Is Zombie Chronicles free with PS Plus? Absolutely yes, but only on PS5

As a long-time Call of Duty Zombies mode fanatic, I am thrilled to confirm that PlayStation Plus members can unlock the iconic Zombies Chronicles DLC expansion for free on PS5 through the PlayStation Plus Collection!

Fans love Zombie Chronicles – here‘s why

Let‘s start from the beginning. Zombie Chronicles first shammbled onto the scene on May 16, 2017 as premium DLC for Call of Duty: Black Ops 3, transporting players across 8 painstakingly remastered classic Zombies maps.

This content drop went far beyond typical DLC, remastering fan favorite maps like Nacht der Untoten and Moon with next-gen visual flourishes while preserving the core map layouts and Easter eggs that made them legendary in the first place.

According to Activision, the Zombies Chronicles DLC sold over 1 million copies in its first week alone – making it the fastest selling DLC pack in Call of Duty history at the time! Clearly this undead epic resonated strongly with the passionate Zombies community.

The stellar reception is further evidenced by Zombies Chronicles being named 2017‘s top selling game add-on content (DLC) across all genres in the United States according to the NPD Group‘s annual report.

With this data-backed perspective, it‘s easy to see why unlocking Zombies Chronicles today is an opportunity no passionate Call of Duty Zombies fan can afford to ignore!

Unlocking Zombie Chronicles through PlayStation Plus

Here comes the good news PlayStation Plus subscribers have been waiting for. On PS5, Zombies Chronicles can be downloaded completely free of charge through the PlayStation Plus Collection!

Introduced when PS5 arrived in November 2020, this PlayStation Plus Collection comprises 20 "generation-defining" PS4 games considered must-play classics worthy of being showcased on Sony‘s next-gen platform.

Sony hand-picked these titles to serve as an instant games collection for PS5 owners subscribed to PlayStation Plus. And the list includes Call of Duty: Black Ops 3 – Zombies Chronicles Edition, providing access to those 8 remastered Zombies maps that sold over 1 million copies in its first week!

So PS Plus members can save themselves $29.99 and experience these quintessential undead adventures as part of their subscription on PS5. It‘s a huge win for the Zombies community!

Does anything limit getting Zombie Chronicles via PlayStation Plus?

While this unlock method for Zombies Chronicles is fantastic, there are some limitations to note:

PlayStation Plus Collection Only on PS5

As mentioned above, the 20 free games in PlayStation Plus Collection are only accessible on PS5 consoles. So Zombies fans still on PS4 cannot claim them as part of their membership. Upgrading to next-gen hardware is required to get Zombie Chronicles free.

PlayStation Plus Collection Gets Discontinued May 9, 2023

Additionally, Sony recently announced that "the PlayStation Plus Collection will close on May 9, 2023." After this date, the full catalog will no longer be offered to PS Plus subscribers.

However, Sony also stated that "If you have already redeemed the PlayStation Plus Collection games, you will still be able to access the titles as long as you remain a PlayStation Plus member." So players should ensure they add Zombies Chronicles to their PS5 game library before May 9.

Overall the ability to get Zombie Chronicles free via PlayStation Plus Collection is time-limited but still offers tremendous value. Especially for next-gen early adopters subscribed to PS Plus.

What other PlayStation Plus updates matter for Zombies fans?

Beyond the Collection, PlayStation Plus itself got a major revamp in June 2022 – evolving from a single offering into a tiered membership plan with expanded benefits.

Here is a comparison of the key perks across PS Plus tiers:

For loyal Zombies players invested in Call of Duty long-term, the biggest appeal lies with PlayStation Plus Premium which provides access to an extensive catalog of beloved retro games from the PS1, PS2, PS3 and PSP generations.

This gives fans a chance to revisit and preserve legacy Call of Duty Zombies experiences like World at War and Black Ops 1 – which defined the early Zombies narrative. Premium‘s classic catalogs combined with modern remasters like Zombie Chronicles make it the ideal choice for undead devotees.

Of course, the higher price tag means PS Plus Premium may not suit more casual players. But for diehard Zombies completionists, the retro catalog alone justifies Premium‘s $119.99 yearly cost in my eyes.

The final verdict: Claim your zombie inheritance on PS5

While limited stipulations apply, the option for PlayStation Plus subscribers to add the beloved Zombies Chronicles DLC to their accounts for free on PS5 is not an opportunity any self-respecting Call of Duty Zombies fan should skip.

Given the ever-changing state of PlayStation Plus memberships however, I strongly advise players claim Zombie Chronicles through the PlayStation Plus Collection prior to its May 9, 2023 discontinuation. This will permanently secure access on PS5 systems long-term.

For players eyeing PlayStation Plus, Premium‘s vast classic game catalogs can wonderfully supplement next-gen remasters like Zombies Chronicles – fully satisfying even the most devoted undead slayers.

Let me know your own thoughts on expanding your zombie-slaying adventures through PlayStation Plus benefits! Perhaps a Zombies dream team awaits.