We give our opinion on the updated version of PlayStation Plus, When dusk falls and Gigabyte’s M32U gaming monitor.
Talk to an Xbox gamer and they’ll tell you that Xbox Game Pass is one of the best deals in gaming. So with that service only gaining momentum, Sony has gone ahead and overhauled its subscription model — introducing the all-new PlayStation Plus. We’ve been playing with the updated service for over a month now, so is it worth investing in for the PlayStation believers?
First of all, it is best to understand the three levels. Essential starts at $11.95 per month and simply replaces the previous PlayStation Plus system. As a result, you get access to free monthly games, online multiplayer and discounts in the Store. So far, so simple. Additional takes it up a notch (at $18.95 per month) by offering access to the ‘Game Catalogue’, a range of PS4 and PS5 games that can be downloaded and played no matter how long you pay for a subscription. Finally, Deluxe is the cream of the crop at $21.95 a month, giving you access to everything so far, but it’s your only way to try out the ‘Classics Catalogue’, which includes an assortment of beloved PlayStation -hits.
Our time was spent on the Deluxe offering, and to say it’s an impressive value proposition is a serious understatement. For example, if you are a PS5 gamer and have access to premium titles such as Demon Souls, Ghost of Tsushima Director’s Cut and Return is a huge deal, especially when you consider that some retailers will charge you over $100 a pop. Sure, that deal pales in comparison to Xbox’s Day-One Game Pass releases, but for PlayStation gamers, it’s still a damn good deal.
Add to that the boatload of PS4 titles and that value is increased tenfold. From Horizon Zero Dawn until god of war until Red Dead Redemption 2 and countless more, the game catalog is extensive and offers a little bit of everything, no matter what flavor you want.
We found the process of downloading and playing games in the catalog a breeze, although finding those titles using the service’s updated layout and management method could use some work. Some of the category breakdowns felt more confusing than they needed to be, but it’s admittedly flimsy and can be easily remedied over time.
Value Luxury level is loose with its classics offering. Remove the modern classics (like The Last of Us remastered and the Uncharted Collection), and what you’re left with is a barebones offering that leaves a lot to be desired.
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The escape of primates, LocoRocco and Siphon filter (just to name a few) are a good start, but if you look back at the extensive libraries of the PS1, PS2, and PSP, you’ll quickly realize the untapped potential at play here. It’s an issue that we’re not entirely sure will be resolved anytime soon, so Sony doesn’t provide much insight into how often new titles will be added – at least for now.
So what does this mean for the average gambler? At the end of the day, the new PlayStation Plus is a great deal if you’re on a budget and don’t feel like playing the latest and greatest releases. That said, we recommend sticking to the for now Additional low. It’s perfectly rated and offers the best bang for your buck, at least until Sony adds a few more old school titles to its library.
Read more about the new PlayStation Plus here.
Now also out…
When Dusk Comes (Xbox Series X/S, XBO, PC)
We admit we weren’t quite sure about this pick your own adventure style drama, but we’d be damned if it didn’t suck us in soon. The actual plot is the real meat and potatoes of this one, so without going into spoiler territory you follow two families that cross paths under some pretty dramatic circumstances. Sometimes it’s a real wild ride, but all you need to know is that it’s consistently engaging, and being able to change the story based on your actions can literally mean life or death for many of the characters. We especially enjoyed reading the breakdown of the butterfly effect at the end of each chapter – showing how your choices compare to those of other gamers.
The story is also aided by a rather unique motion graphic art style that may not be for everyone, but by the time the credits kicked in, we loved it. Free for Game Pass subscribers, When dusk falls is a creative adventure full of twists and turns that is worth watching.
Forza Horizon 5: Hot Wheels (Xbox Series X/S, XBO, PC)
Forza Horizon 5 blew us away last year, but while the game has been in the garage ever since, this expansion did a good job of getting our engines going again. The orange highways of Hot Wheels provide a childlike cheerfulness and offer the developers some more creative freedom.
That’s most evident by the setting, where most of the races take place in the air, but cleverly dipping and weaving into the existing map to keep things fresh and exciting. The basic polishing of Horizon 5 luckily it also stays firmly intact, so having an extra $30 on hand is a great way to relive your childhood dreams and try some classic Hot Wheels cars.
Hands-on with the Gigabyte M32U gaming monitor
When it comes to gaming monitors, Gigabyte has been producing quality devices for quite some time now. The company’s latest offering, the beefy Gigabyte M32U, looks poised to compete with the top dogs, so we decided to try it out for ourselves.
And amplifies this powerhouse of a unit. From the moment you pick up the Gigabyte M32U, it’s clear that this monitor is an absolute beast. At 32 inches, it packs a surprising amount of weight, but once you attach the support arm and screw on the base plate, it’s incredibly sturdy. That doesn’t come at the expense of aesthetics either. The 32U’s black frame and design is simple and sleek, while the base protrudes just enough to accommodate a mouse or small keyboard. That said, we still recommend checking that you have enough desk space to fit the monitor and give your eyeballs enough distance.
But that’s where the M32U’s ergonomic capabilities come into their own, with the ability to swivel both horizontally and vertically and adjust the height at any time. For example, we placed ours on the edge of our desk and felt that our viewing angle never suffered. It also allowed us to easily access the rear control knob which can adjust settings, source type and volume.
Visual fidelity is where the M32U shines brightest, though, and with both 4K capabilities and a 144Hz refresh rate, your gaming needs are well catered for. We dabbled between both PC and PS5 during our testing and both performed admirably. From watching Disney+ content to a few hours with strayed, and everything in the M32U delivered great detail and rich colors. That’s in addition to the high refresh rate that should suit fans of hardcore shooters to ensure their optimal performance. Perhaps most surprising, the black levels held up remarkably well, especially considering the screen is IPS and not OLED.
We’ll admit the M32U’s sound doesn’t do very well, with internal speakers lacking a bit of punch in the bass department, but doing well enough if you’re in a pinch or tight on space. It’s hardly a deal-breaker, though, and can be easily solved by picking up a PC soundbar like Razer’s Leviathan V2.
The biggest hurdle the M32U faces is cost. With a price tag of around $1,179, this monitor is a damn serious investment and definitely won’t be for everyone. That said, if you want a cheaper alternative to upgrading your television, or have a console/PC hybrid gaming setup, the 32-inch form factor could be the perfect solution to have it all.
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