PlayStation Plus subscribers once again find themselves having to deal with a technical problem that has persisted for years and which risks losing permanent access to some titles in the catalogue. The problem specifically concerns Yakuza: Like a Dragon, the action role-playing game developed by Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio which was recently added to the PS Plus Extra library for October 2025. Those who had redeemed this title in August 2022, when it was part of the monthly Essential selection, risk irremediably compromising their license if they were to download it again through the Extra catalogue.
The issue has its roots in the digital licensing system implemented by Sony after the relaunch of PlayStation Plus. When a user redeems a game through the Essential subscription, they obtain a permanent license that allows them to access that title as long as they keep the basic subscription active. However, if the same game is later added to the Extra or Premium catalog and the user downloads it from that section, the system automatically overwrites the original license with the temporary one of the higher level.
The consequences of this mechanism are particularly serious. Games offered through Essential remain in the user’s library permanently, while those available through Extra and Premium are only temporarily present in the catalog and can be removed at any time. The moment a title is removed from the Extra tier, anyone who made the mistake of overwriting their Essential license completely loses access to the game, unless they purchase it separately.

This is a flaw that has been repeatedly reported by the gaming community since the launch of the new PlayStation Plus structure, but which Sony has never resolved despite numerous complaints. Users who notice the problem only after removing the game from the Extra catalog find themselves facing a wall: PlayStation customer service does not provide assistance for this case and there are no procedures to restore the original license. The loss is permanent and there will be no refunds or compensation of any kind.
To avoid falling into this trap, subscribers should carefully check their digital library before proceeding to download any title through the Extra or Premium catalogue. In the specific case of Yakuza: Like a Dragon, those who already own a copy redeemed in the summer of 2022 should absolutely avoid downloading the Extra version. For those who have never added the game to their collection, there are no contraindications: the title represents an excellent addition to the catalog and is certainly worth trying.
The case of Yakuza: Like a Dragon is just the latest example of a systemic problem that could recur every time a title previously offered on Essential is added to the higher subscription levels. Without decisive action from Sony, subscribers will have to continue to pay close attention when browsing the catalog of available games.