PlayStation Plus has rolled out its latest wave of additions for the Extra and Premium tiers, and while most of the attention is understandably landing on longer, higher-profile releases, one of the quieter inclusions stands out for an entirely different reason. Among the nine games added in the January 2026 update, The Exit 8 offers a complete experience that can be finished in under an hour, making it a practical option for players who want something contained and focused rather than another long-term commitment.
The January update arrived on January 20, 2026, as detailed through official PlayStation channels, expanding the PlayStation Plus catalog with a mix of genres and scales. On the higher end are games like Resident Evil Village and Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth, both of which demand dozens of hours to see through. At the other end of the spectrum sits The Exit 8, a short-form psychological experience that is deliberately minimal in scope and length. Its inclusion helps round out the lineup by offering an alternative to the increasingly time-intensive nature of modern releases on PlayStation Plus.
The Exit 8 describes itself as a walking simulator, but that label only partially captures what it does. Players find themselves trapped in an underground passageway that repeats in subtle variations. Progress depends on careful observation. If something in the environment feels off, the correct response is to turn back. If everything appears normal, the player continues forward. This simple loop forms the entire structure of the game, relying on tension, repetition, and unease rather than traditional mechanics or narrative exposition.
The design is intentionally compact. Most players complete the game in under an hour, with first-time playthroughs often landing between 40 and 50 minutes. Even those aiming to see every variation and outcome rarely exceed 60 minutes. That brevity is not a drawback so much as a defining feature. The Exit 8 is built around a single idea and commits to it without padding, which makes it particularly suited to short sessions or players sampling the PlayStation Plus catalog between larger games.
The broader PlayStation Plus update offers plenty of alternatives depending on taste and available time. Horror fans can spend considerably longer with Resident Evil Village, while puzzle-focused players may gravitate toward titles like A Little to the Left. Meanwhile, several games, including Cult of the Lamb and SaGa Frontier Remastered, are scheduled to leave the service soon, creating a familiar sense of rotation that encourages players to prioritize.
In that context, The Exit 8 works as a low-risk addition. It asks for very little time, delivers a complete experience in one sitting, and fits neatly alongside more demanding titles rather than competing with them. For subscribers looking to make efficient use of their PlayStation Plus library, it is a reminder that not every worthwhile game needs to stretch across dozens of hours.
