding the inability to claim the LEGO title.
3. December 16, 2025: PlayStation LifeStyle publishes a detailed warning, advising users to "be careful claiming this new free PS Plus game."
4. Following Days: The story gains traction, with IMDb and Screen Rant highlighting the game's high ratings while simultaneously acknowledging the claiming controversy.

This timeline highlights how quickly a positive news story can pivot into a cautionary tale due to unforeseen technical glitches.

Context: The Evolution of PlayStation Plus

To appreciate why this specific glitch is causing such a stir, we must look at the broader context of the service. Since the major overhaul of PlayStation Plus in 2023, which introduced the Essential, Extra, and Premium tiers, the value proposition has increased significantly. For Canadian gamers, who often face higher price points for games compared to the US, this subscription is vital.

Historically, PlayStation Plus has faced scrutiny regarding game preservation and library management. However, the addition of major first-party titles like LEGO Horizon Adventures (a Sony Interactive Entertainment property) just months after release is a significant value add. It signals Sony's confidence in the game's ability to attract new subscribers.

Interestingly, LEGO Horizon Adventures has a history with the service. As noted in supplementary research, a demo was previously offered to Premium subscribers in late 2024. This prior exposure means many users already have a "Demo" version sitting in their library, which is likely the root cause of the current entitlement confusion. The system sees the "Demo" entitlement and conflicts with the "Full Game" entitlement.

Immediate Effects and Community Reaction

The immediate impact of this situation is a mix of hesitation and frustration. The gaming community, usually quick to celebrate freebies, is now walking on eggshells.

The "Safe" Method In response to the warnings, a consensus has formed regarding the "safe" way to claim the game. Users are advising others to bypass the Monthly Games tab entirely. Instead, they recommend searching for LEGO Horizon Adventures directly in the PlayStation Store via the console, web browser, or mobile app. From there, ensure the price shows as "Free" (or $0.00) and "Add to Library." This method bypasses the buggy Monthly Games hub that seems to be causing the entitlement conflict.

Social Proof and Validation Despite the technical hurdles, the enthusiasm for the game remains high. Verified reports from Screen Rant and community discussions highlight that "PlayStation Plus Members Love LEGO Horizon Adventures." Comments on Reddit and other forums reflect a genuine appreciation for the game's quality, with many calling it a "perfect weekend game." This dichotomy—great game, bad storefront experience—defines the current narrative.

Economic Implications For the average Canadian gamer, the cost of new releases has climbed to nearly $90 to $100 CAD before taxes. A free, high-quality game like this is a substantial economic relief. The fear of accidentally locking oneself out of this value is driving the cautionary behavior we are seeing today.

Future Outlook: What Gamers Should Watch For

Looking ahead, there are a few strategic points for Canadian PlayStation users to keep in mind regarding this situation.

Sony’s Response It is highly likely that Sony will deploy a backend patch to fix the entitlement logic on the PlayStation Store. Usually, when widespread bugs like this occur, a silent hotfix is applied within 24 to 48 hours. Users should keep an eye on official PlayStation social media channels or news outlets for confirmation that the issue is resolved.

The "Claim at Your Own Risk" Period The warning to "not claim right away" suggests a cooling-off period is wise. If you are an Extra or Premium subscriber, the safest bet is to wait a few days before attempting to add the game to your library. The game will be available for the entire month of December, so there is no rush to claim it within the first hour of release.

Long-Term Library Health This incident serves as a reminder for all subscribers to carefully review their transaction history and library status after claiming games. Occasionally, duplicate entries (like a Demo and a Full Game) can cause confusion in the "Library" tab. Regular housekeeping of your digital library can prevent future entitlement issues.

Conclusion

The arrival of LEGO Horizon Adventures on PlayStation Plus is a testament to the incredible value the service offers. It is a critically acclaimed title that turns a gritty sci-fi world into a playful, brick-building adventure. However, the shadow of a technical glitch currently looms over the release.

For our readers in Canada, the advice is clear: the game is excellent, but the claiming process requires patience. By searching for the title directly in the store rather than using the promotional Monthly Games tab, you can likely bypass the bug entirely. As always, the golden rule of digital gaming applies—measure twice, cut once. Wait for the dust to settle, verify the "Free" price tag with your own eyes, and then dive into one of the most charming games of the year, risk-free.

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