[2022] PSPlus prompt on starting?

Hi, PS5 player here, i've been having an issue with starting up the new F2P version, i've been able to login into my epic games account with no problems but as soon as i try to progress through the main menu i get a PSPlus prompt telling me to buy it and whenever i decline it i keep getting errors. Is this an issue with the game itself, or is it just PSN being slow? Sorry for the inconvenience, can't wait to get back into the game :)